Smithtown natives will already be aware of the supernatural occurrences
at KATIE’S of Smithtown.Swinging doors, mysterious footsteps, and
other poltergeist phenomena have all taken place before and after KATIE’S
re-opened its doors to the public under Big Brian’s ownership in 2000 and those
strange happenings have since become legendary in the Town of Smithtown.Here is a brief history of these hair-raising
and chilling (but true!) occurrences…
By the time
Brian Karppinen purchased and renovated the beloved KATIE’S in 2000, Smithtown
natives had already been turning the rumor mill about the building’s “curse”
for decades.Unafraid of those spooky
rumors, Big Bri set up shop in the historical building, and was soon hosting
“theme nights” to bring in the crowds.On one such night, psychics were invited to come in and speak with
KATIE’S patrons.After the event, Brian
was told that a spirit, calling himself “Charlie” frequently “visited” the
KATIE’S building, making the bar his hangout.Skeptical at first, Brian invited further psychics to the bar, not
telling them what that first medium had reported.Again, these further psychics “ran into” the mysterious
“Charlie”, a spirit who told the mediums about his love of girls, cigars, and
fine beers…
At this time,
bar patrons and KATIE’S staff alike all reported occurrences of “poltergeist”
movements within the bar: glasses shattering, strange footsteps when no one
else was around, and doors closing themselves.Brian took the initiative and invited A&E channel’s paranormal
specialists to the bar to check things out.Holding a meeting in the historic Smithtown Library, the famed
Ghostbusters from Paranormal State found out through their own research
and interviews that, indeed, a bootlegger and bartender named Charlie Klein had
lived across the street from KATIE’S during the 1920s prohibition era – and
ultimately killed himself before the decade was out.One Smithtown elder even admitted that his
own children who lived in that building had spoken of Charlie’s “appearances”
over the years…
Paranormal
State not only investigated the case, but Brian was
even able to get in touch with the mysterious Charlie’s own decedents, inviting
them to the bar and celebrating the late bartender’s life (perhaps in the hopes
that honoring his memory would purge the bar of his restless spirit).
Smithtown’s
favorite tavern, Katie’s of Smithtown has been
a staple of town life since it opened its doors in 2000.Housed in a historic Smithtown
building (the structure itself is over a century old) many bars and pubs have
come and gone over the years on this spot.But there is only one Katie’s….
Opened by Long Island’s
own Brian Karppinen, Katie’s first incarnation was named “Katie Donegan’s” as a
loving homage to the owner’s grandmother.As word spread about the hot spot, the name became shortened by the
ladies and gents who would pass through the bar’s doors on a regular basis.When Big Brian renovated the interior of the
historic building in 2006, the name was officially changed to the shorter
Katie’s, a more familiar name from those who call the bar their regular haunt…
Aside from its status as a great place to meet with
friends and enjoy a relaxing beer, Katie’s prides itself on a rich history of
philanthropic causes, giving back to the very community that makes the popular
bar thrive.Year round, Big Brian opens
the doors of Katie’s to numerous charities and deserving causes, welcoming the
needs of the community…
Since 2000, Katie’s of Smithtown
has been host to such deserving causes as the search for a cure for Coolie’s
Anemia, the Wounded Warrior Project, Biker’s Against Child Abuse (BACA), and
numerous other bike runs and charity drives for veterans, children, and animals
in the community…
Through the years, those with special needs have come
to count on Katie’s, but it is not only the establishment that has aided in
these causes: it is also the very community that has been inspired to come out
and help … the very community that calls Katie’s of Smithtown home.
All
those in Smithtown know the owner and barkeep
of their favorite haunt!Since 2000,
there has been only one “face of Katie’s”, and that’s Long
Island’s own Brian “Big Bri” Karppinen.
Born and raised in Brentwood,
Brian is well-known among his friends as not only the gregarious owner of
Katie’s, but also an avid motorcycle and auto enthusiast and fabricator,
participating in racing events spanning the islands various speedways.
Although descended from a long line of barkeeps and pub
owners as far back as Old Ireland and on to Harlem
from the 1920’s to 1940’s, Brian’s love of cars and bikes took him briefly in a
different direction. Taking advantage of his knack for general mechanics and
repair, he started his own auto body shop in the mid-80’s, working on cars and
motorcycles into the early 90’s, when he decided to open his first bar, the
Half-Time Sports Bar in 1996 on Terry Road in Smithtown. Brian ran Half-Time
until 1998 while scouting for a larger location to bring even more of his
unique blend of fun, community outreach, and popular drink specials to the town
he had grown to love!
In 2000, Brian got that opportunity when he opened
Katie’s of Smithtown, located in a historic, century-old structure under the Smithtown train trestle. Improving the existing bar’s
reputation by renovating the structure, introducing a fine selection of beer
and spirits, outstanding entertainment, charitable events, and fundraisers,
Brian soon made Katie’s of Smithtown one of the most popular spots in town.
Loving good times and bringing joy to each and every
person that comes through the doors, Big Brian hosts some of Smithtown’s
most legendary holiday events!Katie’s
famous event nights include the Halloween “Pimp and Ho” contest, the
Thanksgiving “Spanksgiving” Spanking Contest, “Santa’s Naughtiest Lil’ Ho, Ho,
Ho” and “Mistletoe Kissing” contests for Christmas, the “Get Your Heart On!
Kissing Contest” for Valentine’s Day, and – of course – the St. Patrick’s Day
“Kiss Me, I’m Irish” Contest!
