By Eric Curl
July 15, 2022 – Renovations for a new restaurant are planned for the historic West River Street building previously occupied by beloved Irish pub Kevin Barry’s, as presented to the Historic District Board of Review on Wednesday.
The architect of the project, Savannah-based Felder and Associates, is working with interior design company, The Irish Pub Company, to design a restaurant called The Southern Tavern, according to the submitted project description and drawings.
The planned renovations, which were approved Wednesday, include accessibility improvements and opening up the second-story deck by removing the roof and windows. Potential features of the renovated space include a drink shelf looking off the deck balcony and aged, branded glass in the entrance doors.
Constructed in 1852, the building is a contributing structure within the local and national downtown Savannah historic district.
Despite the Irish Pub Co.’s involvement, the new establishment does not appear to be an Irish pub. Instead, The Southern Tavern is described as a restaurant “Where Southern History meets Southern Hospitality” in the submitted documents.
After opening in 1981, Kevin Barry’s become known for its free live Irish and Celtic music shows before closing in 2019 on New Year’s Eve, as reported in Rachael Flora’s Connect Savannah article. The closing came about three years after the establishment earned the Irish Pubs Global Federation’s designation of being the most Irish pub outside Dublin.
Support Savannah Agenda’s Affordable Housing Campaign
#StayEngagedSavannah