Lively Scene

Flint Hill couple created their own ‘Cheers’

By Janet Rems

Glass Onion band, at the Tavern. Courtesy of Rose Abril

Saturday night, and the bar at the Griffin Tavern in Flint Hill was packed. Live music pumped through the pub-inspired bar area, and the evening began to feel like a big, informal house party, made up of the 200-something regulars—exactly the Cheers-like atmosphere that owners Debbie and Jim Donehey wanted when they opened the Griffin Tavern six years ago on Mother’s Day.

The Tavern fulfills both their dreams. Debbie, 43, and husband Jim, 60, say they always wanted a restaurant, one serving good, homestyle comfort food. “We wanted something nice but casual, a place for people in boots and overalls, tuxes and gowns, too,” Debbie says.

They also wanted a friendly venue for showcasing live music. Every Saturday at 9 p.m., the music, mostly rock, entertains until midnight.

Visit www.griffintavern.com, or call 540-675-3227.

(July 2009)