Birracibo Italian restaurant closes at Fourth Street Live for makeover

Maggie Menderski | Courier Journal

Artisan pizza and craft beer spot Birracibo has gone dark at Fourth Street Live, but it's coming back this summer as a new concept.

The Italian restaurant, which opened in early 2016 with the backing of restaurant franchisee dynamo Junior Bridgeman, is undergoing a name change and renovation.

Bridgeman wasn't available for comment, but his assistant, Libby Coxon, confirmed that Birracibo would be reopening as "The Pizza Bar" once construction was complete.

The reinvented restaurant will serve New York-style thin crust pizza in a casual environment. The company has plans to outfit the restaurant with arcade games and a variety of entertainment options.

Bridgeman and restaurant partners previously invested more than $1 million into the 9,000-square-foot restaurant at 445 S. Fourth St., according to Courier Journal archives. The business sat more than 100, offered an outdoor patio and employed about 50 people when it opened two years ago.

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The former University of Louisville and professional basketball player turned entrepreneur earned great wealth in the restaurant industry through chains such as Wendy’s and Chili’s. Bridgeman shifted gears about two years ago and joined the Coca-Cola family as an independent bottler. He began dis-investing in restaurants at that time, according to a news release from Coca-Cola.

In June 2016, our then restaurant critic ranked the restaurant three out of four stars, saying, "The atmosphere at Birracibo is a giant bite of contemporary coolness imparted by sleek textures, natural wood and that’s-really-neat lighting. On a scale of one to five, five being distinct and detailed without stretching for effect, the interior is a five."

The review went on to state that "Birracibo plays up its artisan pizza and craft beer, but chef Bruce Mosley isn’t pigeon-holed to pizza and the cocktails are as worthy of notice as are the beers."

The Birracibo space had previously belonged to Ri Ra Irish Pub, which closed abruptly in September 2013 after five years of business.

Louisville Galleria LLC, and affiliate of Fourth Street Live’s owner The Cordish Cos., sued Ri Ra Louisville LLP more than a year after that exit.

City Living reporter Maggie Menderski covers retail, restaurants and development in downtown and its nearby urban neighborhoods. Reach Maggie at 502-582-7137 or mmenderski@courier-journal.com. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @MaggieMenderski. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/maggiem.