Barry’s Downtown Prime Becomes the Unofficial Clubhouse for Champions

Bodybuilding star Nick Walker recently brought his post-Mr. Olympia celebration to the restaurant, posing with his medal alongside chef Barry Dakake and Yassine Lyoubi. The atmosphere at Barry’s seems to draw those accustomed to high-stakes performance; even Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, the strength athlete famously known as “The Mountain,” made an appearance during Olympia week. His surprise visit included a stop in owner Derek Stevens’ office, creating a stark visual contrast that left the six-foot-tall proprietor looking diminutive by comparison.

The venue’s appeal extends beyond individual accolades. Four-time Olympia 212 title winner Keone Pearson treated his fiancée, IFBB Pro powerlifter Amanda Kohatsu, to a dinner that highlighted the establishment’s status as a hub for athletic power couples. This trend continued when a large contingent of Las Vegas Raiders—including Fernando Mendoza, Brock Bowers, and Michael Mayer—arrived to toast their road victory against New Orleans. The players eventually moved into the kitchen to share the moment with the culinary staff, cementing the steakhouse’s reputation as a rare space where professional intensity and personal celebration intersect.