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Beetlejuice! Midtown bar now offering one of a kind speakeasy





Kung Fu Saloon’s newest Beetlejuice speakeasy.Thaddeus Brown / Main Street Nashville

Kung Fu Saloon’s newest Beetlejuice speakeasy.Thaddeus Brown / Main Street Nashville

While Midtown bar Kung Fu Saloon is known for its retro-style atmosphere and abundance of vintage arcade games, they’ve managed to somehow take it up a notch with their latest installment.

The bar has debuted a new Beetlejuice-themed speakeasy located in the corner of the front entrance.

What exactly is a speakeasy you ask? Speakeasies were unlicensed barrooms that originated in the prohibition era during the 1920s.

Alcohol could only be served for medicinal or religious purposes at that time, so people who wanted to grab a leisure drink would need to resort to one of these rooms.

Since the barrooms were to remain a secret, the name “speakeasy” caught on and stuck throughout time.

While there are multiple speakeasies located in Nashville, none are quite like Kung Fu’s.

“There are other speakeasies in Nashville, but we wanted to be a truly immersive speakeasy, one that is interactive with the customers,” said Bri Domowitz, events and social media manager for KPG Hospitality (the company that owns Kung Fu Saloon).

Creepy crawlers are just a few of the spooky decor located at the Beetlejuice speakeasy.Thaddeus Brown/MainStreetNashville

Creepy crawlers are just a few of the spooky decor located at the Beetlejuice speakeasy.Thaddeus Brown/MainStreetNashville

But why did the company choose to make Beetlejuice the star of the show?

“We felt that our bar has a very unique following, just like the movie ‘Beetlejuice,’ our bar gives off old-school vibes between our retro-themed style and vintage arcade games,” Domowitz said. “We thought using a Beetlejuice theme would build on that and complement Kung Fu well.”

Behind all spooky art and decor is Art Seen Alliance, an event planner and production company based in Austin, Texas.

“They really brought everything to life. They’re the real magic behind all of the madness,” Domowitz said.

Art Seen Alliance has helped create multiple speakeasies at Kung Fu Saloons located in Texas, including projects on “Ghostbusters” and “The Goonies.”

Domowitz noted that while it wasn’t intentional, the Beetlejuice room has brought a new clientele compared to the one of the central bar.

More of the artwork created by Art Seen Alliance.  Thaddeus Brown/MainStreetNashville

More of the artwork created by Art Seen Alliance.  Thaddeus Brown/MainStreetNashville

It’s understandable to see why.

The main lobby is filled with ski ball machines, foosball tables, and arcade machines such as Donkey Kong, Pacman, Mortal Kombat, and more.

Beetlejuice on the other hand is loaded with tombstones, frightful creatures and a spooky ambiance.

Regardless, whether you’re in the mood to hit the joysticks or dance to “Jump the Line,” Kung Fu Saloon assures you’ll have an unforgettable experience.

Located at 1921 Division Street, Kung Fu Saloon is open to customers ages 21 and older. It opens at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 p.m. on Friday, and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The bar has a 3 a.m. closing time.

The Beetlejuice speakeasy will run into the later months of fall. It’s open to customers Thursday through Sunday starting at 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. 

Courtesy of Art Seen Alliance.Thaddeus Brown/MainStreetNashville

Courtesy of Art Seen Alliance.Thaddeus Brown/MainStreetNashville

 

 

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