There’s nothing like a hearty bowl of Guinness stew or a serving of shepherd’s pie on a brisk fall day.
Both are available at Conner Flynn’s Public House at 137 S. Main St. in Woodruff, which opened Oct. 27.
“We were just slammed. You know, there’s just been a great expectation in the community,” said co-owner Van Broad.
Opening an Irish public house was a lifelong dream for Broad. He teamed up with Maverick Biscuit and Travinia Kitchen and Italian Wine Bar restaurateurs Charles Sutter and brothers Sergio and Rico Briceño to make it a reality. From there, they brought in Jeff Slater and Kyle Frair, who owns the building.
Each piece of Conner Flynn’s has heart in it. The name is a nod to the maiden name of Broad’s late wife, June Conner Broad. The tables and bar were built by Sutter.
“In Ireland, our pub is like your house, so Conner Flynn’s Public House,” Sutter said.
Conner Flynn’s stacked menu is the brainchild of Sergio Briceño, Charles Sutter and executive chef Shawana “Smoov” Gates.
“I love cooking. I’ve got a passion to it. So every plate that I create, it comes from love,” Briceño said. “We always have a thing that we always joke about in the kitchen. We cook with love to make something sexy.”
The bar manager, Kevin Araya, developed a cocktail program that he describes as the classics with a twist.
“We try to make them fun. Not too complex. And yet, they’re delicious,” Araya said. Seasonal specials will be offered, as well.
Like any good Irish pub, Conner Flynn’s carries a strong selection of whiskeys, including Conor McGregor’s Proper 12 and Yellow Spot.
Next door, the Briceño brothers will bring another location for Maverick Biscuit. It’s just the latest edition in the rapidly growing town in southern Spartanburg County.
“Somebody said, ‘What, what are y’all doing in Woodruff?’ And I said, ‘We’re jumping on a moving train!'” Broad said.
Conner Flynn’s is open seven days a week – Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight.
