The Marathon Grill and Ale House turned the big 10 on Saturday, Dec. 16 and had loads of help from Marathon residents celebrating double digits in business.
The decade-long establishment is well-known for hosting NFL Sunday Ticket games, Wednesday evening paint-and-sip classes, trivia nights and athletic event sponsorships as well as its decadent eats.
With 10 being the magic number, on Saturday the restaurant had a plethora of $10 specials throughout the day, including beer flights and buckets, cheese pizzas, wine bottles and appetizers galore. An all-day happy hour lasted from 11 a.m. to midnight.
“It was definitely a packed house on Saturday,” said owner Simone Mullis. “Randall the DJ was spinning some fun tunes for everyone and we had tons for kids to do. Kids put together holiday crafts, had their faces painted and there was even a ‘U Stuff It’” table where they made their own stuffed animals. The Stars of the Florida Keys cheerleaders also came in to hang out with us. They had a 50/50 raffle that made them almost $1,000 and the winner donated back their winnings, which was amazing. I’m really happy with the turnout. It was so great to see so many familiar faces.”
On top of the kid activities and music were giveaways galore, including free Ale House and Florida Keys Brewing Co. gear, food and gift certificates as well as a drawing for a six-month membership to the Marathon Grill and Ale House Mug Club.
“How this works is the customer buys a mug from us, and the mug is then personalized and hung up on a special board that is behind the bar,” said co-manager Samantha Streator. “The owner of the mug then receives discounts on beers every time they come in and 20% off an appetizer. It gives a nice sense of community and belonging because the customers feel like they are a special part of the Ale House family, and they definitely are.”
Clockwise from left, Ale House co-manager Tiffani Streator, bartender “Deli,” owner Simone Mullis and co-manager Samantha Streator pose for a photo at the 10th anniversary event at the Marathon Grill and Ale House. 
Flights of beer allow diners to select from 30 different choices. 
A wall of glassware showcases the restaurant’s Mug Club, where customers can purchase the beverage holders and receive discounts. 
A sports bar wouldn’t be complete without sneaky good pizza. 
Loaded nachos.
The restaurant and its sister property, Dockside Boot Key Harbor, are always striving to be a part of the community. They participate in and help sponsor the American Cancer Society’s Strides Walk as well as continually sponsoring various sports teams in the community. And according to Streator, when the name “ale” is in your restaurant’s name, it helps to have a great relationship with the local Florida Keys Brewing Company.
“(They) actually make a specialty beer just for us,” said Streator. “It’s called the Ale House Pelican Red Ale. We use this specialty beer in our Sloppy Joe recipe as well as our beer cheese and chicken mac and cheese. It’s to die for!”
The restaurant’s more popular offerings, besides the Sunday ticket games available on 14 televisions throughout the restaurant, include the Wednesday evening paint classes followed by trivia through Be the Show Events & Entertainment.
“Paint nights are really getting popular here,” said Mullis. “(Some upcoming scenes include) an octopus mug painting on the 27th and a coconut horizon painting on Jan. 3. People have a lot of fun with Painting in the Keys and come back regularly.” All upcoming paint classes are available on the Marathon Grill & Ale House Facebook page, with online sign-ups at paintingthekeys.com.
Marathon Grill and Ale House is located in Gulfside Village Plaza at 5800 Overseas Hwy. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to midnight. Happy hours are daily from 4 to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight.
Photos by JEN ALEXANDER/Keys Weekly
