Piper’s at Galway Hooker

Feb. 7. By Dave Yochum. Piper’s at Galway Hooker, which has been closed since since January, will get a new owner later this month. The owners of the highly successful Ed’s Tavern in Dilworth and the FreeMore Tavern on Morehead Street in Charlotte will finalize the purchase later this month, but they won’t open in time for St. Patrick’s Day.

The purchase price was not disclosed.

“We will make it a neighborhood bar with sports,” said Mike Morelli, who manages Ed’s and FreeMore. “The menu will be close to the same including fish and chips.”

Mike Morelli

Interior renovations are planned.

Both Ed’s Tavern and FreeMore Tavern are known as friendly neighborhood establishments with good food and drink.

Background

The Galway Hooker operated for two decades before being purchased by Dan Reynolds and renamed Piper’s at Galway Hooker during the pandemic.

The Galway Hooker was named for a traditional fishing boat used in the powerful seas of Galway Bay on the west coast of Ireland.

The structure here was built in Ireland before being dismantled and rebuilt here by the original owner, John Bisson, back in 2001-2002. It became a beloved local landmark, with massive St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Irish food, Guinness on draft and live music.

Morelli said neighborhood bars and steakhouse seem to stand the test of time.

Galway Hooker

“We want to be a good spot for Cornelius and Huntersville and take care of the regulars and locals,” Morelli said. “We’re trying not to get too fancy.”

The building, at 17044 Kenton Drive in Kenton Place, still has a small doorway for leprechauns. “We’ll take all the luck we can get,” Morelli said.