NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nowhere Special, Nashville’s newest dining and nightlife destination in Hillsboro Village, will open its doors to the public on Thursday, July 16. Located in Hillsboro Village at 1910 Belcourt Ave., the restaurant will offer locals and visitors alike an elevated dinner menu, patio, weekend brunch, and late-night dining and entertainment options.
“We look forward to welcoming Nashville to Nowhere Special and showing them what we have been working on over the last few months,” said Joe Johnson, co-founder of Make a Play (MAP) Hospitality. “When we started thinking about this restaurant, we wanted to bring the neighborhood to a local spot, with good vibes and great food. Nowhere Special will offer Nashville a new dining experience, and we can’t wait to welcome them.”
Nowhere Special is the latest restaurant from MAP Hospitality, the Nashville-based hospitality and entertainment company dedicated to creating innovative dining, lounge, and social experiences that bring people together through exceptional food, craft cocktails, music, and culture. Founded by Tennessee State University graduates Robert Higgins, Joseph Johnson, and Cordarius "DJ Crisis" Freeman, the company has become known for developing destination venues that blend elevated hospitality with unforgettable energy.
Located in the heart of Hillsboro Village, Nowhere Special was created for locals seeking a stylish, sophisticated atmosphere known for great food, cocktails, music and hospitality that’s open seven days a week. Featuring dinner service, weekend brunch, happy hour programming, a fully covered patio and an energetic late-night atmosphere, the concept is designed to seamlessly transition from after-work cocktails and business dinners to weekend celebrations and late-night gatherings.
The menu has been perfected by Culinary Director Jerod Wilcher and the team behind MAP. A selection of tapas-style starters, including Philly Cheesesteak Rolls, Oysters Rockefeller, Shrimp & Crab Dip, and Buffalo Blast Wontons, are perfect for sharing before diving into heartier entrees like Deep-Fried Cornish Hen served over fettucine alfredo; Fried or Broiled Lobster Tails accompanied by mac & cheese and garlic-parmesan broccolini; and classic chicken and sausage Jambalaya. The menu also includes a selection of handhelds, such as Braised Oxtail Grilled Cheese, Smash Burger Tacos, and Jerk Shrimp Tacos.
At the heart of Nowhere Special is the elevated cocktail program, where seasonal ingredients and mixology expertise meet to create a menu of refreshing and unique craft cocktails. The Summer Cocktail Menu includes bright, fresh offerings like the bubbly Sunset Lychee Spritz, the tropical-inspired Blood Orange Creamsicle and the delicate Lavender Margarita. Adventurous drinkers will love the Hot Summer Slice, a crisp blend of tequila, watermelon and jalapeños with a savory bacon salt rim, or the Hookah Heat, a sweet and spicy concoction of spiced rum, pineapple, lime and chili syrup.
Weekend brunch service will launch immediately alongside dinner operations, reinforcing Nashville's reputation as one of the country's premier brunch cities. Guests can also enjoy daily happy hour specials, curated music programming, and extended late-night hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
Beyond opening week, Nowhere Special plans to host a variety of special events, curated experiences and community-focused programming designed to establish the venue as a year-round destination for Nashville residents and visitors alike.
For more information, menus, reservations and upcoming events, visit nowherespecialnash.com.
About Nowhere Special
Nowhere Special is Nashville's newest destination for elevated dining, brunch, cocktails and nightlife. Created by MAP Hospitality, the concept combines sophisticated design, exceptional hospitality, chef-driven cuisine and curated music programming to create a distinctly local-first experience. Open seven days a week, Nowhere Special offers dinner service, weekend brunch, happy hour, late-night programming and a fully covered patio designed for every occasion.
About Make a Play (MAP) Hospitality
MAP Hospitality is a Nashville-based hospitality and entertainment company dedicated to creating innovative restaurant, lounge, and social experiences that bring people together through exceptional food, craft cocktails, music, and culture. Founded by Tennessee State University graduates Robert Higgins, Joseph Johnson, and Cordarius "DJ Crisis" Freeman, the company has become known for developing destination venues that blend elevated hospitality with unforgettable energy.
With a focus on concept creation, operations, marketing, entertainment programming, and guest experience, MAP Hospitality specializes in building unique venues that cater to Nashville's diverse and evolving social scene. The company's growing portfolio includes acclaimed concepts such as Bungalow 10 and JAR 10, with highly anticipated projects including Nowhere Special (Summer 2026), Minerva Avenue (2027), and WKND Hang Suite (2027).
At its core, MAP Hospitality is committed to delivering experiences that go beyond dining and nightlife. Each concept is carefully curated to offer its own distinct identity while maintaining the group's signature commitment to quality, creativity, and community engagement. Through visionary leadership and a passion for hospitality, MAP Hospitality continues to shape the future of Nashville's restaurant and lounge industry—one concept at a time.
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