The Nutty Irishman Of Farmingdale Celebrating 20 Years With Party, Fundraiser, More
FARMINGDALE, NY — The Nutty Irishman is turning 20. A ribbon cutting to celebrate two decades of the Farmingdale bar and music venue, located at 323 Main Street, is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Friday.
The corner alleyway will temporarily be renamed to The Nutty Irishman Way in recognition of the anniversary.
The Nutty Irishman is set to host multiple events in October to celebrate 20 years.
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“It’s like a month-long celebration,” owner Joe Fortuna told Patch.
Fortuna and his restaurant group took over The Nutty Irishman in 2016 after the bar opened in Farmingdale in October 2004.
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A Long Island 80s Music Concert fundraiser for Tunnel to Towers is scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 13. Bands set to play include The Touch, Lovesong, Tara, Splash, Jane Doe, Screamer of the Week, The Electric Dudes and Skeedle Bros.
“There will be a reunion of some of the top local musicians,” Fortuna said. “It’s going to coincide with the Firemen’s Fair.”
Throughout each month, The Nutty Irishman hosts multiple events to help raise money for many different causes, whether it’s for a charity, a food bank or a fundraiser in the wake of a tragedy.
“I feel honored that we can help and be part of the cause and helping the situation as best we can, as well as being a great feeling to be part of the community and giving back,” Fortuna said. “People look to us in times of tragedy mainly for fundraising and getting people together. It’s not only the fundraising part of it. It’s also the community being together.”
Fortuna recalled when another restaurant he owns, 317 Main Street, hosted a fundraiser for the orphaned son of Gina Pellettiere, the Farmingdale band director killed in the 2023 marching band bus crash.
“All those kids, they were all happy when they got together for that first night of getting together and fundraising,” Fortuna said. “What made me so happy was seeing the kids singing and being happy in that time of tragedy. Their happiness was bringing back good memories of a teacher who had passed away. It’s very fulfilling. It’s not so much the fundraising aspect, but being there for the community is very fulfilling.”
A 20th anniversary party is scheduled for 4 p.m. Oct. 19. The party is open to everyone. The original owner, Mike McElwee, now a Town of Islip councilman, is set to attend, as are original employees. The original members of Peat Moss & The Fertilizers are set to perform. The restaurant will be offering complimentary barbecue and 20th anniversary t-shirts.
Fortuna said he can’t believe The Nutty Irishman has been around two decades.
“Even though we’re not the original owners, we wanted to honor the longstanding name that The Nutty Irishman has on Long Island, as well as the Farmingdale community,” he said. “And also the original owner. When you think about it, the only other place I can think of that’s older than us of the original live music venues is Mulcahy’s [in Wantagh].”
The Nutty Irishman’s motto is “Cold Beer, Great Music and Good Times.”
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“However, it is far more than that,” the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce wrote in a news release. “The Nutty Irishman serves up some of the best burgers and wings on Long Island; offers 26 tap beers, and offers music lovers some of the best bands in the tristate area.”
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