Twenty three years ago stockbrokers Lenny Burns and pal Tim Brogan were unwinding in the kitchen at the old Shannon's Saloon on a Sunday night, when Tim said "What downtown Lansing needs is a good Irish pub. A nice Irish pub." Lenny was interested; since Tim owned the Irish Pub, he figured Tim knew whereof he spoke, and he took up Tim's offer to help set one up, and so it came to be. Kelly's Downtown is an extremely traditional Irish pub. The wall decor all came from Ireland, starting with three tea towels when they first took over. The staff might be called traditional, too -- head chef Ed Beasley has been there 18 years and head bartender Kevin Eedy 14 years. The pub offers traditional comfort food and drinks. And the placement of the bar in the middle promotes chats and new friendships between strangers who find themselves facing each other over a pint. Lenny has created a place where people like to come back and bring their friends. -- Greater Lansing Restaurant Guide - Dining Digest, Vol 1 Issue 1