Why The Emerald Oak Matters To Us

This is about recreating the feeling of the village pubs we grew up with in Ireland — places that weren’t just bars, but living rooms for the community. Emerald Oak is where old-world hospitality meets Midwest heart.

About The Emerald Oak

The Emerald Oak was created to bring the spirit of a traditional Irish village pub to Southwest Michigan — a place where people gather, share stories, enjoy good food and drink, and feel part of a community.

Eamonn and Gill Nestor, along with their three sons, moved to the area from Ireland in 2017 for Eamonn’s work. The plan was never to settle here permanently, but over time the warmth of the community and the friendships formed here made this place feel like home.

In Ireland, the pub is far more than somewhere to have a drink. It’s a meeting place. A place where neighbours gather, where matches are watched together, where stories are told and retold, and where the rhythm of community life unfolds.

That spirit is what inspired The Emerald Oak.

The pub is part of the Auld Ned’s Hospitality vision — named in honor of family roots and the traditions that shaped how we think about hospitality. In Ireland, the best pubs serve as anchors of their communities, places where people feel welcome whether they’ve just walked in for the first time or have been coming for years.

The Emerald Oak was built with that same idea in mind.

Whether you’re stopping in for a pint of Guinness, enjoying a meal with family, meeting friends after work, or settling in to watch the match, our hope is simple: that this place feels like your local.

Because the best pubs aren’t just about what’s on the menu — they’re about the people inside them.

Fáilte isteach — you’re very welcome here

What Makes This Pub Different

This isn’t a themed bar — it’s a real Irish pub experience, run by an Irish family that now calls Kalamazoo home.

The Emerald Oak is designed the way traditional pubs in Ireland have evolved over generations: a collection of spaces, each with its own character and purpose. Multiple rooms offer different moods depending on what brings you in that day.

The Whiskey Snug is quiet and intimate — a place for conversation, storytelling, date nights, small gatherings, and a good glass of whiskey. No televisions, no screens — just stories.

The main bar brings the energy, with high-quality screens and sound designed for watching the big match — soccer, rugby, hurling, football — or enjoying traditional and modern Irish music with friends.

Other spaces throughout the pub balance both worlds — places equally suited for relaxed conversation, shared meals, or celebrating with a lively crowd.

Because the best Irish pubs aren’t designed around a single experience — they’re built to hold many moments.

The Feeling Guests Should Have When They Walk In

Like they’ve found their place. Warm, relaxed, unpretentious, and timeless.