Iconic Santa’s Pub Owner, Denzel Irwin, Dies

Photo: Courtesy of Santa’s Pub

Elmer Denzel Irwin, the genial owner of Nashville’s famed dive bar Santa’s Pub, has died at age 75. The cash-only bar, constructed of a railroad car and shipping containers, has long been known as a premiere karaoke destination.

The beer joint with year-round holiday decor was a favorite of regular customers Kacey Musgraves, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bell, Margo Price and Jack White. Several music videos have been filmed there, including one by Jon Bon Jovi, “Christmas Isn’t Christmas.”

Santa’s Pub does not allow profanity or violence and insists on respect for women. For many years, it was a rare venue that permitted cigarette smoking. Irwin’s all-are-welcome philosophy, the cheap beer, the charming Santa murals and the friendly vibe made the place an iconic Nashville experience.

Denzel Irwin, as he was known, was a Nashville native. One of 10 children, he grew up in Nashville’s Flatrock neighborhood along Nolensville Road, not far from where Santa’s Pub now stands on Bransford Avenue. After his parents divorced, he attended Tennessee Preparatory School, which is where he met his wife, Angelina Stillings. The two were married in 2016.

After time spent in the Army, he drove ambulances, was a Lower Broadway bartender, ran a house painting business for 45 years and briefly worked as a Pentecostal preacher. He and Stillings opened Santa’s in 2011 so that he would have something to do in his retirement. One of his 18 grandchildren nicknamed him Santa when he grew out his white beard.

The place’s format was always the same — karaoke six nights a week. Around 2022, the classic-country cover band Ice Cold Pickers began to entertain weekly on Sunday nights. A group of country-music hopefuls gained early stage experience by singing on Sundays with the pickers. They include Kristina Murray, Logan Ledger, Runner of the Woods, Emily Nenni, Hannah Juanita, Wade Sapp, Eliza Thorn and band frontman Griffith McMahon.

The news of Irwin’s death led to an outpouring of condolences on social media. Other celebrity fans of “Santa” include Ed Sheeran, Elle King, Desmond Child, Noah Kahan, Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock, Kelsea Ballerini, Jelly Roll, Jon Pardi, Billy Ray Cyrus and Kesha.

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The family will continue to operate Santa’s Pub in his honor.

A visitation for Irwin will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Williamson Memorial (3009 Columbia Ave., Franklin, TN 37064). A graveside servie will be held on Friday, Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. at Nolensville Cementary (9636 Clovercroft Rd., Nolensville, TN 37135).

A celebration of life for friends and fans of Santa’s Pub will be announced at a later date and held at the bar.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Wounded Warrior Project or Shop with a Cop in Irwin’s honor.