Matt and Michelle Bell at Strega
The husband-and-wife group of Matt and Michelle Bell know it would look like East Nashville is full in relation to bars.
“We undoubtedly didn’t open this place as a result of Nashville wanted one other bar,” Matt says.
And the couple undoubtedly didn’t want one thing to do. Matt is likely one of the companions behind Rosemary & Magnificence Queen and was the previous common supervisor of Mercy Lounge and Cannery Ballroom. He’s additionally within the band The Pink Spiders. Michelle is the winemaker at Metropolis Vineyard and a former touring stage actress.
However Strega, their new bar, opens Friday on Gallatin Avenue.
“We opened it as a result of we simply needed a spot the place we needed to hang around, and figured different individuals would possibly too.”
The concept is a spot that’s informal, however not sloppy. Strega incorporates a huge courtyard with two pool tables below a pergola, balconies and house to both be part of the social gathering or gap up along with your honey. The Bells curated the playlist, which is a bit of bit rock ’n’ roll and a bit of bit pop, soul and who is aware of what else.
Bar and meals at Strega (which is called for the natural digestif, which is one in all Matt’s favourite drinks and since it’s the Italian phrase for “witch’”) is described as Italian-ish, with a menu that includes cacio e pepe, savory cannoli, $1 pizza slices throughout Aperitivo Hour (weeknights from 4 to 7 p.m.), and a pull-apart tacky focaccia board served with marinated olives and extra. In case you don’t make for Aperitivo Hour, slices nonetheless received’t break the financial institution, at $3 every.
There are $5 pictures of regionally produced gelato served straight throughout the bar, that means you don’t want to attend for the kitchen to convey you ice cream. It’s proper there along with your drinks. “It’s all about on the spot gratification,” Matt says.
Talking of the drink menu, it consists of Italian-inspired cocktails, Italian wine, rotating seasonal specials, low-cost draft beer, stable nonalcoholic choices and cannabis-infused drinks.
Nevertheless it’s not nearly what’s on the menu. Strega hosts weekly trivia, month-to-month bingo, board sport nights, velocity courting and a spelling bee known as Spell Yeah!, plus DJ units.
Strega is funded, partially, by a group of Nashville creatives, together with members of Cage the Elephant and Cherub. Strega is positioned at 1405 Gallatin Ave. Plans are to open at 4 p.m. in the course of the week and midday on weekends.
