Looney's Opened its Doors to Students, Residents Friday

While owners Bill Larney Jr. and Steve Litrenta had originally planned for a soft opening earlier in the week, it was delayed until Friday, and they did anything but ease into the College Park restaurant scene.

By 6:15 p.m., one hour after opened its doors for the first time, a bouncer estimated 200 patrons already streamed inside.

The beer had arrived a mere two hours earlier. Larney and Litrenta were granted the beer, wine and liquor license from the county on Thursday.

Despite the fast pace of events, Larney said it was a smooth operation.

“We’ve had some disappointing openings,” he said.

This is the the pair has opened, the first three in Bel Air, Canton and Fulton.

Back in August, than anything. At the following week’s meeting, Councilwoman Christine Nagle (Dist. 1) warned that she didn’t want anyone to be misguided, though she supported the new pub.

“Having been to a Looney’s previously too … it seems to have a heavy emphasis on drinking,” Nagle said. That's not a problem in itself, and there is an extensive menu, she said, but “I just don’t want us to be fooled into thinking we’re getting a restaurant when we’re getting a bar,” she said.

One patron on Friday, Rob Mutschler, said that he’d call Looney’s a hybrid between a sports restaurant and a bar. He said he was pleased with Looney’s so far, from the burger he ordered to the service.

“Absolutely no complaints,” he said.

Bouncers at the door were checking identification, using a scanner that saves patrons’ information. Larney predicts the biggest challenge the owners will have is keeping underage students out.

Parking and Shuttle

Although parking was difficult to come by on Friday, the owners expected it to be a non-issue by Monday.

They said Varsity residents were still parking in the 108 free guest and retail areas located under The Varsity off of U.S. Route 1, but rules would soon be enforced there.

Six hundred will be open after 4 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends, except during football games.

Larney said that Looney’s would foot the parking charge for anyone who brings a receipt from metered parking.

Looney’s also has a . Groups of six to 12 can call 240-542-4510 to request pick-up, and transportation home will be provided no matter the size of the group.

But how’s the food?

• Well, I have my firsthand account. .
• that was included in the property use agreement with the city.

What’s coming up?

• Included in the weekly entertainment schedule are a DJ on Wednesdays and live music Thursday through Saturday. This Saturday, Oct. 8, an Irish band is scheduled to perform.
• Oct. 11 – Looney’s Pub grand opening.