The Shamrock, home of Wichita’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day party, is being sold

Dave Stough has been running The Shamrock Lounge at 1724 W. Douglas for 16 years, and for most of that time, he’s worked seven days a week slinging drinks, booking bands, cooking corned beef and tending to the loyal patrons he calls “The Sham Fam.”

Now, he’s ready to retire from the bar. On Friday, Stough announced on The Shamrock’s Facebook page that he was selling the bar, which he’s run since 2002 and owned since 2008.

He has a potential buyer already lined up, he said. Justin Brown, the owner/operator at another legendary Wichita bar — Snug Harbor at Lincoln and Edgemoor — plans to take over The Shamrock. Brown is not yet ready to talk about his specific plans, he said, but will say more after he closes on the deal in December.

Meanwhile, Stough is planning a farewell party for his longtime customers. At 6 p.m. on Nov. 16, he plans to put on the “Last Bash of the Sham Fam,” complete with live music, snacks and drink specials. He plans to close the bar at the end of business on Dec. 3.

Stough, whose daughter just gave birth to his first grandchild, said that he and his wife are moving to Omaha to help care for 5-week-old Iris Louise.

“We’re ready to focus our lives around that now,” he said.

The Shamrock under Stough became a hotspot for Wichita nightlife. Located on the end of Wichita’s trendy Delano District, the bar became known for its annual St. Patrick’s Day party, which coincides with the Delano St. Patrick’s Day parade and features a corned beef and cabbage feast cooked by Stough. The Shamrock’s annual Tornado Bait party has also always been a draw.

Stough, a prolific cook, for the past several years has been putting on special dinners at the bar and has developed a loyal following among live music fans.

He said that Brown has indicated his desire to keep the name of the bar intact and to continue its tradition of live music. He also asked Stough to leave behind all the equipment he uses to make St. Patrick’s Day dinner.

“Justin seems like a great guy,” Stough said. “He’s into the idea of a neighborhood bar and live music.”

The Shamrock has been a Wichita staple since 1933, Stough said. It was initially opened as Geselle’s Bar & Grill, and it had a pharmacy occupying half the space. In the late 1950s or early 1960s, Stough said, Geselle sold the bar to the McGlynn brothers, who renamed it The Shamrock. Stough took over running the place in 2002 and bought the bar in 2008.

Brown said he didn’t want to talk about his plans for now out of respect for Stough but promises to reveal more in December. I’ll keep you updated.

This story was originally published October 26, 2018 at 3:45 PM.