Just ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, O’Connor’s Restaurant & Bar is closing for good.
The prominent Irish bar has been in operation at 1160 West Boylston St. since 1989. The business announced the closure in a Facebook post on Wednesday, citing rising business costs and a recent pipe burst as factors in the decision.
“Through many difficult times we’ve given it our very best to carry on this beloved landmark, but the latest challenges have led us to the end of our journey,” the post reads.
The restaurant was founded by Brendan and Claire O’Connor, natives of Ireland who moved to Worcester in 1988. The restaurant expanded its footprint several times, before the O’Connors sold the business in 2022 as they headed into retirement.
O’Connor’s was purchased by Dennis and Jennifer Maxwell and their son Kyle, with the Maxwells purchasing the site for $2.2 million in July 2022.
The restaurant had temporarily closed in April to all customers except those with pre-booked events, with the Maxwells citing staffing shortages. It reopened a few days later.
Originally built in 1950, the restaurant at 1160 West Boylston St. is 8,842 square feet and sits on a 1.93-acre lot, according to City of Worcester property records. The site received a 2026 assessment of $1.82 million, with the land accounting for $914,400 of that value.
Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the real estate and banking & finance industries.
