Bull Riders Coutry Bar Coming to 4th Street Live!

Professional Bull Riders Inc. Bring Their "Country Cool" Concept to Louisville 

A western-themed bar with a me­chanical bull as its centerpiece is coming to 4th Street Live.

PBR Louisville, a franchise of Professional Bull Riders Inc., is expected to open early next year on the east side of the down­town entertainment hub, with the Cordish Co., the Baltimore-based 4th Street Live owner and operator, to be a partner in the country music venue.

PBR is leasing about 8,500 square feet of second-level space at 4th Street Live, said Sean Gleason, president and chief operating officer of Professional Bull Riders in Pueblo, Colo. The corporation sponsors a touring rodeo and that will probably book Louisville for a date some­time in 2013, Gleason said. The space will be vacated soon by Saddle Ridge, another western-themed night spot.

Mayor Greg Fischer said Friday that “the addition of PBR brings a dynamic, new feature” to the entertainment district.

“We are committed to remaining cutting edge and providing best-in-class experi­ences for our guests,” said Bob Dorko, managing director of 4th Street Live. “With PBR Louisville we look forward to providing a fresh ... venue and continuing to reinvest in downtown Louisville. PBR Louisville will be an anchor attraction for years to come.”

The first PBR location opened in 2009 in Kansas City. It has since opened outlets in Las Vegas, Baltimore and Houston and plans to add Louisville and Philadelphia sites early next year, Gleason said in a telephone interview Friday. He said all but the Las Vegas outlets are in partner­ship with Cordish. And he said all of the opened PBRs have been successful, with a growing and loyal clientele.

Each location of PBR features its own de­sign, with a stage for live music, a large dance floor, a soft-seating lounge area, multiple bars, and what PBR contends is “the world’s meanest mechanical bull.”

Gleason said the Louisville club will have a mezzanine with outdoor seating over­looking Fourth Street.

Cordish will operate the food and bever­age side of the business, Gleason said, adding that the outlet probably will employ around 50 people. He said the entertain­ment would include a mix of music played by a deejay, along with live local, regional and nationally touring bands.

PBR Louisville will be open until 4 a.m. most nights and will have an expansive beer and bourbon list as well as a limited southwestern inspired food menu.