Carolyn Kruse

Carolyn Kruse

Carolyn Kruse

Blake Shelton poses for a photo at his bar, Ole Red Nashville

Have you ever been to Music City? Or maybe it’s been a while. Either way, let’s get caught up on all the country star bars in Nashville.

The first time I went to Nashville it was a different city. That was maybe 25 years ago and downtown was a little depressing. Sure, there were some fun bars where live music seeped into the streets. Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge was THE place. But many businesses were boarded up or left empty.

The last time I went was probably 5 years ago. And at that time the country star bars in Nashville were really starting to pop. We checked out hot new spots (at that time) from Blake Shelton to Jason Aldean, and Luke Bryan.

Country Star Bars In Nashville Reign Over Lower Broadway

Today, you can’t walk a block without bumping into a famous name…on a venue sign. With the recent news that Lainey Wilson will soon be opening her own place, I thought it would be a good time to play catch-up. How many country star bars in Nashville are there, exactly? According to my research, there are currently 13 bars, if you count 2 opening this weekend.

But hang on to your hats, because there are even more coming. Luke Combs and Old Dominion will open their own eating, drinking and live music establishments soon!

Garth Brooks and Eric Church are the most recent additions to the Lower Broadway star bar scene. Garth opened his “bar and honky-tonk,” along side his wife Trisha Yearwood. Honestly, I’m surprised he did do it a while ago, considering she is a renowned cook, with her own TV and books. But then again, I’m also surprised anyone wants to get into the restaurant/bar business. It’s not an easy one. Of course, it’s different when you have enough money to hire someone to run the show.

And to think the whole country star bar trend started way back in 2005 when Toby Keith opened “I Love This Bar and Grill” in his home state of Oklahoma. He never did open in Nashville, but that’s so Toby. He always seem to play by his own rules. There were 14 locations, including one right here in Massachusetts at Patriot Place that opened in 2011.

Let’s take a walk down Broadway now and visit the 13 country stars bars in Nashville everyone is talking about. See if your favorite artist has a place you can visit on your next trip, or your first. Just beware, any of these places could be swarming with bachelorettes at any time of the year.

FYI: Bars are listed alphabetically by first name

  • 1. Alan Jackson

    Address: 421 Broadway

    AJ’s Good Time Bar opened it’s doors on lower Broadway in 2016. Founder Alan Jackson had the intentions of “Keepin’ It Country,” and provide fans with a downtown honky tonk that had a more traditional live music scene, the kind of music that made Nashville famous. AJ’s was voted by Billboard as the #1 honky tonk in Nashville. According to the website you’ll find this bar and music venue “just steps away from the historic Ryman Auditorium and within walking distance from the Country Music Hall of Fame> There are 3 floors and a rooftop bar with awesome views of the city. And there is karaoke 7 days a week!

  • 2. Blake Shelton

    Address: 300 Broadway (Also at Nashville Airport) 

    Blake Shelton partnered with Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc. in 2018 top open their $20 million entertainment complex, Ole Red Nashville. Since then he’s also opened a much much smaller version at Nashville’s BNA Airport. The first location was opened in 2017 his home state of Oklahoma. But, he also has locations in Gatlinburg, TN, Orlando, FL and Las Vegas, NV. As stated on the website, “We’re more than a venue and, hell, we’re more than a restaurant. Ole Red is THE full country experience that will get your ass and your taste buds boot-scootin’ with what we like to call 100-proof live music, scratch-made dishes, and signature drinks…all inspired by the boss man himself: Blake Shelton.” The rooftop bar in Nashville is legendary and was voted by fans as the best rooftop in Nashville.   

    Homepage - Ole Red Nashville

    Taking a stroll down Honky-Tonk Highway? Ole Red welcomes walk-ins for lunch and dinner every day! Just put your name in with the hosts once you get here. If there's a wait, you can wander around our shop or check out the view from The Lookout (fan-voted Best Rooftop Bar in Nashville).

  • 3. Dierks Bentley

    Address: 400 Broadway

    Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row opened his Nashville bar in January of 2018. It was his 2nd location, the first is in his home state of Arizona (now has 2 locations there). Since then, Bentley has also opened a location in Denver, his home away from home. That was back in 2013. Pretty smart move to open and let it run for a few years before embarking on multiple locations. Whiskey Row is described as “a modern, American, gastropub that delivers amazing food, live music, and an elevated nightlife experience.”  There are 3 floors and here you’ll find downtown’s highest rooftop patio. Live music, DJs, dancing and VIP area make Dierks’ award winning spot a must-visit. 

     

    Best Country Bar - VIP Bottle Service, Private Event, Line Dancing & Live Music Venue Gilbert, Scottsdale, Nashville & Denver

    Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row is a modern, American, gastropub that delivers amazing food, live music, and an elevated nightlife experience. Boasting a from-scratch kitchen, over 30 draft beers, and weekly promotions.

