Irish Pubs are more than just a place to get a drink. They bring a sense of camaraderie and friendship and from birthdays to even funerals, they’re a great place to celebrate any occasion. Now, you don’t have to go all the way to Ireland to experience a cozy warm vibe and a nice stout. Thanks to
Broomall resident John Chambers and his family, you can now have an authentic Irish Pub delivered right to your door.
John, a carpenter by trade, launched Park a Pub in November 2022 after he designed and built his own mobile Irish Pub. Perfect for hosting any event, the outside is designed like an Irish Cottage and the inside is an authentic Irish Pub, complete with a wooden bar, six stools and two taps. There’s even a snug (a small nook), a TV to watch scenic views of Ireland or sports and a cozy fireplace.
The Park A Pub seats 12-15 people and can hold up to 25. It provides the perfect BYOB pub experience with a tap for Guinness and one for a domestic beer. Customers just need to buy their own kegs and alcohol. It’s even equipped with heating and air conditioning to make it suitable for year-round entertainment. “It’s got the charm and character of a traditional Irish pub, but it’s transportable,” said John.
Pubs have always been special to John. A native of Ireland, he went to his first pub when he was just a toddler. “That probably sounds a bit young,” said John. “But in Ireland, most people go to the pub as soon as they’re able to walk.” Not only did John’s parents meet at the pub where mom tended bar, John met his wife Maureen at a pub too!
Maureen, who was born and raised in Folcroft, happened to travel to Ireland to visit her grandparents when she met John at The Welcome Inn, a pub in County Mayo. The couple fell in love and in 1987 John moved to the United States to marry and start a family with Maureen.
As a carpenter, John found there was more work to be found here in the US than in Ireland. “There was also a lot more room here as I was one of 10 kids living in our house in Ireland,” John explained. He and Maureen began their married life in Norwood where they raised their two children Caitlin and Sean. Eventually, in 2005 they found the perfect fixer-upper home in Broomall and they’ve been here ever since.
When John started noticing that mobile pubs were becoming a big hit in Ireland, he got the idea to bring one to the Marple area. Enlisting the help of his 29-year-old son Sean, also a car- penter, the two got to work constructing the four-ton, 18-foot wide pub. The exterior decor includes a wheelbarrow, hay, milk jug and donkey-cart wheels and it’s even decorated by the Chambers family with seasonal decorations.
Inside, you’ll find repurposed pews from a church in Philadelphia. John also added small authentic details to the inside. There is a woven straw St. Brigid’s Cross (known to keep away fire and evil), a sign that says “one hundred thousand welcome” in Gaelic and a photograph of Burrishoole Abbey in County Mayo, where John’s father and grandfather were buried.
Since John and his family launched Park A Pub, it’s been rented steadily for everything from weddings to birthdays and even a memorial service. “It’s also become a family business for me, Maureen and the kids, which makes it really special,” said John. Sean continues to help with the heavy lifting, and Caitlin, a speech therapist by day, runs the marketing and communications for Park a Pub. Caitlin said customers love to keep the pub jumping, sometimes until 4am. “When we pick up the pub after an event, we love hearing how much fun everyone had,” she said. “That is the best part!”
The Chambers family is already on to their next mobile project – a Philly sports bar, coming in March. Whether you’re looking to impress your friends for your next St. Patrick’s Day celebration or preparing for March Madness, they’ve got you covered for your event. Visit www.ParkaPub.com for information about packages and pricing.