In the ever-evolving world of hospitality, two new bar ventures are poised to make waves this spring—one in the heart of Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood and the other at Nashville's famed Gaylord Opryland Resort. Each brings its own distinctive flavor to the table, from cozy neighborhood nostalgia to grand-scale sports bar excitement, reflecting the diverse tastes of their communities and the creative ambitions of their founders.
First up in New York, the team behind Williamsburg’s beloved Cozy Royale is preparing to unveil The Peek Inn, a quirky 24-seat bar at 38 Driggs Avenue on the corner of Sutton Street. According to Eater, the driving force behind this new venture is Brent Young of The Meat Hook, along with his business partner Mike Haigis. The pair have signed a lease on a corner space that formerly housed Fin Du Monde, and they’re set to open the doors in March 2026.
But what sets The Peek Inn apart from the city’s crowded bar scene? For starters, it’s a loving nod to the neighborhood bars that Young remembers from his Pittsburgh upbringing and those Haigis frequented in New England. “It’s neither a dive bar nor a cocktail bar,” Young told Eater, emphasizing a vibe that is both approachable and unpretentious. Here, regulars and newcomers alike can expect classic beer-and-a-shot offerings and, perhaps most intriguingly, a “beertini” served with olives and brine. “It tastes like beer and the ocean,” Young quipped, hinting at the playful experimentation diners have come to expect from his previous projects.
Food-wise, The Peek Inn is working within some limitations—no burgers and fries, thanks to the absence of a kitchen hood. But Young and Haigis are undeterred, planning a menu focused on steamed hot dogs that will be smothered in onions or topped with jalapeños. It’s a deliberate embrace of simplicity, and one that fits the snug, 450-square-foot space. The Peek Inn, named after Haigis’s dog, is Young’s sixth business, following his three butcher shops, the original Cozy Royale, and the upstate Hudson Diner (a collaboration with Mel the Bakery that opened in June 2025).
“It’s our second weird offbeat corner location,” Young explained, referencing Cozy Royale and now The Peek Inn, both nestled into distinctive neighborhood spots. The bar will open just around the corner from Border Town, another food-and-drink destination from former Meat Hook partner Ben Turley, alongside Jorge Aguilar and Amanda Rosa. Border Town has built a following for its flour tortillas and breakfast tacos at pop-ups, and it’s set to open soon as well, adding to the area’s growing culinary buzz.
While The Peek Inn is all about intimate, local charm, Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort is betting big—literally—on its latest hospitality project. The Foundry Fieldhouse Sports Bar & Taproom will open this spring, and it’s already making headlines for its sheer scale and ambition. According to WSMV, the venue will boast a whopping 700 seats, four bars, a scratch kitchen, a tasting room, and a beer garden, all connected to an outdoor event space and covered pavilion. It’s designed to be a destination for sports fans and food lovers alike, promising an experience as grand as the resort itself.
To staff this massive operation, Gaylord Opryland is hosting an in-person hiring event on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2800 Opryland Drive, inside The District at the resort’s Magnolia Lobby. Attendees will have the chance to participate in on-the-spot interviews, sample menu items, and enjoy complimentary self-parking. Signs will point the way to the designated lot for the event, making the process as smooth as possible for job seekers.
The Foundry Fieldhouse isn’t just about filling seats; it’s about creating quality jobs with real benefits. According to Gaylord Opryland, available positions offer competitive pay, medical and retirement benefits, a free meal during each shift, free on-site parking, and even worldwide travel and entertainment discounts. It’s a comprehensive package that reflects the resort’s commitment to attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market.
“We’re excited to open Foundry Fieldhouse Sports Bar & Taproom and are looking for team members who share our passion for hospitality,” a spokesperson for Gaylord Opryland told WSMV. While the event is focused on front-of-house and culinary roles, the scale of the operation suggests opportunities for growth and advancement for those who come on board now.
As for the venue itself, the Foundry Fieldhouse is shaping up to be more than just a place to watch the game. With its combination of four bars, a scratch kitchen, and a beer garden, it aims to offer something for everyone—from craft beer aficionados to families seeking a lively spot for a weekend meal. The tasting room and connection to an outdoor event space suggest that the bar will also host special events and private gatherings, further cementing its place as a new Nashville hotspot.
Both The Peek Inn and the Foundry Fieldhouse reflect broader trends in the hospitality industry: a renewed focus on neighborhood gathering places, creative food and drink menus, and a commitment to quality jobs and benefits. Yet, each project is deeply rooted in its local context. In Brooklyn, The Peek Inn draws on the history and character of Greenpoint, offering a small but spirited space where regulars can feel at home. In Nashville, the Foundry Fieldhouse leverages the scale and resources of Gaylord Opryland to create a venue that’s as ambitious as the city’s booming tourism industry.
It’s an exciting moment for both cities, as new bars prepare to open their doors and welcome guests. Whether you’re craving a beertini and a hot dog in a cozy corner of Brooklyn or planning to cheer on your favorite team with hundreds of fellow fans in Nashville, there’s something new on the horizon. And for those seeking work in hospitality, both ventures offer fresh opportunities—whether in an intimate 24-seat space or a sprawling, state-of-the-art sports bar.
As spring approaches, the anticipation is palpable. For Greenpoint’s barflies and Nashville’s sports enthusiasts alike, these openings promise not just new places to eat and drink, but new stories to share and memories to make.
