Kelly’s Outer Banks Entertainment in October

This October,come to Kelly’s Restaurant for the best in OuterBanks entertainment. Join us for drinks, dancing, and live music performances.

Performance Schedule 

October 4 and 5: Practically Einstein

Practically Einstein, regulars in DC for many years,tours New England to the Gulf Coast, as well as parts of Europe.The band has shared bills with Eve 6, Old 97's, Cowboy Mouth, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Violent Femmes, and Flogging Molly. Their musical influences come from genres such as '70s garage bands, '80s new wave, '90s alternative rock, and Americana from the last two decades.

Come by Kelly’s to raise a glass and enjoy the lively, infectious rock music that Practically Einstein never fails to produce for their audiences.

October 7, 14, and 28: Outer Banks Shag Club

Join the Outer Banks Shag Club at Kelly’s for a “great time shaggin’ the night away”!

In 1989, David Ballance placed an ad in a local newspaper to invite shag enthusiasts to join him at Fast Eddie's at the Market Place in Southern Shores for an evening of dancing.  Twenty people responded and less than one year later, the Outer Banks Shag Club was officially founded. The Shag Club, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to promoting and preserving our beloved Carolina beach music and shag dancing.

Just before open shag dancing begins, watch a new dance step that will complement your dance repertoire. There is a $3 cover charge for all members that will help pay for the DJ.

October 11 and 12: Mirage

Formed in 1997, this incredibly diverse band gets inspiration from the Rock, Country, Top 40, Pop, Hip Hop, R&B, and Rap genres.  This crowd-pleasing group will have you on your feet before you know it.

Mirage is proud to say that they never sample or use backing tracks or sequences—for this band, “it's all about keeping live music alive”. You won’t want to miss this high-energy band while they are performing on the Outer Banks.

October 18: Jonny Waters and Company

Jonny Waters is a musician from the Inner and Outer Banks of North Carolina who recently won the OBX Entertainment 2012 Band of the Year award.

His music is country that has been influenced by southern rock, blues, and trop-rock. Join us at Kelly’s to enjoy this amazing local band!

October 19: Whiskey Creek

This band was formed in 2011 by a group of United States Coast Guard members stationed in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Whiskey Creek describes themselves as a “littleol' band formed in North Carolina, just a group of friends getting together to jam”. 

This band combines classic rock and country, while building their fan base with their pure sound and dedication to their craft. 

October 25 and 26: Rich Whiskey

This cover band from Virginia performs songs from pop, punk, hip-hop, oldies, rock, reggae, and other musical genres.

Rich Whiskey continually builds their playlist with music that will make you want to dance. Don’t miss this young but experienced group!

Kelly’s Restaurant and Tavern offers the finest cuisine and catering services, plus the best Outer Banks entertainment. Join us for a relaxing dining experience and then dance the night away with great music. Kelly’s is located at 2316 South Croatan Highway in Nags Head (US 158 Bypass, Milepost 10.5).

Kelly’s in the Community

In business for almost 30 years, Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern has been a staunch supporter of the Outer Banks community not only as a successful business but as a mainstay at many Outer Banks events.   Whether for fun or a good cause, Kelly’s insists on giving back to the community that has been so welcoming and good to the business.

A Good Time on the Outer Banks

Probably one of our biggest claims to fame outside the restaurant itself is our involvement in two of the OBX’s major annual events – Taste of the Beach and the St. Patrick’s Day Weekend’s activities.  Taste of the Beach is a huge event that pulls visitors from all over North Carolina and surrounding states to sample locally prepared fares from various Outer Banks restaurants.  We host tasting events and dinners over the weekend as well as enter into the “friendly” restaurant competition.  Over the past few years, our desserts (all made in house) take home the trophy for best dessert while our restaurant as a whole is always a finalist.  Taste of the Beach takes a lot of work but we love participating and attracting new patrons of our restaurant while, at the same time, catering to our dedicated clientele who return weekly for lunch, dinner and drinks at the Tavern.  Being able to hang with our restaurant compadrés is an added bonus. 

