Graduate Hotels alongside hospitality duo, Marc Rose and Med Abrous, is pleased to announce the opening date of White Limozeen, the rooftop bar and restaurant located atop Graduate Nashville. Opening in July 2020, White Limozeen will transport guests to an over-the-top, indoor-outdoor rooftop destination that celebrates the uniquely Nashville identity of unapologetically following your dreams. Named in honor of country music icon Dolly Parton, the concept offers a fresh take on the finer things in life, with a menu that contrasts high-brow technique and luxury with comfortable and familiar tastes driven by local farmers and purveyors.
Graduate Nashville officially reopened its doors on Wednesday, July 1, when the lobby, signature all-day café Poindexter, and hotel guest rooms became available to the public once again. CrossEyed Critters Watering Hole, the ground-level animatronic karaoke bar, will remain closed for the time being in order to keep guests and staff safe.
“We’re thrilled to finally open our doors at White Limozeen and welcome locals and travelers alike to experience this over-the-top, elegant, yet inviting rooftop destination. Inspired by Music City greats who moved to Nashville to chase their dreams, White Limozeen is a celebration of the nonconformists that have always done it their own way. It’s unique, beyond special, and tells the narrative of a relentless, rags-to-riches journey. Whether you are playing for tips on a stool on 16th Avenue, selling out Nissan Stadium, or just stopping by for a cocktail, this will be an unforgettable experience for everyone,” said Ben Weprin, Graduate Hotels CEO and Founder.
On The Menu
The culinary program, developed by Rose, Abrous, and Chef de Cuisine Chris Lewallen (previously at Nashville’s Bastion, Nicky’s Coal Fired, and Henley), features playful party foods and homestyle renditions of traditionally French presentations including Trout Fritters with Almondine Dip, Chicken Liver Pie with Pumpernickel Crust, Biscuits and Caviar, Mussels steamed in Nashville Hot Butter, Smoked Chicken with Sauce Diane, and a White Bread Burger.
White Limozeen’s bar program is led by Demi Natoli, formerly of Chicago’s five-time James Beard Award Finalist Lost Lake and Nashville staple, The Patterson House. The menu features a range of beverages from poolside-friendly cocktails like the magenta-hued Queen of The Rodeo, to predominantly French and American natural wines and a sparkling wine list designed to be dynamic yet approachable. Guests can also find riffs on classics such as a Frozen Aperol Spritz and Champagne Jello shots.
“We can’t wait to share this final piece of the hotel with the amazing community of Nashville and its visitors. White Limozeen will be a place for respite from the real world, where you can have a variety of crave-able and refined dishes, and playfully innovative drinks in a beautiful and largerthan-life atmosphere,” says Rose. “There’s always a reason to celebrate something, so that’s what we’re here for. We take Southern hospitality very seriously, and whether White Limozeen is your first, last, or only stop of the night, we always want you to feel right at home.”
All Things Pink
White Limozeen’s decor, designed by Graduate Hotels’ in-house studio, creates a distinct sense of place upon arrival. Building on the opulent and eclectic design narrative crafted throughout the hotel, White Limozeen tells the story of making it big in Music City, encouraging everyone from country music stars to overnight guests to indulge in the magic of chasing your dreams. In the interior, a statement onyx wraparound bar is complemented by bold, bright pink walls, gilded accents and sparkling chandeliers. Meanwhile, vintage fabrics and plush furniture contrast the glitz, establishing an inviting, lounge-like feel.
Beyond the bar, floor-to-ceiling windows lure guests onto White Limozeen’s vibrant outdoor patio. The eye-catching space is brought to life with oversized daybeds, bright pink seating vignettes and a wading pool, dubbed the “Governor’s Pool,” created to inspire an unforgettable night out on the town. Pink striped exterior walls and outdoor greenery establish a whimsical energy throughout the outdoor space, amplified by scenic views of Midtown and beyond. Framing the rooftop sits a larger-than-life Dolly Parton statue crafted from pink chicken wire and positioned above contrasting black and white checkerboard flooring. Visible from all areas of the indooroutdoor venue, the homage to Parton establishes a lively presence and flare felt throughout the space.
Meet Med Abrous and Marc Rose
All three food and beverage concepts at Graduate Nashville—White Limozeen, Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole, and Poindexter—are operated in partnership with Med Abrous and Marc Rose. The hospitality veterans, longtime friends, and NYC natives began their partnership in 2011 when they opened The Spare Room, an award-winning gaming parlour and cocktail lounge at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Amid their success in the nightlife industry, the duo ventured into the Los Angeles culinary scene in 2015 when they took ownership of Genghis Cohen, an LA classic that serves New York City-style Chinese food. In early 2016, the team debuted Winsome, an allday neighborhood restaurant that was named one of Bon Appetit’s 50 Best New Restaurants. Abrous and Rose began their partnership with Graduate Hotels to open the rooftop bar Mountaineering Club and operate Poindexter at Graduate Seattle. The duo is also set to launch the food and beverage components of the upcoming Graduate Roosevelt Island location in New York City.
More About Graduate Nashville
Created for travelers who seek memory-making journeys, Graduate Hotels is a thoughtfully crafted collection of hotels that reside in dynamic university-anchored cities across the country. Each property celebrates and commemorates the optimistic energy of its community, while offering an extended retreat to places that often play host to the best days of our lives. The 205key hotel is located at 101 20th Avenue North in Nashville’s Midtown neighborhood on West End Ave, steps from Vanderbilt University and a short walk to the city’s best entertainment on Lower Broadway.
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