After downtown ‘party bar’ closes, unique Boise pub moves in. Fun is the gooooaaaaal!
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In downtown Boise, it’s easy to overlook business changes below street level.
So if you didn’t notice that tropical-themed bar Devil’s Den recently closed in the basement of the Adelmann building and Liga international sports bar moved in from above, don’t feel bad.
For Boise Fry Company, the bars’ owner, spreading word is now the gooooaaaal!
Opened last year for the FIFA World Cup, Liga attracted enthusiastic soccer fans to 624 W. Idaho St., the corner of Idaho Street and Capitol Boulevard. But relocating the bar to the shuttered Devil’s Den spot made sense, said Boise Fry Company CEO Brad Walker. Even if it’s underground — a penalty kick’s distance away.
The slightly larger basement space at 204 N. Capitol Blvd. has more of a pub feel, thanks to limestone walls. Crucially, it’s also more affordable to lease.
Devil’s Den had run its course, Walker said. An exceptional manager left, making day-to-day operations challenging. Also, the atmosphere was less than optimal at times. “I will say, man, it teetered on, like, party bar,” Walker explained. “For our brand, what we do, what we represent — it wasn’t necessarily fitting.”
The switch was made in October. Liga caters to fans of not just soccer, but cricket, Formula One racing and rugby. Traditional American sports fill its TV screens, too. The motto? “Futbol in the a.m. Football in the p.m.”
Hours vary. The schedule is posted online. “You’re kind of beholden to big events,” Walker said. “... If there’s a good match on at 6 a.m., we’re open. We’ve got breakfast burritos and coffee and all that.”
Like Devil’s Den, Liga has a full bar — along with a lineup of imported beers. Heavy on appetizers, the food menu includes choices such as chicken sandwiches, finger steaks, fries and cheese curds. On Thursdays and Fridays, Hutch Bros food cart takes over the kitchen selling Louisiana Creole-style pita po’ boys.
The jury’s still out for Liga, long term. But so far, Walker has been encouraged.
“People do like it,” he said. “Our weekends are really good.
“If you want to come to an event, come to World Cup. I’m not a soccer fan, but holy smokes. That’s one the most amazing atmospheres I’ve ever been to — at that bar for World Cup.”
A Yelp reviewer summed it up nicely over the summer.
“This is where Ted Lasso would spend his time with Roy Kent. Don’t be a wanker and get down here!”
