Icon Entertainment & Hospitality is bringing a new concept downtown, closing its concept Johnny Cash’s Bar & BBQ with plans to replace it with a new bar, Show Pony, at 121 Third Ave. S.
CEO Bill Miller told What Now Nashville they will be transforming the space into a spot that will not be celebrity-driven. Instead, it will be experience-based, designed for an atmospheric, fun-centered experience. Miller said they are not revealing many details at this time, but customers can expect resort flavors in the design and menu.
“It’s going to be something where people come to have a good time, and lots of audience participation,” Miller said. “We will have hosts in addition to the music who will keep the party going on all the time.”
Miller said the shift comes due to changes in the demographic of tourists and visitors to the night life in downtown Nashville. Johnny Cash’s Bar & BBQ was tailored more toward comfort food and families, an audience that has diminished recently in Nashville.
“It’s going to be something different from anything we or anybody else is doing,” Miller said. “We figured some people need a break from the celebrity-driven bars. I think they’re all great, but we need a little differentiation because people come to experience Nashville, not just one or two or three personalities.”
The team is targeting a February opening date.
