The controversy surrounding Garth Brooks and his Nashville bar, Friends in Low Places, emerged when he expressed his hope for the bar to become “the Chick-fil-A of honky-tonks” and mentioned that they would serve “every brand of beer.” This statement led to a wave of reactions on social media, with some interpreting it as a moral stance related to Bud Light’s advertising partnership with transgender TikTok celebrity Dylan Mulvaney.
The outrage focused on Bud Light’s promotion and not on the taste of the beer itself. The controversy intensified with calls for boycotts, bomb threats, and Kid Rock filming himself shooting Bud Light cans with a Heckler & Koch MP5.
In response to the backlash, Garth Brooks addressed the situation in a Facebook livestream, emphasizing inclusiveness and diversity. He encouraged patrons to vote with their wallets, indicating that the bar would keep beers on tap based on sales. Brooks also called for civility and urged people to come to the bar with love, tolerance, and an open mind.
As of November 2023, Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky Tonk has opened, and the controversy has somewhat subsided. However, there are still occasional negative reviews, with some expressing disappointment about the music selection at the bar. Brooks has not made further comments on the subject of beer brands since his initial livestream addressing the controversy.
