A CITY centre Italian restaurant that suddenly closed will be replaced by a sports bar and nightclub this summer.
Il Ristorante Alpino opened on New Canal around 34 years ago, originally under the ownership of Giuseppe Lupo, who moved to the UK from Italy in 1976.
Now, the Alpino signage has been replaced by logos advertising the new bar and club, called Balkan, which is due to open in late-July or August.
Balkan will be owned by Julian Stefan, who previously ran Salisbury venues including Prezzo and Leonardo’s la Piazza.
(Image: Newsquest) Mr Stefan said: “This [Balkan] is my vision. People are already asking me, ‘Julian, when are you going to be open?’ It will be good for Salisbury.”
He is carrying out refurbishment work and is in the process of organising the venue’s licensing with Wiltshire Council.
Once complete, Balkan’s sports bar will be open seven days a week, complete with a pool table, televisions and a bar.
Upstairs, visitors will find the nightclub, open from Thursday to Saturday, plus a VIP room.
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Alpino served a range of classic Italian dishes including penne arrabbiata, lasagne, spaghetti carbonara, risotto and pizza.
Before it closed, the restaurant’s website said: “Alpino Ristorante offers a fantastic Italian and Mediterranean menu which includes pizza, pasta and flavoursome meat and fish dishes, ranging from spaghetti carbonara to steak and pollo diavola to pizza calzone.
“Our interior is warm and inviting to compliment our friendly service. Whether we are meeting you as a family, couple, a group of friends or a party, we will always be greet you.”
But Alpino was hit with a food hygiene rating of one (meaning ‘major improvement necessary’) after an inspection on April 29.