There is a new late-night hideout coming to 2nd Avenue, and you will have to slip behind Mel’s Drive-In to find it. Vinyl Vault, a mid-century styled hi-fi bar tucked off the historic strip, is set to open to the public on May 29. Built around preserved 1800s steel vaults and stocked with vintage audio gear, the lounge will feature vinyl-only DJs, a cocktail program and a vault-turned photo booth, all framed by original brick, arches and safes meant to keep the building’s history front and center.
Speaking with NewsChannel 5, third-generation Mel’s owner Colton Weiss said the team was intent on preserving the building’s bones, adding that “you can’t rebuild something that looks just like this.” Weiss told the station that Vinyl Vault will show off vintage speakers throughout several rooms, with one of the original steel vaults converted into a photo booth. A back room will be partially dedicated as a B.B. King Lounge to nod to the building’s more recent musical chapter.
What Vinyl Vault Will Offer
According to a press release from Visit Music City, Vinyl Vault is conceived as a mid-century American hi-fi bar, complete with custom walnut shelving, vintage turntables, restored reel-to-reel equipment and room-specific speaker setups. The release notes that the cocktail list leans into tequila and American whiskies, with house creations like “Luck Be a Lady” and “Marvin’s Room.” Designers worked with local fabricators to uncover original fireplaces, arched windows and two steel vaults. The idea, the release explains, is to create a listening experience that feels like a secret late-night room rather than a typical nightclub.
Hours and Where To Find It
Vinyl Vault lists its address as 152 2ND AVE NORTH and currently posts late-night hours: Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., and Sunday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The site also features a “Coming Soon” sign-up for updates. Since promotional materials differ slightly on the exact timing of the launch, the venue’s website is positioned as the go-to spot for last-minute details, along with a link out to its Instagram for event and DJ announcements.
A Building With Deep Roots
The Nashville Public Library notes that 152 2nd Ave. N. once housed the Nashville Sash and Door Co. from 1927 to 1984, a reminder of the block’s 19th-century origins. More recently, the address was home to B.B. King’s Blues Club, which opened in 2003 and did not reopen after the December 2020 Second Avenue bombing, according to NewsChannel 5. The current owners say that revealing the original brickwork, arches and safes is central to Vinyl Vault’s concept and its story-driven design.
Mel’s, The Family And The Fit
Mel’s Drive-In opened at the 2nd Avenue location earlier this month and describes the address as a storied building, highlighting its musical history. The Nashville location is run by brothers Chasen and Colton Weiss, heirs to the Mel’s brand, and the team frames Vinyl Vault as a natural late-night companion to the diner’s retro Americana feel. If it all clicks, downtown could see a layered setup: burgers and neon at street level, with a tucked-away listening room humming quietly behind it after hours.
Vinyl Vault lists its grand opening for Friday, May 29, with the first nights centered on local DJs and listening sessions instead of headline bands, according to the venue’s announcements. For guest list signups, event posts and any final updates, the bar is steering visitors to its website, which hosts the coming-soon form and social links. If the concept catches on, Nashville’s late-night crowd could gain a low-light, record-focused alternative to Broadway’s louder scene.
