A Local’s Honest Review of Roberts Western World on Broadway

From the Author: I've lived in Nashville for 12 years, and my wife was born here. Alex worked downtown for five years. We love Broadway and know it well. If you have any questions, we respond quickly to comments!

Roberts Western World first opened as a store selling western clothes. Later, they added a kitchen and started having live music. For the past 9 years, it has been named the best honky-tonk bar on the strip.

If you like listening to country music, drinking a cold beer, eating a fried bologna sandwich, or even buying new cowboy boots, you might like this place.

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Why Roberts is So Special

A lot of people visit the big rooftop bars like Ole Red, Luke Bryan's, or Kid Rock's on Broadway. But JesseLee Jones, who owns Roberts, says he won’t change his bar to be like the others. He believes in keeping things the way they are—what you see is what you get.

JesseLee thinks that many places on Lower Broadway are not genuine.

However, Roberts is different. It's known for being real and true to traditional country music, which is why it is still the top choice every year.

Roberts has helped start the careers of some of Nashville's best guitarists. Famous musicians like Guthrie Trapp and Daniel Donato began their careers here, and some have gone on to play solo or with big stars. Brent Mason, who won guitarist of the year, also started here with Don Kelly.

Jesse, the owner, believes in being yourself and doing what you love. He thinks that if you do, other people will like it too. He says that Robert's Western World is special because it feels like home.

The bands are always amazing, regardless of the time of day. The most popular band is Kelly's Hero's who play most nights at 6:30. Catch a set by them if you can; they are fantastic!

They don't ask for ID during the day.

Food, Drinks, and Pricing

The menu at the bar is simple and includes food like hamburgers, chicken tenders, grilled cheese, and onion rings. A cool thing is that American-made beer costs only $2.50 any time you visit.

Emily McGill, who sings and writes songs, and performs on Broadway, suggests trying the famous Recession Special. It costs $6 and includes a Moonpie, a fried bologna sandwich, and a PBR beer.

The Music

In late 1993 and early 1994, the place started having live music. Back then, Gary Bennett played there often. He would later lead a band with Chuck Meade called BR-549. The music begins at 11 a.m. and lasts until 2 a.m. This means there is live music for about 16 to 17 hours every day of the week.

How Roberts Got Started (The Backstory)

Roberts Western World has an interesting story. It began as a store selling cowboy boots and western wear. Over time, it changed into a honky-tonk bar, which is a place where people enjoy country music and dance. Jesse Lee Jackson, who now owns Roberts, came from Brazil. He loved country and gospel music and dreamed of America. Although Jesse never felt quite at home in Brazil, he found a special place in Nashville at Roberts Western World.

When the original owner, Robert, thought about doing something different with the store, Jesse and some other employees asked him not to change it. Instead, Robert offered to sell the bar to Jesse. Taking over wasn't easy, but Jesse made it work. Now, the boots on the wall are just for decoration, even though they sometimes get stolen. This place isn’t just another honky-tonk on Lower Broadway; it’s a home away from home for music lovers and a special spot in the heart of Nashville.