Fresh on the heels of Kieran Folliard's departure, some big changes are happening at one of his old pubs.

The Liffey in downtown St. Paul recently closed its interior for 10 days to remodel. The terrace stayed open. The bar reopened this week with a bright and shiny face-lift. The man in charge, Irishman Peter Killen -- now CEO of the Liffey, Kieran's, Cooper and the Local -- said it was time for a change at the eight-year-old pub.

Killen said the company has learned a lot from the success of Cooper in St. Louis Park. For that bar, they stripped away the usual dark woods found in most Irish pubs and brightened the place with art and drapery. The look attracted a larger female clientele, Killen said.

"I don't know about you, but in my house, my wife tells me where I go to eat," Killen said.

At the Liffey, they've removed some of the partition walls, which has opened up the room (at 3,500 square feet it was already the smallest of the pubs). There is new glasswork and a more colorful paint job. Killen also added more booths, most of which were built in Ireland. He's hoping the booth seating will help grab a bigger dinner crowd.

"It's going to be the same place, but with a different feel," Killen said.

25 years of Summit In anticipation of Summit Brewing's 25th anniversary bash Sept. 10 -- see Chris Riemenschneider's column for details -- the brewery held several release parties this week for its Silver Anniversary Ale, a brew inspired by the company's classic Extra Pale Ale. The last of the release parties takes place Friday at Tracy's Saloon in Minneapolis. Tracy's was one of the first 10 bars to carry Summit EPA back in the day. The bar will feature two-for-one pints and Summit venison chili for most of the night. There also will be a six-course beer dinner ($38) and an appearance by founder Mark Stutrud.