New England's 'Wee Irish Pubs' Roll In on Wheels

A fleet of festive pubs on wheels brings a taste of Ireland to New England

Mar. 17, 2026 at 6:11pm

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A small business called Tiny Pubs, run by brothers Matt and Craig Taylor, builds miniature Irish pubs on wheels that they deliver to homes, weddings, and events across New England. The pubs are designed to recreate the authentic feel of a traditional Irish pub, with antique decor, church pews, and a bar made from an 1864 piano. The pubs have become popular for holidays, parties, and even celebrations of life after funeral services.

Why it matters

The Tiny Pubs business highlights a creative way for people to experience the community and atmosphere of an Irish pub without having to travel to Ireland. In a time when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many social gatherings, the mobile pubs provided a way for people to come together safely and celebrate their heritage.

The details

The first Tiny Pub was built by the Taylor brothers in Matt's driveway in Reading, Massachusetts during the COVID-19 lockdown, when they were missing their favorite Irish pubs. Since then, the business has grown to four bars, including two Irish pubs, that are booked most weekends throughout the year. The brothers have worked to make the pubs feel authentically Irish, visiting pubs in New England for design inspiration and avoiding stereotypical 'leprechaun' decor. The pubs have been rented out for holidays, weddings, backyard parties, and even funeral celebrations.

  • The first Tiny Pub was built in Matt Taylor's driveway in Reading, Massachusetts during the COVID-19 lockdown.
  • Tiny Pubs now has four bars, including two Irish pubs, that are booked most weekends throughout the year.

The players

Matt Taylor

Co-founder of Tiny Pubs, a small business that builds miniature Irish pubs on wheels.

Craig Taylor

Co-founder of Tiny Pubs, a small business that builds miniature Irish pubs on wheels.

Mark Cote

A Massachusetts resident who hosted one of the Tiny Pubs in his driveway for an annual holiday party.

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What they’re saying

“It's really just a time to forget about whatever's going on in the world. That's what pubs are supposed to be—for people coming together and having fun.”

— Mark Cote (AP)

“When we were building the pub in this neighborhood, neighbors thought a pub was going to be living here full time. We had to kind of settle them down a little bit.”

— Matt Taylor, Co-founder, Tiny Pubs (AP)

“We have Irish friends who told us, 'You better not have leprechauns and stuff in there.'”

— Craig Taylor, Co-founder, Tiny Pubs (AP)

“It's a special thing for a lot of people to be able to come into an authentic Irish pub. Maybe they're not able to get back to the old country, so it's meaningful to them.”

— Matt Taylor, Co-founder, Tiny Pubs (AP)

“When people step inside for the first time, it's like Christmas morning. And when we show up the next day to take the pub away, there's sometimes people sleeping on the pew.”

— Craig Taylor, Co-founder, Tiny Pubs (AP)

What’s next

The Tiny Pubs business continues to grow, with the brothers planning to expand their fleet of mobile Irish pubs to meet demand across New England.

The takeaway

The Tiny Pubs concept demonstrates the enduring appeal of the traditional Irish pub experience, even in a modern, mobile format. By bringing the pub to the people, the business has found a way to foster community and celebrate cultural heritage, even for those who can't easily travel to Ireland.