Nashville's newest openings this fall include Dolly Parton's SongTeller Hotel downtown, Noko Yaki on West End (opening Friday, Nov. 6), Tacos El Terry on Broadway, Bar Ena in Chestnut Hill and Sports Illustrated Resorts on Music Row. Each one brought something extra to opening day, and that's the real lesson in grand opening entertainment: people show up for the food, and they stay (and post) for the experience. Here's where to go, plus what every new owner can borrow from them.
Dolly Parton's SongTeller Hotel, Downtown
Dolly didn't just cut a ribbon. The SongTeller Hotel at 211 Commerce Street, just north of Broadway, opened to guests on Sept. 29 and threw its formal grand opening on Oct. 6. Inside you'll find two live music rooms, Parton's Live and the Jolene's rooftop lounge, plus the 20,000 square foot Life of Many Colors Museum on the third floor. The second-floor event space has a pink fringed ceiling, which is about as Dolly as a ceiling can get.
For planners, the numbers matter. Parton's Live holds up to 125, Jolene's rooftop holds about 100, and the museum itself can be booked for private events. (Nashvegas, BizBash)
Noko Yaki, West End (Opens Friday, Nov. 6)
The team behind Noko and Kase x Noko is opening Noko Yaki on West End Avenue this Friday. Servers grill Kobe and wagyu right at your table, and the restaurant says it's the only one in Tennessee licensed directly by the Kobe Beef Council. The $62 Signature Spread gets you filet, New York strip, wagyu ribeye and wagyu galbi with banchan. Onion rings with furikake and hot honey are on the side menu, and we're already hungry.
It seats about 150, dinner only, with walk-in bar seats and a private dining room for groups. Reservations open two weeks out at 11 a.m. (Nashville Scene)
Tacos El Terry, Broadway
Tacos El Terry opened Oct. 22 at 111 4th Avenue South, right on the corner of 4th and Broadway. It's the third Nashville concept from Chicago's Lettuce Entertain You. You order at the counter under photos of famous Terrys, hit the self-serve salsa bar, and eat standing up like a true Broadway regular. Tacos run $4.95 to $6.95 on housemade corn tortillas.
The fun detail is the late-night taco window, open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The second floor is already set up for private events. (Nashville Guru)
Bar Ena, Chestnut Hill
Bar Ena opened Oct. 11 across from Cafe Babu, from the same couple, Shivani and Alexandros Darsinos. It's small on purpose: about 1,000 square feet, 15 tables and eight bar seats, first come, first served. Order The Paul Patel, a turmeric and gin cocktail named for Shivani's father, and pair it with pani puri or Indian nachos on plantain chips. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 5 p.m. to midnight. (Nashville Scene)
Sports Illustrated Resorts Nashville, Music Row
Sports Illustrated Resorts opened on Music Row in September with 185 suites, a sports bar, a game room and a pool deck. Two meeting rooms handle groups of up to 50, which makes it a smart pick for a team offsite with a watch party built in. (BizBash)
Hungry for more? GAON is now serving Korean comfort food on Eastland Avenue in East Nashville, and Naked Farmer has opened its second location in The Gulch. (City Cast Nashville, Mix 92.9)
What These Openings Teach About Grand Opening Entertainment
Look at the pattern. Dolly built live music into the building. Noko Yaki turned dinner into a tableside show. Tacos El Terry gave Broadway a late-night window and a wall of famous Terrys. None of them relied on a sign that says "Now Open."
If you're opening a restaurant, bar or shop in Nashville, a few things move the needle on day one:
A DJ or live band that matches the room. A listening bar wants a different set than a taco counter.
A host or emcee who keeps the line moving and the energy up.
A photographer or videographer, so opening night keeps working on social for weeks.
A reason to come early, like the first 100 guests getting something free.
That's the playbook FOMO ran for the Whataburger Brentwood grand opening, where the buzz got bigger than a double meat with cheese. Opening a spot of your own? FOMO books the DJs, live music, hosts and photographers that make opening night packed.
Quick Answers
What new restaurants opened in Nashville recently?
Recent openings include Tacos El Terry downtown (Oct. 22), Bar Ena in Chestnut Hill (Oct. 11), GAON in East Nashville and Naked Farmer in The Gulch. Noko Yaki opens on West End on Friday, Nov. 6.
What is good grand opening entertainment for a Nashville restaurant?
A DJ or live band, a host to work the crowd, and a photographer to capture it. Match the music to the room and give people a reason to arrive early.
How much does it cost to book a DJ in Nashville?
With FOMO, DJs start at $100 an hour and live music starts at $200 an hour. You get a quote within 24 hours, and we can book with as little as 2 days' notice.
Ready to make some noise? Book Your Event or call (615) 270-5762.
