Irish pub culture is going mobile.
That’s to say, noted suburban Chicago chef Simon Kearney is launching Roaming Hoolies where instead of you going to the pub, the pub will come to you.
Kearney said the impetus for Roaming Hoolies came to him late last year after seeing Facebook posts about similar operations in Ohio and New Jersey.
“I thought, what a fantastic idea. Plus, there is nothing like it here in Illinois,” Kearney said.
While somewhat handy around the house, Kearney said he’s not a builder. He found one in Carol Stream, Advantage Trailer.
“I’m over the moon about what they’re doing,” Kearney said.
That business is custom making a 20-foot-by-8-foot Roaming Hoolies trailer. Kearney had hoped to have it hit the road for St. Patrick’s Day season. But, better late than never! Here it is ready to rent!
Simon and Kathleen Kearney
From the outside, Roaming Hoolies is like a food truck designed to resemble the exterior of a traditional Irish pub. But whereas a food truck has a kitchen, the Roaming Hoolies mobile has two beer lines and taps, including one set that can be used for nitrogen-based Guinness. The mobile can hold 15 to 20 people who can sit inside an Irish pub-like setting, Kearney said. Toward that feel, the cozy space include trinkets, a big TV and a fireplace.
The Kearney’s also bought a tent along with beer and whiskey barrels to use as tables outside the setup.
Initially, Kearney plans to run Roaming Hoolies as a “dry hire” pub. That means, while he will supply the mobile and bartenders, those who use his services will provide the beverages that they want served at their shindig.
“We can help put together their shopping list, giving them an idea of how much beer and other alcohol they should buy based on the number of guests they expect,” Kearney said.
Kearney said he’s had a few inquiries from people who are interested in Roaming Hoolies who want to throw a special party or to join them at their golf outings.
He also sees his market as pretty much any reason people have for celebrating - it's ideal for football season parties and tailgates, town festivals, corporate events, wedding receptions, college graduations, birthday parties and maybe even Irish wakes.
Come March 2027, he hopes to be setting up for St. Patrick’s Day parades and other related holiday events. If business goes as well as anticipated, Kearney said he will have a second Roaming Hoolies vehicle available, too.
For now, the plan is to take assignments anywhere within a 50 mile radius of St. Charles, where Kearney lives.
Kearney came to the Fox Valley from the outskirts of Belfast in 1998 to be the head chef at McNally’s Irish Pub in St. Charles, where he worked for 10 years. He’s been involved in several restaurants since, including Whiskey Bend in St. Charles and O’Hare’s Pub in Bartlett.
“I thought I would give it a year or two, and I’ve been here for almost 28 years,” Kearney said.
With that much time in the kitchen, Kearney felt he needed some time off, which he began late last year.
Now he’s devoting his time to launching Roaming Hoolies. His wife, Kathleen, who works in healthcare, will be lending a hand with the new business as will grown children Maeve and Liam.
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