Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
NOW OPEN — The Downunder Sports Pub has opened its doors at the Shiretown Inn and Suites on the North Road. Featuring a new theme, menu and décor, the pub boasts 15 flat screen televisions and plenty of sports memorabilia. The staff includes, front row from left, Leslie Gervais, management; Maggie Watson, kitchen staff; and serving crew Kim Swimm, Amanda Cosme, Danielle Tarr, Nicole Hutchinson and Megan Carroll; back row, kitchen staff Jason Rochford and Mike Tomah; Sports Pub Manager Ben Goodwin; Sports Pub Manager and Chef Travis Beaton; Marty Gervais, management; and kitchen staff Randy Currier, Justin McCarthy, Reggie Dobbins and David Leclaire. Not pictured are Rod McEwen, Kristie Taylor, Darcy Gentle, Wendy McCausland, Dustin Goodall, Travis Merritt, Matt McEwen and Josh Beals.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Looking for a place gather with friends to watch some sports and grab a bite to eat? Then why not check out the newly renovated Downunder Sports Pub located at Shiretown Inn and Suites.
Formerly known as the Lounge Downunder, the Downunder Sports Pub opened its doors for business on Nov. 13 with a completely new look, new menu of food items and a theme aimed at attracting sports buffs from around southern Aroostook County.
“We have been lacking food service since the departure of the Elm Tree Diner North in the summer of 2011,” said General Manager Marty Gervais. “It has been a negative in the lodging side of the business to not have food service on premises for our guests.”
Gervais, and his wife Leslie, spent many long hours trying to come up with a solution for their lack of food availability and tossed around ideas on how to best utilize the space they already have. Shiretown Inn and Suites closed the Lounge Downunder about five years ago.
Gervais said he tried for a couple of years to find a different restaurant to lease the space, but when that plan failed to yield results, he decided it was time to simply do the restaurant himself. After all, his family operated both Jarvy’s Steakhouse and the Atrium Restaurant from that location for a number of years.
“I did not want to open another night club,” Gervais said. “I just wasn’t interested in doing that again. So we set our sights on the sports theme and began renovations to the old lounge and it has been really good so far. We wanted to find our own niche — something that was not available in the area. We wanted to entertain guests as well as feed them.”
Once the concept was complete, the next step was to hire a management team. Culinary chef Travis Beaton was hired to run the restaurant.
“Consistency is our goal from the kitchen,” Gervais said. “Travis and his crew prepare all the food from scratch and the menu items are unique.”
The menu features plenty of Australian jargon to play up the “down under” aspect of the pub. For example, appetizers are referred to as “divvy,” which is Australian for “to share.” Grilled sandwiches are known as “jaffles,” while burgers are called “maccas.” An “ankle biters” (kids) menu is also available.
Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
CENTER STAGE — The stage of the Downunder Sports Pub features a beautifully-painted mural by Leslie Gervais, wife of Shiretown Motor Inn & Suites owner Marty Gervais. A digital jukebox is available for customers to select their own songs to play at the newly opened pub.
“Leslie and Travis developed a menu with a good mix of appetizers, salads, soups, burgers and sandwich melts,” Gervais said. “The bacon-wrapped baby back ribs are a big seller, as is the bourbon salmon, chicken picatta and strip steak with sauce.”
Ben Goodwin was added to the management team to oversee the pub’s bartenders and servers. The redesigned lounge now features 15 flat screen televisions located around the bar and dining area that can broadcast a variety of sporting events or other channels. Sports décor is also featured throughout the pub. An interactive trivia game called “Tap TV” is also available.
Those over 21 who wish to stay later and kick up their heels after dinner may do so on the dance floor. A jukebox is available to allow guests to choose their favorite songs. Two billiards tables are also available.
Future plans include the possibility of offering takeout service as well as providing food for the Poolside Lounge area of Shiretown Inn and Suites.
“With a couple of weeks under our belt, the feedback has been positive,” Gervais said. “Our dinner crowds like the menu and many of our customers like to stop by for a quick beverage and appetizer.”
The Downunder Sports Pub serves dinner from 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 4-10 p.m. Fridays, noon-10 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. The bar remains open until midnight Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 1 a.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and 9 p.m. Sundays.
In the first few weeks of operation, minors were not allowed in the pub. That thinking has changed as many guests were visiting with children and looking for a place to eat. Those under 21 are now allowed any time the pub is serving meals Sunday through Thursday, and as long as they are seated for dinner by 7 p.m. on Friday or Saturday.
“We are focusing heavily on meals from early evening and then switch to the entertainment mode later,” Gervais said.
A new website is also in the works. For more information, call 532-9421.
