This Meridian sports bar is opening right next to another sports bar. Home run?
After Will Berry took over Lucky 13 pizzeria 2 1/2 years ago in East Boise, he enhanced its bar aspect — bringing a family-friendly restaurant-and-cocktails vibe to the Barber Valley neighborhood.
Now he wants to create a similarly welcoming feel in Meridian.
The Sportsman Bar & Grill is on track to open by the end of the year at 4701 S. Eagle Road in Firenze Plaza, near the intersection of Amity and Eagle roads. Co-owned by Berry and Chris Bailey, Lucky 13’s general manager, the new concept will be a sports bar “neighborhood hangout,” he said.
One thing that might get neighbors talking? The Sportsman will be right next door to another business with balls and strikes on its mind: Metztli Sports Bar & Taqueria.
Two sports bars? Side by side?
It might be a home run.
“I just think that high water floats all boats,” Berry said in a phone interview.
‘Rustic cabin’ sports bar
Berry doesn’t see significant overlap between the concepts, he explained.
While Metztli’s menu offers Mexican food, the 2,800-square-foot Sportsman will highlight high-end burgers, sandwiches, fresh salads and a weekend brunch, Berry said.
“We’re going to be more of a traditional sports bar,” he added, “where you can come in and have all the (television) football packages, the NBA packages. ... We’ll have a lot more TVs and really celebrate the games. Just a different look and feel.”
Meanwhile, the Sportsman’s interior design will reflect “the spirit of Idaho and everything that Idahoans love,” he explained.
“It’s going to be inspired by Idaho’s outdoor lifestyle. The space will feature rich wood finishes, national park-inspired decor. Nods to the state’s unique hunting and fishing heritage.
“It’s almost like a hunter’s lodge, right? A rustic cabin meets a sports bar. TVs will be placed throughout to ensure fans never miss a play. But at its core, the Sportsman’s about celebrating community, good food and the laid-back adventurous spirit of Idaho.”
‘Neighborhoods’ and ‘community’
Does that sound like a winner? You’ll be able to raise a toast. Like Metztli, the Sportsman will have a liquor license and serve cocktails, beer and wine.
As housing growth continues in western Ada County, so does opportunity for local food-and-drink establishments. Not every restaurant in Meridian has to be a chain. From that perspective, these adjacent sports bars might be considered players on the same team.
“Like I said,” Berry said, “high water floats all boats. I’ve got friends that live in Century Farm and all the neighborhoods out there. The reason we went out there is there’s just a pressing need for a bar, a neighborhood pub.
“One of the things we love about Lucky 13 is that our customers are so loyal, they become family. For me, it’s not about opening a spot downtown and having a big crowd. I enjoy just the community in the neighborhoods.”
This story was originally published June 5, 2025 at 4:00 AM.