 

Over the same weekend (St. Patrick’s Day weekend), we also host the St. Patrick’s Day Parade (the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the entire state of North Carolina), the Running of the Leprechaun 8K Race, and the St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza, a huge traditional Irish dinner with corn beef and cabbage, soda bread and Guinness of course.  “As an Irish family, this holiday is near and dear to our hearts and we cannot imagine not being in the foreground of the entire weekend.   It is who we are,” says Mike Kelly, owner of Kelly’s Restaurant. 

 

A Good Cause for the Outer Banks

On top of all the fun we try to bring to many Outer Banks events, we also know that it is important to give back to our beloved barrier islands.  We are partial to participating and sponsoring OBX events that benefit local organizations. Many times, for major events, we partner with our sister restaurants to sponsor and host events.  One such event is the Annual Charity Golf Tournament which we raise money for the Outer Banks Community Foundation.  Over the years, we have helped (through the golf tournament and other events) raise almost $300,000.

Another event where we are front and center is the Annual OBX Marathon weekend Fun Run on Saturday mornings.  While the proceeds from the weekend’s events go to different charities, we love being part of such a major weekend by sponsoring this event. 

 

Lastly, another way we help local causes is by opening our facility up to in house events, luncheons and dinners.  Couture by the Shore is a luncheon and fashion show benefitting the OBX Relief Foundation.  Events such as this need a venue and Kelly’s is always ready to step up and offer our services to help make it a success.

It is All about Community

Mike Kelly believes in the importance of the community.  “It is all about community,” he says.  “If we did not have the community behind us, we would not be where we are today.  It all comes full circle.”  

When you come into Kelly’s for dinner, know that we are here to provide you with an excellent dinner and even a night of live music and dancing if you decide to head over to the Tavern.  But we also want you to remember that we work hard to be an integral part of the community.  We love the Outer Banks and its people.  We just hope they love us as much.

Oh, and by the way, we have sweet potato biscuits waiting for you!

When and Why You Should Visit Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern

Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern has been a proud provider of Outer Banks cuisine as well as entertainment for more than 28 years. We enjoy serving a variety of Outer Banks dishes and providing coastal hospitality and performances.

Weekends

A common misconception during the summer season is that restaurants on the Outer Banks are busier during the weekends and on Mondays. However, the busiest time for restaurants during this season is Tuesday to Thursday. So come and enjoy a delicious Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern cuisine anytime!

We also have great summer entertainment on the weekends. For more information on events at Kelly’s, click here.

Reservations

Reservations are welcome at Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern by calling 252-441-4116. Online reservations are also available; they are accepted Monday to Friday until 3 p.m.

Mouth-watering Specialties

Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern has a wide variety of Outer Banks cuisine that you do not want to miss. One of our favorites is the Coconut Fried Shrimp, which is a large Dare County shrimp that is dredged in flour, sweet coconut milk, and coconut.

Another favorite dish is the “Hatteras Style” Outer Banks Clam Chowder, which is a clear broth chowder that has vegetables, potatoes, and clams.

We serve a great Buffalo Fried Chicken sandwich, which is a deep, lightly breaded and fried chicken breast that is tossed in house Buffalo Sauce. It is served with blue cheese dressing.

We also recommend the Shrimp or Chicken Quesadilla. It is a Cajun-seared shrimp or chicken, and it is combined with cheddar cheese in a flour tortilla. It is served with pico de gallo and spring onion sour cream.

Another great dish to try is our Kelly Wings. The whole wing is served with celery and blue cheese dressing. We can make in different ways, such as BBQ.

One of our latest specials is the Pan-Seared Mahi with Crab and Spicy Thai Vegetable Salad. Visit Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and try these meals and other delicious dishes!

Entertainment

Kelly’s is a great place to visit for diverse Outer Banks entertainment. Performers and entertainers who will be visiting Kelly’s during July and August include

• Cazhmiere;
• Mirage;
• Naomi Black; 
•  Carbon Jam;
•  Krunch;
• Tribal Seeds;
• Jonny Waters and Company;
• Pebble to Pearl;
• The Original Rhondels.

Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern has a wide range of entertainment that you do not want to miss!

