Kid Rock‘s Big Ass Honky Tonk and Rock & Roll Steakhouse will have its permit to sell beer suspended for five days. The Nashville venue served patrons at its bar, which is a violation of the city’s pandemic-related emergency order that prohibits restaurants from seating and serving at their bars.
A photo taken last weekend inside the venue, which is co-owned by Nashville businessman Steve Smith, showed a packed bar with most customers and servers not wearing masks or practicing social distancing. The latter led to its own separate citation.
Inspector Melvin Brown told The Tennessean, “They were in violation of two points of the order that states bar areas must remain closed to the public. No interaction with the public is allowed, and alcohol can only be served at tables and booths.”
The venue faces a $1,000 fine and has 14 days to appeal. Smith referred to the Nashville government as “like, communist,” adding, “They've got us behind a Berlin Wall.” Nashville is expected to enter Phase Three of its re-opening plan on Monday (June 22nd), which would allow seating at bars at 50 percent capacity.