     

  • 4. Eric Church

    Address: 200 Broadway 

    Chief’s on Broadway is downtown Nashville’s hot new bar. Eric Church’s bar, restaurant and live music venue recently experienced more attention. They say there’s no such thing as bad publicity. But this is the place that Morgan Wallen famously threw a chair off the roof. How is it different than the rest, well for one thing, Church has done a residency there already and will be back for more dates soon. In addition, the website claims; “This is not another Broadway bar. This is where the best come to play and the best community comes together. Wanna hit your pride, put your fist up high, feel the rush and feel alive? Chief’s is that place. Just like every Chief show is different, every night at Chief’s is different.” Chief’s the first place on Broadway to feature a James Beard Award-winning chef, as Erich partnered with Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ. As you would expect, there’s a “Hell of a View” on the rooftop too! 

     

    Chief's on Broadway | Opening 4.5.2024

    Chief's is not another Broadway bar. This is where the best come to play and the best community comes together. Wanna hit your pride, put your fist up high, feel the rush and feel alive? Chief's is that place.

  • 5. Garth Brooks

    Address: 411 Broadway

    Friends in Low Places in not just an iconic country smash hit from Garth Brooks, it’s now a new bar and honkytonk in downtown Nashville. Garth and his wife Trisha Yearwood’s place opened in March this year. Describe in a Billboard article as a “four-story, 54,715-square-foot venue” it “features a honky-tonk on the first two floors, including a retractable stage (the center of said stage features the “G” logo from the stage at NYC’s Central Park, where Brooks played to an estimated audience of more than 1 million people on Aug. 7, 1997).” The 4th floor is an open-air rooftop with a tropical theme, called The Oasis.  The menu features some of Trisha Yearwood’s signature dishes from her books and TV show. She plans to record some episodes at their new place, too.  

    Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky Tonk

    The goal is a classic honky-tonk that welcomes all and encourages love and kindness while playing the greatest music in the world in the home of Country Music!

     

  • 6. Hank Williams Jr.

    Address: 419 Broadway

    The Hank Williams Jr Boogie Bar opened last year on Lower Broadway. You’ll find it sandwiched between AJ’s Good Time Bar and Ernest Tubb Record Shop. There’s plenty of boogie room with 3 levels and a rooftop bar. Hank Jr took over an historic building, constructed during the Civil War. The “All My Rowdy Friends” singer invites you and your rowdy friends to check out live music, good food and dancing every day of the week. 

     

    @hanksnash

    Friday nights on Broadway are unmatched, y’all! Come on down and see us for a weekend kick-off! #honkytonk #broadway #nashvilletonight #weekendtrip #countrymusic #celebritybar #countrybar

    ♬ You In A Honky Tonk - Randall King

  • 7. Jason Aldean

    Address: 307 Broadway 

    Jason Aldean’s Kitchen and Rooftop Bar is always a party. The “My Kinda Party” superstar first opened his place in the summer of 2018, with TC Restaurant Group,. He has since opened 2 other locations in Gatlinburg, TN and Pittsburg, PA. Like most of the celebrity venues, his features 4 levels of fun. and southern food with a flare. Aldean’s place boasts he largest rooftop patio on Broadway. You’ll find 2 floors featuring the live music from local and national artists. 

     

    Music - Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Rooftop Bar

    LIVE MUSIC Jason Aldean's features live music on two floors every day focusing specifically on the latest country trends with local and national artists. Check below for this week's lineup! FEATURED ARTIST LAZER & LEVI Lazer & Levi, two brothers born and raised in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

     

     

  • 8. John Rich

    Address: 208 Broadway 

    Big and Rich’s John Rich’s Redneck Riviera has been a Nashville staple since opening in the summer of 2018. He said, “I’ve always dreamed of building the kind of place where my friends and family could get together and turn it up after a hard day’s work. Redneck Riviera is that place. We are going to build as many of them as it takes to offer a place for every hard-working American to cut loose and celebrate a job well done!” The original buildings were constructed in the 1850s. There is 6,000 square-feet in this entertainment complex. Redneck Riviera features 3 stories and of course a rooftop with “sweeping views” of Music City. You’ll find 2 live music stages, a DJ on the roof and a bar on every floor. 2 of those bars are “Heroes” bars that offer special BOGO deals for veterans, first responders, veterans and active duty military personnel. It’s a comfy space.

     

    Redneck Riviera | Nashville, TN | Live Music : Cold Beer : Good Times

    Redneck Riviera Nashville is a unique, 8,000 square foot live-music venue in the heart of lower Broadway created by John Rich built to celebrate a state of mind. It serves as a nostalgic destination bringing people together while paying tribute to the men and women that work hard so that we can celebrate freely.

