The founders of the McKay's Taphouse in Bellingham don't see opening a second restaurant in the Tri-Cities on Friday the 13th as bad luck.

At 4:30 p.m. today, Richland's newest eatery and tavern will celebrate its ribbon cutting. A taphouse is any place with more than 50 beer taps or faucets.

"Forty doesn't make it, you have to have at least 50," said Billy Dufner, general manager and co-owner.

McKay's is the only taphouse in southeastern Washington, he said. It offers more than 50 national, regional and Mid-Columbia beers on tap. The selection includes more than 200 bottled beers.

"They're from all over -- Hawaii, Alaska, the lower 48 states, Canada, Mexico, Germany," Dufner said. "It's a very international selection."

On Saturday, Boundary Bay Brewery of Bellingham will be serving samples of its oak-aged stout. The whisky barrels came from Dry Fly Distillery in Spokane so the beer features a hint of a smoky whisky flavor, Dufner said.

"There are only two places in Washington you can get this beer -- at the brewery and here," he said.

Skweez the Weezle, a Celtic-theme band based in the Tri-Cities, will be playing lively tunes Saturday beginning at 4 p.m.

The pourhouse building has been transformed since Dufner and co-owners Dave and Lydia McKay of Bellingham took over the former Pizza Hut in July.

"We spent months working on it, giving it an Irish pub feel," Dufner said. "My goal is to establish a warm, friendly atmosphere where everybody learns your name."

Dufner and the McKays co-own the franchise to the Pizza Pipeline on Lee Boulevard, next door to McKay's.

This is the second Pizza Pipeline and McKay's Taphouse for the Bellingham couple. In 2005, they bought the franchise to the Pizza Pipeline in Bellingham

Two years ago, they remodeled the building to create McKay's Taphouse.

"It's one of the most popular restaurants in Bellingham," Dufner said. "Their success there is what led us to look for another location for the two businesses."

Dufner said when they learned the Pizza Pipeline franchise on Lee Boulevard was available -- and the price was right -- they decided to open a second McKay's next door.

Families are welcome at McKay's. Only the eight seats at the bar are off-limits to those under the age of 21.

"The other 74 seats are free game," Dufner said.

One of McKay's highlights is the solid mahogany bar back, which was salvaged from the Wreck Tavern in Port Angeles. He and Dave McKay spent hours refinishing the historic piece.

"We were told it's over 100 years old," Dufner said. "Supposedly, the wood came from an old wrecked ship, but I can't prove that."

McKay's offers a full menu of appetizers, entres -- including vegetarian options such as mac and cheese -- sandwiches, soups and salads. There also is a special kids menu with popular items like corn dogs and Dino Nuggets (dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets.)

And the full menu is available until closing, 3 a.m.

If you're in the mood for pizza, order from the Pizza Pipeline menu.

"We'll bring it over to your table," he said.

McKay's Taphouse, 1312 Lee Blvd., Richland, is open from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., daily.

McKay's doesn't have a business phone. Dufner said he doesn't want his customers to be disturbed by a ringing phone when they are trying to relax with a beer and a meal. If necessary, call Pizza Pipeline next door at 942-2400.

Find them on Facebook by searching for McKaysTaphouseRichland.