Nestled in the Regalia Shopping Center is Bog & Barley, a polished, 9,000-square-foot Irish pub and restaurant that seamlessly blends Irish tradition with Southern hospitality. With a vision fueled by passion and a desire to create something truly remarkable, owner DJ Naylor sat down with us to share insights into Bog & Barley's unique journey.
The moment you walk through the doors, you are transported to Dublin. The entry leads to a patio-like dining area with a fireplace and beautiful stonework that encourages leisurely lunches. As you step into the main dining room, you can't help but look up at the soaring 38-foot ceilings and carefully curated Irish décor. From the start, Bog & Barley was DJ's dream project. "I wanted it to be something very special. It was a bucket list project."
For inspiration, DJ naturally looked to his home country. "Café en Seine in Dublin is a restaurant that came up in the conversations when we were making plans. I wanted to build something that would take you out of Memphis. A lot of people say, 'Hey, I don't feel like I'm in Memphis. I feel like I'm in New York or London or Dublin.'"
DJ and his team worked with O'Donnell O'Neill Design in Dublin through a detailed process to fine-tune their vision and bring Ireland to Memphis as authentically as possible. "We sent them lots of videos and information, but they've never been in the building. They robotically measured every crevice."
But the deciding factor throughout the design process was surprisingly the ceiling. "Every decision was predicated on the ceiling height. Ceiling heights drove the bar. The ceiling heights drove the whiskey lounge," DJ recalls. It's easy to see why the ceilings drove the design. The dining areas and main bar somehow balance the vastness of the space with intimate dining booths, tables and bar seating. Every piece of the bar and restaurant was built in Ireland, shipped to Memphis and assembled on-site.
As DJ toured us through the restaurant he gestured toward to two sectioned-off areas near the main bar. "Now you know about the snugs, right?" he asked excitedly, regarding the spaces reminiscent of a by gone era. "So, they were designed back in the olden days of Ireland when women couldn't be at the bar with the men. You would drop your wife or girlfriend off in one of these. All the guys would be at the bar and the women would be in here. They'd still get service, but the door would be closed so the men couldn't see them. It was a little speakeasy for the women."
DJ's attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the establishment, from the custom-built interiors to the carefully curated menu featuring Irish classics. As DJ shared anecdotes and insights into the design and construction process, it was clear that Bog & Barley transcends mere business—it's a labor of love, a testament to DJ's vision and unwavering dedication to crafting something truly exceptional, rooted in his homeland of Ireland.
With a few signs and wall hangings dating back to the 50s, the bar not only transports you to another place but also to another decade entirely. "The décor pieces have been around for a long time. Some of these mirrors and signs are probably 30, 40, 50 and 60 years old."
From the intricately designed whiskey rooms to the cozy snugs inspired by traditional Irish pubs, every aspect of Bog & Barley reflects DJ's passion for authenticity and excellence. But Bog & Barley is more than a restaurant—it's a versatile space for hosting private events and commemorating special occasions. With a capacity of 268, Bog & Barley truly is a gathering place for the community.
DJ plans to expand the space with the addition of two private rooms inspired by his extensive Irish whiskey collections. "One of the rooms is going to be the Macallan room and the other will be the Middleton room. There will be two whiskey collections - authentic, legitimate collections," DJ explained, his enthusiasm palpable as he describes the forthcoming rooms that will enhance the already special place where Irish tradition meets Memphis hospitality in the most delightful way possible.
"Every decision was predicated on the ceiling height. Ceiling heights drove the bar, the whiskey lounge - everything." - DJ Naylor