If you think you know everything there is to know about Ole Red Nashville, think again. Blake Shelton’s place to play on Broadway has been a Music City staple since 2018, but there’s more to this spot than meets the eye. From the Honky-Tonk history to the finger-lickin’ food, Ole Red Nashville has plenty of surprises up its sleeve. Here are five things you might not know about this slice of country music heaven.
1. All Your Faves Have Played at Ole Red Nashville
Looking for the best live music in Nashville? It’s at Ole Red. Blake wanted more than a typical bar with music in the corner, so we built him a venue with a concert-caliber setup. Since then, some of country’s biggest stars have hit the main stage, from Lauren Alaina, Riley Green, Carly Pearce, and Lady A to Old Dominion, Jelly Roll, and Lainey Wilson. And of course, Blake Shelton himself has been known to rock the mic from time to time.
Ole Red is also where up-and-comers become mega stars—like Kameron Marlowe, who went from Ole Red house act to selling out his own headlining show at the Ryman. So, come for the music and leave with bragging rights. After seeing these acts, you’ll be saying, “I knew them when…”
2. Ole Red Nashville is REALLY Old
Well, the outside is at least! The 4-story brick building dates back to the 1880s. Originally a peanut cleaning factory, it became Broadway National Bank in 1910. When Ole Red moved in, the bank’s name stayed on the brick exterior. And while we’ve got bartenders now instead of bank tellers, you can still deposit your ass at a barstool and cash in on an ice-cold beer. And some say you can still smell the peanuts.*
*Okay, that’s not true. But you CAN smell some good southern cookin’.
3. Ole Red Nashville Has All the Big Events
Ole Red’s spot right in the heart of downtown Nashville comes with some big perks…like being the go-to place for some big events—like Spotify House during CMA Fest, which brings in top country names and crossover artists like Lil Nas X, BRELAND, and Niko Moon.
Ole Red’s also hit the small screen, hosting two seasons of the TV show Barmageddon, CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown, and episodes of The Today Show and The Voice. We’ve even hosted a live episode of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast.
You never know what might be goin’ down at Ole Red—it’s where the big stuff happens. Check out what’s happening now:
Line Dancing Lessons
Get your boots scootin’ at Ole Red’s Line Dancing Lessons every Friday and Saturday afternoons. You’ll get a 30-minute dance lesson in The Hall, then hop on the Main Stage to showcase your skills to other country fans!
4. Ole Red Nashville’s Menu is Scratch-Made
When it comes to the best dining in Nashville, look no further. At Ole Red, we know the secret ingredient in southern food is love. That means there’s no frozen microwave bar food ‘round here—we’ve got expert chefs making everything from scratch. Even the tater tots are handmade and fried to crispy perfection.
If we had to pick one dish that sums up Ole Red Nashville, it’s the Honey Bee Hot Chicken & Waffles. Sweet, savory, crispy, spicy…it’s comfort on a plate. Order it with Nashville Hot Honey and thank us later.
5. Ole Red Nashville Has a Country-Sized Rooftop
If you’ve ever hit up the Nashville honky-tonks, you know the unwritten rule: head straight for the stairs and go all the way up. While plenty of bars in Nashville have rooftops, none do it quite like Ole Red. Sure, Blake might be most at home in a flannel and jeans, but he cleans up nice, too. Enter The Lookout—Ole Red’s version of dressed-to-the-nines. Like everything country, it’s oversized, bringing 6,000 square feet* of elevated eats, fancy-pants cocktails, and acoustic music.
(*In case you’re not an architect, that’s enough space for one helluva party.)
The Lookout also takes its name from Blake Shelton’s hit Ol’ Red, inspired by the warden who watches over everything. From this elevated spot, you’ve got a killer vantage point of the rowdy Broadway crowds below—and who knows what you might catch! Over the years, The Lookout’s visitors have witnessed NASCAR’s Burnouts on Broadway, a surprise Keith Urban pop-up concert, the NFL Draft, and Fourth of July fireworks. It’s no wonder The Lookout was fan-voted the best Nashville rooftop bar!
Whether you’re a Nashville local or just passing through, now you know what to expect at Blake’s place. So, come down to that historic brick building on the corner of 3rd and Broadway. Everyone else is in here…why aren’t you?
