The Wobbly Whale Public House says it will open Oct. 4, where it will replace the former King’s Head Pub in St. Augustine.
Opening day hours are noon to 11 p.m.
The drinking and dining establishment is at 6460 US 1 N., where King’s Head closed in September 2024 after 32 years in business.
Husband and wife, Sean and Ashley Hassan, bought the property Jan. 16 for $1.728 million through First Pub LLC. They then took out a $1.428 million mortgage with Kings Head British Pub Inc.
The pub and parking are on 3.3 acres. It was constructed in 1992.
First Pub LLC is managed by Sean M. Hassan, who state records show is the president of Safepoint Occupational Health Services in Jacksonville.
While King’s Head was an English pub, the Wobbly Whale is mainland European-inspired, including Belgium and Germany, Ashley Hassan said.
It features 16 taps serving a variety of European beers as well as some local craft brews. The wine selection is primarily from Europe.
The Wobbly Whale serves beer and wine, but no liquor. It seats about 70 inside.
“We went to Belgium, we went to Germany and did Oktoberfest, all of that. We love all those beers, so we are really heavy on those,” Ashley Hassan said.
“We’ve already incorporated taking some of ours out and putting in Mich(elob) Ultra and a Miller Lite to make the people happy. We’re going to probably keep it as a rotating tap to where if something doesn’t sell, we’ll put something else in.”
The menu is pub fare featuring fish and chips ($17), corned beef ($19), burgers ($16), German-style pretzels ($12) and crispy pork belly ($14), according to its website.
The pub will have monthly special events and feature Premier League soccer. The Hassans have already been approached to use the open space surrounding the building for car shows.
Hours will be flexible, Ashley Hassan said. Because of time differences, the pub could open early to accommodate European soccer fans.
“We could potentially be open sometimes at 7 a.m. for the soccer games. It’s kind of all going to be playing it by ear based on the football,” she said.
The county issued a building permit to First Pub LLC on Feb. 11 for interior and exterior renovations, including a new roof, at a project cost of $70,000.
The interior has been remodeled, including a new bar. However, the working fireplace remains.
New owners want to have a beer garden and children’s play area behind the restaurant. Plans call for two buildings and additional parking. Zoning issues have put the expansion plans on hold.
“We just said we’re going to put that off on hold for about a year until we get this up and running,” Ashley Hassan said.