Bungalow Alehouse to Open Doors in Woodbridge Soon

For 14 years Cheryl Early and her husband Keith have known what it takes to be successful in the world of sports and billiards bars with several Bungalow Billiards in Virginia to prove it.

But then the Early's made the bold decision to venture into the dinner house world and opened the first Bungalow Alehouse in Gainesville, VA. Now, Woodbridge residents will be able to enjoy the experience themselves as is expanding to a new location off the Prince William Parkway.

"We have really created a different look and concept with Bungalow Alehouse than our prior Bungalow Billiards restaurants," said Cheryl Early. "While we still incorporate the sports and billiards elements here, we are now focusing more on our great food and the new craze of craft beers. The atmosphere feels more like your living room."

 To create that inviting atmosphere Early said they chose warm, mellow colors and used many of their own personal collectives in the décor.

"We are very collective people and the inspiration for this design came from a set of collectable beer steins and shaker cups that are very special and personal to my husband and myself. You have to see it and feel it for yourself," said Early.

Loyal employees are also critical to the success of the Bungalow dynasty, as Early said it is quite common for employees to spend anywhere from five to eight years working for her, which is almost unheard of in the restaurant business. The Early's  make sure to recognize and reward their hard working team with a large yearly staff party.

After scouting many locations for the newest restaurant venture, Cheryl and Keith felt that the old Don Pablo's building in Woodbridge would be the perfect locale.

"I have driven up and down that road many times and I just don't see anything unique there. We can fill that niche," said Early. "Prince William County is on fire and this was a deal we couldn't pass up."

Fans of the existing Bungalow restaurants will be pleased to know that the best of the Bungalow Billiards menu will also be available at the newest Bungalow Alehouse, as well as several new and enhanced dishes. The Gainesville location has experimented with a lot of menu testing to determine what works in the new dinner house environment and what doesn’t.

The Woodbridge location will also feature a chef who is new to the Bungalow family. Early said she is "very excited about" her newcomer, who already has many great ideas for the restaurant.

"Friday through Sunday our premier special will be a 14 ounce prime rib for only $14.95, which is an amazing deal," said Early. "Compare our prices to chains like Ruby Tuesday and we are simply the best of the best. I've always thought we were actually too inexpensive considering the quality of our food."

Not only do the Early's have years of experience in the industry, a loyal base of customers and employees that they view as family, but they also have the benefit of being lifelong partners.

"We have always been a family owned husband and wife duo, and I think that makes us unique," said Early. "We have lived and breathed the restaurant business for most of our lives and while we might not get it right 100 percent of the time, you truly will feel warm and fuzzy when you are with us."