Now open on the newly revived Second Avenue, Mel’s serves as the city’s newest pre- or post-Broadway foodie fantasy, now open 24 hours Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Vinyl Vault, American Music–Inspired, Mid-Century Vinyl Hi-Fi Bar Opening in the Back of Mel’s Drive-In in Nashville.
Nashville, TN -- Mel’s Drive-In, an iconic staple of California’s dining scene, has made its debut in the heart of Nashville. Now open on the newly revived Second Avenue, Mel’s serves as the city’s newest pre- or post-Broadway foodie fantasy, now open 24 hours Thursday, Friday, and Saturday!
Founded in 1947 by Mel Weiss in San Francisco and continued by Mel's son, Steven Weiss, Mel’s quickly became a beloved fixture by pioneering the classic American drive-in experience. Known for its signature carhop service, casual diner atmosphere, and affordable menu, Mel’s captured the spirit of post-war America.
The original Mel’s gained widespread fame after being prominently featured in George Lucas’s 1973 film American Graffiti, cementing its place in pop culture history. In the decades since, Mel’s has kept pace with the times, collaborating with popular artists and brands such as Kim Kardashians brand Skims, Machine Gun Kelly, and Snoop Dog, and Florida Georgia Lien here in Tennessee. placing itself at the forefront of blending classic flair with a modern muse.
Heading the Nashville launch are brothers Chasen and Colton Weiss, grandsons of original founding partner Mel Weiss. “Mel’s has always stood as a symbol of American tradition,” says Colton. “We see Nashville as another iconic American city. We were drawn in by the vibrant country music scene and the lively atmosphere.”
Weiss added that the Nashville location offers a dining experience true to other Mel’s restaurants, but with “a touch of Tennessee character.” The menu features classic diner favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner like burgers, sliders, and shakes, alongside healthier options such as quinoa kale salads and smoothies.
Guests can relive the “good ole days” at Mel’s with retro jukeboxes in every booth, classic car displays, and plenty of “oldie but goodie” vibes. Mel’s takes you back to a simpler time, with the less screens and more conversation."
Mel’s Drive-In now open at 152 Second Ave. N, in the former home of B.B. King’s Blues Club, continuing the classic tradition of Second Avenue. Operating hours are Monday – Tuesday 7am-4pm, Wednesday 7am-10pm, Thursday Friday and Saturday 24 hours!
Vinyl Vault is a mid-century American hi-fi bar and hidden listening lounge opening behind Mel’s Drive-In on Nashville’s historic 2nd Avenue on May 29, 2026. Set inside a preserved 1800s bank vault and former accounting office, the concept transforms a historic space into a late-night destination built around vinyl records, cocktails, analog sound, and the enduring spirit of American music.
More than a separate bar, Vinyl Vault is a natural extension of Mel’s Drive-In. Mel’s has always celebrated mid-century Americana through food, neon, jukebox energy, and community. Vinyl Vault carries that same DNA into a more intimate experience: vinyl-only DJs, warm lighting, curated drinks, vintage sound systems, and rooms designed for listening, Dancing and staying out late.
The space does not cover up its history; it reveals it. Original fireplaces, arched windows, exposed brick, and two authentic steel vaults remain central to the design. What once protected currency now celebrates cultural currency: records, stories, songs, cocktails, and shared moments. The result feels less like a new venue and more like a secret Nashville room that has been waiting to be rediscovered.
Designed by Karley of Assembly Haus Design Studio, Vinyl Vault was envisioned as an atmospheric experience, not just an interior design project. Every material, fixture, record, speaker, color, and architectural detail supports the larger story. The goal was to create a space that feels collected over time: soulful, playful, warm, elevated, and connected to music.
The design draws from hi-fi lounges, 1970s record bars, vintage listening rooms, old recording studios, Southern music culture, and intimate cocktail dens. Local Nashville artisans, makers, and fabricators helped shape the rooms, adding authenticity and craft to the experience.
Each room has its own sonic personality, like a different track on the same record. The main bar centers around a custom walnut back bar with record shelving, vintage audio equipment, turntables, reel-to-reel details, and a glowing neon logo. Restored 1950s Altec Lansing “Voice of the Theatre” speakers fill the room with warm, cinematic sound, bringing vinyl to life with depth and presence. Red neon arcs across the back bar like sound waves or record grooves, turning the room into a visual rhythm.
The pool room adds a playful social layer, centered beneath a disco ball with an American-made Eagle pool table and vintage 1960s JBL speakers. The room feels like a private rock-and-roll listening lounge, complete with lounge seating, a music-inspired gallery wall, and a little late-night sparkle.
The third room, nicknamed the “B.B. King Lounge,” is more intimate and soulful. With Klipsch surround sound, leather seating, historic brick, and a quieter mood, it nods to blues, funk, soul, disco, and live recordings from the 1970s. This is a nod to the old BB jazz club space.
The cocktail program matches the music: classic, bold, and timeless. Tequila and American whiskey lead the menu, alongside house originals like “Luck Be a Lady,” “Marvin’s Room,” and “Rock Me Baby.”
Together, Mel’s Drive-In and Vinyl Vault tell one uninterrupted story: American culture, then and now. Served all day. Spun all night.
Open Friday and Saturday only from 7pm-2am!
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