Out with the old and in with the new. Or, more accurately, the relatively new. For Shenanigans Sports Pub owner Patrick Utter, that’s the operating principle for 2023.
“People still refer to Eastside as ‘the new location,’ Patrick says. “Then I remember that we opened Eastside in 2008, and I laugh. It seems like yesterday, but it’s already been 15 years. It’s not so new anymore.”
Shenanigans Eastside is now the only Shenanigans in town after the recent, reluctant shuttering of the original Hollywood location across from T-Y Park after 30 years. A new year often brings change, and so it is for one of South Broward’s most enduring sports bars and gastropubs.
“I’ll miss the old place because it was a really nice watering hole, but this is home now – it’s got everything anybody could want,” Patrick says. “We have a Call Ahead, Convenient, Drive-through window for takeout. We have late-night dining with a kitchen that stays open past midnight. We’ve got more than 60 HDTVs showing all the games. And we have a menu with more than 200 items, including Fresh fish, pizza, barbecue, slow roasted prime rib, certified black angus burgers and our Award-winning wings.”
Patrick and wife-partner Christine are encouraged to see that many loyal west customers are making the 2 ½-mile trip east. And they’re happy that the two staffs have blended to form one new “superteam,” including Jeremy Partridge (CEO), Chef Johnson (head chef at the Park Road flagship for 17 years), Eastside Chef Jose (another long-timer) along with veteran BBQ pitmaster TJ.
“Our formula is still the same – this is where the locals go,” Patrick Utter says.
The first big party and test for the new team will come during the NFL’s Big Game, to be played Sunday, Feb. 12. Plan ahead for your Wings and Tailgate party NOW!
“Always a great day for us,” Utter says. “Now if only the Dolphins could somehow make their way there one of these years.”
Shenanigans will still be involved as a sponsor of Hollywood’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade downtown (Sunday, March 13) and will celebrate ALL Weekend, Friday, March 17-Sunday, March 19.
Shenanigans Eastside was born when Patrick and Christine bought two neighboring restaurants in 2008 – a shuttered Pizza Hut and Charlie’s Bar-B-Q. He connected the properties by building tiki-thatched covered breezeway. The south side has a family-friendly dining room along with a Southern Pride smoker that puts out a full range of barbecue options (including Great ribs, delicious brisket, chicken and pulled pork).
The north side features a traditional sports bar environment with large bar, high-top tables and a kitchen that features a multi-deck Baker’s Pride brick pizza oven along with award-winning wings, Angus burgers and fresh fish.
The encyclopedic menu also includes sandwiches, wraps, salads, nachos, entrees and daily specials. Daily all-day drink specials include $7 Jameson’s Irish Whiskey, Absolut Vodka, Beefeater Gin, Bacardi and Sailor Jerry Rum, Jose Cuervo and Altos Tequila; $4 draft beers (Bud Light, AmberBock and ShockTop) and $5 Goose Island IPA. Craft beers plus the shortest Guinness draft pour in town!
When he opened the original Shenanigans in August 1992, Patrick wanted to bring better options to the dark and smoky world of sports pubs. A lot has changed in the 30 years since, but Patrick’s passion for quality and hospitality hasn’t wavered. Burgers are still hand formed, made from fresh, not frozen, Angus beef. His plump chicken wings are always free of antibiotics and additives. And his fish is often straight off the boat, caught by friends and suppliers in local waters.
“Friends don’t let friends eat frozen fish,” Patrick says.
And there is still service with a smile from the crew working the kitchen, bar and dining room floor. Some things never change. New year, new groove, new memories – same old great Shenanigans experience!
Shenanigans Sports Pub, 1300 S. Federal Highway in Dania Beach,
is open 11:30 AM to 2 AM Daily, open until 4 AM on Friday & Saturday.
Call 954-923-3008 for takeout & pickup.
