(Picture of the tourist area of Nashville)
While concealed handgun permit holders will be allowed to carry at the convention center for their annual meeting, there are many restaurants and bars around the convention center that don’t allow people to carry. With the NRA convention just weeks away, the CPRC canvassed the restaurants on Broadway and 2nd Avenue in what is the tourist district of Nashville, an area that is right next to the new convention center where the NRA annual convention will be held. Permit holders are not allowed to carry (either concealed or open) in businesses that are posted. In Tennessee, it is also illegal for those carrying to drink any alcohol (think of it as these individuals being analogous to designated drivers). There are technically no bars in the state. Everything is a restaurant because they must sell a certain amount of food in order to have a liquor license. If you have a handgun permit and are carrying, or if you simply want to reward those establishments that serve permit holders, you might find this list of interest. More information will be added as we have a chance.
We interviewed the managers of many establishments because some places do not allow permitted concealed handguns even though they haven’t posted signs (many of the managers appeared unaware of state law). There were a number of places that were not posted but where the managers were adamant that they would not allow permit holders inside. Some went further and indicated that signs were going to be posted by the time of the NRA convention. In these cases, while one could legally enter the restaurant, if you are asked to leave you must do so. It is also possible that the establishment could call the police to get them to ask you to leave.
Some signs are very difficult to see (red circle marks the spot, click on pictures to enlarge).
Rippy’s
There were more than a few popular places where there were no signs posted, but the managers were adamant that they would be putting up signs and that they would remove an permit holder carrying a gun. Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is one of them, but others include Doc Holliday’s Saloon and the Silver Dollar Saloon.
Restaurants on the South Side of Broadway that serve permit holders (click on pictures to enlarge)
Joe’s Crab Shack — 123 2nd Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37201
Merchants Restaurant and Grill — 401 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Paradise Park — 411 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 — not a hundred percent sure that they might end up posting a sign before the NRA convention
The Wheel — 421 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
National Underground — 105 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201
Nearby Museum and restaurant
Johnny Cash Museum — 119 Third Avenue SouthNashville, TN 37201
Luigi’s City Pizza — 105 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201
Restaurants on the North Side of Broadway that serve permit holders
Robert’s — Instead of a sign indicating that permitted concealed handguns are banned, this bar has two NRA decals at the front — 416B Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203.
Hard Rock Cafe — when asked about serving those carrying guns, the manager said they hope that are very happy to get as many customers as possible — 100 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201.
Layla’s Blue Grass Inn — 418 Broadway, Nashville, TN.
Bailey’s Pub & Grille — 408 Broadway, Nashville, TN
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville — 322 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201
Tin Roof — 316 Broadway Avenue, Nashville, TN 37201
Whiskey Bent Saloon — 306 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201
Mike’s Ice Cream & Coffee Bar — 208 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201
2nd Avenue (West side of street, some places were just checked for whether they were posted, not for whether they would ask a permit holder to leave)
Ichiban (Sushi) — 109 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201
Benchmark Bar and Grill — just checked for posting — 117 2nd Ave, Nashville, TN 37201
Pitta Pit — 121 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201
Nashville Street Taco — 129 Second Ave N, Nashville TN, 37201
Bebo’s Cafe — 135 2ND Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37201
2nd Avenue (East side of street)
Nearby
Brugada Bar — 204 Commerce St Nashville, TN 37201, just checked for posting
Is there a list we can print out?
It would be useful to do this for hotels, too. Many have the No Gus signs.
What do they have against Gus? He’s a great guy!
Gus is one of the delusional few who are unaware that the Second Amendment has a net worth clause and that he doesn’t have enough money to fall under its protections.
Yeah, I know, millionaires and politicians (often one and the same) seem to have the only copies of the Constitution that include that clause, so it’s hard to blame Gus for that little misunderstanding.
Dick’s Last Resort was posted in September 2013 when my new wife and I stopped by there on our return from our honeymoon. The sign wasn’t conspicuous and frankly, I didn’t even see it until we walked out.
Glad things may have changed.
John
How will any of these restuarants know if you’re carrying concealed?
They will know you’re carrying concealed bc you will politely tell the Manager that you’ll be spending your money somewhere that respects your Rights. Wouldn’t it be great if they hear that A LOT that week.
I understand the “how will they know” argument, but isn’t that better to use when the signage does not carry the force of law?
PLEASE. Nice to know the restaurants you mentioned are okay with concealed carry, but only tourists eat at them. East Nashville, The Gulch, 12 South, Hillsboro Village – much better places and a better feel for what Nashville is really like.
But… then you’d have to venture away from the confines of the convention – into liberal areas of Nashville.
(of course there are plenty restaurants in Williamson County where’d you feel at home).
Any business, restaurant or retail, that posts and restricts my 2nd Amendment rights, also restricts my spending money at their establishment. Simply put, I interpret any no firearms sign as saying, “We don’t want your business.”
Uh. That’s not true anymore. The state now recognizes ‘bars’ vs ‘restaurant’ because of the ‘guns in bars’ bill. Do you research.
Dunn Bros Coffee on the corner of fourth and Church downtown welcomes all legally permitted holders!