Photo by Trei Johnson
After losing his bid for Gulfport City Council, restaurateur Joe Guenther is shifting his focus back to business — and finally seeing a 20-year vision come to life.
The co-owner of O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille ran for the Ward I seat in the March 10 municipal election. However, during the campaign, he began to question whether public office was the right fit.
“I’m glad I didn’t win,” he said. “After our meet and greet and after talking to certain folks, I was like, I don’t want to do this.”
Instead, Guenther’s focus is currently on the expansion of O’Maddy’s. The business now has a second floor with panoramic views of Gulfport’s waterfront.
Photo by Trei Johnson
A 20-Year Vision Realized
The project has been decades in the making.
“We’ve been trying to do this for 20 years,” he said.
The newly opened second floor adds 4,200 square feet and introduces a more upscale, seafood-focused menu that complements — rather than duplicates — the downstairs offerings.
“We’re going to do a raw bar and a steamer bar,” he said. “We’ll have raw oysters, steamed oysters, steamed shrimp, mussels, clams — a completely separate menu upstairs.”
At the same time, longtime favorites remain available throughout the restaurant.
“Our top three items will run up and down the stairs,” he said, referring to staples like pizza and the roast beef sandwich.
Photo by Trei Johnson
Brewing Beer In-House
The expansion also marks a new step for the restaurant: brewing its own beer.
Guenther completed a federal licensing process that required bonding, fingerprinting and extensive paperwork before launching the in-house operation.
“I could sell the beer anywhere in the country because I’m a licensed brewery,” he said. “But I don’t want to be a brewery. I just want to have my own beer here.”
The restaurant plans to offer two house beers. One will remain consistent — a light pilsner-style option similar to a Miller Lite or Coors Light.
“That’ll be like our O’Maddy’s house beer,” he said.
The second tap will rotate seasonal brews developed by brewmaster Brian Campbell, a recently retired Gulfport firefighter with more than 20 years of service.
His first release, an Irish Red, debuted for St. Patrick’s Day. Future selections may include an Oktoberfest in the fall and a summer shandy.
Photo by Trei Johnson
Open for St. Patrick’s Day
The second floor opened just in time for one of the restaurant’s busiest holidays.
Guests celebrating St. Patrick’s Day were among the first to experience the new space, which features 180-degree views of the city and surrounding waterfront.
“You can see all the way to St. Pete Beach,” he said. “It’s a gorgeous spot up there.”
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