Last week marked the long-awaited grand opening of Chief’s, a historic building on 200 Broadway transformed into a vibrant bar, music venue, and restaurant, the brainchild of country music superstar Eric Church and AJ Capital Partners’ founder and CEO Ben Weprin. After three years of meticulous planning and renovation, Chief’s welcomed its first patrons with a celebratory event, officially handing over the keys to the Church Choir.
Speaking about the project, Eric Church likened the building to his songs, stating, “They’re mine until I release them, and then they’re not mine anymore, they’re yours.” Collaborating closely with Weprin, Church envisioned Chief’s as a space for storytelling, both through music and through its design.
The heart of Chief’s is the Neon Steeple performance space, a two-story, 400-capacity venue located on floors 3 and 4. Church emphasized the venue’s mission to bring original music back to the heart of historic Broadway, echoing his own journey as an artist seeking a place to perform his songs.
To kick off Chief’s residency shows, Church treated members of the Church Choir to the first of nineteen shows titled “To Beat The Devil,” offering an intimate and exclusive experience for his most dedicated fans. The venue also features Chief’s Tavern, adorned with over 4,000 concert posters from Church’s career, and the Friendly Shadows Dueling Piano Bar on the second floor.
Additionally, Chief’s houses a broadcasting studio, including facilities for Eric Church Outsiders Radio on SiriusXM, providing fans with a behind-the-scenes glimpse into broadcasting in action. Partnering with Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ, Chief’s rooftop location offers Carolina-style barbecue with stunning views of downtown Nashville.
With its blend of music, entertainment, and culinary offerings, Chief’s embodies Eric Church’s commitment to authenticity and innovation. As Church himself expressed, Chief’s represents the ultimate display of honesty, personal touches, and against-the-grain thinking that define his illustrious career in Nashville.
For more information, visit ChiefsonBroadway.com.
