Nashville City Council Rejects Morgan Wallen’s Bar Sign Following Arrest

David Lehr via Morgan Wallen / Instagram

Morgan Wallen is one of the latest country stars to open a bar in Downtown Nashville, but he might be the only one whose bar doesn’t have a huge sign out front.

The “Last Night” singer announced his plans to open a bar and grill in February, and fans have eagerly awaited the doors to open. During the same announcement, he revealed his establishment’s name: This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen.

The name is inspired by his 2019 song, “This Bar,” in which he sings, “I found myself in this bar making mistakes and making new friends.”

The announcement caption was a cute play on the song’s lyrics when they wrote, “You” find yourself in #This Bar.”

For several months, fans had no idea when the bar would open other than sometime during the summer of 2024. But on May 4, the bar announced it would open its doors on Memorial Day Weekend.

Like Alan Jackson sings in his iconic song “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” Downtown Nashville is known for its many establishments with big neon signs outside.

But, due to an overwhelming vote at the most recent Nashville City Council meeting, Wallen won’t be seeing his name in lights outside of his bar.

According to Fox 17 Nashville, only three council members approved the installation of Wallen’s neon sign, while 30 voted against it. The 30 that voted no agreed that Wallen’s recent “actions come with consequences.”

Fox 17 obtained a photo of the sign rendering, which shows that it was expected to be 240 inches tall and 60 inches wide.

The actions in question are being arrested “for three counts of reckless endangerment for the two officers who were in the vicinity and for the danger to the public…Wallen was also charged with disorderly conduct.”

In the early hours of April 8, Wallen allegedly threw a chair off of a sixth story rooftop of Chief’s bar, which is an establishment owned by Eric Church. The chair landed within a few feet of three police officers standing on the sidewalk below. After they went up to the rooftop to investigate, Chief’s employees immediately told them Wallen was the person who did it.

He was released on a $15,250 bond and was due in court May 3rd. He waived his right to appear and had his lawyer appear on his behalf. The judge set a new court date for August 15 and Wallen is expected to attend.

Wallen broke his silence on the arrest on April 18.

Wallen took to X and said, “I didn’t feel right publicly checking in until I made amends with some folks. I’ve touched base with Nashville law enforcement, my family, and the good people at Chief’s. I’m not proud of my behavior, and I accept responsibility,. I have the utmost respect for the officers working every day to keep us all safe. Regarding my tour, there will be no change.”

Wallen did continue his tour, and seemingly referenced the incident on stage while introducing his song “’98 Braves.” He said, “In high school, I almost got kicked off the [baseball] team…I was a little rowdy back then. I guess I’m still a little rowdy now.”