Local bar shuts down after 30 years

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Mobile said goodbye to a long running establishment in the city.

Paddy O' Tooles first opened its doors in January of 1980, making it one of the longest running establishments in Mobile. Now, the bar has closed its doors for good.

Royce Massey said he’s been playing darts across the Southeast for years. He said no matter where he went, he couldn’t wait to come back to Paddy O’Toole’s.

“Paddy O’Toole’s is something special. It has that atmosphere that you just don’t find everywhere else,” said Massey.

Massey said he's been coming to the bar for years.

“It’s going to be missed. I came by this afternoon, and I didn’t know they were closing. It was definitely surprising,” Massey said.

A well-known tradition is to put dollar bills on the wall. Hundreds of dollars bills were taken off as workers cleared everything out.

Owner Jennifer Ridgeway had worked at the bar since it opened and bought it in 1993. 

“It put me through college, and I just never left. Every time I get a dollar bill down, I see all the names. It's been a lot of fun. I’m going to miss it,” said Ridgeway.

Ridgeway said she plans to spend more time with her family. Still, she said the closing is bittersweet.

“I've met great bunch of people over the years. Leaving that behind is the toughest part,” Ridgeway said.

Massey said he felt sad as he threw darts there for the last time.

“It’s kind of like losing an old friend. They’re going away and not coming back. Yeah, it was a shock. I’m going to miss the place,” said Massey.

As for the closing, Ridgeway said it has nothing to do with the economy or income, they just felt it was the right time.