Preview: New Sinatra Bar & Lounge Honors Legacy And Style Of An American Legend
Sinatra Bar & Lounge. Photo: Courtesy of Icon Entertainment Group/Sinatra Bar & Lounge
Nashville is a one-of-a-kind city and has so much to offer to the thousands of people visiting everyday as well as the growing pool of locals.
It is Music City for a reason, not only for the amazing musicians, songwriters, live music venues and music industry companies but for how it honors and recognizes the artists who have changed music world.
Frank Sinatra, the Chairman of the Board himself, now has a place honoring his legacy that offers an exclusive and unique experience to all those who want to drink, dine and enjoy the way Sinatra enjoyed life.
CEO and Founder of Icon Entertainment Group, who is running the Sinatra Lounge, Bill Miller has a string of successful businesses that have become Nashville staples like the Johnny Cash Museum, House of Cards, Nudie’s Honky Tonk and the historic Skull’s Rainbow Room. But this endeavor not only took a lot time and resources, but a lot of heart.
“Everybody in the world knows who Frank Sinatra is so when we commit to something like this, it’s incumbent upon us to really get to know the person. And so you read letters to him, you read letters from him,” said Miller. “You read books about him, you talk to family members, and you try to boil it all down to taking Frank off the pedestal for a minute, and getting to know the human being.”
This fine-dining establishment wreaks class and old-time sentiments which people have come to know and recognize from Sinatra. This small and intimate restaurant aims to capture Manhattan and Palm Springs, the two places that have become synonymous with Sinatra.
The restaurant is filled beautifully with special photographs featuring Sinatra with his friends, family, legendary celebrities, as well as his Rat Pack partners like Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. It also includes paintings, done by Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. All courtesy of the Sinatra estate.
Photo: Courtesy of Icon Entertainment Group/Sinatra Bar & Lounge
The warm atmosphere allows patrons to cozy up to their tables in beautiful crescent booths surrounded by perfectly placed picture frames on mahogany walls and ceilings. Down past the marble bar facing a wall of select spirits and a one-of-a-kind Jack Daniels selection, leads to a staircase where more seating is accompanied by a space for a piano, upright bass player and vocalist performer. Customers can expect swinging classics recorded by Sinatra and his crooner contemporaries.
“It was so exciting to be able to go through this incredible archive. Instead of going out and buying headshots and album covers and concert posters, we find pictures of him and Sammy and Dino, and a picture of him and his daughter Tina (Sinatra) on the set of a movie,” said Miller. “I think you can feel the love here.”
The care is also shown in the menu selections at the Sinatra Bar & Lounge where customers can enjoy an array of Italian classics and premium cut steaks. To perfect this menu, 250 dishes and over 19 different tastings were sampled. The same goes for the cocktail menu and wine list where 25 different wine tastings took place to compliment the menu. There is a large variety for all types of drinkers but Italian wines, Sinatra’s favorites, are heavily featured.
When patrons get a reservation at this new bar and restaurant, they should not come in with any expectations other than they will have one of the most unique experiences in Nashville.
Photo: Courtesy of Icon Entertainment Group/Sinatra Bar & Lounge
“No matter how we describe it, no matter how much they could read about it, no matter how many pictures they see, they don’t get the full experience until their foot hits this floor. And then all of a sudden, you’re sort of drawn into an experience that they know is going to be special,” says Miller. “A lot of people might think that’s sort of intimidating, but the service is very warm, from the minute you meet the greeter, and when you’re seated. It’s all about showing that old-school hospitality, where every single guest means something.
“That’s the legacy, it’s pride of ownership, and at the end of the day, I just want people to leave their troubles. There are so many negative things going on in the world, so when you come here, leave those at the door and just lose yourself in this incredible Rat Pack. Spend an evening with Frank and Dino and Sammy and just enjoy yourself, eat well, and drink well.”
The Sinatra Bar & Lounge officially opens on Saturday, April 15 and is open for lunch and dinner reservations now. To learn more about the restaurant story and menu, head to sinatranashville.com.
