This downtown Louisville sports bar named after an NBA great abruptly closes its doors

The sports bar named after basketball star Darrell Griffith has closed its doors in downtown Louisville.

Griff's opened at 133 W. Liberty St. in 2018. Several employees confirmed the restaurant shut down Monday and were told to pick up their final checks Tuesday. No reason was given for the closure.

The Kentucky secretary of state's website lists the restaurant owner as Brian Perry, owner of restaurant management firm Legendary Brands LLC. The Courier Journal has reached out for a comment regarding the abrupt closure.

Griffith, the legendary former University of Louisville basketball player, helped open the original location of the bar in 2014 at 323 W. Cardinal Blvd., with a menu focused on food he'd seen during his travels for the NBA.

Along with a plethora of TVs for watching games, Griff's served smoked boneless wings, burgers, pizzas, pastas, chicken and waffles, and baby back ribs.

Griffith, known affectionately as Dr. Dunkenstein, went to Louisville Male High School and U of L before his NBA career with the Utah Jazz.

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Dahlia Ghabour: 502-582-4497; dghabour@gannett.com; Twitter: @dghabour. Support strong journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/subscribe