The walls of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge are layered with yellowed customer snapshots that are God-only-knows how old. Needless to say, Tootsie’s doesn’t have the glitz of some of the newer honky-tonks, and that’s precisely why it’s so great. Purchased in 1960 by a Tennessee native named Tootsie Bess, the establishment (which backs up to the Ryman Auditorium on Lower Broadway) was originally named “Mom’s,” but was renamed after the façade was painted an “orchid” color.

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Back in the day, folks like Kris… Read More