Reilly's Public House Livens up Our Spotlight

At the intersection of Piermont Ave., Gair St. and Ohio St., just as you’re heading south to leave our village center, you can’t miss Reilly’s Public House — it stands bold and bright, having burst onto our village scene with a bang. It’s hard to believe that this popular restaurant that offers scrumptious fare at reasonable prices with a lively atmosphere only opened two years ago this July.

Owners Anne and Bernie Reilly bought the building from the owners of 14 & Hudson back in 2022, but they are no strangers to the restaurant industry, having opened their first restaurant in New York City 31 years ago. The Reillys live close by in Norwood, New Jersey, where they raised their children. They would often come to Piermont to visit, and their son Kevin fell in love with our village because it reminded him of his father’s village back in Ireland. Bernie comes from the town of Caherlistrane, located in County Galway, on the border with County Mayo. When you come to Reilly’s, look for a picture hanging on the wall of a place called Gibbons. This is Caherlistrane’s corner bar, the inspiration for Reilly’s.

A yellow bench in front of a storeDescription automatically generated “You may come in a stranger, but you leave a friend.” These impactful words by Anne sum up what Reilly’s is all about. Our corner bar is a place that people keep coming back to, because they are treated well, with genuine warmth and kindness. Kevin, who graduated from Johnson and Wales and manages the restaurant, said his favorite part of the job is offering Irish hospitality and interacting with customers.

But what is truly special about the Reilly family is not just that they treat their customers well, but that they are beloved by their staff. One employee, Caroline Keogh, shared, “My favorite thing is the people I work with, and the Reilly family is just fantastic. I couldn’t ask for a better family.” It’s a testament to Bernie, Anne, and Kevin, that many of their staff have actually been with them in the restaurant business for 20+ years. That kind of loyalty is unusual, but it comes from a belief that “good leadership matters; our staff matter” (spoken by Anne). Jolene Busanich, who also works there, said the Reillys “are incredible to work for. I’ve never had better bosses. That’s a huge deal — to come in and pretty much feel love from everyone. They are so good to us.”

From the moment you step inside Reilly’s, you feel that positive energy from the owners and staff — they are happy to be here, so you feel delighted too. But they get it right in every other aspect as well. The cocktails offer an array of options, and the mocktails appeal to the fitness and health-conscious crowd. The prices are fair, and the food is simply delicious. The kitchen
serves up both traditional Irish fare like shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash, as well as a variety of other foods including brick oven pizza, scrumptious salads, and juicy burgers — I go there just for the black bean quinoa burger — one of the best-tasting veggie burgers I’ve ever had. They also offer unique dishes like pistachio-crusted cod, as well as specials which change every day. This is not your typical Irish pub, but a great gathering spot for all ages, including families. Come visit Reilly’s, our corner bar, where you may come in a stranger, but you’ll leave a friend, and you’re sure to return.

Kevin and Bernie are standing in front of the second-floor bar, which has a history of its own: first, as a fireplace mantel in Caxton Hall in Westminster, where Winston Churchill used to sit and hold press conferences; then, as the bar at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach; and now, finding its place welcoming patrons at Reilly’s Public House in Piermont.

By Shauna Wennerod

Local Spotlight — Reilly's Public House

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