The Crowned Heads 'not a bar' bar

It seems like rarely a day goes by here when we don’t get the random drop-in who rings the doorbell and asks the question “Are you a bar?” Sometimes they think we are a restaurant and inquire about our hours, or ask if we rent out the space for events.

It’s no wonder. For years there was a popular bar in this space. It changed names a couple of times but I seem to remember it as “Jody’s Bar Car” more than any other configuration. It was named after the bar’s proprietor, Jody Faison, who for a time in the 90’s and early 2000’s was arguably the king of all cool places to be in Nashville. He ran this and several other night spots including the still operating “12th and Porter” restaurant and bar. (One of my personal favorite ex-haunts and great place to hear live music) Jody’s bar car was also named for the train “cars” that come and go outside the windows here, 24-7.

After the Bar Car closed a few years ago, this space sat vacant until we found it. It was almost as if they blew it out on the last night of business, locked the doors and and left it “as-is”. It was a WRECK.

Fast forward a few years, a bit of remodeling and a few buckets of paint and you have the space as we occupy it today. The only artifact left over from it’s former life is the bar. Why not? We like to entertain visitors and it is nice to be able to enjoy a drink or two after a long day.

The problem is… The bar is clearly visible from the front hallway, through the double-glass doors that make our entrance. You can’t blame anyone for the curiosity. I would probably think the same thing, especially given the space’s history.

I suppose it’s a small price to pay for enjoying our surroundings. Cheers!