In 1994, the Wildhorse Saloon established itself on Second Ave in Downtown Nashville, long before Nashville gained its current status as a trendy tourist spot. The venue is proud to boast that it has the “largest dance floor for line dancing” in Downtown, and an “iconic stage for live entertainment.”
This claim is not just lip service, as the Wildhorse Saloon has become a renowned location for musicians to perform. Shortly after its opening, Reba McEntire’s appearance cemented the Wildhorse’s reputation, and the venue has continued to attract prominent artists ever since. With three stories and 60,000 square feet, the Wildhorse Saloon is still recognized as an iconic establishment and is, according to Nashville District Energy, the “largest per capita restaurant in the state of Tennessee.”
Thus, the news of its impending closure, which was announced on April 13th, came as a surprise.
The Tennessean reported that a music venue and bar in partnership with Luke Combs and Opry Entertainment Group will replace the Wildhorse Saloon. The Luke Combs venue is scheduled to open in 2024 and will feature a four-story bar with a variety of attractions, including a 250-person honky-tonk space, a two-story concert hall that can hold up to 1,500 people, a third-story sports bar catering to legalized sports betting, a bachelorette-themed area named after Combs’ hit song “Beautiful Crazy,” a section dedicated to his fans, the “Bootleggers,” an additional bar for high-end bourbon drinkers, and a 9,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor rooftop named the “Eye” after Combs’ debut single “Hurricane.”
The Wildhorse Saloon will remain open until redevelopment begins, which is unlikely to occur until late 2023 or early 2024. The Wildhorse Saloon has yet to comment on its social media platforms regarding its impending closure.
A couple weeks after the initial announcement, Luke Combs himself confirmed the news, and even shared photos of the renderings of each section of his new bar!
He wrote, “Excited to announce I’m partnering with Opry Entertainment to open a massive venue experience in downtown Nashville, TN next year! Looking forward to sharing more with y’all soon!”
See the renderings for each
Specialty Bar Rendering pic.twitter.com/1QEOKva3P4
— Luke Combs 🎤 (@lukecombs) April 25, 2023
The Still Rendering pic.twitter.com/4iHxPakW6A
— Luke Combs 🎤 (@lukecombs) April 25, 2023
Rooftop Rendering pic.twitter.com/YU1fiJwLvr
— Luke Combs 🎤 (@lukecombs) April 25, 2023