Food & rude: Hammered Harry’s is coming to former Margaritaville Casino Biloxi
Hammered Harry’s restaurant, with its strong drinks and Southern-style menu, is what’s coming to replace the former Margaritaville Casino in east Biloxi.
The initial plans were revealed at Wednesday’s Biloxi Development Review Committee meeting.
Harry Mohney bought the former casino that has been empty for almost 10 years. He plans to transform it into a dining and entertainment venue, complete with ax throwing, a boxing ring and a speakeasy, said Britt Singletary, attorney for the project.
Mohney has Hammered Harry’s locations on Decateur Street in New Orleans; on Fremont Street in Las Vegas; in Tampa; Saginaw, Michigan; and now coming to the end of Fifth Street, on the Back Bay in Biloxi.
“He wants to have it open in a year,” Singletary said.
The restaurants and attractions will have a split personality — family-friendly until about 10 at night, when it becomes an adult-only venue with a bikini dance club until 2 a.m., he said.
The property is zoned Waterfront, where some adult entertainment is allowed, but is strictly regulated under city ordinances.
Food with an experience
People will be able to come in, have dinner and leave, but Hammered Harry’s brands itself as a more immersive place where the waiters are rude on purpose, where friends get together for a bachelorette party or for drinks, to play games and enjoy entertainment.
Phase I of the renovations will see the restaurant built out. Also planned are improvements to the events center, kitchen and restrooms, along with new dressing rooms for boxers and performers. Phase II will see the rest of the building updated.
Shaun Parker Construction, which also is transforming the historic Barq Building in downtown Biloxi into apartments and restaurant space, is updating the 68,000 square foot building.
“Cat’s Meow is going to be here, too,” Singletary said. The famed karaoke bar has two locations in New Orleans along with Las Vegas, and specializes in parties and corporate functions.
The restaurant space looks out over the water and has a balcony for seasonal dining.
To make dinner an experience, Hammered Harry’s provides “service with an attitude,” as the wait staff trades barbs with the customers. The chain has a “Mega Beef Challenge” for those who want to stuff themselves the way they see on food challenges on TV.
Big lineup of food and drinks
Hammered Harry’s menu provides lighter snacks and drinks or full steak and seafood dinners.
To start are chicken wings, mega nachos and homemade fries, or a smorgasbord platter to share a variety of wings, chicken tenders, potato skins and fried pickle chips.
New Orleans Gumbo is on the list of soups and salads, and customers can build their own burger or bite into a Jack Daniels burger.
For a more substantial meal, the menu has steaks, ribs and other barbecue, seafood like fish and chips or grilled salmon, and Harry’s “infamous” chicken Alfredo.
Dessert can be a tart lemon mousse, cheesecake and ice cream, or a booze milkshake.
The drinks come with names like “Sucker Punch” and “Money Maker,” and some cocktails, shots and wine are poured in a souvenir glass to remember the Hammered experience.
