Friends in Low Places to Open in March

Many of us thought that downtown Nashville’s “Neon Neighborhood” (the official new branding for the old “Honky Tonk Highway”) had already reached peak celebrity bar status. After all, there are many, many branded restaurants and clubs, from Blake Shelton’s Ole Red sharing a block with his ex Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa, to Luke Bryan's and Jason Aldean’s rooftop bars (which are accessible from one another without the need to return to sidewalk level), and other clubs fronted by John Rich, Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson and Florida Georgia Line (as well as Kid Rock showing his big ass in his honky-tonk and steakhouse).

This is not even to mention massive multistory projects currently under construction that are connected to Eric Church, Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs.

Then the news came out that Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood had plans for the former home of Paradise Park Trailer Resort and The Downtown Sporting Club at 411 Broadway, and I thought, “Well hell, that’s it boys! Roll ’em up because we have a winner!”

There seems to be no way anyone could (or should) compete with the reigning king and queen of country, especially when you hear the stories of what kind and earnest people they are. Their upcoming Friends in Low Places promises to be bigger, better and (importantly) different from any other entertainment venue downtown, and they’ll be opening the doors on Thursday, March 7.

With four stories encompassing almost 55,000 square feet of space, FILP has actually been softly opened for a few months now, allowing patrons into the first floor with the occasional private event or weekend overflow opening the second floor. Viewers of Garth’s Amazon Music Live concert on Black Friday got a sneak peek of the interior, but there is much more to see inside.

Other establishments claim “a wall of television screens,” but the backdrop behind the main stage on the ground floor is literally a wall that is a screen — or multiple screens if Garth wants to watch his beloved Oklahoma State Cowboys play on a Saturday when the Vols are playing. Go ahead, you tell him not to split that massive screen.

Another emphasis from the inception of the complex was safety — Team Brooks says it's committed to the well-being of staff, guests and the bands that perform there. You won’t see all the security working or some of the measures in place, but trust me: Brooks and Yearwood have plenty of experience keeping things peaceful even while they are two of the most recognizable celebrities on the planet. (Plus, part of the building is dedicated to a new MNPD substation that will operate steps away from the front door.)

Bar staff is already going through Safe Bar Tennessee training to identify and intervene in potential sexual violence situations and offer tools to protect patrons from tainted drinks. Ms. Trisha is not going to let that sort of foolishness go on in her home!

Brooks describes FILP as his homage to honky-tonks everywhere, saying in the official opening announcement: “If you are one of the lucky ones who come to this town and receive its many blessings, don’t you owe something to Nashville? Garth Brooks owes a lot to Music City.”

Brooks and Yearwood have been actively involved with the planning and opening of their dream honky-tonk, with Garth reputedly swinging a hammer and hanging drywall whenever he’s got a free moment. Both have consulted extensively with Strategic Hospitality on the food and beverage side of the business, and it shouldn’t be too hard to tell who contributed what. As an acclaimed television chef and cookbook author, Trisha is to thank for the elevated Southern dishes and meat-and-three options on the menu. If it’s a fried bar snack, that’s probably a Garth idea.

The bottom two floors will be the main destination for music fans off the street, with a mezzanine between the two levels to create a transition that makes the space feel massive or more intimate when needed. 

The third floor is definitely more refined, offering three private event spaces that can be combined for a full-floor buyout in the clubby environment. Think lots of wood, a double-sided fireplace and an intimate patio. There is also a show kitchen set up for Yearwood to tape her cooking segments for various media.

I always knew that Garth encouraged me to “slip on down to the Oooooooo-asis,” but I had no idea he was such a tiki fan. The fourth-floor rooftop claims to be the largest aerie in the Neon Neighborhood, and slipping UP to The Oasis is like taking a trip to a magical beach paradise, complete with 10-foot-tall palm trees and definitely more than “two piña coladas” served at a pair of bars. The level boasts indoor/outdoor space with the requisite garage doors to offer access and protection during different weather conditions — so now I understand what those huge cranes on Broadway have been hauling up to the rooftop.

Honestly, the best word picture I could paint doesn’t do this place justice. You’ll have to head down and see it for yourself. After the March 7 opening, Friends in Low Places plans to be open seven days a week, 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.