Kid Rock’s downtown Nashville Honky Tonk Bar was one of 14 businesses cited over the weekend for violating health orders. According to News Channel 5, the citation was issued for reportedly serving customers who were seated at the bar, and not observing proper social distancing. The Health Department received a complaint about the venue on Friday night, which resulted in Dr. Michael Caldwell, Director of the Metro Public Health Department, visiting the Honky Tonk Bar on Saturday night, and issued the citation.

The owner of Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk Bar, Steve Smith, claims the citation is unfair.

“It’s unfair for 5,000 people to march in front of our place yesterday in direct violation of the Phase Two order and then for Mayor Cooper and Dr. Caldwell to come in last night and give us citations,” Steve’s attorney, Bryan Lewis, told WKRN.

“This is selective enforcement,” he continued. “Mayor Cooper cannot have it both ways. The business owners in Nashville are sick and tired of this, if we were under Governor Lee’s plan, we would already be in Phase Four.”

Bryan went on to cite the comparison between the rally and the Honky Tonk Bar being open for business.

“Mr. Smith thinks it’s very unfair that the mayor would invite 5 or 10,000 people to a rally in violation of Phase Two and then a certain group of these people go and destroy hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars worth of property here in Nashville,” he stated, “And the Metro Health Department and Mayor Cooper have the audacity to come down and cite Mr. Smith’s businesses.”

Other businesses cited include two Jonathan’s Grille locations, Nashville Underground, Sam’s Bar & Grill and Sperry’s, among others. Of the restaurants cited, eight were charged with not complying with asking guests to wear facial coverings, and requiring staff to wear facial coverings, and eight, including Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk Bar, were charged with not following proper social distancing requirements and not closing bar seating and dance floors. Both Sperry’s and a Taco Bell, located on Nolensville Road, were charged with violating both orders.

John Rich’s Redneck Riviera was not cited over the weekend, but he also spoke out against the perceived unfairness of Mayor Cooper’s orders.

Just so I'm clear, the mayor of Nashville will allow Walmart/HomeDepot/Kroger to be slammed packed full of people, but won't allow my 8 year old son to play an outdoor little league baseball game tomorrow? What a JOKE! @JohnCooper4Nash you are duplicitous in all your ways.

— John Rich (@johnrich) June 11, 2020

“Just so I’m clear, the mayor of Nashville will allow Walmart/HomeDepot/Kroger to be slammed packed full of people, but won’t allow my 8 year old son to play an outdoor little league baseball game tomorrow?” John tweeted on Thursday. “What a JOKE!  [JohnCooper4Nash] you are duplicitous in all your ways.”

A specific fine amount for Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk Bar will be issued at a court date. The attorney plans to fight the charges.