Smugglers, a gastropub and ‘‘yacht rock pirate bar,’’ is moving into the Changing Hands-Trader Joe’s plaza on the southwest corner of McClintock and Guadalupe in south Tempe.
It’s taking over the former Mac’s Broiler & Tap, which closed in January after a 14-year run. Well, technically it’s taking over half of the Mac’s space, which has been split into two spaces.
The 1,600-square-foot eatery will have a nautical theme with a long bar, high-top and low-top tables, a small stage, and a back-room lounge.
Owner D.L. Marble attended nearby Marcos de Niza High and still lives in the neighborhood.
‘‘I love dive bars,’’ he says, ‘‘ but I want someplace where people who live around here can go for a nice meal – like an adult date night – or just to relax.’’
Marble points to Cotton & Copper, also in south Tempe, as a model for his food aspirations, although he’d like Smugglers to be more of an everyday hangout.
Although he’s a musician – he has his own eponymous Americana band – Marble says live music will have limited hours.
‘‘Nobody wants to have their dinner interrupted by a loud band,’’ he says.
Marble hopes to open Smugglers by the end of October.
