Kid Rock’s restaurant is flat-out refusing to close his Nashville bar after the mayor ordered all bars and restaurants to close.

Nashville’s “Big Ass Honky-Tonk,” says it will not shut down over coronavirus. And Kid Rock is not alone in the stand that he’s taking.

Steve Smith who is a co-owner of Kid Rock’s “Big Ass Honky Tonk & Steakhouse” released a blistering statement in response to Mayor John Cooper’s directive that all bars in town close up and restaurants cut their capacity in half.

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This move is in direct response to the coronavirus pandemic, but Kid Rock and his people are saying it’s “unconstitutional.”

He opened his bar, Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk Rock & Roll Steakhouse in October 2018. And despite Nashville Mayor, John Cooper, directing all bars to close up amid the spread for COVID-19, Kid Rock’s bar stands strong in remaining open. The 49-year-old’s business partner, Steve Smith, put out a statement on Sunday, saying he refused to close up shop until there was a ‘statewide mandate that directs all bars and restaurants to close.’ ‘We appreciate the efforts of Mayor Cooper to combat the COVID-19 virus, but unless there’s a statewide mandate that directs all bars and restaurants to be closed, the request made by Mayor Cooper is unconstitutional as he is targeting a select group of businesses,’ he began. ‘We are compassionate with those who have contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus and all who are helping manage the crisis as the entire world addresses the outbreak.’ ‘However, a Tootsie’s patron as immediate as last night, mentioned having lived through the polio epidemic and didn’t recall such extreme measures being handed down in history.’ Steve signed off the statement with: ‘In response, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Rippy’s, Honky Tonk Central, Kid Rock’s.’ Kid Rock himself has stayed silent throughout the whole ordeal. [Daily Mail]

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The comments are pretty dead-even. Some say the restaurant is being “irresponsible” by staying open and others are urging Kid Rock to stay the course and fight the government shutdown.

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This piece was written by Missy Crane on March 16, 2020. It originally appeared in WayneDupree.com and is used by permission.

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