Tilted Kilt to bring something Morgantown ‘has never seen before’

A new pub and eatery is bringing a Scottish flavor to Morgantown’s bar and restaurant scene: The Tilted Kilt Morgantown.

The Tilted Kilt Morgantown is a Celtic-themed restaurant specializing in draft beer, fresh food and the world-famous "Kilt Girls."

Since the first Tilted Kilt opened in Las Vegas, more than 50 locations have been created across the U.S. and Canada. According to owner Ed Hall, Morgantown is ready for The Kilt’s brand of energy and entertainment.

"This is something that Morgantown has never seen before, but it’s something that Morgantown is definitely ready for," Hall said.

Hall said this new, different pub and eatery atmosphere will surprise a lot of people.

"In order to open a Tilted Kilt in the area, we needed a large customer base and kitchen staff and fantastic ‘Kilt girls,’" Hall said. "Morgantown is the perfect place for all of that."

After looking at locations in the Greater Morgantown area, Hall chose to renovate the former Damon’s Bar and Grill in Suncrest Towne Centre in May.

Since then, The Kilt has been renovating the building and hiring staff. Instead of traditional interviews, general manager Wayne Park said he’s taken a different approach.

"Instead of holding interviews and reading about individuals on paper, we have auditions, because we are looking for entertainers that have a special talent and that can show us their personality," Park said. "To honestly say that we held back-to-back auditions and enjoyed every one, and mean it, really says something. We literally laughed and had fun for 11-12 hours a day."

Parks said The Kilt is all about pleasing guests.

"When you’re at the Tilted Kilt, you will see the girls, what’s on the walls, the open kitchen and the fun atmosphere, because entertainment is what we bring," Park said.

Aside from an energetic atmosphere, The Kilt will serve a diverse menu.

"We joke about it," Park said. "But our goal is if you bring five or six people, everyone will be able to find something on the menu."

The Kilt will feature traditional favorites like Shepherd’s Pie, 10-ounce burgers and grilled wings – all prepared fresh daily and never frozen.

"People are going to be so pleasantly surprised by the quality of our food," Park said.

Aside from food, the pub will have a full bar and 32 draft beers on tap – a testament to The Kilt’s commitment to quality, he said.

"We have a lot of premium drafts, and people will be able to come in here and try some beer they haven’t seen in other places," Park said. "The beer will be superb, and it will pour superb."

The Kilt doesn’t just cater to groups. The Captain’s Table, a huge 33-seat dining table, allows solo guests to eat, drink and be merry together.

"If you come in by yourself, and the bar is full, and you want to have yourself a pint, why not sit by someone else who has the same mentality?" Hall said.

Amid public interest about their opening, Park explained why an opening date hasn’t been announced.

"We’re going to do it right," Park said. "If we didn’t want to do it right we could have been open in September, but we’ve selected everything and everyone in the building, and when we do, open it will be a breath of fresh air."

For Park, working at The Tilted Kilt is a labor of love.

"We’re entertainers," Parksaid. "It’s the noise, it’s the open kitchen, it’s the big Captain’s Table. That camaraderie – that passion for the industry."

Park said he believes the Kilt will become a well-loved part of Morgantown.

"You’re going to hear it, you’re going to see it, when you close your eyes you’re going to think about it," he said.

"I think the state of West Virginia realizes
there’s something special coming here to Morgantown."

Construction on the location is reaching the final stages. For updates about new employees, events and announcements about the grand opening, search the Tilted Kilt Morgantown Facebook page.