Chef Bob Brazell promises a return of Byrd & Barrel offerings through new Irish pub ownership

Brazell and business partner Rick DeStefane are now the owners of Nick’s Pub and SOHA Bar & Grill

St. Louis restaurateur and chef Bob Brazell took to Instagram earlier this month to share some pretty big news with his social media audience. “Excited to officially announce our purchase of 2 StL staples,” the post began. Those staples are Irish bar Nick’s Pub, located at 6001 Manchester Ave., and SOHA Bar & Grill, located at 2605 Hampton Ave.

Brazell is part of the team behind Tamm Avenue Bar, the Tenderloin Room and the shuttered concept Byrd & Barrel, and with the purchase of the additional establishments, he hopes to keep the prominent local spots thriving, while giving guests a taste of Byrd & Barrel again.

Brazell went on to explain in the caption of the Instagram Reel that guests of each establishment will soon be able to enjoy weekend brunch at SOHA as well as promising the return of Byrd & Barrel through Sunday menu offerings at Nick’s Pub.

Brazell, who made the purchase of the two restaurants along with Rick DeStefane, said that when John McDonald, the previous owner of both Nick’s Pub and SOHA, announced he was ready to retire, it was an opportunity he didn’t want to pass up.

“This has been in the works for two years, and we’re planning on doing something similar to what we did with the Tenderloin Room,” Brazell shared of the process. “We just have this belief in keeping cool things in St. Louis going.”

Through the change of ownership, all staff at both restaurants have stayed on, and Brazell said guests of both establishments can look forward to experiencing events that are similar to what they might find at Tamm Avenue Bar, with live music, DJs and other events.

Although things have been operating as normal at each location, Brazell said on Monday, Oct. 14, the new menu will be rolled out at Nick’s Pub. Brazell promises that nothing is being taken away from the current offerings, but that guests will see “some new additions.”

Additionally, guests can expect a Byrd & Barrel menu served all day every Sunday at Nick’s, which will include popular items like the Nashville hot chicken sandwich, nugs and mac n cheese, as well as the concept’s take on Jack in the Box-style tacos.

“I’ve had people knocking down my door since we closed Byrd asking me when I’m opening back up, so we thought this was a good opportunity to reintroduce it,” he said of the concept. “Our next goal is to open another Byrd & Barrel brick-and-mortar location eventually,”  Brazell said.

For the SOHA menu, expect to see “some improvements and a few additions,” launching the week of Oct. 14, as well as a new weekend brunch menu kicking off on Saturday, Oct. 19.  Brazell describes the brunch offerings as classic brunch items, but with a funky twist.