By Susannah Black
After 40 years, husband and wife owners Lori McKeever and Jeff Judge will close McKeever’s Pub‘s when the lease ends in June.
Originally opened as George’s Publik House in 1974, McKeever purchased the pub in 1984 and has been welcoming regulars to the McLean spot ever since.”One of my favorite customers is one of the last survivors of Iwo Jima,” says McKeever. “The pub has been a local gathering place for many locals, families, couples and singles.”
This fall, the husband and wife team will open Eagletree Winery Cafe on their personal land, Eagletree Farm (best known for blueberries), in Lucketts. Having experimented with grape growing and wine making for the past 15 years, they’ve been planning on opening a winery for about the past five. The winery will include a tasting room, commercial kitchen and will source much of its produce from the farm itself. “It’ll be farm to fork … we want to get back to the agricultural aspect,” says Judge.
On this final St. Patrick’s Day, specials include beef stew, Irish potato soup and corned beef and cabbage. “It’s been a way of life,” says Judge on running the pub. “The stories and experiences are incredible and endless.” / McKeever’s Pub; 6625 Old Dominion Drive, McLean.
