Friends in Low Places Readies to Celebrate First Anniversary with Garth Brooks Q & A

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood's Lower Broadway music mecca in Nashville, Friends In Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk, will officially celebrate its first anniversary in March. And Brooks, Yearwood, and the Friends in Low Places team plan to celebrate all month.

While we wait for the festivities to arrive, Garth, Trisha, and other people crucial to the opening and operation of the four-floor, 54,715-square-foot entertainment complex shared what they're proudest of at Friends in Low Places and some ideas for the future.

Garth stepped up first to share his reflections on the space, which boasts everything from the sweeping dancefloor to multiple bars on every level. There is carefully curated delicious food, cutting-edge light, sound, and screen technology, and a rooftop that oozes ambiance. Palm trees surround the Oasis area, which provides expansive Lower Broadway views. And, of course, Friends In Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk offers second-to-none customer service, of which Garth is so proud.

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Here we go.

What is your favorite memory?

Garth: Seeing the police station open next door...if that is the ONLY reason FRIENDS was built, that would be reason enough for me.

What did you learn in the first year?

Garth: It's all about service...what kind of time did you have when you were at FRIENDS? You know, being a first-time bar owner, I am very proud Trisha and I made our focus three things...Service, Cleanliness, and Security. To be honest, though ... growing up in bars, you find that out pretty quickly :)

What has been your biggest surprise?

Garth: The staff...the amount of people who have been there the entire first year, it's like they have bought into the thought of treating people the way you would like to be treated...serve love. I know I talk about it all the time, but it's actually happening ... I couldn't be happier.

What do you want to add?

Garth: We've actually added a lot to the bar in its first year ... and visual seems to be the thing. There were a lot of screens to start with, but what you find is the more you communicate through visuals, the more everyone gets on the same page and acts as one. It makes sense when you think about it. The more people are informed, the more comfortable they are.

What do people like the most?

Garth:  FRIENDS has taken on a life of its own ... the amount of merchandise business we do is crazy! It's like people who meet me talk less about the music and more about the bar! (laughs) Their two favorite things they mention are ALWAYS how good the food is and how great the bands who play there are.

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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