Meet The Owner of Oakmont Pub

Patch wants to get to know the owner of Oakmont Pub, a long-run local bar/restaurant and a staple in Havertown. Get to know this owner below.

Name: Brendan Goggin

Family: Wife is a first-grade teacher at Chatham Elementary School and his two children attend Cardinal Foley Regioinal Catholic School and Chestnutwold Elementary School.

Co-Owner of: Oakmont National Pub in Havertown

Year Established: Oakmont Pub took over the space from former bar Iron Gate approximately 15 years ago. In the 1920s, the building was the site of a former bank.

Hometown: Overbrook Farms

Current Residence: Havertown

Earlier Stints: Worked in the staffing business and received his Master's degree in instructional design. Though his main role is managing the pub, Goggin also manages his side business (Cochrane Designs) designing iPhone apps.

Favorite Meal at Oakmont Pub: They have such a wide variety of items, it's hard to choose for Goggin but he notes the French onion soup, burgers, fish and chips, and whatever the chef's specials of the day are.

Why did you get into the business? 

It was just a means to an end. My brother Peter first started this and then me and my other brother Garrett joined him. When the Iron Gate closed, we jumped on it. We saw an opportunity here. The whole place was covered up and boarded from the last bar but we wanted to uncover the beauty of the old bank. [You can still see the vault of the old bank inside the restaurant]. 

What do you like about the area?

I believe we became a part of the fabric of Havertown. We've been really fortunate to have really supportive residents. We offer a quality product and our customers have been loyal to us and enjoy our product. We wouldn't be here without the patrons. 

What's next for Oakmont Pub?

We're looking to expand Oakmont Pub. We're eventually seeking a space down the road.

Plug: We're big in craft beers and our chef is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. He makes everything from scratch, including our soups and salads that just blow out of here. He also creates chef's specials throughout the week that are all homemade by him.

The Vibe: Goggin notes the pub attracts all types of patrons—families who enjoy dinner and a night out before 7 p.m., the business folks during the day, and the young crowd at nights and weekends.