What’s the problem? It’s what the Irish ask for when they’re looking for good times, fun and a place to gather for good conversations, according to Jay Hunter. It’s also the phrase that inspired Hunter to open Shannon’s Irish Ale Housea new bar in Worcester at 65 Green St.

“We don’t make food that you typically can’t make at home,” Hunter told MassLive. “They (customers) are there for the experience, the ambiance, to be connected.”

Hunter, 53, opened the bar in early October after selling his previous location, Hunters Grille and Tap at the Grafton Inn.

The bar is smaller than the one at the Grafton Inn, but Hunter told MassLive it’s nice. He said he sold his old restaurant to find something more manageable and business has been good since Shannon’s opened earlier this month.

“It was time to get a smaller space,” he said. “So we sold it, found it and decided to give it a try.”

The walls of the bar are covered with panels with Irish pictures and sayings, as well as eight televisions showing different programs. The gray ceiling is decorated for Halloween, covered in fake cobwebs, and attached are two spinning fans with a shroud-clad ghoul attached to each one.

Various trinkets are scattered around the bar, such as an old clock, a coat of arms with two crossing swords, old canes, and a suit of armor in the corner of the bar holding a tennis racket in his hands and wearing a hot dog hat. on his helmet.

Hunter’s wife, Shannon, who works at the bar while handing out Keno papers, named the bar after her. Behind it is a wide choice of whiskeys, ryes and other alcohols. Above the bottles is a row of rubber ducks painted green. The ducks are complimentary to customers if they order one of the drinks served at Shannon’s, the Irish Mai Tai. Hunter says the drink has been very popular since the bar opened earlier this month.

“I think we started with over 40 ducks, and now we have half that,” he said.

Another popular drink at the bar is Shannon’s Espresso Martini, made with Jameson and espresso pods, Hunter said. In addition to drinks, the bar offers soups, starters, sandwiches and pizzas. Hunter says he tries to keep his food $15 or less and specials won’t exceed $18 to $20. He admits it’s difficult to maintain because food is still quite expensive to buy, but he’s committed to keeping prices low for his customers.

“You just have to make sure you’re buying and buying the right things at the right time from the right people,” Hunter said.

Madness is at your back

There is a second room adjoining the main room. Inside is a leather sofa and a few chairs in a circle with a checkerboard in the middle. The walls of this room feature a television, other panels, and two dart boards that can be used for games. There’s also a giant clock mounted on the wall with a sign underneath that says “What’s going on?” »

This room is the “crazy room” where people can gather, play games and find out what’s going on with others, creating the “good times” atmosphere that the bar seeks to create.

“They say the madness is in the back,” Hunter told MassLive.

The ‘craic’ will also soon be outside the bar, as Hunter works to transform the outdoor patio into a place where people can drink and eat. He hopes to have this done by next year.

A walkway with an American flag painted on the wall connects the main bar and the craic room. Hunter told MassLive the paint was there when he bought the bar and decided not to change it during the remodel. Instead, he has dubbed this wall the “Wall of Awesomeness” and is collecting patches from first responders that can be attached to the wall. Some of the stains on the wall are from surrounding towns, such as Grafton and Westborough.

“We hope to have military personnel there as well,” Hunter said.

A love for the food industry

Born and raised in the Vernon Hill neighborhood of Worcester, Hunter became interested in the food industry at the age of 15. His first job in the industry was at the Showcase Cinema in downtown Worcester, where the Hanover Theater is now located.

Hunter said he was responsible for several tasks at the theater, from handing out tickets to serving popcorn and refreshments. Here he fell in love with the food industry, a love he still carries today.

“As a kid, you should try to get into one of these jobs at some point,” he said. “Just to appreciate it, because there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.”

After high school, Hunter worked in the trades, his most recent being a union job at Verizon in the 2000s and 2010s. But by 2013, he had had enough and wanted to return to the food industry. Hunter eventually purchased and began work on renovating the Grafton Inn into Hunter’s Grille and Tap. Hunter used the skills he learned in his trade to turn Building 200 into his own business.

“You wear a lot of different hats when you own your own business,” Hunter said. “From sweeping the floor to repairing a piece of equipment.”

In 2016, Hunter’s opened its doors to the public. The restaurant had to be closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Hunter said his business bounced back. However, in 2023 there was a labor shortage and it was decided to sell the restaurant and find a smaller location.

Despite the move, many regulars from the former Hunter’s restaurant still show up at Shannon’s and share stories and news. These customers come from Worcester and surrounding areas such as Grafton and Shrewsbury, and all offer the ‘craic’ to Hunter and each other.

“That’s why we come out,” Hunter said. “Have a good conversation and meet good people. »

Shannon’s Irish Ale House is open Monday to Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.