Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
MURPH'S SOUTH END TAP
MURPH'S SOUTH END TAP. Orville Murphy opened the bar in the early 1970s. It was originally located in the 100 block of Locust in the building later housing Artistic Cleaners. The business was moved about a decade later by Bill Murphy to its current location. (1)
Considered the "last of the Irish bars in Little Dublin," the South End Tap was scheduled for demolition in 1988 to make room for the U. S. 61 bypass. The building was once the home of the South End Club and the LITTLE DUBLIN NEWS. Pam and Bill Murphy was photographed opening a bottle of champagne to toast their business. (2)
Construction plans changed. In 1991 Murphy and Jim Jones, owner of the BRIDGE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE (THE) watched helplessly as business passed them. Located on what was South Locust Street, the two businesses were left on a frontage road referred to as the "Dublin Loop" with no direct access from Locust. Access to the Loop was achieved from Jones Street off Bluff. East bound traffic on Dodge had to take Locust to 2nd Street and then make the loop to Jones. (3)
In 2014 the bar was sold to Brent and Sarah Phillips. (4)
The 1989 through 2013 Dubuque City Directory listed 55 Locust.
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Source:
1. Montgomery, Jeff. "Last Call, Fond Farewell for Murphy's," Telegraph Herald, July 22, 2018, p. 15A
2. Gallo, Matt. "End of South End Tap Part of New Beginning," Telegraph Herald, August 26, 1988, p. 1
3. Gallo, Matt. "Businesses Land-Locked in Altered Traffic Pattern," Telegraph Herald, August 18, 1991, p. 1
4. Montgomery
See: THOMPSON AND HOGAN