Drew Bryant
Printers Alley
Nashville, TN
Fantastic historic alleyway - this is probably my favorite spot in the city- still holds the gritty character that defines its identity - you can feel a strong sense of the past - plus it's great to draw.
from the website:
HISTORY OF PRINTER'S ALLEY
Printer's Alley takes its name from its early connection with Nashville's printing and publishing industry, then located in the immediate area. The alley also became the center of the city's nightlife and serviced the hotels, restaurants, and saloons fronting on Fourth Avenue, which was known as the Men's Quarter in the late nineteenth century.
Nightclubs opened here in the 1940s, and the alley became a showcase for the talents of performers such as Boots Randolph, Chet Atkins, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, and Dottie West. This historic district's architecture includes elegant late Victorian styles, Nashville's first automobile parking garage, and the city's first "skyscraper."
In the late 1800's Printers Alley was a part of "The Men's District". Many Cafes, Saloons, Gambling Halls and Speakeasies sprang up to cater to the men of Nashville's Print shops, Judges, Lawyers, Politicians and other Nashville Elite were also known to frequent the Alley. At the turn of the Centure, the Climax Club of Printer's Alley was nationally known as Nashville's Premier Entertainment spot.
Printers Alley was Nashville's dirty little secret. It didn't matter what you were looking for, you could find it there. Nashville's Politicians and Police protected the Alley even after the sale of Liquor was outlawed in 1909.
Hilary House, elected Mayor at the time was quoted by reporters at the time as saying, "Protect them? I do better than that, I patronize them" He was Mayor for 21 of the 30 years that the sale of intoxicants were illegal. In 1939, Nashville repealed prohibition and made it legal to buy liquor in stores. For the next 30 years The Alley flourished as the Mixing Bar came into existence.
Although Liquor was legal, you could not buy it by the drink. Advertisements for the Clubs in the 1960's stated "Bring Your Own Bottle" and they would then mix your drink for you. People would bring their choice of beverage tightly wrapped in a brown paper bag and leave it in a locker or on a shelf behind the bar of their favorite haunt. Written on those bottles were the names of Nashville's movers and shakers of the day.
Printers Alley
Nashville, TN
Fantastic historic alleyway - this is probably my favorite spot in the city- still holds the gritty character that defines its identity - you can feel a strong sense of the past - plus it's great to draw.
from the website:
HISTORY OF PRINTER'S ALLEY
Printer's Alley takes its name from its early connection with Nashville's printing and publishing industry, then located in the immediate area. The alley also became the center of the city's nightlife and serviced the hotels, restaurants, and saloons fronting on Fourth Avenue, which was known as the Men's Quarter in the late nineteenth century.
Nightclubs opened here in the 1940s, and the alley became a showcase for the talents of performers such as Boots Randolph, Chet Atkins, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, and Dottie West. This historic district's architecture includes elegant late Victorian styles, Nashville's first automobile parking garage, and the city's first "skyscraper."
In the late 1800's Printers Alley was a part of "The Men's District". Many Cafes, Saloons, Gambling Halls and Speakeasies sprang up to cater to the men of Nashville's Print shops, Judges, Lawyers, Politicians and other Nashville Elite were also known to frequent the Alley. At the turn of the Centure, the Climax Club of Printer's Alley was nationally known as Nashville's Premier Entertainment spot.
Printers Alley was Nashville's dirty little secret. It didn't matter what you were looking for, you could find it there. Nashville's Politicians and Police protected the Alley even after the sale of Liquor was outlawed in 1909.
Hilary House, elected Mayor at the time was quoted by reporters at the time as saying, "Protect them? I do better than that, I patronize them" He was Mayor for 21 of the 30 years that the sale of intoxicants were illegal. In 1939, Nashville repealed prohibition and made it legal to buy liquor in stores. For the next 30 years The Alley flourished as the Mixing Bar came into existence.
Although Liquor was legal, you could not buy it by the drink. Advertisements for the Clubs in the 1960's stated "Bring Your Own Bottle" and they would then mix your drink for you. People would bring their choice of beverage tightly wrapped in a brown paper bag and leave it in a locker or on a shelf behind the bar of their favorite haunt. Written on those bottles were the names of Nashville's movers and shakers of the day.