Boasting Tennessee’s largest rum collection, Chopper brings a retro futuristic tiki experience to East Nashville fresh with plant life and circuitry.
For those looking to step outside of the usual honky-tonk scene found throughout much of Music City, they need look no further than Chopper. The booming East Nashville venue offers a retro futuristic tiki experience that blends robotics with tropics. The drinks menu mixes classic tiki cocktails with modern tropical drinks, giving visitors the opportunity to dive into their favorites or expand their palates. The food, meanwhile, isn’t what might be expected. Instead, guests can head outside to Mexican food truck Maiz De La Vida, a James Beard Semi-Finalist.
General Manager Nick Thaxton tells us…
Please describe Chopper as if you’re explaining the experience of walking through the doors and ordering your first drink.
A retro futuristic tiki experience, Chopper, is a research lab that tells the story of exploration and the discovery of Island X. At Chopper, enjoy a dynamic tiki cocktail while experiencing the backdrop of tropical robot paradise, and an imposing back bar with the largest selection of rum in Tennessee. Everywhere you look within the space are intricate details revealing patterns inspired from circuitry and booming with plant life.
How would you describe Chopper in a three-word text to a friend that you’re trying to convince to join you?
Retro Futuristic Tiki
Other than Chopper, what else is happening in the neighborhood that you’re in?
East Nashville is as popular and as quirky, mostly young folks live here in the neighborhood and it has become a destination with some of the best food and drink in the city.
Aside from Happy Hour, when is the best time to get to the bar?
Come at night during the week, the lights, shadows, colors of the space really come to life.
Describe the average drinkers that you serve?
Chopper has a good mix of regulars, whether they are neighbors from East Nashville, tiki-philes, and out of towners, we’re a bar for everyone, not just tourists coming for a Honky Tonk experience.
Please tell us more about your drinks menu.
Our menu is a “Manual” that features drawings of the cocktails. As you read through the different sections you’ll find classic tiki cocktails and modernist tropical drinks pushing the envelope of what’s possible.
What’s your signature drink–or your favorite drink currently on the menu–and why should I order it?
You should order the Robo Zombie. It’s one of those drinks that takes you to a far away place, goes down too easily, and it’s on fire.
How much do drinks cost?
$12 – $18
Is there anything to eat? If so – what’s your favorite dish on the menu?
While our food is not traditionally tiki, it may be the best food at a tiki bar in the country. Outside Chopper is Maiz De La Vida, a James Beard Semi-Finalist food truck serving handmade tortillas, Birria, burritos, and more stunning Mexican food.
What are the distinguishing features of Chopper?
Chopper is a one of a kind place. The cocktails are experimental, the space is unlike any other, and our team (all humans) focus on going above and beyond for every guest.
What’s that music we hear playing on the Chopper stereo?
At Chopper, you’ll hear a variety of music, earlier in the day, vinyl surf rock, exotica, or Bossanova. At night, expect to hear more lively music, maybe new wave, Daft Punk, The Avalanches, or even Prince.
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday–Thursday: 4pm – 11pm
Friday: 4pm – 1am
Saturday: 12pm – 1am
Sunday: 12pm – 11pm
Reservations:
Walk-ins only.
Website:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/choppertiki/?hl=en
Address:
1100 B Stratton Ave, Nashville, TN 37206