Jeff Miller has spent about three months transforming the former Ruby Tuesday location at Gainesville’s Lakeshore Mall into a local watering hole and Irish Pub.

Irish Bred Pub, a chain of Irish pubs in Georgia and Alabama, is equipped with a full bar, pool tables, dark wood accents and a full stage. Its dark green walls are decorated with sports and spirits memorabilia.

Tuesday was the pub’s grand opening, and Miller said there was a nice turnout.

"The city officials and everybody we invited — it was just wonderful," said Miller, originally from New Orleans.

Rachel Bremby, who attended the grand opening of Irish Bred, said she can’t wait to return.

"They have a good thing going," she said. "Great band, minimal opening menu but the food was great ... This is going to be a place we go often."

The restaurant also features outdoor seating and plans on having live entertainment several nights a week.

"We changed the total inside and we built our own booths, our own tables," Miller said. "We are going to have live entertainment on stage, live bands on stage, and they can play Top 40 covers or originals or whatever and from time to time we are going to have some national acts come through."

Bands will grace the Irish Bred stage on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays beginning this week.

"Everybody says that everybody does karaoke ... but we’re gonna do Gainesville’s Got Talent," Miller said. "That includes karaoke and crazy acts, plus we are going to do Dynamics, and that’s skits on stage."

The menu is a mix of typical bar food and some traditional Irish dishes like Bangers & Mash, Paddy’s Traditional Fish ’n’ Chips, Homemade Shepherd’s Pie and Irish Beef & Guinness Stew.

Miller said he is excited about opening his eatery right in the heart of Gainesville on Pearl Nix Parkway.

"It’s the best location in Gainesville," he said. "Because of the parking and the mall, which is great. It’s a central area and it’s a beautiful location that is easily accessible."