Does anyone remember Ringside on Dundee?

[Robin Garr]

Asking for a friend:

Louisville long-timers, do you remember if the place that's now Migo in Douglass Loop, formerly Loop 22, formerly Corner Door, formerly Pink Door, was called Ringside in the 1980s? A guy sitting next to me at the bar there one night told me Ali used to hang out there, and while I can't corroborate that, I would like to know more about Ringside. Any takers?

I remember it. I never saw Muhammad Ali there but they used to have a constant stream of videotaped classic boxing matches running on the big screen TV.

[Robin Garr]

I remember it. I never saw Muhammad Ali there but they used to have a constant stream of videotaped classic boxing matches running on the big screen TV.

What general era was that, Mike? I told my friend I didn't think it could have been '80s, or I would have remembered it from the eats beat.

Ringside was open in the early 90's, for 2, maybe 3 years, owned by John Ramsey.

Ringside was open in the early 90's, for 2, maybe 3 years, owned by John Ramsey.

Yes. We moved within walking distance in 1986 when the space was called Gib's (owner Ray Gibson). They had the "Bottled Hell" hot sauce you had to request from the kitchen - later and still available in stores. It became Ringside just after Gib's, I believe. Local media personality and huge Ali fan Ramsey used it to showcase his collection of Ali memorabilia. I never saw The Champ in there, though. We went often.

[Robin Garr]

when the space was called Gib's (owner Ray Gibson).

Wait! I loved Gib's, but was that the corner space that later became Pink Door > Painted Door > Loop 22 > Migo? I thought Gib's was in the middle of the block. Of course, the memory is the first to go ...

when the space was called Gib's (owner Ray Gibson).

Wait! I loved Gib's, but was that the corner space that later became Pink Door > Painted Door > Loop 22 > Migo? I thought Gib's was in the middle of the block. Of course, the memory is the first to go ...

Gib's was in the same free-standing building as Dundee Tavern.

[Robin Garr]

Gib's was in the same free-standing building as Dundee Tavern.

Thanks, Neal. I guess the memory really is the first thing to go.

Gib's started in the current MIGO space and then, with its increasing popularity, moved across the street to the larger current Dundee Tavern space.

[Robin Garr]

Gib's started in the current MIGO space and then, with its increasing popularity, moved across the street to the larger current Dundee Tavern space.

Okay, that's probably what I'm thinking about. Thanks, Jay.

Gib's started in the current MIGO space and then, with its increasing popularity, moved across the street to the larger current Dundee Tavern space.

Correct

The place across the street also housed the best French restaurant, La Beaujolais where Michael Crouch ( currently 1860) worked.

Correct

The place across the street also housed the best French restaurant, La Beaujolais where Michael Crouch ( currently 1860) worked.

I didn't know Michael Crouch worked there. It's always interesting to track the path of current chef/owners.

Did Ray Gibson change the "concept" of Gib's (when it was at current Dundee Tavern) to the more upscale "Louisville Chophouse" - or something like that? I recall that and I know we missed Gib's at that point. I think Beaujolais opened after Chophouse (?)

Correct

The place across the street also housed the best French restaurant, La Beaujolais where Michael Crouch ( currently 1860) worked.

I didn't know Michael Crouch worked there. It's always interesting to track the path of current chef/owners.

Did Ray Gibson change the "concept" of Gib's (when it was at current Dundee Tavern) to the more upscale "Louisville Chophouse" - or something like that? I recall that and I know we missed Gib's at that point. I think Beaujolais opened after Chophouse (?)

It remained a BBQ place but might have gone a little upscale. Beaujolais opened after Chophouse.

Michael also worked at Cafe Metro before 1860

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/110029384/

I don't have a newspapers.com account, but someone might.

Looks like an article from December of 1990 about Ringside.

I don't know that he was a regular, but he definitely stopped by from time to time. My uncle has a pic from when he used to do his fantasy football at ringside and ali happened by.