Despite Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s request to close down Lower Broadway on Sunday as a public health emergency in Nashville due to the coronavirus, countless bars have refused to shut their doors.
Kid Rock’s Big A– Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse remains open, as does Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Rippy’s Honky Tonk, Honky Tonk Central and the Diner. All venues are owned by Steve Smith, who cites the request made by the mayor as “unconstitutional.”
“We appreciate the efforts of Mayor Cooper to combat the COVID-19 virus, but unless there’s a statewide mandate that directs all bars and restaurants to be closed, the request made by Mayor Cooper is unconstitutional as he Is targeting a select group of businesses,” Smith says in a statement posted to social media. “In response, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Rippy’s, Honky Tonk Central, Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk & Steakhouse and the Diner will continue to remain open to serve the public until such statewide mandate is issued from the Governor of Tennessee.”
Billboard has reached out to reps for Tootsies and Kid Rock.
Meanwhile, the mayor held a news conference on Monday afternoon where he laid out his plans for the city’s response strategy. “The bottom line is that we are making health decisions that are both in line and on the leading edge of best practices nationwide for the sake of protecting our community,” Cooper said. “The decision to declare public health emergency, temporarily close bars and place restrictions on restaurants in Davidson county are serious public health decisions. But, these are also short-term solutions that will make a tremendous long-term difference in flattening the curve and the spread of coronavirus in our community.”
Other businesses downtown including Luke Bryan’s Luke’s 32 Bridge, John Rich’s Redneck Riviera and City Winery Nashville have followed the request to suspend their operations until further notice and alerted patrons social media and email today.
So far, metro Nashville has 24 confirmed cases of COVID-19 virus, according to the public health director. The age range is from 11 to 73 with only one person currently hospitalized.
The news comes after several major tourist spots in Nashville were closed due to concerns over the coronavirus, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry. Additionally, the Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival previously scheduled for later this month in Music City has been postponed until later this year. Dan + Shay, Kenny Chesney and Blake Shelton all postponed their tours due to the coronavirus while the Houston Rodeo was also canceled. South by Southwest in Austin was canceled outright due to coronavirus. Check out a full, updating list of canceled and postponed events here.
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