5 Questions with Ole Red
When visiting Nashville, Tenn., there’s a few things that should be on your to do list: eat Southern fare, try trendy cocktails, listen to live country music, and embrace the community that loves it all. Ole Red, a fantastic restaurant, music bar, and event venue in one, encompasses all of these Nashville essentials and much more.
We talked to Dena Tidwell, the Director of Catering and Special Event Sales at Ole Red, about what makes Ole Red such a hot spot for events, dining, and the average night out. Tidwell shared her take on what you can expect to experience at Ole Red, the private events scene, and an event booking trend planners should be aware of when looking ahead.
1. Tell us about Ole Red Nashville and what makes it so special? What is the atmosphere of the restaurant?
At Ole Red, we are more than a venue and, hell, we are more than a restaurant. Ole Red is the full country experience that will get your ass and your taste buds boot scootin’ with what we like to call 100-proof live music, scratch-made dishes, and signature drinks — all inspired by the boss man himself: Blake Shelton.
Ole Red is inspired by country superstar Blake Shelton’s breakout song “Ol’ Red” and features a state-of-the-art sound system. The stage is built for a concert experience straight from your barstool. For events, they can be as laid back or buttoned up as the guest chooses — our executive chef’s menu ranges from down-south bites to upscale eats. Our location is right in the heart of Nashville’s legendary entertainment district, so anyone itchin’ to have a good time is welcome!
2. Describe the event spaces at Ole Red. How many private events are held at Ole Red Nashville on average each month? What are the most common event types?
Our four-floor venue can really be transformed for any event. Every floor includes concert-level production to ensure a premiere live music experience.
On a typical night, our restaurant and bar occupy the first two floors, but this space can be rented for a double-decker concert experience. Our third floor features our dedicated event space, The Hall, which is perfect for a formal dinner, wedding reception, or a songwriter event. The Lookout is our premiere rooftop with soft seating, spectacular views of the city, and
a VIP experience.
We average about 75 events each month. These are a mixture of corporate, convention, social, and tourism events. Conventions are highly popular in Nashville, so we enjoy the opportunity to showcase Southern hospitality to those out-of-towners!
3. Has Ole Red implemented any new event initiatives or promotions since the start of 2022?
We are continuing to promote our live music value to artists and guests alike. This year, we are working with up-and-coming artists to create industry showcases, album release parties, and writers’ round-style events. Keep an eye on our Facebook, @OleRedNashville, because you never know who just may pop up on the Ole Red stage!
4. Tell us about your experience using Tripleseat. How does Tripleseat help you streamline the event management process? What features are the most helpful to you in your job?
Our team would be unable to run as effectively as we do without Tripleseat. The administrative abilities allow us to streamline all the small details that are hugely important for any event. We are incorporating the Merri feature soon and know this will improve our future events for our team and clients alike!
5. Based on the state of the events industry in Nashville today, do you have any predictions on event trends or unique client requests for events?
We are noticing that short-term bookings are trending considerably. In the past, guests would book up to six months in advance. Now we are seeing three to eight weeks as the “new” norm. I would predict this trend is here to stay, and we’ll take the challenge!