There’s a history of storytellers who come from northeast Missouri, Allen Tatman says — and he is no exception.
Tatman, owner of Paddy Malone’s Pub in Jefferson City, sat down with The Missouri Times publisher Scott Faughn to talk about his bar’s storied past as it celebrates its 20th anniversary Tuesday.
Tatman took over the lease for the bar at 700 W. Main Street, just steps from the Missouri State Archives, in June 2000 and bought the building with his wife, Marilee, three years later.
“This place has been a legislative watering hole for many, many, many years,” Tatman said.
Amid growing national concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, Tatman said he expects Tuesday’s festivities to be “a little tamer” than in the past, and the bar has hand sanitizer available for patrons. On social media, it’s instructed customers: “Be kind and smart — if you’re sick, immunocompromised, or the caregiver of someone who is, please stay home. We want you around for next year!!”
On the menu for the dual St. Patrick’s Day and anniversary bash, which began at 10 a.m.: corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips, and pints of Guinness, Harps, Smithwicks, and Magners.
A history connoisseur, Tatman’s bar pays homage to his Irish roots and home in Missouri. Two photos, in particular, stand out: former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and the late Gov. Mel Carnahan.
And Tatman, who worked for the Department of Natural Resources’ State Historic Preservation Office, credits his wife for the pub’s success.
“Marilee is really … the one that makes things run around here,” Tatman said. “She really is the heart and soul of the place.”
Listen to the full podcast with Allen Tatman and Scott Faughn for more on the history of Paddy Malone’s Pub and the relationship between Ireland and the U.S.
Kaitlyn Schallhorn was the editor in chief of The Missouri Times from 2020-2022. She joined the newspaper in early 2019 after working as a reporter for Fox News in New York City.
Throughout her career, Kaitlyn has covered political campaigns across the U.S., including the 2016 presidential election, and humanitarian aid efforts in Africa and the Middle East.
She is a native of Missouri who studied journalism at Winthrop University in South Carolina. She is also an alumna of the National Journalism Center in Washington, D.C.
Contact Kaitlyn at kaitlyn@themissouritimes.com.