WhiskeyChick’s Top Five Favorite Dives Featuring an Exclusive Release from Will Thomas Reed

In celebration of the release of Will Thomas Reed’s “Home Is Where the Bar Is“, we’re taking you on a tour of WhiskeyChick’s Top Five Favorite Dives, so click play and read on!

For many of us working in the music industry, we spend more time in honky tonks than we do in our own homes, so knowing where the best spot in town is becomes just part of the job. Now it wouldn’t be fair to list the same old tried and true small music venues that every town can get famous for, so for this list we dug real deep to find our favorite hole-in-the-wall neighborhood bars where the regulars are family and the staff are your friends.

Mercury Lounge, Tulsa Oklahoma

This former garage-turned-bar features a small stage that hosts a variety of acts from Red Dirt to folk, rock, and even the occasional Irish punk. The neighborhood is littered with larger venues, gastropubs, and dance clubs, making “the Merc” a relaxing alternative for hanging out in a low-pressure crowd.

Handlebar J’s, Scottsdale Arizona

If you ever find yourself in the Metro-Phoenix area, a stop in Handlebar J’s is an absolute must. More than a dance hall, J’s is an institution. It’s where I got my first two-step lesson and where some of my most lasting friendships were made. With free line-dance classes in the happy hour, killer food from the kitchen, and live music on the weekends, it’s everything my twangin heart could ask for.

Creekside Taproom, Siloam Springs Arkansas

New to the neighborhood, the Creekside Taproom is an absolute charm of a community gathering place. The local brews and open and airy patio right off the mineral springs in Northeast Arkansas makes this one of my favorite places for an afternoon cider, especially on a beautiful spring day.

Star Bar, Atlanta Georgia

For something a little left of center when you’re in the south, the Star Bar has you covered. Live music five nights a week, a smaller performance space off to the side and a crazy variety of entertainers to fill it, this seems to be the bar the local entertainment scene has claimed as their own. If you’re ever dry on inspiration or just have a thirst for adventure, this is definitely where you’ll whet your whistle.

Losers, Nashville Tennessee

Off the beaten path of the tourist traps in downtown Nashville, Losers is set at the end of Music Row, making this a hidden happy hour gem where the industry insiders go. Many times I’ve stepped in after a long day of conferences and showcases only to find some of the biggest country stars plucking out tunes in the corner to test on a smaller crowd. There’s no pretension and no over-commercialization in this joint, just cold drinks and great conversations.

And for the bonus bar, Will Thomas Reed submits his own personal favorite:

James River Brewery, Scottsville Virginia

“…for always playing host to musicians and artists alike, and also making delicious beer!”

You can find out more about Will Thomas Reed at willthomasreed.com, On Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

“Home is Where the Bar Is” is the lead single from Will’s debut album “To Whom It May Concern” due out June 1st. Digital pre-orders are available at Amazon