McNellie's Pub Celebrating 20 Years In Downtown Tulsa

A pub that brought the taste of Ireland to Tulsa is celebrating two decades in business.

McNellie's opened March 11, 2004, at E First St. and S Elgin Ave, and Founder/CEO Elliot Nelson said back then it was the only spot in downtown Tulsa to enjoy happy hour.

"People would leave downtown and go to Brookside for happy hour which, to me, did not make a lot of sense," said Nelson. "It is three miles away, so we felt like there was a need and demand for a downtown place. That was the guess and luckily it has worked out."

McNellie's Pub is famous for its hamburger, sweet potato fries, and huge beer selection. It has 60 beers on tap and another 300 or more in bottles and cans. Nelson said the concept was inspired by his time spent in Dublin during his Junior year of college. He said in Ireland, pubs are the living room of the community.

"I fell in love with Irish pubs, Irish culture, and Irish people and just the kind of sense of Irish hospitality where everyone is welcome and it is a place where everyone can gather," he said.

This week McNellie's is raising a toast to 20 years in business. It all begins at 5 p.m. Monday, March 11th with Pint Night. The first several hundred people will get specialty Guinness glassware to take home. The celebration continues Tuesday, March 12-Thursday, March 14 with three collaboration dinners with Fassler Hall, The Bull in the Alley/Tavern, and Yokozuna/Mr. Kim's which all fall under the McNellie's Group ownership.

Nelson is also bringing back his popular Beer University on Friday, March 15, where he takes guests on a happy hour tour of McNellie's unique brews. The festivities will wrap up on Saturday and Sunday with the St. Patrick's Day Block Party featuring a DJ, live music, and the world-famous Guinness Gig Rig.

Nelson said it is their way of saying thank you to Tulsa.

"When we first started this downtown, we were very much on an island," he said. "A lot of people supported us early on just because they wanted to see downtown Tulsa come back, too, and that is not lost on me."

Below is a full list of the 20th Anniversary events. For Beer University reservation information visit McNelliesGroup.com

List of the festivities below:

Monday, March 11 - 20th Anniversary Celebration

It starts at 5 p.m. with Pint Night featuring specialty Guinness glassware

Tuesday, March 12 - Dinner with Fassler Hall

A four-course meal with beer pairings

Wednesday, March 13 - Dinner with The Bull in the Alley/Tavern

A four-course meal with beer pairings

Thursday, March 14 - Dinner with Yokozuna/Mr. Kim's

A five-course meal with beer pairings

Friday, March 15 - Beer University with Elliot

Founder Elliot Nelson takes you on a happy hour tour of McNellie's unique brews

Saturday, March 16 - Pre-St. Patrick's Day Block Party

McNellie's Opens at 11 a.m. with DJ and live music beginning at 6 p.m. Free event. All ages are welcome until 6 p.m.

Sunday, March 17 - St. Patrick's Day Open

McNellie's will open at 10 a.m. with the World-famous Guinness Gig Rig and music from DJ Moody. Free event. All ages are welcome until 6 p.m.