Eric Church is ready to put a drink in your hand.
The country superstar is partnering with AJ Capital’s Ben Weprin to open a bar on Lower Broadway in Downtown Nashville called Chief’s.
“I am partnering with my closest friend and, in my opinion, the greatest hotel entrepreneur on earth, Ben Weprin, and the greatest barbecue chef in the world, Rodney Scott,” Church said in a press release.
“Together we will create an experience unique to Nashville and absolutely unparalleled in the world of music, food, fellowship and entertainment,” he added. “This is my hometown. This is personal. This matters. Every detail of Chief’s will feel that way. I cannot wait to get started. See you in 2023.”
The establishment, which will be located at 200 Broadway, will feature a six-story bar, a seated live music venue, as well as a Whole Hog BBQ restaurant by Scott, a barbecue pitmaster and James Beard award-winner.
“I am beyond excited to not only bring Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ to Music City, but to also partner with my good friends Eric and Ben on this project,” Scott shared. “Anyone who knows me, knows that I love music – so the opportunity to expand the brand in partnership with an award-winning musician makes this project extra special! I can’t wait to share our Carolina roots and our whole hog BBQ with the incredible people of Nashville.”
The multi-platinum superstar promised Chief’s will be a top-notch place to eat and drink.
“I remember driving through downtown Nashville over 20 years ago with a pawn shop guitar, riding shotgun in a beat-to-hell truck just trying to chase a dream,” Church recalled. “Chief’s is the culmination of catching that dream. Like everything else we do in our career, I wouldn’t even attempt a project like this if I didn’t think it would be the best, so that’s what Chief’s will be: the best.”
The bar’s namesake comes from Church’s longtime nickname and his 2011 album, Chief.
In October 2021, AJ Capital Partners paid $24.5 million for Cotton Eyed Joe, a building previously owned by Big & Rich’s John Rich, which will now be home to Church’s honky-tonk.
Church will join fellow country superstars who also have bars in Downtown Nashville, including Alan Jackson (AJ’s Good Time Bar), Luke Bryan (Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge), Jason Aldean (Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar), Florida Georgia Line (FGL House), Miranda Lambert (Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa Nashville), Dierks Bentley (Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row), Blake Shelton (Old Red), Kid Rock (Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk) and John Rich (Redneck Riveria Bar & BBQ).
Chief’s is set to open sometime in 2023.
