AMHERST — McMurphy’s Uptown Tavern, a bar that opened at 37 North Pleasant St. more than a quarter century ago, is planning to relocate to the opposite side of the main thoroughfare in early 2026.
Brian Stahl, who runs the bar that replaced Time Out Cafe in 1998, told the Design Review Board at a recent hearing that the intent is to reopen McMurphy’s in the former White Lion Brewing space at 24 North Pleasant St., immediately next to D.P. Dough restaurant and below The Drake performance venue.
The move comes as the building housing McMurphy’s and Amherst Typewriter & Computer are to be demolished by Amherst developer Barry Roberts to make way for a two-story mixed-use building.
“When you’ve got to move, you’ve got to move,” Stahl said.
Stahl said he has no specific opening date, but the earliest McMurphy’s would be ready is in February, just as college students return for the spring semester.
The Design Review Board gave approval to the new signs that will replace those of White Lion, which closed over the summer. The new signs will be green with gold lettering.
McMurphy’s, along with Stacker’s at 57 North Pleasant St., which replaced Delano’s in 2008, and The Spoke at 35 East Pleasant St., are among the longest-running taverns in Amherst center.
The McMurphy’s move also requires approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals at a public hearing scheduled for Dec. 11. That application states the new site, in a building also owned by Roberts, will have 50 seats in the main bar area and 50 additional seats in the pool area.
“With 28 years of managerial experience in the downtown Amherst bar/nightlife scene, we
will be continuing to work with the town, locals and student population to provide a fun
and safe environment,” the application reads.
Meanwhile, in June the Historical Commission gave the go-ahead for the demolition of the circa 1900 building situated between the Amherst Oyster Bar and Antonio’s Pizza. That building also borders a narrow alleyway that pedestrians, single-file, can use to get from North Pleasant Street to the Boltwood parking garage and businesses situated along Boltwood Walk, such as Gabe’s Underground and Taqueria del Pueblo.