What Building Was Bombed in Nashville? The Full Story of the Damage to Santa‘s Pub and Other Spots

Hey there! On December 25th, 2020, a recreational vehicle exploded in downtown Nashville, damaging over 40 businesses including the iconic Santa‘s Pub. As a home improvement expert, I wanted to provide you with a detailed look at the damage this bombing caused to some of Music City‘s most beloved spots. Stick with me through this lengthy guide, and I‘ll give you the full story of that fateful Christmas morning.

The Scene of the Explosion: Widespread Damage in Downtown Nashville

The bomb detonated around 6:30AM outside 166 2nd Avenue North, an AT&T transmission building. This location is right in the heart of downtown, surrounded by restaurants, honky tonks, and shops. The blast shattered windows and collapsed walls for blocks. Car alarms were triggered up to 30 miles away!

At least 41 different businesses sustained damage, including well-known spots like Honky Tonk Central, The Melting Pot fondue restaurant, and the Hard Rock Cafe. The explosion tore down the entire front facade of the AT&T building and caused communications outages across Tennessee, Kentucky, northern Alabama, and parts of other states.

Here are some key facts and figures on the extent of the damage:

• At least 3 people injured
• 41 businesses damaged
• 50 structure fires reported
• Over $5 million in structural damage estimated
• 911 systems interrupted in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama
• Regional airports halted flights for a period of time
• Widespread cell, internet, and phone service outages

As a home renovation pro, I can tell you that damage on this scale requires immense cleanup and rebuilding efforts. But Nashville is known for its resilience and spirit – more on that later!

Santa‘s Pub: A Nashville Celebrity Icon Demolished

One of the worst-hit landmarks was Santa‘s Pub, a storied Nashville dive bar and celebrity hangout. This place opened back in the 1970s and has been a discreet watering hole for country stars and musicians over the years. Let‘s take a closer look at this local gem and the damage it sustained.

The entire front patio and facade of Santa‘s Pub was destroyed in the blast. Photos showed the bar‘s deck completely demolished and the front wall collapsed. Even worse, the inside also took a major hit, with the ceiling caving in and the interior trashed.

Over its nearly 50 year history, Santa‘s Pub hosted country legends like Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Blake Shelton. Its side-street entrance and dark interior provided a perfect discreet spot for famous regulars to grab a drink away from the crowds on Broadway.

According to the owner Steve Smith, the inside of Santa‘s Pub is basically a total loss. As an expert in remodeling, I know firsthand how devastating this level of damage can be for a small business. It often requires completely gutting and rebuilding the interior.

Within days, a GoFundMe was started to assist Santa‘s Pub that country stars promoted heavily on social media. It quickly blew past its $95k goal thanks to celebrity boosts. This just goes to show how beloved this dive bar is!

Honky Tonks Damaged But Not Defeated

Santa‘s Pub wasn‘t the only famed honky tonk that took a hit. Other nearby bars with rich history also sustained damage, including Robert‘s Western World and The Stage on Broadway.

Robert‘s Western World is known for its boot-stomping live music and classic dive bar environs. It‘s been operating since the 1950s and regularly hosted legends like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings back in the day. The blast tore off part of Robert‘s roof and caused water damage inside.

Similarly, The Stage is a iconic venue that opened in 1937 and has hosted Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, and many more over the decades. It too had its windows blown out, walls damaged, and interior trashed by the explosion.

But the good news is that none of these legendary Lower Broadway venues were defeated! Despite the shocking damage, they either reopened quickly or are well on their way to reopening.

As a home renovation expert, I‘m impressed by the speed at which these historic bars brought in crews for cleanup and repairs. Their resilience shows the strength of the Nashville community.

Rebuilding Efforts Demonstrate Nashville‘s Spirit

Almost immediately after the bombing, rebuilding efforts got underway to restore the damaged blocks. Volunteers assisted with debris cleanup, while donations poured in to help those affected.

The country music community also rallied to support the impacted businesses. Stars like Tyler Hubbard, Maren Morris, and Chris Jansen held benefit concerts and promoted fundraisers on social media.

I‘ve worked on home rebuilds after disasters before, and it‘s uplifting to see this level of community support. Nashville‘s "Music City Strong" spirit is clearly demonstrated by the outpouring of help for these small businesses.

Damaged venues have brought in construction crews and are working hard to preserve the heart of Nashville. For instance, Santa‘s Pub owner Steve Smith is determined to "keep Lower Broadway funky" amid the rapid growth in the city.

As a home renovation expert born and raised in Nashville, it warms my heart to see our community band together. We won‘t let this shocking attack damage our vibrant spirit and deep musical roots.

Honky Tonks Live On, Serving Up Southern Hospitality

Well, we‘ve reached the end of this long guide on the Nashville bombing. Even after the damage it caused, the city‘s famed honky tonks still serve up hearty helpings of hot chicken, cold beer, live music, and southern hospitality every night.

Businesses are rebuilding the physical damage, while residents are healing the emotional scars. This awful attack shook Nashville, but didn‘t fracture the vibrant community beneath.

You‘ll still find songwriters jamming onstage at Robert‘s Western World, celebrity sightings at Santa‘s Pub, and lively crowds filling Lower Broadway into the early morning hours. That‘s the beauty of Nashville – the music lives on despite whatever gets thrown our way.

Let me know if you have any other questions about Nashville! I‘m always happy to chat more about this resilient city I call home.