  • 9. Kid Rock

    Address: 221 Broadway 

    Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk and Rock ‘n Roll Steakhouse is a mouthful of a name for a bar, but it’s working for him. Located on the corner of 3rd Avenue and Broadway, the “All Summer Long” singer opened in 2018, as so many did. “With five floors, four stages, and six bars, this gorgeous honky tonk can accommodate almost two thousand people,” as stated on the website. The 1st floor and mezzanine overlook a large 2 story main stage featuring live music every day. Yup, there’s a rooftop bar with views for days and a kitchen that’s ready to feed the carnivore in you with a signature 36 oz. Tomahawk ribeye.  

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C4ROSnVPwLR/

  • 10. Lainey Wilson

    Address: 120 3rd Ave. S

    Lainey Wilson’s Bell Bottom’s Up Bar, Cookin’ and Drinkin’ establish is about to open it’s doors for business. May 31 is the grand opening. It’s the only place on this list without a “Broadway” address. But it’s there in the heart of everything. The Grammy has taken over the old FGL House in the South Broadway district of Nashville. No website is up yet but we do know that it’ll be a three-story entertainment destination with plenty of Lainey flair throughout. The 27,000-square-foot venue will offer 2 stages for live music, 4 bars, , and a mezzanine floor with a lounge bar looking over the first floor stage and dining.  You can’t NOT have a rooftop in Nashville, so Lainey’s will be a 70s western vibe with a dance floor. You’ll even get a “glimpse of the Bayou through a fun basement-level space that is slated to open later this summer, and will include craft cocktails, immersive décor, and a live music experience to remember,” as stated in Visit Music City. 

     

    Lainey Wilson Reveals New Details About Her Bar Bell Bottoms Up

    The doors are opening sooner than we thought! We just learned a little more about Lainey Wilson's new Nashville bar Bell Bottoms Up via Instagram.

     

     

  • 11. Luke Bryan

    Address: 301 Broadway

    Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink was part of the 2018 country star bar boom in Nashville. His place boasts 6 levels,  and 30,000 square feet of space featuring 8 bars, 4 stages and 2 restaurants. Plus, his Crash My Party Rooftop bar is one of downtown Nashville’s largest rooftop bars. So, why the name? According to Taste of Country, 32 Bridge” refers to the Route 32 bridge crossing the Flint River in Bryan’s native Georgia. This is also the name of his clothing line, for which he partnered with retailer Cabela’s in 2014.” This place is massive! Oh, and of course they serve Luke’s very own beer, Two Lane. 

    Home - LUKE'S 32 BRIDGE Food + Drink

    Nashville's home for the best food, drinks, music and rooftop view! With live music on three floors, a menu that has something for everyone, and an unforgettable rooftop, Luke's is special.

  • 12. Miranda Lambert

    Address: 308 Broadway

    Casa Rosa, Miranda Lambert’s Tex Mex and Cantina opened it’s doors in 2021. In true Miranda “break the glass ceiling” fashion, she became the first woman to open a restaurant/bar/music venue on Lower Broadway. And even more refreshingly, she decided not to serve southern food like everyone else, opting for the taste of her home state of Texas. Come for the Tex Mex, be wowed by the colorful atmosphere and stay for the live music. This “4-level entertainment complex has a restaurant, multiple performance stages, numerous bars, and plenty of eye-grabbing art and personal memorabilia. From the Yellow Rose photograph wall to the pink umbrella-topped outdoor tables on the third level and the “Bluebird” cage from the #1 hit song and CMA award-winning video on the fourth floor,” according to the TC Restaurant Group. In case you were wondering, there is a rooftop bar! 

     

    TEX-MEX + CANTINA - Miranda Lambert's Casa Rosa Nashville

    Miranda Lambert's Casa Rosa brings the tastes of Texas to Nashville on Broadway. Enjoy the Fiesta on 4 floors of great food, drink and entertainment.

  • 13. Morgan Wallen

    Address: 107 4th Ave. N

     

    Morgan Wallen’s This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen is set to open this weekend, despite Morgan’s recent issues getting a large neon sign approved. Named after the mega star’s “This Bar” song, according Wallen’s website, it promises to be a one-of-a-kind 6 story experience. He helped design the menu around some family favorites. There will be a gift shop selling his merch and he’s working in partnership with the TC Restaurant Group. The venue is about  30,000 square feet and features three live music stages, six bars and an open-air rooftop. 

     

    Morgan Wallen's This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen | Nashville, TN

    Find Yourself In This Bar OPENING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2024 Stay Updated Morgan Wallen's This Bar is a homage to his love of all things Tennessee and the

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