The home of Irish-American music group The Dorians is getting a face lift.

Mugsy McGuire’s Restaurant and Pub, 1620 W. Main St., will undergo renovations within the next month. Southern Illinois Entertainment Corporation is purchasing the establishment.

We are going to make the place more appealing on the outside, Matt Maier, new owner of Mugsy’s said. We are going to clean it up, paint it and put up some awnings.

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The renovations should begin in the next month Maier said. It mostly depends on the weather.

If we can get a couple of weeks of nice weather we can make the changes, Maier said. It should not take long, and we are not going to close down.

Maier said there are plans to add a lunch menu eventually. However, he said this will not happen for at least two months. Before Mugsy’s can open for lunch, more kitchen staff and possibly another manager must be hired.

We expect the percentage of food sales versus alcohol to increase when we begin opening for lunch, Maier said.

The Liquor Advisory Board approved the transfer of ownership of the Class A-2 liquor license at the Jan. 8 meeting. All members present at the meeting voted in favor of the motion.

The transfer still has to go before the city council next Tuesday, Maier said. But I don’t foresee any problems there.

Maier said the contract to acquire the restaurant has already been signed and will be closed on Jan. 30. The previous owners of Mugsy’s, CDK Inc., decided to pursue other interests and put Mugsy’s up for sale.

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Maier owns Ambassador Hall, 600 W. Freeman, and Forest Hall, 820 W. Freeman St.

I was looking at opening a business such as this in a building I own downtown, but there weren’t any liquor licenses available, Maier.

Despite the changes, several things will remain the same. Maier intends to keep the present employees. Mugsy’s will stay open until 2 a.m. but, the kitchen now will close at 10 p.m.

Maier said Mugsy’s will continue to be home of the Dorians, who next play there 8:30 p.m. Friday.