Germantown’s Geist Will Open in a Former 118-Year-Old Blacksmith Shop on March 14

A long-planned Germantown restaurant is now finally nearing its debut, as neighborhood bar and restaurant Geist will open its doors on March 14.

Located at 311 Jefferson St. in the former home of a 118-year-old blacksmith shop, the new project from owner Doug Martin was first announced in June of 2015, with local restaurateur Miranda Pontes tied to Geist as Martin’s business partner. In the intervening time Pontes opened another restaurant, Lulu, right next door in May of last year, but it appeared to struggle from the start, finally closing its doors earlier this month. The press release makes no mention of Pontes’ involvement in Geist, and Eater Nashville has reached out for clarification on her role.

At the helm of the kitchen is Josh Stockton, who most recently worked as executive sous chef at mega-resort Wynn Las Vegas, a property he has made several stops at over his career. Prior to that Stockton was the opening executive chef at popular Detroit restaurant Gold Cash Gold. He also some Tennessee ties, having spent time at East Tennessee luxury resort Blackberry Farm working as a butcher.

Details are scant regarding the menu, with a press release noting sharable starters and sides, larger mains, and a selection of desserts including cakes, puddings, ice creams, and tarts.

Local cocktail whisperers Freddy Schwenk and Matt Buttel of Nashville Ice Lab are behind the bar program, which will feature classic cocktails, a few house specialties, mocktails, craft beer, wine, and prosecco.

The building is one of the city’s oldest, having housed Nashville’s oldest family-owned business until 2006 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The renovated space features a bar area along with two separate dining rooms inside. Outside is what is being called ‘The Champagne Garden,’ which features a full garden and courtyard as well as an outdoor cooking stove.

Business hours do not appear to be officially set at this time, but a job posting from earlier this month states that they plan to serve dinner four nights a week, with brunch on Sundays.

And for those that want to get an early preview prior to the official opening, Geist will open its doors to the public on Friday and Saturday, March 2 and 3, and Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10, from 7 p.m. until midnight, offering tours of the space, cocktails, and complimentary bites.

So be sure to check back for more details, and keep an eye out for a first look inside later this week.