Downtown Lafayette lost a key piece of its cultural fabric when The Wurst Biergarten, which opened in 2015, closed in January 2024. But now, it appears the open-air space at 537 Jefferson St. is set to reopen as a food truck park, bar, and live music venue called The Alley Downtown.
Renovations are currently underway to add decking and more seating. An opening date has tentatively been set for the end of January. Co-owner Mariam Alrefaey recently told What Now New Orleans that the renovations are meant to make the space more cohesive than what it was as the Wurst Biergarten.
“The space will be more tied together,” she said. “Like, the seating area versus the bar area before were just a little too disconnected. Think we’re just trying to tie the place together with some renovations.”
Alrefaey and her three partners will oversee the bar at The Alley Downtown. It will feature beer, wine, and a rotating cocktail list. Food will be available from three different food trucks. Alrefaey provided details on two of the trucks, but kept information on the third truck close to the vest.
“We’re a little Cajun city, so we’re definitely gonna have a truck with that Cajun kick in there,” she said. “We’re looking at a taco truck to add to it. The third one I think it’s gonna be everyone’s favorite, but we’re keeping that information inside for now.”
The new business venture is looking to succeed where the Wurst Biergarten thrived for about nine years. Owners of the beer garden cited unpredictable weather as a main cause of the closure, but there were reportedly contentious business issues as well.
Alrefaey said her group is hoping to revive a space that is integral to a downtown area that is seeing some growth.
“Our vision is to have a little place for people to gather, enjoy good food, enjoy good music, and that’s family-friendly,” she said. “A good little spot, you know?”
