Merchant's Restaurant/ Deeman's Den

The Merchant’s Restaurant building was completed in 1892, the same year as the Ryman Auditorium, and was originally a hotel where traveling men could find a cheap room. The hotel closed and the building became a pharmacy and then a hardware store until 1988 when it opened as a restaurant. During the 1970s, the bottom floor of the Merchants was a honky tonk known as “Deemen’s Den.” That’s not “Demon” as in a wicked, evil spirit but “Deemen” as in Nancy Dee, who owned the bar. During the 1970s, Lower Broadway had gotten pretty sleazy. It wasn’t the kind of place you brought your church friends. It weren’t family friendly. Musicians often went to Deemen’s Den and Merchants after playing at the Ryman, and it gained a reputation for late night music and other escapades.

The Merchants building was set to be demolished when Ed Stolman bought it and turned it into a restaurant in 1988. Stolman’s timing was perfect. During the 1990s and early 2000s, lower Broadway was rehabilitated and tourists began flooding into Nashville to experience the rich history of country music. Developers eyed the Merchants building for redevelopment, but Benjamin and Max Goldberg bought Merchants in 2010, and preserved many of its original features. The bottom floor of the restaurant is a bistro where guests can enjoy a meal before a show at the Ryman or Bridgestone Arena. The second floor features a different menu where guests can have a more refined dining experience. The third floor is reserved for private events and used for special dinners, cocktail events, or business banquets. For more on Merchants take our Broadway Architecture or Food for Thought Tours.

When you get to the corner of Fourth and Broadway, hang a right and walk down Fourth Avenue South. Right after you pass the Hilton Hotel, you’ll see a cross walk. Look both ways and live more days as you cross the crosswalk—some cars have distracted drivers. After you cross the street, veer right and walk up Symphony Place to the entrance of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.