NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lower Broadway, long known for its neon lights, honky-tonks, and endless pours of whiskey, is about to get a refreshing new addition. Country music star Ashley McBryde has announced the launch of Redemption Bar, a non-alcoholic venue opening August 28 on the fifth floor of Eric Church’s Chiefs.
The concept marks a bold departure from the rowdy drinking culture often associated with downtown Nashville. For McBryde, who has been sober for three years, it’s a deeply personal mission.
“When the opportunity to make my mark on Broadway came, I knew I wanted to create a space that champions what’s made a difference in my life,” McBryde said in a statement announcing the venue.
Redemption Bar will feature live music, a creative menu of non-alcoholic cocktails, and a welcoming environment for those looking to experience Nashville’s nightlife without alcohol. It’s part of a larger national shift: according to Gallup, only 54% of U.S. adults reported drinking alcohol in 2025, down from 60% or higher between 1997 and 2023.
Local tourism leaders see the bar as a timely addition to Broadway’s evolving landscape.
“Nashville has always been about music, storytelling, and connection,” said Butch Spyridon, former CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “Ashley’s project shows that you don’t have to drink to be part of the energy and culture here. This expands the welcome mat.”
For wellness advocates, McBryde’s move sends a powerful message about balance, recovery, and redefining nightlife.
“We talk so much about physical fitness, but mental and emotional wellness are equally important,” said Dr. Jennifer Gentry, a Nashville-based addiction recovery specialist. “Spaces like this help normalize sober living as not just acceptable, but aspirational.”
McBryde herself credits her sobriety with helping her sustain both her music career and personal health.
“Sobriety gave me my life back, and I want to share that gift with my fans and with this city,” she told Billboard earlier this month.
Nashville’s hospitality industry is already taking notice. Several restaurants and cocktail bars have started adding robust mocktail menus, catering to a generation of consumers seeking balance.
“We’ve seen the demand growing steadily—people want the social experience without the hangover,” said Caroline Short, bar manager at East Nashville’s popular cocktail lounge Lyra. “Ashley putting this front and center on Broadway is huge.”
As Redemption Bar prepares to open, many believe it could pave the way for a more diverse and inclusive nightlife scene in Music City.
“This isn’t about taking away the honky-tonk experience,” McBryde added. “It’s about giving more people the chance to enjoy it—on their terms.”
With live performances, craft drinks minus the alcohol, and McBryde’s personal touch, the bar is expected to draw both tourists and locals alike, especially those invested in wellness, fitness, and balance.
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