With new bars and restaurants opening across Middle Tennessee every day, it’s been harder than ever for any one bar to truly stand out. Many places blend together, offering the same ambience, menu, and specialty cocktails. However, the recently opened Play Playground breaks that mold. It’s not just another bar in downtown Nashville, it’s an interactive and lively experience that proves even in a city that’s known for its bars, originality turns heads.
The genius behind Play Playground is Jennifer Worthington, CEO and Co-Founder of Play Social. Prior to bringing Play Playground to Nashville, Jennifer spent several years of her career in film before transitioning into opening the infamous Coyote Ugly Saloon in Las Vegas. With this being her first bar in Nashville, she hopes to bring friends, family, and strangers together through the interactive nature of the bar.
“I was really intrigued by this notion of the loneliness epidemic and how people don't have friends anymore and people have lost community, and we really set out to design something that encouraged social interaction,” Jennifer explains. "We encourage people to simply interact with one another other by creating an environment that fosters human interaction."
This is actually the second location of Play Playground, with its first location being in Las Vegas. Located on 2nd Avenue, right off of Broadway, this bar is a multi-level immersive experience that offers over-the-top challenges and tactfully analog games that will push you out of your comfort zone, and one of the best rooftops in Nashville. A night out here transports you back to the carefree joy of childhood.
“The rooftop is so amazing,” Jennifer gushes. “It is unlike anything else in Nashville. People are coming for the game floor, the third floor, which is awesome, but we really are excited to get the word out about the roof. Obviously, the view is insane, but just from a design perspective, there's nothing like it in Nashville, and I think we have the best rooftop view in the whole city.”
Another aspect that sets Play Playground apart is that it is 13 and up before 7 p.m., allowing for the whole family to join in on the fun.
“When we launched the concept, we were 21 and up at all times,” Jennifer explains. “"Last summer in Vegas, we noticed a big trend. Tons of parents were coming in with their teenage kids. These teens weren’t interested in arcades or trampoline parks anymore. They were looking for something more elevated, more grown-up. At the same time, their parents were trying to find new ways to connect and bond with them. So a couple of months ago, we decided to test the idea in Vegas, and it turned out to be a huge success."
"What really stood out to us, and felt incredibly rewarding, was seeing the dynamic shift in real time. At first, the teens were a little standoffish, not totally engaged with their parents. But within just five or six minutes of playing the games together, everything changed. Suddenly, they were laughing, high-fiving, and totally immersed in the experience together.”
In the upcoming months, they plan to start hosting game nights, leagues, and a variety of themed events, adding even more excitement to the experience.
“It really is just about having good old-fashioned fun and laughing with the people that you're with,” Jennifer says. “And to me, that brings people together and creates memories. And we really are in the memory-making business.”
With its immersive games, rooftop views, and a focus on genuine human connection, Play Playground offers something that goes far beyond cocktails and a fun night out. Whether you’re a local looking for a new go-to bar or a tourist wanting to try something new, Play Playground proves that the best nights out are ones where you not only leave with a story, but maybe some new friends too.
playplayground.com/nashville/