Ahead of the opening of his Friends in Low Places bar in downtown Nashville, Garth Brooks is doing his part to ease the nonstop traffic congestion in lower Broadway, where his new restaurant, bar and music venue will be located.
According to WSMV, a new “Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) substation and a Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) traffic control room will be developed by Brooks,” with the goal of aiding both the MNPD and the NDOT in reducing traffic congestion and keeping all busy areas secure. The traffic control room will reportedly come at no cost to Nashville taxpayers.
“I am deeply grateful to Garth and his team for including space that will serve as a mini-hub for our operations in the Broadway entertainment district,” Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake says. “This unique partnership will help enhance public safety for downtown residents and visitors.”
The Country Music Hall of Fame member previously said that Friends in Low Places would have something for everyone, putting his own spin on an area already filled with bars and music venues.
“Friends In Low Places will be the Chick-Fil-A of honky-tonks,” Brooks said (via The Tennessean). “I want a thumping, crazy place where people feel good — but they’re also safe, loved, comfortable, and are treated well with good manners.”
Friends in Low Places will also celebrate the classic country music that Brooks grew up loving, and still enjoys today.
“[Friends In Low Places] will be a classic honky-tonk, because country music has been so good to me,” Brooks hinted. “King George [Strait], Merle Haggard, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton should be played on Lower Broadway in 2022. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”
While Brooks is joining several other country music artists, including Dierks Bentley, John Rich, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and more, in having their own bar in downtown Nashville, the Oklahoma native feel fortunate to be among the masses.
“We feel very lucky to have the chance to be part of Lower Broad, which is arguably THE hottest spot in the country,” Brooks said when announcing his new venture. “The goal is a classic honky-tonk that welcomes all and encourages love and kindness while playing the greatest music in the world in the home of country music!”
Friends in Low Places will be located at 411 Broadway. An opening date has yet to be announced. As part of Brooks’ deal with the MNPD and the NDOT, Metro will also authorize the condemnation of an alley next to Friends in Low Places.