Website: https://tootsies.net/
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is a historic honky-tonk and live music venue located on Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. A fixture of the city’s music scene since 1960, the venue offers live performances, food and beverage service, group event options, VIP experiences, and merchandise. Today it is described as a bustling, must-see destination in Nashville for both locals and tourists, packed every night with crowds enjoying live music. The lounge is known for its purple, or orchid, exterior and for its long association with the songwriters and performers of Nashville’s country music history.
Services
Tootsie’s centers on live music, with performances running throughout the day and night across the venue. The current building features three floors with three bars and three stages, along with a rooftop patio added in recent years. Visitors have the chance to make their mark and earn a spot on the venue’s famous Wall of Fame, which displays photos and memorabilia tied to the lounge’s history.
In addition to music, Tootsie’s operates a kitchen and offers food service, with pictured items including pretzels, tacos, and wings. The business provides group event bookings, VIP section experiences, branded merchandise, and artist auditions for aspiring performers. A self-guided walking tour and other visitor-facing features are also referenced on the venue’s website.
About
Tootsie’s was established in 1960 when Hattie Louise “Tootsie” Bess purchased a bar that had originally been called Mom’s. The name came about after the building was painted orchid, giving rise to Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. The venue became legendary as a gathering place for songwriters and musicians, drawing emerging artists such as Kris Kristofferson, Faron Young, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Tom T. Hall, Hank Cochran, Mel Tillis, Roger Miller, Webb Pierce, Waylon Jennings, and Patsy Cline. Performers at the Opry would sometimes slip out a side door to grab a drink between sets. Tootsie was known for her generosity toward struggling musicians, reportedly keeping a cigar box of IOUs behind the counter. Steve Smith acquired the business in 1992 and invested years in renovating it. Recent performers have included Chase Rice, Jake Owen, and Brad Paisley.
Location & Contact
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is located at 422 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. The venue is open seven days a week from 9:30 AM to 3:00 AM, with kitchen hours from 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM. The company also operates additional locations at Nashville International Airport and in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Additional Information
The venue appeared in the film “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and has been featured in national publications. Several artists who have performed at Tootsie’s have gone on to appear on shows such as American Idol and The Voice. The lounge continues to welcome aspiring artists alongside established performers, maintaining its role as a launching point and gathering place within Nashville’s live music culture.
Profile compiled from the company’s official website (tootsies.net).