Raise a Glass: Middleman Opens On Friday, June 5 In Nashville’s Wedgewood Houston Neighborhood
Boka Restaurant Group’s New Whiskey-Focused Bar Blends Tennessee Tradition, Creative Cocktails, And Warm Hospitality
NASHVILLE – JUNE 1, 2026 – Boka Restaurant Group will officially open Middleman on Friday, June 5, bringing a sophisticated whiskey-forward bar and gathering place to Nashville’s Wedgewood Houston neighborhood at 521 Houston Street. Inspired by Tennessee’s rich whiskey heritage and designed as a modern destination for cocktails, conversation, and connection, Middleman blends expertly crafted drinks, warm hospitality, and beautiful design, creating a space equally suited for celebratory nights out and spontaneous gatherings.
Middleman’s cocktail program, led by Boka Restaurant Group’s Director of Beverage Ashley Santoro (Elliott Aster, Midōsuji) celebrates the flavors of Nashville through classic cocktail variations layered with dry rub, pickled vegetables, and other distinctly Southern elements. Guests can enjoy an evolving collection of small-batch Tennessee whiskies, curated international whiskies, rare agave spirits, and vintage liqueurs and are encouraged to engage the bar team to uncover reserve bottles, off-menu pours, and spirits with rich stories behind them. Menu highlights include:
- Under the Bridge: Old Overholt rye whiskey, arugula liqueur, and sweet vermouth infused with a traditional Southern spice rub come together in an herbaceous riff on a Manhattan
- Ride the Bike: Buffalo Trace bourbon, espresso Campari, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters create a rich, yet refreshing, version of a Boulevardier
- Banana Daquiri: Flor De Cana 4 Year Rum, Banana Liqueur, and lime make a bright, refreshing cocktail, perfect for summer sipping
- Gran Turismo: Sipsmith gin, pickle brine, and green tomato create a savory, garden-inspired martini with a crisp finish
- Blue Steel: Reposado tequila, blueberry liqueur, Licor 43, and lime combine for a vibrant cocktail balancing berry, citrus, and vanilla
Named after the figures who historically facilitated the underground bourbon trade, Middleman reflects Nashville’s spirit of connection, where classic traditions meet modern innovation. The concept and design give nods to the “middlemen” that help to bridge divides, from Goodlettsville’s Old Stone Bridge to the musical legacy embodied in the enduring Nashville Sound. The name also references the literal space: Middleman is designed to be a link between Boka Restaurant Group’s Italian eatery, Alla Vita, and modern Japanese restaurant, Momotaro, while each of the three concepts remains unique and distinct in cuisine and atmosphere. Inspired by the European arcade, award-winning design firm, AvroKO, envisioned a covered passageway where guests can gather and pass time with a drink in hand. Symmetrical walkways, detailed facades, and an expansive glass atrium create a solarium atmosphere to reflect Nashville’s bright lights, while eclectic furnishings and collected artifacts evoke the feeling of discoveries brought back from travels abroad.
Boka Restaurant Group’s Middleman, Momotaro, and Alla Vita will be located on the ground floor of a 170,000-square-foot building along Houston and Martin Streets as part of AJ Capital Partners’ Wedgewood Village development: its 18-acre mixed-use and multi-phase project in Wedgewood Houston.
Middleman will be open at 4:30pm, seven days a week. For more information, please visit www.middlemannashville.com or follow along on social media at @middlemannashville.
About Boka Restaurant Group:
Founded by James Beard Award-winning Restaurateurs, Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm, in 2002, Boka Restaurant Group is one of the premier chef-driven restaurant groups in the country. Anchored by partnerships with some of America’s greatest chefs including Stephanie Izard, Chris Pandel, Lee Wolen, Gene Kato, Christina Tosi, Brian Lockwood, and Michael Solomonov, BRG has distinct culinary experiences, each of them individually crafted and conceptually unique. www.bokagrp.com
