Strega Opens in East Nashville

The husband-and-wife team of Matt and Michelle Bell know it might seem like East Nashville is full when it comes to bars.  

“We definitely didn’t open this place because Nashville needed another bar,” Matt says. 

And the couple definitely didn’t need something to do. Matt is one of the partners behind Rosemary & Beauty Queen and was the former general manager of Mercy Lounge and Cannery Ballroom. He’s also in the band The Pink Spiders. Michelle is the winemaker at City Winery and a former touring stage actress. 

But Strega, their new bar, opens Friday on Gallatin Avenue.

“We opened it because we just wanted a place where we wanted to hang out, and figured other people might too.”

The idea is a place that is casual, but not sloppy. Strega features a big courtyard with two pool tables under a pergola, balconies and space to either join the party or hole up with your honey. The Bells curated the playlist, which is a little bit rock ’n’ roll and a little bit pop, soul and who knows what else.

Bar and food at Strega (which is named for the herbal digestif, which is one of Matt’s favorite drinks and because it is the Italian word for “witch’”) is described as Italian-ish, with a menu featuring cacio e pepe, savory cannoli, $1 pizza slices during Aperitivo Hour (weeknights from 4 to 7 p.m.), and a pull-apart cheesy focaccia board served with marinated olives and more. If you don’t make for Aperitivo Hour, slices still won’t break the bank, at $3 each.

There are $5 shots of locally produced gelato served straight across the bar, meaning you don’t need to wait for the kitchen to bring you ice cream. It’s right there with your drinks. “It’s all about instant gratification,” Matt says.

Speaking of the drink menu, it includes Italian-inspired cocktails, Italian wine, rotating seasonal specials, cheap draft beer, solid nonalcoholic options and cannabis-infused drinks.

But it’s not just about what’s on the menu. Strega hosts weekly trivia, monthly bingo, board game nights, speed dating and a spelling bee called Spell Yeah!, plus DJ sets.

Strega is funded, in part, by a collection of Nashville creatives, including members of Cage the Elephant and Cherub. Strega is located at 1405 Gallatin Ave. Plans are to open at 4 p.m. during the week and noon on weekends.