CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Rí Rá, the quintessential Irish pub in the heart of Uptown reopened on Monday night after being closed since May 23 of last year after a devastating fire.
After an extensive restoration process the owners of the pub have opened the doors once again, and just in time for a proper St. Patrick's Day celebration.
"It's been a long, arduous, but ultimately rewarding process restoring the pub to its original authenticity," stated David Kelly, co-founder and owner of Rí Rá. "My partner Ciaran Sheehan and his master Irish craftsmen have meticulously refurbished every piece of our antique furnishings, while making some timely updates to an establishment now in its second decade. Our customers will find the same genuine Irish pub atmosphere and service, in addition to enhanced menu and entertainment offerings."
The 7500-square-foot Rí Rá debuted in March 1997 and quickly became a stalwart on the dining and nightlife scene for locals as well as visitors.
• SLIDESHOW: Rí Rá Reopens After Devastating Fire
The pub's name means uproar or hubbub, taken from the phrase "Rí Rá agus Ruaile Buaile," which roughly translates as devilment, good fun, or any social activity that improves with fine food and drink. Adding to the pub's authentic milieu are numerous natives of Ireland among the staff.
Original fixtures reclaimed from layers of soot include the Victorian bar, built in the early 1800s for the officer's mess in the Phoenix Park Barracks in Dublin, removed in 1920 and stored in a Dublin garage for over 70 years before becoming the centerpiece of the original Rí Rá.
It survives with other antiquities such as a restored Guinness mirror; exquisite etched glass panels dating to the early 1800s; a collection of Dublin Corporation Ledgers from 1800-1840 available for pub patrons' perusal; and a statue of St. Patrick, origins unknown but aged well over 100 years, which presides over the bar.
To replace components of the pub that couldn't be saved, Sheehan again sourced vintage pieces from Ireland and sailed them across the Atlantic to find a home in just the right spot in the revitalized establishment. A stunning example is the foyer's hardwood parquet floor, salvaged from Belfast's Harland and Wolff shipyard where the Titanic was built.
The sparkling renovated kitchen is the crafting place of an enhanced menu from Chef Tom LaFauci that features traditional Irish fare as well as regional favorites, many with a contemporary twist and all with a focus on quality and authenticity.
Rí Rá will participate in Charlotte's St. Patrick's Day parade on Saturday, March 13, helming a float, dispensing coupons, and featuring live music in the pub from 12 noon into late night.
Rí Rá's owners and long-time team members have been heartened by the support and interest of the pub's many fans who have followed the restoration process with great anticipation of the reopening.
"People have fond memories of Rí Rá," explained Sheehan, "and in the current time of turmoil and change, people are looking for familiar reliables -- authenticity, community, and quality. We're proud and thrilled to once again offer those to our patrons."
The pub's popular Sandwich Bar on Hearst Plaza has reopened as well, offering freshly prepared, ready-to-eat sandwiches and salads along with a build-it-yourself salad bar Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM.
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