Photo courtesy of The Mad Duck

Neighborhood bar transports patrons to Boston and back for a wicked price.

Rarely do you find a relaxed bar and restaurant in Fresno that does not house extras from the “Jersey Shore” or seating that only appeared practical on its blueprints.

However, if you do find such a place that has two happy hour specials and serves food until last call, it is an exception.

That exception: The Mad Duck Neighborhood Grill and Taphouse.

Although the name is a mouthful, the men that oversee the operation, Dustin Llanes, Alex Costa and head chef Kevin Keogh, seek to create the perfect brewhouse atmosphere.

The Mad Duck, a loose anagram of the managing partners initials, launched after a group of long-time friends decided to stop working for restaurant owners and start working for patrons.

“We had literally spent years, and thousands and thousands of hours working to fulfill the visions of private owners dreams,” Costa said.

Fast forward one year later: the concept, which formulated around the simplicities that local watering holes lack, hatched. One of the formulas being high-end eats for low-end fare.

“We want the menu to be really affordable,” Llanes said. “The most expensive thing on our menu is $11.”

Not only is the farm-to-table style bar and grill reasonably priced, but the kitchen will serve food until midnight to go along with the bar’s two happy hour drink specials from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again at 10 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

“Chef Keogh has a deep-seeded belief that it is just as difficult to make bad food as it is to make good food,” Costa said. “The difference is pride.”

The tap house, the owners said, was inspired by an old Boston pub motif. The floor to ceiling distressed brick found inside the tap house was laid by the owners themselves. Costa, Keogh and Llanes not only designed and built the restaurant but also work at The Mad Duck.

“It is one reason it’s taking longer to open, because we have amateurs doing everything,” Llanes said lightheartedly.

Nick Potter, a Fresno State art and design professor, lent a hand and his vision to the project.

“From a fresh perspective on food to interior design, Nick has been invaluable,” Costa said. “The fact that he is a foreigner allowed him to bring a kaleidoscope of world views to many of the projects involved in The Mad Duck.”

In keeping with the Boston pub theme, there is an adjoining patio in which guests can enjoy one of eight American craft beers.

“Every beer on tap will be from the states,” Llanes said. “We are focusing on micro brews, a lot of your Sierra Nevada’s and Blue Moons.” He said the draft beers will be periodically rotated in order to feature as many “good ol’ American beers as possible.”

What started as an investment, putting money into a preexisting bar, evolved into a place of their own. Fueled by family, friends and Fresno, The Duck is a clean and casual place where everyone can hang out, Llanes said.

“Whether you roll out of bed or roll in off the job, you’re in college or you’re 50 years old, as long as you feel comfortable and have a good time,” Llanes said.

The owners agreed. There will be no pretentions, no BS and no dress code when The Mad Duck opens its doors to the public mid-February.

“We take our jobs really seriously, but we’re not serious people,” Costa said.

The soon-to-open speakeasy is sure to be one of Fresno’s best-kept secrets — if The Duck manages to stay a secret.