New owner brings fresh look, life back to once-popular metro-east bar
The site of a once-popular and long-standing Irish pub in Granite City will open its doors at 4 p.m. Friday, as an area business owner welcomes his first customers to Touchdown Bar & Grill.
Jignesh Patel spent months bringing new life to the former O’Connell’s Pub, located at 2401 Washington Ave.
As the owner of a gas station in Alton, Patel isn’t new to running a business. Touchdown, however, is his first bar establishment.
When asked why he decided to buy a bar, he replied, “No idea. I used to hang out at a lot of bars.”
As a patron of multiple bars over the years, Patel knows what he likes—and doesn’t—in a gathering place. He said other bars in town tend to be very crowded and play music that isn’t always to his liking.
Patel decided to open a place that reflects his own preferences.
From O’Connell’s to Touchdown
Also present at Touchdown during my visit with Patel were Ravi Yedla, an operator at Schatze’s Bar & Grill in Belleville, and Frank Rickert, a longtime manager of O’Connell’s Pub under its original owners, Tim and Nancy O’Connell.
Yedla, a friend of Patel’s, is helping get the bar ready for business. Rickert, who met Patel when he came by to recover any remaining memorabilia for the O’Connell family, is assisting as a consultant.
“I’ve been doing this for a long, long time,” Rickert said of his history in the bar business.
In addition to working at O’Connell’s, Rickert tended bar on Bourbon Street in New Orleans for 13 years. He knows what works and what doesn’t, and is also helping Patel assemble his staff.
O’Connell’s was always a packed house when Tim and Nancy owned it, Rickert said.
The business—including the name and licensing—was sold to new owners about five years ago, but Rickert said it was never the same and lasted only a few years after that.
When he came on board to help Patel, Rickert’s first suggestion was to change the name of the bar.
After O’Connell’s closed, the building was neglected and had fallen into disrepair. Nearly everything needed to be replaced.
Updates, improvements & what’s on offer
Improvements to the space were both structural and cosmetic. Patel started with a complete renovation of the restrooms, which weren’t usable when he purchased the property.
Work also included a new roof, siding, drywall, ceiling, paint, lighting, and updated kitchen equipment—including two new cooler units, which were delivered during my visit.
“It looks great,” Rickert said of the upgrades and improvements.
At the time of the interview, work was still ongoing. New awnings for the entrance were on the way, and TVs had just been installed, though the tables had yet to be placed on the floor.
Upon entering Touchdown Bar & Grill, patrons are greeted with a spacious bar area. Bar seating is available on three sides. The bar’s surface has a unique pattern, repurposed from flooring of a demolished bowling alley, originally crafted by former owner Tim O’Connell.
The bar area features additional table seating along one wall, flatscreen TVs, and a TouchTunes music machine. From there, a wide hallway displays a large, wood-framed mirror etched with “O’Connell’s.” A door to the patio is on the left; restrooms are on the right.
Beyond is an entertainment and game room, which can be closed off for privacy or to reduce noise from the bar. The room currently includes a pool table, Golden Tee video game, shuffleboard, and two dart boards, as well as a large flatscreen TV.
A wood cabinet with intricate carving stands against the back wall. It came with the building, according to Patel. Someone previously offered $2,000 for the piece, but he declined. It took six people to move it across the room.
Touchdown’s decor features beer- and sports-themed lights and signs, aligning with its sports theme and beverage offerings.
Domestic beers, as well as select imports and other beverages, will be available. Patel’s top request for the business is to have Guinness on draft, as O’Connell’s once did.
Patel said Touchdown will be the only bar in Granite City to offer the Irish stout on draft.
Food options will include pizza and wings every day. The weekend menu will feature additional items such as ribs and snoots.
The food menu will be minimal at first, Patel said, noting he prefers to have a few items done well than a lot of items that aren’t as good.
Touchdown will offer happy hour food and drink specials Monday through Thursday. Patel said adjustments and additions will be made as needed. Video gaming is expected to be added early next year.
About Touchdown Bar & Grill
Touchdown Bar & Grill is located at 2401 Washington Ave. in Granite City. Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. The grand opening takes place at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.
Positions are still available. Those interested can email touchdown.illinois@gmail.com. For more information, call 618-580-2612 or visit the establishment’s Facebook page.
