Nashville’s newest nightclub – Blueprint Underground Cocktail Club in Printers Alley

Actor, television personality and serial entrepreneur Billy Dec opened the famous Underground Club in his hometown of Chicago nearly two decades ago. It was the local hangout for celebrities such as Michael Jordan, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, David Beckham, Justin Bieber and many others.

His newest nightclub in Nashville also attracted big names when it opened six weeks ago. Special guests included Reba McEntire, Martina McBryde, Macy Gray, NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick, actor Johnny Galecki (and Dec’s business partner), Better Than Ezra’s Kevin Griffin (also a business partner), Randy Houser, Colbie Caillat and others.

The multi-talented Dec, whose long list of achievements includes acting in television shows such as Entourage, Criminal Minds, Chicago Fire, and even several episodes of Friendsis the owner of the Sunda New Asian restaurant chain. Early in his career, he discovered that he had a talent for the restaurant industry and a unique understanding of what it takes to open and run a successful nightclub.

“I was born and raised in Chicago and paid my way through college and law school by working in restaurants,” he explains. “And then when the restaurants closed, I worked in nightclubs. I built a network/passion until I was really good at it and opened my first nightclub in my first year of law school. And then I just kept opening clubs. I think I opened eight or nine in total.”

Eight years ago, he left Chicago for Nashville, where he soon opened a new Asian restaurant, Sunda, in the Gulch. (His other Sunda locations include two in Chicago, one in Tampa and one under construction in Detroit.)

But as he watched Nashville’s tourism industry explode and out-of-town visitors flock to the bustling Lower Broadway neighborhood, home to many country music hotspots, he noticed something was missing. He recognized the need for an upscale cocktail bar and music venue similar to what he had created in Chicago.

“The people who came to Sunda after getting dressed up and arranging babysitters for a date or a visit to go out and enjoy a great dinner kept asking us the question, ‘Where do we go now?'”

Dec found that many wanted an alternative option away from the hustle and bustle of Lower Broadway.

“People love the honky-tonks, but given the diversity of people who come to Nashville, some want to do different things and dress differently. They might pack boots and a hat for one night on Broadway, but then want to look cute and dress up another night. And there was no place for them to go.”

So he decided to open the Blueprint Underground Cocktail Club (also called Blueprint Supply Company) in historic Printers Alley. Just a few blocks from Broadway, it has music venues, restaurants and hotels, but the atmosphere is completely different. This part of Nashville was home to the city’s thriving publishing industry at the turn of the 20th century.^th Century, and then developed in the 40s and 50s into a nightclub district where artists played jazz, blues and various musical styles.

“I’ve learned in the eight years I’ve lived here that many locals don’t usually go to Broadway unless they’re entertaining out-of-towners or on their way to a special event. But they do go to Printers Alley,” says Dec. “There’s the entertainment factor, but not the chaos.”

His new club offers a unique and eclectic menu that highlights Nashville, Printers Alley and his hometown of Chicago. A few notable dishes include The Magic Puff (a take on Chicago’s famous Pizza Puff) and The Chosen One (chicken nuggets with crème fraîche and caviar). And if you’re an Elvis fan…

“We have fun, nostalgic things like an Elvis sandwich with local peanut butter and jelly, a banana and local bacon in it,” says Dec.

Since Blueprint is more of an upscale cocktail club, there is a wide selection of classic and specialty cocktails. And since Nashville is famous for its spicy chicken, the Firebird is a must-try cocktail.

“We took these spices from a spicy chicken recipe and worked with our bartender to create this incredible spicy chicken syrup, which we combine with Nelson’s Green Brier Whiskey. Then we add a little lime and top it all off with Prosecco.”

Entertainment is a top priority at Blueprint. As in the previous club in Chicago, guests of Blueprint Underground can look forward to surprising collaborations, which began on the opening night.

“That night, Macy Gray played a cover of Colbie Caillat’s ‘Bubbly’ and then, right in the middle of it, Colbie came on stage and the crowd just went crazy,” says Dec. “That kind of diversity of different genres and styles is what Printer’s did back then, so it’s really cool to bring it back and celebrate it, but I think it also fits with a shift in demand today.”

Blueprint is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 5pm to 3am, with the musical tempo increasing throughout the evening.

“From 5 to 7 the vibe is kind of jazzy and relaxed with a cocktail bar vibe,” says Dec. “Then from 7 to 11 it really heats up with a bigger band playing more familiar music with a creative twist. And from 11 to 3 a.m. a DJ plays more energetic dance music.”

Starting next week (18 July^th), Blueprint will add karaoke to its Thursday night schedule.

Dec is excited to bring something new and different to downtown Nashville.

“People have asked if it’s private or members only, but it’s not. It’s very open and very accessible and there’s no entry fee. One of our DNA pillars in our love and care for serving people and hospitality is trying to find the line between sophisticated and accessible. We try to do our best, even if we try to raise the bar a little bit.”