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Two tap handles are devoted to cocktails. Dublin Donkey is like a Moscow Mule, but with Irish whiskey instead of vodka. Port of Dublin features a base of Teeling, a rum barrel-aged Irish whiskey. Spirits center on Irish whiskey, since it ties into Sweeney’s heritage.

Chef Eddie Garcia, previously with City Tavern, created an “upscale pub food menu, with a bit of New England.” That’s how Sweeney describes the food. Sweeney’s menu includes Street Corn Croquettes with grated cotija, red pepper aioli, and Tajin chile powder; Pistachio Spinach Salad with kale, dried apricots, fuji apples and pistachio vinaigrette; and Sweeney’s House Potato Chips with smoked cheddar, bacon, scallions and garlic, a play on the more typical loaded baked potato. Yes, they’ve also got some deluxe hamburgers to go with their beer.

Sweeney’s Ale House is the eighth establishment that Sweeney co-owns. Growth has created some interesting challenges. To maintain a quality experience for customers, Sweeney tries to “get good people who have worked for you for awhile and move them up.” His bar manager at Sweeney’s Ale House worked with him at Little Bear for three years and opened The Woodman. “He just knows how I work, he understands what we’re trying to do here, and he gets it,” Sweeney said. “He’s a great emissary. It’s so great having people who can tell your story and are enthusiastic about the product.” Sweeney also makes sure to go to all the bars, every week, to spot-check quality.

Growing the business has also increased Sweeney’s craft beer and spirit options considerably. He said, “I can go to a brewery and say, ‘Hey, I know that you don’t really sell this beer that much or make this beer that much, but I’ll buy the whole batch.’” He can then divide the beers up between his various establishments.

Next up, Sweeney and partners turn their attention back to Pasadena (and concepts named for animals) to open Der Wolfskopf around the corner from sister establishment The Blind Donkey. The Wolf’s Head will feature German beer on the street level, and Cognac based cocktails starring in a downstairs lounge. Der Wolfskopf makes nine bars for Sweeney, but he’d have it no other way, saying, “I really like the experience of going through the process of building a new concept. Why not do it until the wheels fall off? I want to see how far I can go.”