Murphy’s Irish Pub changes hands

Murphy’s Irish Pub has a new owner after 14 years. The pub will be assumed by two long-time Sonoma residents and Murphy customers, Bob Smith and Bill Pollock, who intend to retain the familiar Murphy’s name, staff and comfortable pub setting.
Smith has served as pub attorney since it opened. The change officially takes place on July 1, exactly 14 years to the day that Larry and Rose Murphy opened the pub at the smaller location across from the present site, now occupied by Taste of the Himalayas restaurant. During those years, the small pub evolved into the present-day operation with an expanded food and drink menu, music, trivia night, drama and a venue for varied community activities.
Smith and Pollock, long familiar with Sonoma’s hometown pub, bring to the enterprise a wide range of experience in community involvement and business.
The Murphys chose as their successors people who understand the special dynamic of an Irish pub atmosphere. Smith recently explored Ireland for the second time, gaining further insight into this Irish pub tradition.
Larry and Rose Murphy plan to retain some involvement with pub activities.