First Look: Lainey Wilson's Bell Bottoms Up honkytonk is open for business

Counting from the time her camper trailer rolled into Music City, it took Lainey Wilson, the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association's reigning Entertainer of the Year, roughly as long as it took 30-time chart-topper Luke Bryan and 28-time No. 1 charting performer Jason Aldean from releasing their debut albums to have their name placed on a TC Restaurant Group-operated Lower Broadway mega-honkytonk.

Wilson's Bell Bottoms Up — occupying the 120 3rd Ave. S space formerly known as Florida Georgia Line's FGL House establishment — is now open for business...and yes, a mirrored pair of bell-bottomed pants and cowboy boots hangs above a spacious rooftop dance floor. There, a swamp-rocking band or high-energy DJ will play all manner of peak-hour party-starting records for fans drinking frozen cocktails.

In full, her new 27,000-square-foot, three-story venue includes a Western disco-themed rooftop, two stages and four bars.

Amanda Nava is the Director of Marketing for TC Restaurant Group. In addition to Wilson's space, they operate Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Rooftop Bar, Luke Bryan's Luke's 32 Bridge, Miranda Lambert's Casa Rosa, and the Sun Records-affiliated Sun Diner.

A similarity to their other spaces is apparent when speaking to her inside the venue.

Will Lainey Wilson herself play at a bar where 'music is center stage?'

Music is front and center — literally.

Similar to all of the TC Restaurant Group locations (most specifically Aldean's), upon entry, a downscaled version of a Wilson concert stage will feature bands playing seven days a week.

"Music is center stage here because it's so key to how she presents herself and her art," says Nava.

Notably, a more intimate second-floor area has the look and feel of a Western lounge, with cowhide rugs included.

Is it fair to presume that Wilson herself could occasionally perform at her new bar?

Sure. But because she also has five dozen concert tour dates and festival appearances scheduled through Thanksgiving 2024, that's not likely to be as frequent as fans and supporters would like.

However, it's there if you want to find Wilson's direct influence on the bar.

The outfits she wore at 2023's CMA and People's Choice Awards, 2024's CMT Music Awards and Houston Rodeo, plus bell-bottom pants and "disco-meets-Western" ensembles she wore for television commercials, concerts, and music videos in the past five years are all in glass shadow boxes hung throughout the bar and restaurant.

Bell Bottoms Up bar, restaurant menus curated by an Entertainer of the Year

Wilson's direct influence can also be discovered in the bar and restaurant menus.

Upon entry to "Bell Bottoms Up," a bar greets you, serving all manner of drinks inspired by Wilson's Louisiana roots, her time acting on Yellowstone, or the "Road Runner."

Uniquely, that beverage combines a Wilson album-track title with a chart-topping hit of hers via Gatlinburg's Ole Smoky Distillery's 40-proof Sour Watermelon Moonshine. That's paired with a splash of Red Bull's watermelon-flavored energy drink, cucumber, lemon and a full spring of sage.

Food-wise, speak to TC Restaurant Group's vice president of culinary development and corporate executive chef Tomasz Wosiak and the challenge for Bell Bottoms Up wasn't just "bringing Cajun food to Nashville." Instead, Wilson's level of engagement in menu development was unprecedented in Wosiak's history with the company.

Multiple tastings evolved Wosiak's initial ideas into a menu where ribs of corn are Cajun-seasoned and flavored with salt, herbs, and Parmesan cheese. But the thickening agent that pulls it all together? Yes, that's unmistakably Duke's mayonnaise, per Wilson's request. Po'Boy sandwiches, crabcake sliders, shrimp and grits, plus a pasta dish with sausage, shrimp and chicken are also featured.

"Lainey knows exactly what she likes. From the food to the decor, we were immediately told precisely what she wanted (Bell Bottoms Up) to be," adds Wosiak.

TC Restaurant Group's Nava summarizes the potential of Wilson's space to grow with her expanding career accomplishments.

"Visualizing and making tangible the connections and experiences Lainey's fanbase is having with her music are the things that will allow her (to potentially) become a more iconic country star."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Lainey Wilson's Bell Bottoms Up honkytonk is open. Take a look inside