Photographer: Ron Wise
January marked the 10th anniversary of the grand opening of Carmel’s Brockway Public House on Old Meridian Street, and General Manager Barry Miller says the establishment’s success lies in a combination of casual neighborhood bar aesthetic and Irish pub authenticity. The owners certainly went to great lengths to be able to offer their patrons a genuine Irish pub experience.
Prior to opening the doors of Brockway in January of 2008, owner Kevin Paul and his wife Lainie decided to make a few trips to Ireland to research the local pub scenes in and around Dublin. Inspired by the utilitarian-yet-comfortable aesthetic of many pubs in Dublin’s industrial districts, they decided to offer Carmel the most authentic Irish pub experience they could, enlisting the help of Dublin-based architecture and interior design firm McNally Design International for help with the planning and design process.
“You can really feel like you’re in an industrial pub in Dublin when you’re sitting in here,” says Miller, who joined the Brockway team shortly after its 2008 opening. “The way the tables, bar and seating are set up is very much mirrored after those pubs, and the owners had a vision that it could get a really good response in this part of the city.”
Brockway prides itself on Irish authenticity down to the smallest of details – from 2009 through 2011 the pub was given an annual award from the makers of Guinness (one of Ireland’s most popular and best-selling beers) for the staff’s ability to pour the nation’s most perfect Guinness pint – which, as many fans of the beverage know, involves careful attention to timing, amount poured and glass angle.
With a private room in the back, garage doors that open when the warm months arrive and plenty of patio seating, Miller says it’s all part of creating a comfortable and memorable pub experience for every customer.
“Our goal has always been to have that Cheers atmosphere where you can come, sit and talk to your family and friends and enjoy a pint of Guinness or whatever you decide you want to drink,” Miller says, adding that the pub hosts live music every Friday and occasionally on Saturdays. “I think we’ve achieved that, and I think that’s another big reason we’ve done well here.”
In addition to its ample beer selection, Brockway carries one of the largest arrays of whiskeys, bourbons and scotches in the state according to Miller. The pub’s food menu further exemplifies its dedication to all things Irish with fish and chips, bangers and mash, and shepherds pie, and adds a touch of American flair including burgers, sandwiches and specialty starters like Irish nachos and pickle chips.
Tragedy struck in 2015 when Lainie lost a battle with cancer, and since then Kevin has continued to perfect the concept that the couple started through their simple love of pub culture. A few years after opening Brockway, he had decided to try brewing his own homemade beer, and after finalizing a few recipes which led to a growing local demand, he broke ground in 2013 for what would become Danny Boy Beer Works smack in the middle of Carmel’s Village of West Clay.
Danny Boy has since expanded to include locations in Bloomington and South Bend, with rotating house brews and guest selections and a menu featuring sandwiches, wraps, pizzas and salads.
This March, Brockway broke its own attendance and sales records for St. Patrick’s Day with close to 2,000 people in attendance over the two-day holiday weekend that featured eight live bands. The event included a memorial ceremony in Lainie’s honor along with fallen members of the local Fire Department, of which she was a big supporter.
Miller says he and the staff look forward to many more years of providing a unique pub experience for patrons around the city and state.
“The 35 to 50 group is really our biggest demographic, but we get a wide variety of folks here since we’re located in the business district,” Miller adds. “I think for people who haven’t been in a real Irish industrial pub, we give them a true taste of that experience. We don’t plan on going anywhere.”
Brockway Public House is located at 12525 Old Meridian Street in Carmel. Give them a call at 317-669-8080 or visit brockwaypub.wordpress.com for additional info.
