A Nashville-inspired honky-tonk bar is set to open in Savannah this fall, joining two other new concepts aiming to shake up the city’s nightlife scene.
Honky Tonk South will open at 311 W. Congress St., led by restaurateur Chris Clarke.
“I’m incredibly intrigued by what’s happening in Nashville and the country music scene right now. I think country music is reaching further and farther than I’ve ever seen in my life,” Clarke told What Now Charleston.
Clarke aims to bring the energy of Nashville’s Broadway Street to Savannah. The interior will mirror a classic Nashville honky-tonk, featuring a long, narrow bar accessible from every angle and a stage set in the front window. Large windows opening to the street will complete the lively, open-air atmosphere.
“The stage in the window is one of the things that I think is the coolest part about Nashville, walking down Broadway St. The windows are open, you see the band inside, you hear the music outside, and that’s not something you see everywhere. I don’t think we have anybody hitting live music everyday, sticking to hardcore country. I’m excited to bring that to Savannah,” he said.
Honky Tonk South’s kitchen will center around Nashville’s famous hot chicken scene.
“We’re doing classic, authentic, real Nashville flavors. It’s all based around the original recipe. We’ll also have some unique items like the Nashville hot chicken grilled cheese. My chef is Christian Santiago. He’s very experienced. He and I spent a lot of time trying to get the recipes right,” Clarke said.
The cocktail menu will stay true to the Nashville theme, offering something for everyone, including nonalcoholic options.
“We’re featuring tequila and whiskey. Those are what’s driving the movement right now, so our cocktail menu is really going to be based around those spirits. We’re going to do all Mason jar-style cocktails,” he said.
Honky Tonk South will occupy the ground floor of the Congress St. building.
The second floor, accessible through a separate entrance, will become a nightclub called Seed. Clarke is reviving his acclaimed concept, years after closing its former location.
“It’s a pretty open floor plan and VIP sections,” Clarke said. “Seed was a really well-established, really well-loved club for 10 years. The momentum and excitement around that coming back, it’s pretty dear to me that I still have that kind of support from the community.”
The third concept, PALMA, will open on the rooftop.
“I have built an incredible rooftop scenario. I designed the space in such a way that the rooftop can become part of whichever bar I want it to be,” he said. “In Nashville, every bar on Broadway has a rooftop bar. Honky Tonk South will always have access to the rooftop. It will generally be themed in the way that Honky Tonk is themed, but it can be part of the nightclub as well.”
Similar to Seed, the rooftop features a private rear entrance and a fully independent sound system, which can also connect to either of the other two concepts. Clarke said the space is perfect for private events, including holiday parties and corporate gatherings, with catering available from the kitchen.
“I’m excited about the rooftop. There’s some things going on that nobody’s ever seen before. I don’t want to reveal them. I want people to come and see it. There’s some unique aspects,” he said.
Honky Tonk South and PALMA will debut in mid-November, and Clarke expects Seed to open toward the end of the year.
