Chef Kevin Kelly

Kevin Kelly is the founder and owner/operator of After Hours. Growing up in Great Barrington, MA, and having lineage to the Southern Berkshires going back more than 10 generations, Kevin has grown with a unique opportunity to experience and understand business dynamics in The Berkshires. Initially starting his restaurant career at the Great Barrington haunt, Allium Restaurant and Bar, he was quickly hooked on the upbeat and lively atmosphere of the food industry. Over the next ten years, he would hold nearly every position in the restaurant industry, notably cooking in some of Boston's most highly awarded kitchens. After his stint in Boston and graduating from business school at Babson College, Kevin was left searching for his next steps in life. What originated with an idea to travel the world and immerse in global culinary experiences, quickly transitioned to a homeward journey in attempting to open a restaurant of his own in his hometown of Great Barrington.​

After spending a month working through concepts, it was quickly realized that the economic landscape of Berkshire Country didn't fully support the opening of a traditional restaurant. From there, he took a step back and questioned "If this doesn't work, what does?" This question led to the idea of After Hours. The concept for After Hours is to promote positive economic change through food and beverage. This is done by operating on a model described as a restaurant without a home or a "not restaurant." After Hours works and collaborates with local businesses in unique ways to create mutual benefits by offering creative dining experiences. The centralized business model operates through the use of shared real estate. During the hours that brick-and-mortar businesses are non-operational, there are still significant overhead expenses. What we do to counteract that, is create a financial relationship (typically via revenue share) with the brick-and-mortar locations to host our own creative dining experiences within their space.​ After Hours brings together unmatched industry experience accompanied by local insights spanning generations. We are on a mission to revitalize the hospitality scene and blaze a trail for the rebirth of culture within the Berkshires.