I can't imagine the customer's they'll attract with complete drunks and mostly naked strippers/bartenders downstairs.

This sounds very sketchy!? They are only open two nights a week? This was very hushed.

I met the GM of Village Smokehouse last week...they were hiring waitstaff for an anticipated second week of Sept opening. Looked into yesterday...I don't think so but hope so.

GG this is info for you ( forgot your email at the sun: You might be too young to remember the wonderful Cafe Marliave in Boston. The owner of the Grotto bought this historic building and they have just ooened a portion of it. If you would like info, please write me...it is great, just like the Grotto!

Jeannie Liakos

I hope the entrance is far away from the Shamrock entrance. That place is just gross. I couldn't believe what the bartenders where wearing on the sidewalk during the Folk Fest. I don't think bikinis are really appropriate for Downtown Lowell. Can't the Downtown planning committee get on the owners case to clean up the outside of that place a bit? There are windows that have been boarded up with wood for over a year now.

Anon and other bloggers who live in DTL: I have seriously been looking for a condo in Lowell and selling my home in Andover. Opinions please! Considering some of the prices, I can afford a nice place on Beacon Hill...and indulge in the Grotto, Marliave. etc.

GG...for the record, although I have asked owner Nick on a couple of occasions to let me take over his Blue Shamrock space, Gemstones has no affiliation with either of our restaurants, beyond sharing a zip code.

In naming it as such, I was inclined to think maybe Big'stones would have been more apropos!

Despite the possibility of a cheesey marketing ploy (I have been guilty myself!!) we wish them, whomever "them" may be, the best of luck!

Sincerely,
Scott Plath, Owner
Cobblestones, Lowell
Moonstones, Chelmsford

I hate to see a place vilified before anyone has tried it. Don't knock it till you try it. Women in bikinis- THE HORROR!

Now now. I would not have connected Gemstones in anyway with Cobblestones. Few people, save perhaps avid GG bloggers, even know Cobblestons/Moonstones connection. I think the name is coincidence. If they hang a big sign outside w/ the same font as Cobblestones, well then OK maybe somethings going on...

Not knocking Gemstones. I'm always excited to see a new restaurant, I'm knocking the place below it.

Folks, don't wish Shamrock away. We need such places as a hedge against run-away gentrification. I don't want us to experience that, at least until about a year before I want to sell my condo ;-)

Please don't hate on the Shamrock, it may not be a bar for most but it does serve it's purpose.

Yes, the shamrock will never win any awards for it's appearance and it could use some work inside but it has cheap drinks, good looking bar tenders, and a great outdoor seating area right downtown.

There are still some of us in this city that enjoy cheap drinks and girls in Bikini's LOL.

As far as Gemstones is concerned, I have not gone up there for food so I can't comment on that. However, I think the Shamrock/Gemstones should just stick to the bar/nightclub business and leave the food to the other restaurants in the area.

My two cents

Stop hating on the Blue Sham. It is not my cup of tea either, but it serves a purpose... Keeping old divorced guys preoccupied with their bartenders and away from creeping out the beautiful women that frequent other downtown bars.

I use to work for the Blue Sham. All i have to say is I don't think, the management there need any special qualifications for their position except maybe currently on parole?

As far as eating:
If you're looking for baby's mamma's dramas and skunk beer, then by all means, but good eats, ehhhh I'd think twice.