Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media, Inc.
THE EXPANSIVE VENUE COVERS 69,000 SQUARE FEET ACROSS MULTIPLE LEVELS, FEATURING A VARIETY OF THEMED BARS, A BACHELORETTE SECTION, A ROOFTOP AREA, A HONKYTONK, AND ADDITIONAL AMENITIES.
If Luke Combs is candid, he admits feeling somewhat daunted by the prospect of transforming Nashville’s renowned country line dance establishment, Wildhorse Saloon, into a sprawling 69,000 square feet homage to his own career.
Although the multi-level entertainment space hasn’t been officially named, these are the intentions that Combs unveiled on a Thursday alongside Colin Reed, the Executive Chairman of Ryman Hospitality Properties.
“It’s a bit intimidating, I’d say,” Combs confessed. “Undoubtedly, it’s an incredibly unique opportunity, and over the years, I’ve been approached by various companies seeking to collaborate. I’ve always been patient and waited for the right opportunity to present itself.”
The North Carolina native has long recognized that if he were to partner with a company to establish a bar or venue under his name, it had to be with Opry Entertainment Group, a division of Ryman Hospitality Properties. This organization is also affiliated with Blake Shelton’s Ole Red and possesses ownership of The Grand Ole Opry, where Combs holds a membership.
“I believe it’s going to be a one-of-a-kind establishment here in Nashville, and that’s fantastic,” Reed elaborated. He outlined that the venue would encompass a honkytonk, a beer bar, a premium bourbon bar, a section named “Beautiful Crazy” tailored for bachelorettes, exclusive experiences for his fan club members, a sports bar, a space for songwriters, and cutting-edge technology permitting flexible configurations to accommodate touring acts of varying crowd sizes.
“High-quality music will be a defining feature,” Reed added.
The design of the venue is notably influenced by Combs’ hit song “Hurricane,” and fans can witness this transformation firsthand in the summer of 2024. Situated near Lower Broadway at 120 Second Avenue North in Nashville, the updated establishment will incorporate 60,000 square feet of indoor space and a new 9,000-square-foot rooftop that overlooks the river. It boasts an indoor capacity of 2,472 individuals, with 1,500 for ticketed concerts and 720 on the rooftop, offering unobstructed views of Nissan Stadium and the river.
“I aspire to transform this into the finest 1,500-capacity venue that Nashville has to offer,” Combs affirmed. “I want this to be a destination where people come to witness high-caliber touring acts from any genre.”
The inception of the bar’s concept traces back before Combs even released his debut song. Reed had extended an invitation to him to join an annual winter hunting expedition. Although Combs fell ill and missed the initial day due to a stomach ailment, he rebounded for the guitar-strumming session among the men, including Blake Shelton, Marty Raybon of Shenandoah, and Craig Morgan. When it was his turn to perform, he played “Hurricane,” a song that would eventually become one of his 15 No. 1 hits. Impressively, Combs either wrote or co-wrote all of these chart-toppers.
“I thought, ‘This guy is absolutely incredible,'” Reed recalled. “His delivery was extraordinary. He’s been coming every year except the year he got COVID. Our relationship grew every year. We discussed the possibility of collaborating on a venue. This is more than just a bar. And this guy is a superstar.”
Combs revealed that, from his first hunting trip, he knew that if he were to open a bar or venue, he wanted to embark on the journey with Reed and Opry Entertainment Group. Reflecting on that time, he acknowledged, “Back then, I hadn’t even achieved a single No. 1 hit, so I wasn’t considering something like this. And now, here we are.”