Pike's to Host Benefit for Local Bartender

Chances are that if you’ve spent any time out at the pubs in the Southampton/Warminster area, Dan Pfeil has served you a drink or two.  A local favorite, Dan has been tending bar for over a decade now at places such as E’s Irish Pub, Big Head’s Town and Country, and .   

And so it was that when Pfeil was diagnosed with colon cancer last summer, friends and coworkers jumped at the chance to help.  In November, they held a benefit for Pfeil at E’s Irish Pub.  The event, which they dubbed ‘Raise a Glass for Dan’s Ass’ met with a great deal of success.

On  Sunday, Feb. 20, they’ll be doing it again at another of Pfeil’s haunts, on Second Street Pike. 

All proceeds will be going towards helping Pfeil pay for his treatments.  Pfeil, like an estimated 59 million Americans, lacks health insurance. 

And unfortunately, as evidenced in Pfeil's case, once you’re diagnosed with a serious condition, insurance companies don’t exactly make it easy to buy into a plan.

Hence, friends coming together; people helping people. 

Ken McFeeley, who helped organize the event and will be playing with one of the bands, has known Pfeil for over eight years now.  He’s more than happy for the opportunity to pick up his guitar for a friend in need. 

“He’s just a really good guy,” McFeeley said.  “Everybody likes him - he’s got a great sense of humor.  Even when all this started he was still making jokes about it.  I can’t think of a better cause. 

“The guy’s basically been unable to work for the past six months,” he continued.  “And trust me, no matter how much money you’ve got put aside or saved up, that all just disappears after a couple nights in the hospital.”

Running from 3 until 8 PM on Sunday, entertainment will include Kenny McFeeley and Kevin Mahr, AJ Slick, and Joe Z and the Youngbloods.

“There’ll be a lot of the town’s local musicians out for it,” said McFeeley.  “Should mainly be classic rock, R&B, covers and some original music.  It’s gonna be a good time for a great cause.”

Cheryl Foley, who tends bar at the restaurant, joked that it will be "a bunch of old guys up there, jamming away."

Although McFeeley thinks the evening will probably go long past 8 PM, up until that time your $25 ticket entitles you to all the draught beer, wine, and food you can handle. 

“We’re going to have roast beef, pork, pasta carbonara, a bunch of salads and desserts,” said McFeeley. 

Foley outlined the rest of the plans for the evening.

“We’ll have prizes and gifts,” she said.  We’ll have a Chinese auction, a 50/50 raffle, baskets of cheer.  We’re selling little hearts that say ‘Save Dan’s Ass.’

Prizes will run the gamut from food and bottles of liquor all the way to iPods. 

“We’ve never done a benefit like this before,” Foley said.  “So right now, we’re just faking it.”

Those wishing to buy tickets or make donations if they’re unable to attend are encouraged to call Pike’s at 215-364-1322.

 “Be there or be square,” said McFeeley.  “There are a lot of people getting together for it.  We’re trying to pack the place.  It’s going to be a jammin’ good time.”