Inside Look: White Limozeen, Nashville

If anyone deserves to have a Nashville bar designed in their honor it would be Country Music Hall of Famer, longtime philanthropist, and beloved superstar, Dolly Parton. And White Limozeen rooftop bar, the stylish but kitschy Barbie pink spot located in Graduate Nashville, goes all out in its homage to the singer (who has no financial ties to it). Case in point: the bubblegum pink 9-foot-tall, 942-pound chicken-wire bust of Dolly by artist Ricky Pittman gracing the pool area. 

“Dolly is just a general icon as a human being (across the board and especially throughout Tennessee),” says Marc Rose, co-founder of LA hospitality group Call Your Mom who conceived of and developed the bar with partner Med Abrous and Graduate Nashville’s in-house design studio. “We wanted to reflect that inspiration through a space that felt both approachable and feasible for everyone while offering carefree luxury. Like Dolly, we allow anyone to enjoy the finer things of life, while still being down-to-earth in so many facets of our hospitality.”

Unapologetically Pink

White Limozeen, named after Parton’s 29th album (1989), leans into the crushed velvet and spangled rhinestone luxury of the ’80s with hot-pink accents, gold trim, mirrored chandeliers, Persian rugs, and an onyx wraparound bar. Sashay out to the pool area for more lounging options, including white patio furniture with pink cushions shaded by white-fringed hot pink umbrellas. “All of the seating areas, adorned in shades of pink and crushed velvet, were designed to invoke the nostalgia of attending a dinner party in a friend’s living room,” says Rose.

The Graduate Hotel design team designed and built most of the furniture, but a look around will also reveal vintage pieces sourced from around Nashville, such as the 1920s oil paintings found at local estate sales. According to Rose, the rooftop’s event space, called “The Green Room,” is “almost entirely filled with found treasures that tell the story of a musician’s eclectic, but fashionably bohemian, lifestyle backstage.”

Carefree Luxury on the Menu

The food and cocktail programs, by Executive Chef Angeline Chiang and Beverage Director Demi Natoli, respectively, continue the theme of “care-free luxury.” Enjoy the high-low mix of white bread burger with a Chambong of sparkling rosé or the smoked trout fritters with a frozen lychee cocktail.

“The cocktail program is built to be fun and nostalgic,” Natoli says. “We take our favorite classics and put a twist on them by adding seasonal ingredients and interesting flavor combinations.” Lay back on the pink chaise lounge while sipping the Queen of the Rodeo, a variation of the Cosmopolitan with grapefruit and pomegranate juices. Or keep the party going with the Just in Time, an Espresso Martini riff with Tito’s Vodka, espresso, St. George Coffee Liqueur, brown sugar, and cacao.

Has Dolly Visited?

Even though White Limozeen opened in July 2020 (and Parton lives about 10 miles outside of Nashville), she has yet to stop by. But Natoli has planned out her visit if/when she does. “Our favorite drink right now is the Fans Only, a low-ABV blend of natural wine, apricot, mandarin, lemon, and grapefruit, served frozen,” Natoli says. “Maybe after a few we could convince her to sing a song or two in our karaoke bar, Cross Eyed Critters (fingers crossed).”

Even if a visit isn’t in the cards, the bar will continue to offer a “fun evening out without pretension,” says Rose. “This is an over-the-top experience (in every way) for a reason. We hope people can remind themselves that it’s okay to celebrate, let their hair down, and enjoy the approachable extravagances of life (with a lot of flair).”