Big Pub Big Heart
With one of the biggest drinks menu’s on the strip, well, just off the strip, nestled neatly down the slope in-between the Sunrise Pearl and Sunrise Beach Hotels and below The Raj Indian Restaurant is TeeJay’s, one of my favourite pubs in Protaras …
The Old Days
I’ve known Tony and Joeanne since before they opened, back in 1993, the same year we launched What’s On Cyprus. I’ve always loved this pub, originally called ‘Bay Watch’, it’s a huge indoor bar with covered and open terraces all around. Out back it’s quieter and a little more romantic, the view used to be Protaras Bay, these days the trees get in the way but you don’t need a view when you have a tastefully designed garden pub and these two excellent hosts looking after you!
Sunny Terrace
Boasting a massive sunny garden bar terrace out front, delightful in the afternoon for a pint or a G&T and some excellent excellent pub grub. It’s just as popular by night where you can enjoy a massive drinks menu and live music every night, with lots of like minded people and, they even provide warm blankies to put over your knees for the chilly nights at the start and end of the season!
Best Pint in Town
Chatting with Tony & Joeanne she mentioned “we think we serve the best pint in Protaras, with up to 19 Beers on Draught, stored in airconditioned cellars and served through a double cooler” … Joeanne continued, “we care for our beer, cleaning the beer lines regularly to make sure your beer is served perfect”. Top sellers include; Peroni, Green King IPA, BrewDog IPA, Warsteiner Beer, Old Speckled Hen, Keo and Carlsberg, probably … to mention but a few!
An Unbeatable Team
Joeanne is from Liverpool way, her mum ran naval pubs and a golf club bar, so the hospitality industry is her life and the experience certainly shows through. Local lad, Tony started working in Fig Tree Bay at Zefkas, then Andama Restaurant and Porkies to mention but a few. Together they launched their dream in ’93 and tbh, they make an unbeatable team. They know just about everyone, coz most of their clients are Protaras repeaters built up over the past 30 years!
Live On Stage
Entertainment is one of their priorities so here you’ll find live music every night, booking their own bands and working close with my good friend Peter from Live Lounge in Cardiff. They’ve installed their own professional PA, Amps and equipment, providing a cool light show and an excellent sound system … check out some of their Videos here … especially this one, of one of their regular bands ‘Shut Up And Dance’ ‘Raving I’m Raving’ live on Top of The Pops in 1992
Sports
There’s a pool table, darts board, backgammon sets, playing cards and 7 big screen TV’s all over the place so you can watch all the live sports. In the main it’s football and on a Saturday they can show up to 3 matches simultaneously, so the atmosphere can get electric! Otherwise, if your sport is on and they can find the channel they’ll put it on for you.
Munchies
They serve an awesome selection of really good pub grub … for starters I love the Nachos served with cheese topping, tomato salsa and sour cream or spice them up with a bowl of chilli … Chips with curry sauce, a great complement with your pint … or the Garlic Bread with cheese, on a 20cm Baguette or maybe the Chicken Caesar Wrap.
Pub Classics
It must be mentioned that everything is Homemade here … My favourites include Joe’s mums ‘Jeans’ Home Made Steak Pie made with prime topside beef and a delicious Cottage Pies, again mums recipe, or if you fancy it spicy? do try their Chilli Con Carne.
Favourites
There’s Sandwiches, Salads, Pizza and Pasta and of course Homemade Beef burgers, the Gourmet Burger a pub favourite but mine has to be the Jack Daniels Burger, served with cheese, tomato, lettuce, tantalizing Jack Daniels sauce, chips, onion rings and coleslaw, Mmm! … or for something a bit lighter you must try The Crispy Chicken Salad!
Grills
I highly recommend the BBQ Chicken Melt, grilled breast of chicken topped with cheese, bacon and BBQ sauce, served with chips and salad … The Pork Chop’s are huge and the Gammon Steak one of the best I’ve tasted so too, the Chicken Tikka Kebab.
Seafood
Everything from good old Fish & Chips to Swordfish, Scampi or Grilled Salmon fillet, served with chips, salad and tartar sauce and of course Fish Fingers for the kids.
Afters
For dessert you must try the Black & White; layers of chocolate and vanilla ice-cream separated by hard chocolate sauce and finished off with whipping cream and more hard chocolate sauce … Naturally it’s hard to resist a good slice of the Homemade Apple Pie, just like granny used to make! … check out their TripAdvisor reviews here.
Kids Menu
It’s a family bar so expect to find some lovely choices for the kids, from Sausages & Chips to chicken nuggets’ Egg & Chips, Pizza or if you ask nicely they’ll size down most meals for you.
Behind the Bar
Apart from an awesome pint from up to 19 draught beers, Joanne and Tony have created a huge menu of drinks … Branded Spirits and House Spirits, things like Tantalizing Tequilas, Voluptuous Vodkas, Riveting Rums, Whiskey & Friends, Glorious Gins … and, a cool selection of really special mixers. Naturally all the cold drinks, hot drinks you’ll need oh and, special coffees and a delicious cappuccino and that’s only the front of the menu!
On the other side
16 Classic Cocktails, 4 Slightly Stronger Cocktails, their Bartenders Choice is often mine, especially the Frozen Margaritas, there’s all your favourite long drinks, Bottled Ales & Craft Beers, Ciders, Wines, oh and some really cool Mocktails for the kids … and the drivers! And if you’re up for a nice surprise, do try their TeeJay’s Top Secret Cocktail, and I’m sworn to secrecy there, but if you buy me one?
Open Long Summer Season
March ’til November
Daily: 4 pm ’til 2 am
Directions
You’ll find TeeJay’s just off Protaras Avenue, aka Hotels Road, just down the slope in between the Sunrise Pearl and Sunrise Beach Hotel, and under the Raj Indian Restaurant … With on and off street parking … See Google Map Below …
GPS: 35.015736, 34.052562
Delightful Afternoons, Excellent Nights Out!