It’s such a simple idea even Homer Simpson could have thought of it.
Lisa McMahon Winters, who runs The Inflatable Pubs Global has completed a deal with TV studio, Twentieth Century Fox, which will see her company launch an inflatable version of the iconic Moe’s Tavern, from The Simpsons TV series.
The launch of the fictional watering hole is expected to take place in South Armagh, Dublin, London and LA next month, and, following talks with Disney, a blow-up replica of The Quiet Man cottage from the eponymous John Wayne movie is also due on the market in May.
Lisa, who is originally from Limerick but lives in Dromintee with her husband and their three sons, has enjoyed global success after bringing the Inflatable Pub to Irish shores for the first time in 2015. She started up her company Party Hire and Events Ltd after working in New York and spending 15 years in the corporate world of telecommunications in Dublin. Beginning with giant games, popcorn and candy floss machines, it then became the first company in Ireland to provide giant outdoor movie screens.
Lisa’s attention turned to inflatable pubs and the entrepreneurial mum’s business is now expanding weekly after Inflatable Pubs provided the VIP hospitality tent at this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Chicago.
The pop-up innovation brings the local pub literally to your doorstep and has become a party show stopper, which comes fully kitted out with flooring, lighting, bar, optics, taps, seating and tables.
Several different types of bespoke designs and sizes are available and they are often used at weddings, public and corporate events. Although Lisa can produce replicas of any bar you want, Moe’s Tavern is by far her biggest project.
Speaking to The Examiner about her latest business coup, Lisa explained,
“Effectively it is like a blow up marquee, and made from the same material as a bouncy castle, but the interior will be an exact replica of the one in the Simpsons, we are even hoping to be able to import and provide Duff beer like Homer drinks.”
“We have done an inflatable Queen Vic for an EastEnders fan, and we can do The Rovers Return from Coronation Street or McCoys from Fair City, or even the ‘local’ from back home for emigrants. Next on the list is the Nags Head from only Fools and Horses.
“It has taken about two years to get this across the line, we had to negotiate for a brand licence with Fox, and then we had to get the whole interior layout designed exactly like the bar in the show.”
Once Moe’s Tavern is on the market Lisa also intends to launch a retail version for more residential use.
Meanwhile, the local business woman is also in negotiations with a major American National Football League team to create a custom made unit for promotional events. Her order book is quickly filling up with several multinational retailers placing orders for ‘consumer pubs’ and pubs for retail set to launch in Asia and the United Arab Emirates.
The company website – www.inflatable.pub receives almost 2,500 hits daily, with the US, Canada and Australia currently the biggest markets. With the business growing at such a rate, Lisa will be hiring 7 new employees to help with demand. The international success of the Inflatable Pub also means Lisa now sub-contracts all rental businesses and concentrates solely on sales. While a location for the South Armagh launch of the iconic Moe’s Tavern has yet to be revealed, you can find out more at www.inflatable.pub.
