Wishful Drinking

On a recent Friday afternoon, a few minutes shy of noon, Joe Valko jumped away from a high-top table and made his way behind The Wishing Well’s bar, raving about the green tea shots.

“This is the best part of owning a bar,” he says. “Drinks are on the house.”

This is the enthusiastic, anything-goes attitude that, last September, led him and his wife, Lisa, to become co-owners of The Wishing Well, a staple of Royal Palm Place on Mizner Boulevard. The Parkland couple had never owned a bar and never intended to, but one great night at the Irish pub with a few friends from the Berman Law Group was all it took.

The group of five, known as the Berman Team, saw a great business with untapped potential. The 16-year-old joint, with whiskey bottle-lined walls, wood accents and a full-size well at its core, had a rowdy reputation but was beloved by regulars for its homey vibe and lengthy happy hour, which spanned from 3 to 7 p.m. The deal was sealed in what felt like seconds.

“Normally, when we get something in our heads, we make it happen,” says Lisa, an agent at Travers Miran Realty. “We’re all strong personalities. It’s hard to resist the Berman Team.”

The Wishing Well will remain a traditional Irish pub and sports bar, “but with a more upscale feel … a little flair,” she says. Early on, the group divided the one bar into three: an upstairs lounge for private parties (and future whiskey tastings); inside for happy hour, food and live music; and an outside bar that skews a little younger, equipped with big screen TVs and a DJ.

“It’s just the place you can come to and get anything, from your cosmopolitan to your favorite Irish beers. It’s got something for everyone,” Joe says.

The aforementioned green tea shots, a mixture of Jameson Irish Whiskey, peach schnapps and sour mix, is one of the most popular drinks and the couple’s current favorite. They recently hired a new head chef, a true Irishman, to create a Celtic-fusion menu (“bar food with flair”) served until 2 a.m. There’s also an “Eggg Slut” brunch every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring an elaborate bottomless bloody mary bar.

The pub holds 350 people, and there are talks of moving in next door to expand the upstairs lounge. “We have to,” Lisa says. “It’s getting very, very packed here.”

The couple is pleased with but not surprised by the early success. Joe likens the atmosphere to the bar in the sitcom “Cheers”—an “everybody knows your name” vibe. “It’s a nice feeling when you come in and see the owners, and we’re talking and buying a round of drinks for our regulars. If you come here, you’re going to see people you know—and you’re going to meet a lot of people.”

A giant kraken is now affixed to the wall above the bar to represent a partnership with Kraken rum, and more enhancements are in the works.

However, locals won’t lose the iconic wishing well. It’ll become more interactive with tokens and prizes, but “we’re not going to get rid of it,” Lisa promises.

You May Also Like
Far From the Madding Crowd, Taste What Earns a Michelin Star

Take advantage of F1 weekend to grab a coveted spot at The Counter at MAASS.

Read More
Michelin Guide’s Expanded List Shines the Light on Fort Lauderdale

The recently opened Daniel’s in Fort Lauderdale quickly landed on the Michelin Recommended Restaurants list.

Read More
South Florida Watering Holes Make the List of North America’s 50 Best Bars

Viceversa in Miami was one of three spots in the Magic City that made the list.

Read More
Missing the Ol’ Days? Put this gem of a café on your radar

Ol’ Days’ passion is specialty-brewed coffee, but a range of juices, pastries and sweets are also on offer.

Read More
Other Posts
Raise the Roof on Cinco de Mayo at Rosa Sky

Eat, drink and be festive at Rosa Mayo’s rooftop celebration of Cinco de Mayo.

Read More
Ocean Prime opening in Fort Lauderdale April 29

The restaurant will be led by General Manager Jason Brown and Executive Chef Charlie Tkacik.

Read More
The Dead Flamingo Raises its Voice for Earth Day with Karaoke for a Cause

On Monday, April 22, a portion of proceeds from cocktails sold at The Dead Flamingo will be donated to non-profit Miami Waterkeeper.

Read More
Eddie & Vinny’s Brings Coastal Italian to Coral Springs

The Italian-inspired restaurant by P Hospitality Management is Now Open.

Read More