Kid Rock's Nashville bar will be running dry for a few days after violating local COVID-19 safety guidelines.
The Tennessean reported Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk & Steakhouse had its beer license suspended for five days after officials caught employees serving patrons at the bar area last weekend, which is a no-no in the city for the time being.
Three other bars in Nashville's Lower Broadway area — where Kid Rock's bar is located — were also cited for the same reason.
The license suspension did not sit well with Steve Smith, who co-owns the bar.
"The Nashville government is, like, communist," he told The Tennessean. "They've got us behind a Berlin Wall."
Per a city ordinance in place due to the pandemic, beer and other alcohol can only be served at tables and booths. Bar areas must remain closed until Nashville enters the next phase of its reopening.
"We met with Mayor [John] Cooper and the doctors weeks ago and explained how having bar service is safer than table service. They're doing everything they can to put us out of business," Steve said. "The state of Tennessee is already in Phase 4 and they're talking about holding us in Phase 2. It's against our constitutional rights."
The honkey tonk has shunned its nose at local ordinances before. In March — in trying to combat the spread of coronavirus — Nashville's mayor ordered all bars to close for a limited time. The rap-rocker's bar, however, continued to stay open.
"We appreciate the efforts of Mayor Cooper to combat the COVID-19 virus, but unless there's a statewide mandate that directs all bars and restaurants to be closed, the request made by Mayor Cooper is unconstitutional as he is targeting a select group of businesses," Steve said in a statement at the time.
TMZ notes that Kid Rock's bar was among 12 recently cited for violating public health orders by exceeding maximum capacity, as well.
Last week, a patron took a picture from inside Kid Rock's bar that showed wall-to-wall people.