Fidel Murphy’s Irish pub, an institution in the Cayman Islands bar-and-restaurant landscape, is up for sale.
The pub and its sister restaurant next door, The Kitchen, at Queen’s Court Plaza on West Bay Road, are being sold for $1.5 million.
John Dunne and his wife Caitlin have been co-owners of the pub, along with Jarlath Sheridan, since 2015.
Dunne told the Compass they were selling the business as they’re looking to start another hospitality project.
He said Fidel Murphy’s and The Kitchen have been “really good to us” but “it’s just time to try something else”.
“The two restaurants are doing really well and now it’s time to pass it on to someone else,” he added.
Dunne said potential buyers had already been making enquiries about purchasing the two establishments.
For many over the years in Cayman, Fidel Murphy’s has been the place for karaoke on a Friday night, roast lunches on Sundays, football matches at weekends, and as much Guinness as they can handle on St. Patrick’s Day.
The Kitchen, a more recent addition, is considered a “gourmet pub” which focuses on steaks and upmarket gastro-pub food.
“There been a lot of interest so far,” Dunne said, “with people coming in and talking to me about it. But no actual bids so far.”
He added that there had even been interest from “some lads in the GAA” – the Gaelic Athletics Association.
The sale is specifically for the two businesses, rather than the building, as the owners lease the property.
‘Piece of art’
Dunne, from Wexford in Ireland, says it has been special owning Fidel’s.
“Being the owner of an Irish pub is like being the custodian of a piece of art. You have to look after it… It becomes part of your personality,” he said.
He thanked the Irish and local communities on island for all their support over the years, saying they kept the business going during COVID.
Like other restaurants, Fidel Murphy’s was allowed to open during lockdown for food deliveries.
“The locals got us through COVID,” Dunne said. “The Irish community rallied. We were closed for 10 days. And then I went in and the phone never stopped ringing with people trying to order food.”
According to the marketing material from RE/MAX, which is the agent for the sale, the two restaurants together cover 4,500 square feet, with Fidel’s seating 100 people and The Kitchen seating 50.
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