Hollywood Meets Honky-Tonk: Nashville’s Celebrity-Themed Bars and Restaurants Boom

Good morning! We are excited to present our subscriber-exclusive newsletter, Your Week, featuring some of our best stories about Nashville and beyond each Sunday. I am Sandy Mazza, business editor at The Tennessean.

In today’s edition, we delve into the world of celebrity-themed bars and restaurants that have become a major tourist attraction on Nashville’s Lower Broadway entertainment district. With a $10 billion budget, this juggernaut is fueled by celebrity endorsements and international appeal. Growth and development reporter Molly Davis investigates what defines the latest iteration of these establishments and their impact on the area.

The answer is simple: new honky tonks are all about bold celebrity brands. Despite years of rising values for Broadway properties, the strip’s growth is expected to reach unprecedented heights in the coming years due to its growing international appeal. Visitors to Music City are increasingly coming from Canada, Ireland, Germany, and Australia.

The real estate and hospitality companies that run these establishments range from longtime Nashville businessman Bill Miller to newcomer Big Plan Holdings launched in 2023. The street has become a critical stop for both established and emerging country music stars alike. New honky tonks bear the names of Eric Church, Morgan Wallen, Tanya Tucker, Garth Brooks, Lainey Wilson and more.

“What this demonstrates,” says Molly Davis, “is a newfound worldwide audience for country music and an urgent demand for celebrity bars and restaurants in the area.” Thank you for your support which makes this type of in-depth reporting possible at The Tennessean.