Pints of beer, sports rivalries and classic food are set to “clash” at a new British pub with a punk-rock edge. Opening at 7701 N. Nebraska Ave., London Calling will be the latest addition to the flourishing Seminole Heights dining scene next month.
The 4,500-square-foot space — which has seen a few brief restaurant stints over the past couple of years with The Bourgeois Pig, Ox & Fields and then the shortened Ox — is ready to accommodate 150 people. Staple dishes like shepherd's pie and bangers and mash — a traditional British Isles plate consisting of sausages and mashed taters — are on the menu.
"The pub will finally give our community a place to grab some good food, a cold beer and watch sports," said Paul Medrano, owner of London Calling as well as Red Star Rock Bar. "We feel filling that niche will be the reason we will be in business for quite awhile."
Medrano teamed up with Melissa Clemeth, who owns Seminole Heights marketplace Vintage Post, and David Hall to make the indoor-outdoor business venture happen. The trio hopes to cater to sports fans with more than 12 televisions airing programs like NFL Sunday Ticket and Premier League.
Built specifically for London Calling, the traditional L-shaped bar is inspired by pubs throughout Britain, as are decor elements like dark wood and glass mirrors. The main dining room will take on a more contemporary feel, and the Van Dyke Lounges (two other dining areas that come with their own restrooms and intercom systems for snappy service) are also available for private parties.
"I'm kind of a rock star lover. I love rock music, and 'London Calling' from The Clash still gives us that rock-inspired feel. Everything about England is cool to me — the history, The Darkside, Tower of London, Churchill, Amy Winehouse, Led Zeppelin, Princess Diana. I could go on," said Medrano.
To incorporate some rock-star entertainment, the partners plan to bring in power duos and trios on Friday and Saturday nights. Patrons, who get down with live tunes at the nearby Red Star, can pair the music with a selection of 40 beers, 12 of which are draft selections such as Bass and Newcastle.
London Calling is scheduled to debut by October 15. Both a soft and grand opening are in the works, but one highlight they'll include? Roger Daltrey, vocalist for The Who, ticket giveaways.
The pub's hours of operation are 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday, 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
This article appears in Oct 5-12, 2017.