CONCORD, NH — The Barley House turns 25 in a few months, and to celebrate, the restaurant, owned by Brian and Deb Shea, has a few surprises planned.

For Christmas, to revel with other businesses downtown for holiday events, including Midnight Merriment next week, the restaurant decided to spruce things up inside by installing thousands of lights. This year, Merriment starts with a parade of lights at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, from the Hotel Concord to the Statehouse. Staffers, Deb Shea said, were working on specials like holiday drink offerings and other things to get into the spirit of the season. Once they started rolling with the lights, themes emerged, and everyone got into the idea.

The lights offer four different themes for each section of the restaurant. Upstairs, there is more traditional Christmas fare with stockings, candy canes, bulbs, and red and white lights. But the downstairs, lit up in blue and white, is stunning. Brian and Deb Shea said they thought holiday party bookings — the downstairs tends to be very busy this time of the year, would enjoy the added lighting.

“Everyone is loving it so far,” Deb Shea said. “We’re having fun with it.”

The couple readily admits holiday popup lights or similar restaurant displays are nothing new.

Deb Shea said after all the outdoor seating had been rolled up, restaurants had to find another niche or draw to keep customers coming downtown as the colder temperatures arrived.

Brian Shea said the couple was on vacation in Florida and ate at a restaurant, which was lit up entirely with lights. Another restaurant he heard about in Massachusetts on the South Shore is booked solid with reservations because people want to experience dinner with the holiday lighting.

“That may not happen here,” he said. “But if someone starts it, they may look forward to it.”

“When they come in and they all love it,” Deb Shea said, “and it’s a festive holiday experience, it will be something (customers) will want to experience … with winter and everything.”

The downstairs lights came out so well they might consider permanent light changes. Brian Shea said it would be more subtle at their place if they tried to put together something long-term, but they loved the idea.

The Barley House also plans to offer dinner reservations on New Year’s Eve, so revelers can coordinate their evening. A special menu will also be put together.

The lights will be up through January to expand a bit later into the season. After that, the Black Ice Hockey Tournament is scheduled for early February. However, sometimes, things can slow down downtown. Having customers enjoy their meal and have a good time at the Barley House has always been their goal, she said.

“I think we have to start looking at the downtown past the summer,” she said. “Because we do have a long winter here.”

The Barley House turns 25 on March 6, so more will be planned for the very near future.

“We’ll be rolling right into that,” Deb Shea said.

Upcoming Events

• Holiday Jingle Jam: Karaoke, an ugly sweater contest, pictures with Santa, and more: 8 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30.
• Free Gift Wrapping with enjoying drinks and dinner: 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22.
• Holiday Lights Popup: Through Jan. 15, 2025.

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