At the Heart of It: Food, Family and Community at Flying Heart
Walk into Flying Heart Brewing & Pub in Downtown West Monroe, and chances are there's something going on. From live music on Sundays to music bingo on Mondays and trivia on Tuesdays, Flying Heart has built a weekly rhythm that keeps people coming back for the food, the fun and the familiar faces.
For General Manager Megan Kennedy, that's exactly what makes Flying Heart special."I would describe the experience as pretty much like coming home," Kennedy said. "Everybody kind of knows everybody that comes in."
Flying Heart has been part of the West Monroe community since 2021, and while "brewing" may be in the name, the food is every bit as important to the experience. The menu is built around casual favorites designed for sharing, including wings, wraps, salads and plenty of pizza.
One thing Kennedy thinks deserves a little more attention is weekend brunch. Served Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the brunch menu includes dishes like wings and waffles and breakfast pizzas, along with brunch cocktails.
But the Flying Heart experience goes beyond what's coming out of the kitchen.
Live music on Sundays, music bingo on Mondays and trivia on Tuesdays give people a reason to return throughout the week. And return they do. Kennedy says some regular customers visit several times a week. Something she sees as a sign of how strongly the community has embraced Flying Heart.
That relationship goes both ways.
"They come and support us. We want to be able to support them as well," Kennedy said.
Flying Heart regularly participates in community events and partnerships while also providing a place for local musicians to perform. For Kennedy, becoming part of the community rather than simply operating a business in it is important.
It's also part of what she hopes visitors experience when they walk through the doors.
This community embraces everybody. That's what we want everybody to see here when they walk through our doors as well. We just kind of mimic what the community already shows.Megan KennedyGeneral Manager at Flying Heart Brewing & Pub
Kennedy is equally enthusiastic about what's happening beyond Flying Heart's doors in Downtown West Monroe. Since coming to the area in 2023, she's watched downtown continue to grow, with more activity surrounding Antique Alley, the riverfront and neighboring businesses.
And she sees that growth as something everyone can celebrate.
"It's not just about one single business that it's helping," Kennedy said. "It's helping every business that's down here."
With new menu creations each month, community events and plenty of reasons to gather, Flying Heart plans to keep evolving. But at its heart, the goal remains pretty simple: good food, good drinks and a place where people feel at home.