Catering

We are the premier caterer for northeastern North Carolina as well as certain areas in southeastern Virginia. We have accommodations within our Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern for small gatherings as well as bigger events.

Kelly’s is a great place for many types of events, which include birthdays, anniversaries, wedding receptions, and business meetings. Through our catering service, we will personalize your meals for your event and needs. We will accommodate for your budget and your desired cuisine.

In addition, if you provide us with a special recipe you would like for us to make, we can make the dish for your event. Catering by Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern will meet your needs and make sure you are happy with the cuisine.

Stop by at Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern throughout the year for a diverse cuisine, a variety of entertainment and performances, and a great coastal hospitality experience. We hope to see you soon!

An Outer Banks Restaurant with Local Seafood Specials

The Outer Banks has many special features, and one of them is our fresh and local seafood. The Atlantic Ocean and the sounds that surround the Outer Banks are home to a diverse array of marine animals from mahi-mahi, shrimp, and tuna in the summer to flounder, clams, and oysters in the winter. There is always a wide variety of local and healthy seafood available on the Outer Banks.Kelly’s Restaurant, an Outer Banks restaurant, is proud to provide a variety of fresh Outer Banks seafood dishes and specials throughout the year.

Kelly’s Restaurant is a member of the Outer Banks Catch, a program that provides information about the advantages of local and seasonal seafood. Members of the Outer Banks Catch strive to inform others about the importance of buying seafood from local fisherman and the importance of buying seafood that is available in the season. Local seafood is healthier and has a better taste compared to frozen seafood that is shipped from other areas.More than 50 percent of the seafood options on the menu at Kelly’s Restaurant are local Outer Banks Catch. Kelly’s Restaurant understands the importance of fresh and local seafood. 

Kelly’s Restaurant is proud to provide fresh and healthy Outer Banks seafood to residents and visitors. We understand the importance of the fishing industry and serving fresh seafood dishes. For more than 28 years, we have provided delicious food, including local seafood, a casual dining experience, and a variety of entertainment. We are excited for you to try our Outer Banks seafood specials and know you will enjoy the fresh and local seafood that the Outer Banks offers. 

Seafood that is available during the summer in the Outer Banks includes grouper, blue crabs, Spanish mackerel, mahi-mahi, shrimp, and tuna. Kelly’s Restaurant enjoys preparing in-season seafood specials for residents and visitors. Recent seafood specials at Kelly’s Restaurant include a mixed grill of tuna, salmon, and shrimp with a wasabi cremefraiche served with starch and vegetable;garlic-seared mahi-mahi with jumbo lump crab and saffron-braised Belgium endive; a seafood bouillabaisse of sautéed clams, shrimp, and peppers in a saffron broth; a pan-fried jumbo soft shell crab dinner; and herb sautéed tilefish with marinated tomatoes and mozzarella with basil vinaigrette.

The fishing industry is an important industry in the Outer Banks, and it plays an important role in the local economy. The Outer Banks has many experienced commercial fishermen. According to the Outer Banks Catch, in 2001, which was the last time the state released a list of commercial fisherman based on the county, more than 1,000 commercial fishermen were located in Currituck, Dare, Hyde, and Tyrrell counties. Commercial fishermen help to provide the fresh seafood, such as crab, fish, clam, and shrimp, to Outer Banks residents and visitors. Commercial fishermen aim to provide the best and healthiest seafood to Outer Banks residents and visitors. 

Purchasing local Outer Banks seafood is a better choice compared to seafood from other areas because of local seafood’s numerous benefits. Local seafood is healthier, safer, andfresher compared to seafood that is shipped from other places. It is more sustainable. Eating seafood from our local water sources benefits the Outer Banks economy and the local fishing industry. Local seafood also has a better quality and a better taste compared to frozen seafood. 

Kelly’s Restaurant understands the importance and the benefits of local seafood and strives to provide local seafood specials for you to enjoy. The Outer Banks restaurant has a variety of seafood dishes and specials available. Visit Kelly’s Restaurant for a casual and entertaining dining experience and tryour healthy, fresh, and local Outer Banks seafood.