Every Day Is a Celebration of FRIENDS at FILP

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood's Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk celebrated its first anniversary in March.

The couple and the staff at the four-floor, 54,715-square-foot entertainment complex and music Mecca made the month extra special. Friends In Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk partied for St. Patrick's Day, hosted fan competitions for the SEC men's basketball tournament, and more. Garth and Trisha surprised everyone when they made an unannounced surprise visit to FILP to bartend.

However, every day is a FRIENDS-only party at FILP. Regardless of what month you come, there are 50+ screens (that's 1,400 sqft) for the best game-day views, six bars, entire coolers of beer, Trisha's fabulous food, and celebrity bartenders frequently show up unannounced.  

In the spirit of celebrating FILP's first anniversary, Garth, Trisha, and the Fab Four reflected on what they've learned in the last 12 months and looked toward the future. Today is Max Goldberg's turn. Max is co-owner of Strategic Hospitality, the company that helps Garth and Trisha operate the bar.

What is your favorite memory?

Max: It's hard to pick one, truly. But something special that happened on New Year's Eve sticks out. Someone stopped me and told me how much they loved our TV show (on Amazon). They are huge fans of Garth and needed a mental break, so they decided to watch our show. They thought the bar looked like so much fun that they hopped in their car and drove overnight to Nashville to come check us out. They later shared that they needed that mental break because, in the series of hurricanes, they lost their home and restaurant. As someone in the hospitality business, I was particularly struck by this. I had the chance to chat with them for a bit and ended up putting my own card down to take care of their time with us at Friends. I never expected to see them again, but here is my favorite memory. The genuine hugs I got from them for a random act of kindness was just the best feeling. I believe Garth and Trisha have created a culture that allows for countless moments like this to happen.

What have you learned in the first year?

Max: We always knew it, but people take care of people. The environment that Garth and Trisha created at their concerts is what we wanted in the bar. People can eat, drink, dance, make out on the dance floor, but at the end of the day, they take care and love one another. Garth always preached it, but seeing it in action was something special. I was reminded in a beautiful way you are nothing without your people—staff, guests, police officers, etc. As beautiful, fun, epic sound/lights, etc., that Friends is, it's our people and the people that come in that make it what it is.

What has been your biggest surprise?

Max: Garth is the GOAT. But the GOAT of the GOAT is Friends in Low Places. Blame it all on my roots. And of course ... THE OASIS. I grew up knowing Garth's music and thought I understood his impact on music and the world. I had no clue. Being at sporting events, in the bar, seeing 9-year-olds to 90-year-olds singing and loving the song … most but not all knowing who Garth is, has been wild. So many people come in for a good time and just want to PARTY WITH FRIENDS. Not really knowing the full association.

What do you want to add?

Max: Garth taught us early on to keep pushing. Every day, we ask ourselves, 'How can we be a better restaurant or bar, create more fun, memories, etc.' We are not a company that is proud of what we did yesterday; we are proud of what we are going to do tomorrow. We aren't selling this show. We are selling the next one. I want to continue to see improvements and tweaks in the bar. Physical, menu design, spatial layouts, surprise and delight moments, etc. A constant desire and drive to get better.

What do people like the most?

Max: All of it. The lights, the sound, the fun, the energy, the food, etc. Truly, all of it. But if I had to pick one. Our staff. Our staff kicks ass.

Friends In Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk, located at 411 Broadway, is open from 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. Monday – Friday, and Saturday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. It is a cashless bar but accepts all major credit cards. The Honky-Tonk is for all ages every day until 8 p.m., but the rooftop The Oasis is always 21+.

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