50 Years of Silky O’Sullivans

In its first 50 years, the Irish-themed bar has become a world-famous institution known for its big bucket of booze (The Diver), goats, dueling pianos, and late nights where the times were good and the memories fuzzy.

When Silky O’Sullivan’s opened in 1973, it wasn’t at the Beale Street location that we know today. Instead, it opened as Silky Sullivan’s in Overton Square for 25 years. They changed buildings twice in Overton Square before opening the second location, Silky O'Sullivan's, made its Beale Street debut in 1992.

The story goes that Thomas “Silky” Sullivan was hanging out one night in Overton Square at T.G.I. Friday's -- the first restaurant to allow "liquor by the drink" in Shelby County thanks to a recently passed referendum. Well, that night they wouldn't let Silky run a tab, now a much more common practice, so he got mad and said he was going to go across the street and open his own bar and restaurant and ta-da -- Silky's was born!
 

At the time of the big move, Beale Street was really struggling. Businesses weren't lining up to open there. It became a well-rewarded risk.

Silky sadly passed away in 2013 and wife Joellyn ran it in the same fashion until recently selling it in late-2022 to long-time manager David Hooper. Joellyn is still very active in the promotion and success of Silky O'Sullivans and, of course, I had to give her a call to talk about the 50-year legacy of it all.

There was a lot of talk of goats. Many of Joellyn's fondest memories over the years are of those world famous goats.

Goats became a fixture quickly after the opening of the Beale Street location. They got a resolution passed with the city, state, county, everyone really, to allow goats on Beale. If there could be ducks in the Peabody, there could be goats on Beale.

Throughout the years, there have been many goats. Sir Killian was the first and there was Lord Guinness but the most famous of them all was the one-horned Maynard.

Maynard life is the story of legends. He was featured on "The Tonight Show" ahead of the 2002 Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis fight at the Pyramid where he predicted (correctly) that Lewis would win the fight. Good old Maynard was also known for bringing good luck helping snap a losing streak with the Grizzlies and bringing more good luck to the 2003 NBA Draft. (We were so close to getting to LeBron James guys - so close.)

Maynard also took a visit to Chicago to try and help the long-cursed Cubs. That almost worked too. Cubs made it to the NL Championship Series and then Steve Bartman happened. 

While the legacy of Silky's is well-known, one thing remains a mystery -- the makings of The Diver drink. Joellyn said it is a daily thing being asked what they use to make the sweet drink. Her joke is to say parts furniture polish, Spanish fly liquid, and Roto-Rutor juice but really it takes a little bit of everything and tastes like a sweet punch.

As we raise a straw from our Diver bucket, we celebrate not just a bar but a true Memphis landmark. Here’s to the goats, the live music, the late nights, the early parade mornings, the bbq nachos, the past memories, and the ones we’ll continue to forge.

And remember - the Diver is best enjoyed split with a very large group.

Here's what's happening:

Thursday, 10/05 - Turn back the clocks to when Silky's first opened in 1973 with a Disco-themed party on the patio. DJ Taz will spin the funky favorites. Enjoy some food, music, and funk. Live music all day starting at 1 p.m. with Buddy Albert and Barbara Blue (5-7 p.m.) followed by dueling pianos.

Friday, 10/06 - Barbara Blue (5-7 p.m.)

Saturday, 10/07 - Barbara Blue (5-7 p.m.) There will also be a king's toast at 3 p.m. where all former St. Patrick's Day Parade kings are encouraged to reunite and celebrate.

Sunday, 10/08 - Full band with Barbara Blue (3-7 p.m.) 

I asked people to share some of their Silky's photos from over the years to help celebrate 50 years. Thank you to everyone who submitted photos. We had SO MANY. I wish I could add them all.

Thank you to Kim Escue, for this first photo provided. I wanted to add want she said below too:

"This is my uncle Russell and one of his many girlfriends back in the day.  Russell went on to open Murphy’s down the street and eventually Earnestine and Hazels.  I’ve always thought this picture captures that era in Memphis and Silkys."