Two years ago, the pub underwent a significant renovation and expansion that nearly doubled its seating capacity. And Tieber also is planning a second establishment, the Dublin 7 Whiskey Pub and Carvery, at Austin Landing in Miami Twp.
We caught up with Tieber earlier this week as he was preparing to attend a concert at Fraze Pavilion to find out more about our Daytonian of the Week:
What’s your favorite spot in the Dayton area?
The Oregon District!!! This is where I started coming in 1988, got my first job at Newcom’s in 1990, and opened The Dublin Pub in 1998. I also love the unique places you cannot find anywhere else — all the locally owned restaurants, Mendelson’s, both Markets (Second Street and Webster Street), The Dayton Celtic Festival, and of course every March 17, St. Patrick’s Day at The Dublin Pub.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Spending as much time as I can with my wife and kids.
What’s one word you think people would use to describe you?
Creative.
Why did you decide to stay in and settle in the Dayton area?
My father was a retired USAF pilot. I grew up in Beavercreek and went to the University of Dayton and then to Wright State majoring in Motion Picture Production. While I was in film school at Wright State, I started bartending. The rest is history.
How did you get involved with owning and running a pub?
I worked at Newcom’s for 8 years, then the opportunity to be involved with a pub/bar came up. My partners and I all had some Irish Heritage, enjoyed Guinness and Irish Whiskey. The old Shell gas station on the corner of Fifth Street and Wayne Avenue was still vacant just across the street from The Oregon District, so we decided to put our Irish Pub there. I remember that we were terrified no one would cross the street from The Oregon District to visit our place.
>> RELATED: St. Patrick’s Day off to a strong early-morning start at Dublin Pub
What was the most challenging part of that?
Keeping up with business was our first problem. The Dublin Pub is open for lunch, dinner, and stays open till 2:30 a.m. on weekends. We do the largest St. Patrick’s Day in Ohio, have live music every week, and our Sunday brunch is one of our top five highest-grossing menu items. In short, this is a very busy environment, which is always demanding on the staff. I would venture that our servers and bartenders also have one of the hardest jobs in the country on St. Patrick’s Day as well.
How did you push through the challenge?
A great staff that is treated as a family makes it all possible.
>> RELATED: Photos: St. Patrick’s Day Eve at Dublin Pub
What inspires you about Dayton?
I live in Bellbrook, which is a small town, and downtown Dayton has many of the attributes of a small town. The downtown community works together like a small town. There are more quality businesses in Dayton than there ever have been. Developments are booming, and business is growing. I really love how many people invest their livelihoods as well as their free time trying to make our downtown community the best destination in the Miami Valley. There are thousands of people working diligently trying to make Dayton great. I encourage people to come downtown and to take the chance and spend an evening in Dayton. The most important thing about the downtown businesses is that they are all locally owned, so the dollars spent at these establishments stay in the Miami Valley.
>> RELATED: Your guide to the best fries in Dayton, including Pub Fries
If you could change or bring one thing to Dayton, what would it be?
FREE PARKING for customers. Oh, and a grocery store.
>> RELATED: What famous musician Sheryl Crow likes to order at Dublin Pub
What do you think Dayton will look like in 10-15 years?
Downtown Dayton is growing, and to keep up with the population, more quality businesses will be in demand. I see an economic boost that will bolster the downtown community and create a downtown environment that we all love — similar to the former Urban Nights event where the streets were bustling, and there was activity on every corner.
>> RELATED: 9 must-eat sandwiches in Dayton, including The Ruck
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