The Wildhorse Saloon
At the opposite end of the spectrum from holes in the wall like Robert’s and the Station Inn you have the Wildhorse which, ironically, started out a lot like those two. The Wildhorse underwent an $8.6-million renovation that gave it digital streaming technology, a huge video screen so people in the back can see, and new food and drink options. Larger than any other honky-tonk—it holds 2,000—the Wildhorse now looks a little bit like it was put through a Las Vegas rinse cycle. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad place to see a show—the last (and only) time I was at the revamped venue, a very talented singer-songwriter was disappointing rowdy weekend crowds by playing original tunes before he gave in and threw them some covers. So it’s not that you can’t experience good music there; it’s just that seeing good music there will feel less like you’re doing it at a honky-tonk and more like you’re experiencing “Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Resort Presents The Wildhorse Honkytonk By Ryman Entertainment.”
At the opposite end of the spectrum from holes in the wall like Robert’s and the Station Inn you have the Wildhorse which, ironically, started out a lot like those two. The Wildhorse underwent an $8.6-million renovation that gave it digital streaming technology, a huge video screen so people in the back can see, and new food and drink options. Larger than any other honky-tonk—it holds 2,000—the Wildhorse now looks a little bit like it was put through a Las Vegas rinse cycle. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad place to see a show—the last (and only) time I was at the revamped venue, a very talented singer-songwriter was disappointing rowdy weekend crowds by playing original tunes before he gave in and threw them some covers. So it’s not that you can’t experience good music there; it’s just that seeing good music there will feel less like you’re doing it at a honky-tonk and more like you’re experiencing “Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Resort Presents The Wildhorse Honkytonk By Ryman Entertainment.”
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