Pearl Diver announces next chapter after brief reset, bringing fresh energy, ‘greatest hits,’ and new offerings

Nashville, Tenn. – After eight years as a locally loved tropical neighborhood bar, Pearl Diver will welcome a new chapter when it reopens on Saturday, March 21 with a refreshed menu, new programming, and expanded offerings designed to build on the bar’s original concept while giving guests new reasons to stop by.

Pearl Diver, located at 1008 Gallatin Ave in East Nashville, will close briefly from March 16 – 20 for a planned reset before reopening with a new weekend brunch service, a ‘greatest hits’ cocktail menu, a refreshed food menu, expanded events, and new games throughout the space.

“Nothing about Pearl Diver’s place as a tropical neighborhood escape is changing,” said Ben Clemons, owner. “But we are taking a breath to plan for our next chapter and invite curiosity as we build toward a reveal. The refreshed focus is on providing a fun atmosphere and giving people more things to do while they are here.”

Two of Pearl Diver’s founding owners, Ben Clemons and Corey Ladd, welcome new partners Jacob Forth, Steve Perdue, and Edward Lipnickas into the ownership group for both Pearl Diver and sister establishment Tiger Bar, marking a transition that keep the bars firmly rooted in the community while setting the stage for thoughtful updates. The ownership change brings together a group of Nashville entrepreneurs who share a long-standing appreciation for Nashville’s local hospitality scene and Pearl Diver’s place in it.

“Rather than change a lot about Pearl Diver, there are other cylinders to fire to help it reach its next form,” said Clemons. “Our new partners see the vision and have a hope for the next chapter. We’re excited about making some edits as Nashville evolves and allowing the space to evolve with it. Pearl Diver is the spot that you come back to after trying the new shiny thing.”

Among the planned changes for Pearl Diver will be a free pool table on the patio, dart boards, and a roster of events and parties, including luaus and pig roasts. Saturday and Sunday will include a new brunch service.

The cocktail menu will feature classic, original recipes with tropical origins, as well as a few creative riffs. About two dozen signature and classic drinks have been selected from Pearl Diver’s eight years of rotating and seasonal menus, including highlights like Banana Banana (banana soaked dark rum, Thai tea, half & half, cinnamon), Maya Bay (Reposado tequila, red curry, ginger beer, mango, lime), Barracuda (vodka, vanilla liqueur, fluffy grapefruit, hibiscus-rosemary syrup, tonic), and Old Cuban (dark rum, pressed sugarcane, bitters, lime, cava). Rotating spirit-free house beverages will be offered in addition to canned options, as well as a thoughtful beer and wine list.

“Our cocktail menu has had hundreds of signature cocktails over the years. We’ve found our ‘greatest hits’ that are delicious, fun, and honor the original recipes inspired by our travels,” said Clemons. “They’ll now be joined by some games, a few domestic beers, and a full on more accessible spot for the neighborhood.”

While the updated food menu is developed and executed by chef Jesse Valencia of resident concept Secret Bodega, this new menu is specific to Pearl Diver. Highlights include pork belly, guava chicken, and mushroom yakitori skewers, chicken katsu bowls, spam fried rice with sunny egg, pork and vegetable mandu with chili crisp and citrus ponzu, poke tacos with chile crema, roasted peanuts, and cabbage, and a house pupu platter.

Brunch features include highlights like mochi waffles with ube whipped cream, a loco moco plate, and ‘Pearl’s plate,’ with fried spam, fresh berries, scrambled eggs, steamed rice, banana bread, and local honey.

Upon reopening, Pearl Diver’s hours will be Monday – Thursday 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Brunch will be offered 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and happy hour will be offered 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Pearl Diver is the way a place should feel when you’re on vacation,” he continued. “It brings some of the magic of being sun kissed and ready for a good, cold beverage and walk into a neighborhood bar with the patina you can only get from years of people coming through. It’s the warm, rounded part of an institution, both in the physical sense and in the atmosphere.”

About Pearl Diver:

Pearl Diver is an award-winning Nashville bar known for tropical escapism, nationally known for being a multiple-time Spirited Awards Best US Cocktail Bar honoree and a World’s 50Best Discovery honoree. For menus, events, and more information, visit Pearl Diver online.

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