COLCHESTER, Conn. — St. Patrick’s Day tradition is extra special for Alex Levere, the owner of the Inishmor in Colchester. Levere has owned the famous Irish bar and restaurant for nine years, but two years ago, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said he almost lost his business.
“December of 2021 we almost closed, we were this close, and I don’t know how we got through that winter but we did," said Levere.
Two years later with Saint Patrick’s Day falling on a Friday and the UConn men's and women's basketball teams playing in the NCAA tournament, it all translates to a winning weekend at The Inishmor.
"What more could you ask for – you get the (NCAA) tournament, you get a hometown crowd, they’re going to be coming here in droves," Lavere said.
In the crowded bar with a live band playing festive Irish music, loyal customer Anton Smith, from Colchester said, “I love this place I come all the time – this is my ‘Cheers’.”
Levere added, “This is about relationships, and these are relationships that have been building year upon year. People have a place to come that they can call home.”
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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