Go Behind the Scenes of the "New" Murphy's

Less than two weeks before the March 6 grand opening of and there's still plenty of work to do: the crew is painting steel reinforcement beams and installing tiles along the patio--sawdust litters the floor.

But the chaos hasn't stopped the brave folks at the popular drinking and noshing spot from throwing open the doors for a preview of the new space.

Stop by the pub tonight at 5:30 p.m. for a pint at Murphy's temporary quarters--they've set up a drinking nook in until the renovation is complete--and a complete tour of the work in progress. 

Sonoma Architect Robert Baumann, who specialises in sustainable design, has created a plan for the pub to open up the flow of traffic around the establishment.

Check out a video preview of the space at right.

Here's what you can expect to find tonight: 

• Murphy's outdoor patio is getting a year round weatherproofing system, with customisable tiles that can be closed in for rain and opened completely in the summer time.
• The "snug," (you know, the hardworking backroom which hosted everything from trivia night to shows) is getting a complete revamp. The two giant room-blocking pillars have been removed, and replaced with steel beams. The room is now opened out onto the patio and a connecting hallway. And, hark, they've put in a stage! Finally, a real performance space.
• There's room to move around the bar! The L-shaped bar is no more. Now, a straight and long bar gives patrons more room to move around and order drinks, and a 10-inch drink stand gives patrons a place to rest their drink while they hang. But, no more refilling your soda yourself. Now, the back-bar is for bartenders and servers only.
• Traditional painted Galway doors now line the hall.
• They're putting a wheelchair ramp down the cobblestone street, and roping off the back courtyard entrance to traffic. "It was dangerous, you heard of people almost getting hit back there all the time," said Baumann. "This is a long time coming."

Staff are excited about the renovation, to say the least.

"Murphy's wasn't efficient: we had loyal patrons, great music and great food, but this renovation is going to change the way that we work," said General Manager  Hunt Bailie.

Murphy's Irish Pub is owned by Bob Smith and Bill Pollack. It opened in 1993 in a space across the street, and moved to its current location in 2000.