West Sixth Italian Restaurant Sophia’s Is Closed

Downtown Italian supper club Sophia’s has closed, and per a press release, is being developed into a new restaurant and bar to debut later this October, which seems to be called Devil May Care. Sophia’s, located at 500 West Sixth Street, has shut down its online reservation system, its phone system is disconnected, and was reportedly dark over the weekend, according to tipsters.

The new restaurant will be a collaboration between current owners — Chicago-based BDG Hospitality — and Nova Hospitality. The restaurant will become “a dining and nightlife experience,” per the press release. It sounds awfully like Nova’s event space concept Devil May Care, which has the same square footage as Sophia’s, and is described as “carefully-curated flavors, music, and art, while sexy lighting, fragrances, finishes, and decor will fill the space,” according to information that has since been removed from Nova’s website (screenshot as captured by Eater below).

Nova Hospitality [Official]

Nova manages the Pershing (a members-only East Austin club), and will own two restaurants that have not yet opened: Japanese barbecue restaurant Ten-Ten and Victorian-themed nightclub Mayfair, both located on West Sixth and expected to open sometime this fall.

Sophia’s, which was billed as a “sexy Italian-American supper club,” opened in July 2016. It took over the digs of Bess Bistro, which was partially owned by actress Sandra Bullock and held the address for nine years. In a 2016 review, then-Chronicle critic Brandon Watson praised many dishes, but lamented the more clubby aspects and Instagram gimmicks.

Sophia’s was owned solely by BDG Hospitality (a number listed for the company is no longer in service). It opened under Chicago chef Mark Sparacino, though he hired a local chef de cuisine a year later to focus on his Chicago restaurant Prosecco Ristorante.

In Chicago, BDG also operated Parliament and The Kensington Roof Garden and Lounge which have closed, and Liqrbox, which is still open.

(h/t Eater tipster. Don’t forget to tip your Eater)

This article has been updated to reflect that Sophia’s is turning into a new concept with the addition of Nova Hospitality.

Update, 9/24 10:40 a.m.: This article has been updated to reflect that Nova has removed information about Devil May Care from its website.

Update, 9/24 1:36 p.m.: This article has been updated to clarify that Nova manages the Pershing but is not the owner.

• Devil May Care [Instagram]
• Nova Hospitality Group [Official]
• All Coverage of Sophia’s [EATX]