Why Pedal When You Can Party?

Why Nashville’s Party Bus Scene is About to Explode

If you have visited Nashville in last 5 years, you are aware of the city’s exploding tourism scene. Nashville currently ranks as the “#1 City for Bachelorette Parties, Friendliest City, and Best Destination to Visit” by Traveler Magazine.  Translation, tourism is booming. As with any city with a booming tourism industry, there are companies providing endless things to do and see for tourist. Over the last 8 years the “Nashville Pedal Tavern” or as their industry is lovingly called, “pedal bars” have ruled the Nashville downtown tourism scene. Pedal Taverns, are just what their name implies. They are basically large bikes that 16 people pedal with a bar in the middle of bike. No joke. You literally pedal while you drink. We won’t lie they are pretty fun but change is in the air!

Quietly, a few new companies in Nashville have been building their response to the popular “Pedal Bar” industry. These companies have built creative ideas, like a topless limo, double decker buses and most recently a tractor ride that pulls you and your friends just like in an old-fashioned hay ride. These companies are hungry to give you a different experience than the typical pedal bar. Enter the “Honky Tonk Party Express.”

The Honky Tonk Party Express is Nashville’s only open-air party bus. Voted best party bus in Nashville by Tripadvisor, the only way to describe the experience is like Mardi Gras meets Nashville. Yes, this bus is big, loud and awesome! The best part is, it’s all open air! “You get the same experience as riding on the Nashville Pedal Tavern but without all the pedaling and a louder sound system” said Grant Rosenblatt, the owner of the Honky Tonk Party Express. ” I talked to a lot of tourist over the years about their experiences. The ones who rode on the pedal bars all had a great time but everyone wanted an easier way to enjoy their party. The pedaling it seemed got very old after about 30 minutes. ” So, the Honky Tonk Party Express was born.

The party bus was launched in 2016. Rosenblatt said the first few weeks were fun, “We had no logos, no phone number, nothing. Just a big black roofless party bus that was out in downtown Nashville. We got booked almost immediately.” Rosenblatt said the success lies in his team, who rides on the bus with every tour as a VIP bartender. “The bartender is the party starter for sure!” Rosenblatt also said the bus has unique look that no other Nashville party bus had currently. Rosenblatt said he is seeing a huge increase in the party bus industry as tourism grows and demand is kicking into overdrive.

Also, it’s worth noting Nashville passed a new regulation that will limit the operational hours of all pedal bars in Nashville. Monday through Friday, pedal bars are not allowed to operate between the hours of 4pm-6pm. Nashville has also halted any new pedal taverns from opening operations currently, which has opened the door for the Nashville party bus industry to fill the void. Thousands of people who would have jumped on a pedal bar will have to look for other options. Those new options will more than likely be party buses. “My goal is to revolutionize the party bus industry and I can think of now better market than Nashville.” The Honky Tonk Party Express might be on track to take advantage of a huge swing in demand. So next time you are in Nashville, be sure to look up for the Honky Tonk Party Express is you are wanting to celebrate in Nashville.