After seven difficult months, tonight’s the night: East Nashville’s Attaboy reopens at 4 p.m., serving its cocktails with its intimate speakeasy-style experience and a hopeful attitude.
The bar has been closed since the March tornado, which caused extensive damage at the McFerrin Avenue favorite. Michael Dolfini and Albree Sexton — Nashville's only two deaths during the tornado — were killed on March 3 after leaving the bar, where Dolfini worked.
In the intervening months, Attaboy has been serving takeout cocktails at Lakeside Lounge, a plan that was named as a Writer’s Choice for Best COVID Collaboration in our Best of Nashville issue.
As much as the tornado and the loss of Dolfini and Sexton may be top of mind for returning customers, the bar posted on Instagram asking patrons to be mindful of the toll those dark days took on the staff: “We ask at this time that sensitive questions relating to the evening of the tornado be kept for a time later down the road. Our focus is to keep the good times rolling while still putting out exceptional cocktails and providing stellar service. To know them was to love them, and to love them means to carry them on in everything that we do.”
The bar will be back to its old strengths, with COVID-19 precautions in place. You’ll knock (gently) on the door and be let in or be asked to wait until there is room to do so. There’s no menu: You’ll talk to the staff about what you like and don’t and then the perfect drink for your tastes will arrive at your table.
“In light of the pandemic, safety will be paramount," the Instagram post continues. "The hugs sadly have to be exchanged for ecstatic waves, the smiles will be hidden behind masks, but just know we’re incredibly thrilled to finally get to this day."
The three-year-old bar is also selling merch with its motto “positive vibes only” paired with a drawing by Sexton. The building has a new mural out front, too. Attaboy will be open from 4 to 11 p.m.
