The Pub Crawler: The Hideaway

One of the first things you’ll learn when you sit down in the Hideaway, an intimate yet inviting bar located in the Northwood Commons Plaza at the corner of Enterprise and McMullen Booth Road, is that there is no food menu to be found.

But thanks to a drink list that is nearly as extensive and varied as any chain restaurant’s trifold, craft beer aficionados and those looking for a place to drink socially with friends have a hip, new place to frequent.  

“We’ve got a hybrid concept here at the Hideaway,” co-owner Brian Pfeiffer says. “We’re serving craft beers and mixed drinks in an upscale atmosphere.”

Indeed, upon entering it doesn’t take long to see that the atmosphere is decidedly upscale.

Pfeiffer, who also owns Maloney’s Local Irish Pub in Westchase, and his partner completely gutted the location when they took over a couple of months ago.

The result is a gorgeous, comfy interior comprised of stone walls and dark woods, all tastefully decorated with rock-n-roll and beer memorabilia.

As you walk in, a large bar with a pass-through section to the outdoor patio sits to the right; the left side consists of bistro tables and booths, a couple of pristine billiard tables, two dart boards, a Golden Tee video game and a digital jukebox.

There is space enough for roughly 200 people total, inside and out. Six flat screen TVs, including a giant HD pulldown, are spaced throughout the inside with another on the patio, and a couple of chalkboards listing the current beer flavors can be seen at the front and back of the bar area.

But no matter how nice the inside is, the thing that keeps people coming back is the selection of drinks being served.

And I have to report that the Hideaway has one of the most impressive – and inventive – drink selections around.

While quite a few local establishments have capitalized on the craft beer craze, the Hideaway takes the typical microbrew menu and turns
it on its ear.

Not only do they offer 24 types on tap, including selections from Cigar City, Victory and Sea Dog breweries, and 50 more in bottles, but the Hideaway also creatively mixes beers and booze, to startlingly tasty effect.

There is a selection of Mixed Drafts, from the traditional, Black & Tan (Bass and Guinness) to an original, the fruity Capri Sun (cider, blueberry beer and Framboise).

They also offer a handful of Loaded Beers, like the Shocker (Shock Top and Absolut Acai Berry vodka) and the Apple Jack (cider with a shot of Goldschlager).

The drink menu features a few select wines, plus a list of 10 tantalizing martinis, including the Creamsicle and Nuts & Berries, made with vanilla vodka, Frangelico, Razzmatazz and real raspberries.

Domestic selections, such as Bud, Coors, Miller and Michelob are also on hand, and they have a happy hour every weekday from 3-7pm.

Live music Thursday through Saturday and specialty nights like Service Industry Sundays keep the joint jumping.

Pfeiffer also reports that there will be free food served on Saturdays and Sundays during football season, and patrons can also order food in from neighboring sandwich shop Jimmy John’s, or they can bring their own grub.

With a great atmosphere and access to food, music, and a list of beers as long as your arm, there’s no reason why the Hideaway couldn’t become a McMullen Booth smash.

Who knows, that might even be the name of their next Loaded Beer.

The Hideaway

2454 McMullen Booth Road, suite 209 

Hours: from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily

Call: 727-725-1188