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Happy’s Irish Pub expected to replace Zee Zee Gardens

Zee Zee Gardens, a well-known neighborhood watering hole under the Perkins Road overpass, will likely close its doors for good later this spring.

Baton Rouge Business Report has learned a deal is in the works to sell the mid-century, cinder block building to Last In Concept Inc.’s Jack Warner and Brandon Landry, who are planning to convert the bar into a Happy’s Irish Pub. Kevin Reilly Jr., who owns the building, is out of the country and could not be reached for comment, and Warner declines to discuss the deal until it is finalized. However, sources say Last In Concepts—which owns three other Happy’s in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, as well as Walk-Ons and several other downtown bars—tried unsuccessfully three years ago to buy Zee Zee’s.

The bar’s long-time owner, Wilson Cox, did not return calls requesting comment, but social media sites have been abuzz all week with postings from Zee Zee regulars, who are upset about the pending changes. —Stephanie Riegel