Tootsie's Orchid Lounge

Hattie Louise 'Tootsie' Bess bought a bar called Mom's in 1960. A painter used leftover orchid paint. She kept the name and turned the place into a credit union for broke songwriters.

The back door opens onto Ryman Alley. Opry performers slipped out between sets: Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson (who swept floors to settle his tab and at times lived upstairs), Waylon Jennings, Patsy Cline, Roger Miller, Tom T. Hall. Tootsie kept their IOUs in a cigar box behind the counter. Tom T. Hall called her 'a small finance company, a booking agent, and a counselor.' She was buried in an orchid gown in an orchid casket.

It's louder and busier now than in her era. But the alley still connects to the Ryman, and the wall of photos she started is still there. The lore runs the place more than any booking policy does.

Upcoming events at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge

Live music all day, every day. Tootsie's Orchid Lounge doesn’t post a lineup in advance, so who’s on stage is something you find out by walking in.