For the first time ever, you can belly up to the bar after last call at two Nashville restaurants – The Diner and The Scoreboard. Thanks to legislation inked by Tennessee Governor Haslam just hours ago, the two watering holes can sell beer, wine and spirits from 4 am in the morning until the following 3 am. Seven days a week. The bars only close for one hour – from 3 until 4 am.
We have heard from scores of businesses asking how they get added to the list. Folks are inquiring, why are these two places given a license to mint money after hours.
Sorry Charlie. Diner and Scoreboard employed fantastic legislative strategy, hired a lobbyist extraordinaire and changed state law. With the Tennessee legislature adjourned until next year, no one will be following in their footsteps until at least spring 2018.
Proponents of the law say that allowing late night bar service at these two venues is a “test case” to see how it works. The Diner in SoBro Nashville and the Scoreboard near Opryland Hotel can serve thousands of bartenders, waiters and other service industry personnel that work late nights and might want to quaff a cold one after quitting time.
Revelers are required to forgo drinking for an hour before bellying up to the bar at 4 am. Both of the restaurants will serve meals at 3 am, to encourage late night dining before drinking commences again.
Of course, Hank Williams Jr. crones the perfect lines – from Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound:
Sure enough about closin’ time
‘Bout stoned out of my mind
And I end up with some honkytonk special I found
Just as sure as the mornin’ sun comes
Thinkin of my sweet girl at home
And I need to get whiskey bent and hell bound
Stay tuned for more news from the 2017 legislative session.
