Being ‘selfish,’ Boise pizza chain founders to open ‘sexy’ bar, restaurant in their ‘hood

When Bier:Thirty Bottle & Bistro shuttered in Bown Crossing in early 2021, neighbors in Southeast Boise were bummed.

Robert and Lisa Lumsden were among them.

So the couple, founders of the regional Flatbread Neapolitan Pizzeria chain, plan to reopen the spot. But it won’t be a craft beer temple, as it was for the prior decade.

Instead, Barrio - Tacos & Tequila will reinvent the space at 3073 S. Bown Way. The Lumsdens hope to open their new bar and restaurant in November, Rob explained via email.

“We live in Bown Crossing, so it’s somewhat of a selfish endeavor,” he said, “as we’ve missed Bier:Thirty since the day it closed.”

Barrio — Spanish for “neighborhood” — will be a block away from a Flatbread restaurant at 3139 S. Bown Way. (There’s also a Flatbread location at 6700 N. Linder Road in Eagle and another in Salt Lake City.)

Barrio will offer a “very tight menu of street tacos,” Lumsden said, along with some creative versions. Barrio also will serve a few small plates such as queso fundido, spicy kale Caesar salad and guacamole that’s crushed to order. The entire menu? “Maybe eight to 10 items,” Lumsden said.

As for liquor? Barrio will focus on classic mixed drinks with a modern, craft cocktail influence, he said: “A heavy dose of tequila and mezcal accompanied by the usual quality suspects you’ll find on a good back bar.”

Good news, Bier:Thirty fans: Barrio also will have eight rotating taps, plus a modest wine selection.

Barrio will open at 3 p.m. during the week and at noon on weekends, Lumsden added, closing at around 10 or 11 p.m., depending on the day.

Barrio won’t necessarily be a haven for beer enthusiasts like Bier:Thirty. But the Lumsdens — who also own Eight Thirty Common, a gastropub in Meridian — are striving to model Barrio around its community-oriented name.

“We’d like to think it’s a perfect spot for a short walk over to grab a light bite and a couple of handcrafted cocktails,” Lumsden said.

“The team at Erstad Architects have put together a sexy little design,” he added. “Fun and comfortable with some whimsy.”