ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A new destination for shepherd’s pie, potato pancakes and other Irish and Scottish staples is almost ready to welcome customers in Lehigh County.
Bagpiper’s Pub, serving authentic Irish and Scottish dishes along with American favorites such as burgers and cheesesteaks, is expected to open within the next few weeks at 2101 Liberty St. in Allentown’s West End, co-owner Bill Dech said.
Dech and his wife, Sue Dech, and another couple, Bruce and Kim Campbell, have taken over the former Stooges Bar & Grille and rebranded the business as Bagpiper’s.
The partners spent the past few months renovating the space to include new ceiling tiles, pendant lighting, tile flooring and other upgrades.
They also removed two small bars and constructed a new main bar in the center of the space.
The custom-built rectangular bar, with seating for 29 customers, features a wood top with LED accent lighting in the middle. The bar will offer 16 draft beers, classic and signture co*cktails and a “really nice selection of whiskeys and Scotches,” Bill said.
Tartan-patterned window valances add to the Irish and Scottish ambiance, and the partners also plan to display several flags – including the national flags of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the United States – outside.
“We’re almost there!” Bill said. “Renovations are complete, and our staff is in place. So, our goal is to open in time for the [Allentown Fair].”
The Dechs and Campbells, who both reside in Bethlehem, are no strangers to the restaurant scene.
In August 2021, the couples opened The Nest Bar & Grille, a two-story sports bar and restaurant offering casual American pub fare, several televisions and a large, partially covered outdoor patio, at 601 E. Fourth St. on Bethlehem’s South Side.
The Dechs also operate another pub, Southside 313, a few blocks away in south Bethlehem.
Customers’ favorite dishes from both Bethlehem restaurants will be incorporated into Bagpiper’s menu, Bill said.
Individuals can expect the reuben sandwich, tuna nachos and cheesesteak (fresh steak or chicken meat with sauteed onions and house-made wiz) from The Nest, along with the Rachel sandwich, smoked salmon and hog bones (fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs with smoky barbecue and coleslaw) from Southside 313.
There also will be chicken wings, available in your choice of around a dozen new and familiar sauces such as Spicy PBJ, death pepper and Elvis (peanut butter banana bacon), Bill said.
Popular Irish and Scottish dishes will include bangers and mash, fish and chips and shepherd’s pie, which the pub will call “Bagpiper’s pie.”
There also will be appetizers such as Irish nachos and potato pancakes (served with applesauce and herb sour cream).
“My wife has an Irish background, and Bruce has a Scottish background,” Bill said. “So, that’s kind of how the idea came to be. Bruce actually created a Scottish bar in his house. It’s beautiful.”
The new Allentown pub, with seating for approximately 100 individuals, will feature around a dozen TVs and a digital jukebox.
The partners also plan to introduce other entertainment such as live music and trivia down the line, Bill said.
“We go to the bars in Allentown’s West End a lot to get out of Bethlehem and enjoy a different scene,” Bill said.
“When this opportunity presented itself, we thought it would be a great addition to the neighborhood. There’s a lot of Muhlenberg College students nearby, and there’s also a great theater crowd. So, we’re just looking to complement the existing scene, which has a lot of great bars already. We also wanted to bring an Irish pub back to the neighborhood as Jack Callaghan’s was the only one over there before it closed a few years ago.”
Stooges Bar & Grille, featuring indoor and seasonal patio seating, closed in March.
The owners made the announcement in a post on the business’ Facebook page.
“It is with mixed emotions that we have to announce the closing of Stooges,” the online post reads.
“We greatly appreciate all of the support over the past couple years however the time has come for us to move on. Although the chapter of Stooges has come to an end, there are exciting new things to come that will be a great addition to the West End of Allentown. Again, thank you for all of your support it has been a great ride!"
After purchasing the Liberty Street property in spring 2019, Stooges owner Joseph Clark Jr. enlisted contractors to help him renovate the space before opening a second iteration of Stooges in August 2020 with his friend, Travis Decker.
Walls were knocked down to allow for an open-concept dining area, and a new garage door – opening to the front sidewalk during nice weather – was installed.
Other improvements included new flooring, lighting, kitchen equipment and interior and exterior paint.
Stooges’ first iteration was run by different ownership from 2003 until its abrupt closure in 2016.
Prior to Stooges, the building was home to the former Kern’s Restaurant for more than 75 years.
“We are super thankful for the support that we’ve received from everyone,” Clark told 69 News in March.
“We didn’t want to sell unless we were really happy with the people who would be running the place, and we are. It’ll be a good fit for the West End neighborhood. The people who will be operating it do a really nice job.”
Clark, who retains ownership of the property, attributed his decision to sell the business to other professional commitments, which keep him “really busy.” His family also played a role in the decision.
“The bar was never really my main business as I have a number of other things that I do,” Clark explained.
“I’m a real estate guy mainly, and I also have a good cabinet and supply business. I also have three little kids. So, I wasn’t at the bar as much as you should be if you’re running a bar.”
For the latest Bagpiper’s Pub updates, including an official opening announcement, follow the business’ Facebook and Instagram pages.
