If you’ve spent more than five minutes on lower Broadway recently, you know the vibe. It’s loud. It’s neon. There are bachelorette parties on "pedal taverns" screaming at every red light. And while that’s fine for a Saturday night blur, Nashville’s Midtown has always been where the locals—and the actual songwriters—go to hide. That’s exactly why Riley Green’s Duck Blind feels like such a weird, necessary relief.
The bar didn't just appear out of thin air. It took over the legendary space at 1913 Division Street, formerly known as Winners Bar & Grill. For years, Riley Green was just another guy playing a guitar on that stage, trying to get someone to listen to his songs. Now, his name is on the front door.
The Midtown Vibe vs. The Broadway Circus
Honestly, Riley Green’s Duck Blind isn't trying to be a six-story "entertainment destination" with an elevator and a gift shop selling $80 rhinestoned hats. It’s a dive. Or at least, it’s a dive that’s been polished just enough to handle a Friday night crowd.
Midtown has a different pulse. While Broadway is for the tourists, Midtown is for the industry. You’ll see guys in camo hats and work boots who actually know how to run a soundboard or write a bridge. Because it’s connected to Losers Bar & Grill, the two spots basically function as one massive, sprawling complex of cold beer and acoustic guitars.
If you're looking for Riley Green bar Nashville, you aren't going to find it near the Bridgestone Arena. You have to head west. It's tucked away near Vanderbilt University, where the drinks are a little cheaper and the music is a lot more "old-school country" than "pop-country remix."
What’s Actually on the Menu?
You can’t open a bar called the Duck Blind and serve kale salads. It wouldn't make sense. Riley Green is an avid outdoorsman—the kind of guy who’d rather be in a tree stand than on a red carpet—and the menu reflects that.
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- Duck Fries: These are exactly what they sound like, and they’re arguably the most popular thing on the menu.
- Bison Burgers: A nod to the "Hunt" theme they’ve got going on.
- Steak Biscuits: A Southern staple that most Nashville bars surprisingly overlook.
- Riley’s BBQ Shack: Added in the summer of 2025, this little addition inside the bar focuses on ribs and pulled pork.
The weekend brunch is actually worth waking up for. Between opening and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, they do a Southern-style spread. It’s heavy, it’s greasy, and it’s the perfect fix if you spent the previous night drinking too many Busch Lights.
The Music Scene: Whiskey Jam and Beyond
One thing that makes this spot legit is its connection to Whiskey Jam. For the uninitiated, Whiskey Jam is a Monday night tradition in Nashville where "secret" guests show up to play. We’re talking about people like Luke Combs or Chris Stapleton popping in before they were selling out stadiums.
Since the Duck Blind took over the Winners space, it remains the spiritual home for these kinds of raw performances. Riley himself is known to show up unannounced. In late 2025, he did a surprise pop-up with HeyDude shoes during CMA week that had people lined up down the block.
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The acoustics aren't perfect. It's a bar, not a concert hall. But that’s the point. You’re five feet away from the singer. You can smell the stale beer and hear the pick hitting the strings. It feels like Nashville used to feel before the tech money moved in.
Common Misconceptions About the Bar
People often assume every celebrity bar in Nashville is 21+ all day. That’s not quite true here, but it’s tricky. Generally, it’s 21+ after 6 p.m., though some events change those rules on the fly.
Another thing? Don't expect a massive cocktail list with elderflower foam. This is a "bottles and cans" kind of place. While they have a full bar, the culture here is built on beer. If you ask for a complicated mojito during a Saturday night rush, the bartender might give you a look that suggests you're in the wrong zip code.
Why This Matters for Riley Green’s Brand
Riley Green has always leaned into the "duck hunter who happens to sing" persona. By partnering with Steve Ford (the owner of Losers), he didn't have to build a brand from scratch. He just stepped into a culture that already existed.
It’s a "full circle" moment for him. He used to be the guy loading his gear through the back door of Winners. Now, he owns the stage. In 2025, he even won Single of the Year for "you look like you love me," and he celebrated right there in Midtown. It gives the place an authenticity that a lot of the newer celebrity bars lack.
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Practical Tips for Your Visit:
- Parking is a nightmare. Don't even try to find a street spot in Midtown. Just take an Uber or Lyft.
- Check the schedule. If there’s a big game on, the Duck Blind turns into a sports bar. They have screens everywhere, and the volume will be up.
- Stay for the late night. The vibe shifts around 10 p.m. It gets crowded, loud, and way more fun.
- Dress code? What dress code? Camo, denim, and ball caps are the unofficial uniform.
If you want the "real" Nashville experience—the one that involves songwriters and huntin' stories rather than neon lights and overpriced appetizers—Midtown is the move. Riley Green’s Duck Blind is currently the anchor of that scene. Grab some duck fries, find a stool, and wait for a surprise set. You never really know who’s going to walk through that door with a guitar case.