Changes Brewing
Dog & Duck Pub to close on October 31, but new location is in the works
Editor's note: This story has been updated since it was originally published.
We've got some bad news and some good news. First, the bad news. Dog & Duck Pub, the campus-area staple that serves up delicious British pub fare and hearty pints will be closing its doors on October 31.
But it's not all bad. Co-owner Jeff Mckillop confirmed Thursday afternoon that the Dog & Duck is in lease negotiations to open a new location. While he couldn't reveal the exact spot, he did confirm that it was "east of I-35." Mckillop said the pub is already working with an architect to help bring some of the original feel of the pub to the east side. "[The architect] said he can't [re]design the age and funkiness of the old building, but we plan on moving the bar, the fountain outside and the stained glass windows," said Mckillop.
Dog & Duck first received notice that its lease was ending in August 2014. The owners of the property, a Dallas-based oil company, then extended it through early fall. Mckillop said he received final notice to vacate the property earlier this week.
An earlier report quoted an email from a Dog & Duck employee who said the building was being razed to make way for condominiums and a parking lot. Though construction in the neighborhood is booming, Mckillop was quick to distance the pub from that rumor, saying nothing was confirmed. "We've heard rumors for years that they were going to close us and develop this property," he said.
With its expansive, dog-friendly patio, Dog & Duck has long been a favorite among University of Texas students, local beer lovers and fish and chips aficionados. And its proximity to the Texas State Capitol means Dog & Duck has also served host to political watch parties and legislative wheelin' and dealin'.
