WHAT

Restaurant

WHERE

Louisville, KY

WHEN

2016

“Birra” and “Cibo” translated from Italian, mean “beer” and “food” respectively. Joseph & Joseph + Bravura Architects were challenged to re-invent a worn out 8,600 s.f. Irish Pub into an Italian American artisan eatery, featuring authentic Neapolitan pizza paired with local and regional beers and a diverse wine list, and seating around 300 patrons. The restaurant’s interiors were transformed from their existing dark wood pub feel, into a light-filled, contemporary coolness. Separate dining areas were created to give a warm and intimate atmosphere to each space. Translucent glass and steel panels serve as partitions to slowly unveil the separate dining areas. Unique lighting pieces, reclaimed wood ceilings, and reclaimed restaurant artifacts, like the wall of breadboards and the shelves filled with antique restaurant scales, grates, and jugs, blend the cool contemporary with the warmth of the past. The massive 50 feet long ornate wood bar, the only element left-over from the original pub, was painted a creamy ivory and charcoal black, which was a fresh take on the traditional black and white used in lots of Italian eateries.  With its inviting atmosphere, Birracibo is now a restaurant where friends, families, and colleagues gather, socialize, and enjoy a meal together.