Clawson is in for a fresh Irish breeze this fall as new neighborhood Irish Pub Gus’ Snug plans its opening in early November. Operated by the same team behind the beloved team behind O’Connor’s Public House in Rochester, the new neighborhood pub aims to tell Ireland’s rich history and culture while creating a warm and friendly gathering space fostering the local community.
“Every Irish town has a church and a pub, and the pub is where everything happens: relationships begin, kids are welcomed, people can just have conversations […] we want Gus’ to be a place where everyone in the community feels at home, ” Dimitry Goyfman, managing partner of Gus’ Snug, told What Now Detroit over the phone.
Even the name Gus’ Snug drew cultural reference from a little-known Irish tradition. Due to religious beliefs, women were looked down upon if they drank in the same room as men did. However, Irish pubs were all about inclusiveness, so the pub owners came up with “drinking in a pub together but they did not want to exclude anyone so they came up with the “SNUG,” a mostly closed room right off the bar that is still served by the bartender. “This is where the women and clergy would be able to have a pint in the same pub as the working men. But the women where still not allowed to pay for the pints they would drink so them men sitting at the bar would get stuck with the bill,” explained Dimitry.
Gus’ Snug will be located at 38 S Main St. Clawson, MI 48017, right off W 14 Mile Rd. The operation hours are 11 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Gus’ Snug will serve lunch and dinner for now, but has plans on serving weekend brunches in the future.
Manifesting true Irish spirits, Gus’ Snug features a menu full of classic Irish dishes from Fish and Chips, a killer corned beef dinner, and homemade shepherd’s pies. Gus’ Snug will also have delicious burgers using meat freshly supplied by Eastern Market. “We want to make sure we are serving the best we can for our community,” said Dimitry.
Gus’s Snug will also feature local musicians on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while continuing their sister pub O’Connor’s tradition of Irish Sessions on Sundays starting at 5 p.m., featuring Irish folk groups. Besides enjoying the food, drinks, and the music, remember to admire its diverse interior reflecting iconic elements seen in Irish pubs from different eras and regions.
