A friend and I stopped in on a Sunday afternoon and were greeted by a friendly bartender who is from Ireland himself, plus a couple of regulars in their fifties who reminded me of my dad. These friendly older guys offered us some of their cheese fries with marinara sauce, a random creation of Geraghty, the chef of the ownership duo, and they were pretty tasty.
The ambience was definitely that of a classy Irish bar, with an antique piano and an impressive, shiny wooden bar. It also smelled good in there, which is probably something I've never said about a bar this old. My friend and I determined that the smell was reminiscent of vanilla-scented candles.

The redone bar at Rory's Tavern has several Colorado and Irish beer options to choose from.
Sarah McGill
The bar's history is kept alive with a framed portion of the wall containing the "Hep Hounds" mural, a reproduction of a painting by the same name by Constance Depler Coleman from the 1970s. The neon 404 Club sign outside is still going to be a part of Rory's; it's just currently being restored to its former glow.

The "Hep Hounds" mural from the 404 Club days of the Rory's Tavern space lives on and is highlighted with a frame.
Sarah McGill
Saint Patrick's Day is a big party, of course, as it is at any Irish bar, and since Keller is a big University of Kentucky fan, the bar also has specials for Kentucky Wildcats games. Other events are in the works, as the still-new bar looks to get a routine going.
But things seem to be off to a good start at Rory's, with regulars and staff building an experience that pays homage to the history of the 404 Club while still bringing a new drinking and dining option to the neighborhood.