Derek Bennett, our Maniacal Leader is a 5th Generation Publican, from Portsmouth in the South of England. Educated at the Savoy in London and then back to the family business of Pub’s, Hotels, Night Club’s and Restaurants!
Travel Bug
But alas the Travel Bug bit him and after divorcing The Village Bike, headed south to the Costa Del Crime.
Torromolinos was the place to be running a pub just like this one, terrific food, great service and fun was the order of the day. He was skinny in those day’s and had hair “really” and was “Jack the Lad” until this American Bird walked into the bar and changed all that.
Heading South
So it was off to Chicago for Derek, another great adventure, marriage, working for Big Brother, learning the American way, good stuff but too bloody cold.
Headed South again to “Paradise” - Sanibel Island was the place to be, Palm trees, Hurricane’s, Gulf Shore Cuisine, then he started to make little maniacal leader’s, Mrs. Leader was a Thespian!
"We Know Her Choice" started doing shows in Naples Florida. Derek used to hang at the English Pub.
After 15 year’s of watching and waiting he bought the place. When Mrs. Leader was told she replied, “He might as well, he’s there all the time anyway”.
Terrific Food
Well here we are, two year’s later with a major face lift, the Pub, not our maniacal leader, in the most authentic pub in the state serving terrific food, great service marvelous memories.
