CEDAR FALLS — The edge of the Parkade will be green this Halloween with the opening of a new Irish bar.

Shelly O’Shea’s, located on the third floor of 401 Main St., opens Thursday. The bar occupies the same space as the former Voodoo Lounge nightclub which closed last May.

The bar will be open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday, and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

About 450 people can fit inside the two-floor bar. Manager Andrew Shelton, along with his father-in-law Darin Beck, said they hope to add a rooftop patio, pending city approval. Beck is the founder and president of Epic Legacy, a family-run business. His son runs Rail Station, a new gay bar in downtown Waterloo.

Darin Beck, right, and Andrew Shelton of the new Irish bar Shelly O’Shea’s in downtown Cedar Falls.

Beck and Shelton said the pub is geared toward patrons aged 25 to 65 and is not a college bar. Their vision is that it will be similar to a Dave and Busters, with “something for everyone.”

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“There’s a trend of people that just want to go out, but they don’t want to drink,” Shelton said. “This allows them to be out with their friends and allows them to still participate and have a place to be, and they’re welcome.”

Although there are five pool tables, dart boards and multiple arcade games, the Irish drinking culture is still heavily present.

The new Irish bar Shelly O’Shea’s features two floors in downtown Cedar Falls.

There are three bar counters with a total of 150 feet of space. Beck said “every day is St. Patrick’s Day” with green beer – a beer with green food coloring – always being served.

Thursday specials include $4 car bombs, green pints and Bullfrog cocktails. On Fridays, there are $5 Wheatley vodka Red Bull cocktails and all local beers are $5. There are $5 Irish beers, Irish mules and Paddy’s Irish Whiskey cocktails on Saturday.

The new Irish bar Shelly O’Shea’s features two floors in downtown Cedar Falls.

The historic brick walls, dark wood and stained glass add to the traditional Irish pub aesthetic. On the lower floor, the open concept area includes tables and bar stools. There is a small dance floor. Upstairs is more intimate, with comfy barrel chairs and coffee tables to have a conservation at.

Beck, who retired from the bar and nightclub business in January just to start his own company a few weeks later, wanted to bring something new to downtown Cedar Falls after seeing development in downtown Cedar Rapids with Big Grove Brewery and the Pickle Palace.

The new Irish bar Shelly O’Shea’s features pool tables, dart boards and multiple arcade games.

He is no stranger to the Main Street building. He previously operated Voodoo Lounge, and Joker’s before that, on the third floor. He helped design the building in 2007 with developer Ben Stroh after the upper floor sat empty for 55 years. It was previously an Independent Order of Odd Fellows Temple.

“It’s a privilege to be able to be back in here and get a chance to do something fresh,” Beck said. “(It) sat empty for over a year. It seemed kind of lonely down this end of the block with it closed.”

The new Irish bar Shelly O’Shea’s features two floors in downtown Cedar Falls.

The grand opening will have a costume contest with a $50 cash prize and a $50 “mummy wrapping” contest, where someone wraps another person in toilet paper as fast as they can. Saturday will be the larger Halloween party, with another costume contest where the best costumes will receive $200, $100 or $50.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. for the first opening weekend. The entrance to the bar is on Fourth Street with an elevator or staircase to the third floor.

Photos: 2024 UNI Homecoming Parade, Oct. 26

The crowd watches during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

Grand marshal, Paralympic gold medalist and UNI senior Olivia Chambers waves to the crowd during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The color guard marches during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

A girl waves from an army truck during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The Panther Marching Band performs during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The crowd watches during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

Cedar Falls Mayor Danny Laudick waves to the crowd during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The UNI International Student Promoters march during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The UNI Army ROTC marches during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The Northern Iowa Transfer Advocacy and Involvement Group float during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The Asian Student Union during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The crowd watches during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The Panther Marching Band performs during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The Panther Marching Band performs during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The Panther Marching Band performs during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook and his wife, Cheryl waves to the crowd during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

Dignitaries, Paralympians and UNI graduates Jessica Heims and Erin Kerkoff wave to the crowd during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

Director of Atheltics Megan Franklin waves to the crowd during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The UNI softball team during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The UNI men's basketball team during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The UNI track and field team during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The crowd watches during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The Christian Crusaders perform during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The UNI International Student Promoters march during the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

The University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday.

LOOK: To see photos from the University of Northern Iowa homecoming parade, point your smartphone at the QR code and tap the link.

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