There is a dining establishment in Deerfield where you can enjoy a cold adult beverage, and where you can walk in for the first time and feel just as welcome as if you had been going in there for 31 years. The Tipperary Pub in The Cove Shopping Center (1540 SE 3 Court) is known for its feel-like-family attitude and prides itself on welcoming newcomers as if they were long lost friends.  And when you leave, you may think you are just that.

Dick Maggiore, or “Tricky Dick” as he is known by the Tipperary Pub customers, and his partner Danny O’Connor, bought the lounge back in April, 2003, from Ron “Big Ron” Touchstone who owned the bar for 28 years before selling it.  Maggiore had been looking for a place like the Tipperary Pub since he came to South Florida in the early ‘80’s during spring break. “I thought the area was great, the weather was fantastic and so were the people,” said Maggiore.

Originally from Long Island where he owned a deli, Maggiore decided to call Florida home in 1992 after spending a lot of time running back and forth.  When he finally talked Big Ron into selling him the Tipperary, it took two years to make his dream work.  He did so with the help of his cousin, O’Connor, who had worked with him in New York, and his sister, Lynda Durand.

Today the trio oversees not only the Tipperary and its friendly staff, but also “Tricky Dick’s,” another establishment in southwest Boca. 

But talk to them for just a few minutes and you can see their hearts are at the Tipperary.

 “We have the best bartenders in Deerfield,” boasts O’Connor proudly. “They know everybody and if they don’t know you, they make you feel like they do.”

There is a lot more to the Tipperary Pub, and that is the food.  Try stopping by Monday through Saturday after 7 a.m. for their home-style Irish breakfast.  Patrons boast about the Blood Pudding, and Irish Bangers & Bacon imported from Cork City, Ireland.  And as you would expect, corned beef sandwiches are available, as is Shepherd’s Pie.  The menu has a full selection with something for everybody, including Black Angus strip steaks, chicken wings, Caesar salads, chili, hamburgers and ribs. The kitchen hours vary; Mondays are open from 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Tuesdays and Wednesdays 7 a.m.-7 p.m.: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sundays noon to 6:30 p.m..  The Tipperary Pub is open till 2 a.m. each night.

If you’re looking to catch the big game, check out their 29 televisions that feature all the NFL games, NASCAR, college football, major league baseball, the NBA, NHL and more. 

If you would rather play than watch, Tipperary Pub has dart boards, shuffleboard and pool tables.  Every Thursday night there is a Pool Tournament that starts at 8 p.m. Or maybe you fancy yourself a singer; if so, come by for Karaoke Mondays.  One Sunday a month they have a pig roast (next one is October 21 at 3 p.m.) and the third Wednesday of each month they have a Caution Party, during which the bar is decorated with caution tape and similar items.  And remember, Maggiore has installed a generator, so you may want to stop by during the next power failure or following a hurricane.

For the best Happy Hour in Deerfield, and the most fun, meet your friends at the Tipperary Pub.

By Ric Green