Opening their new tavern, Pub 67, in Seymour was sort of like getting the old band back together for co-owners Craig Strilka and John Biondo.
They said they originally met years ago working together in the landscaping business, and also played together in a rock band called “Unzipped.”
So when Craig ended his partnership in Dewey’s Pub and decided to open a new place, he turned to his old friend, John, an Oxford resident who also owns Straightline Masonry, to go in with him.
Pub 67 celebrated its grand opening Dec. 8 with a ribbon-cutting and free food for customers, although Strilka said the new tavern actually opened its doors about eight weeks ago.
Deputy Selectman Nicole Klarides-Ditria and Economic Development Director Fred Messore joined the co-owners for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It’s great to have another small business in town,” Ditria said.
Pub 67 specializes in offering a selection of microbrewery beers, along with wines and mixed drinks, he said.
Some of the brews include those from the Blue Point microbrewery in New York, the Hooker and City Steam breweries in Hartford, and the Sea Hog Indian Pale Ale from the New England brewery in Woodbridge.
Customers can also order from the menu of Uncle Willie’s Barbecue, a food establishment located next door at the CVS Plaza, and the Uncle Willies staff will deliver it. Food choices include wings, ribs, pulled pork, chicken barbecue and burgers.
Strilka said he wanted to offer something different for customers. No other local bar has as many specialty beers on tap as Pub 67.
“At least not in Seymour,” he said.
Another new feature is the garage door that opens to an outdoor patio that Strilka and Biondo hope will be quite popular when the weather gets warmer and customers get accustomed to Pub 67’s upcoming line up of live bands.
The new pub is located at the Oxnoor Plaza, also known as the CVS Plaza, along Route 67 near the Oxford town line.
Strilka said the pub will offer football viewing nights on Sundays and Mondays and live bands coming up on Fridays and Saturdays.
The live entertainment will start on Friday, Jan. 18, with a reunion performance by Strilka’s old four-piece cover band The Sellouts, with Craig sitting in on drums.
Another former band, American Booty, will get back together to play a reunion show on Saturday, Jan. 26. And Unzipped will play a reunion show sometime in
February.
When the weather gets warmer, Strilka said he hopes to have live acoustic musical entertainment out on the patio during the day to augment the nighttime lineup.
Pub 67 hasn’t begun advertising yet, but Strilka said Valley residents can keep informed about upcoming events by “liking” its Facebook page.
