But the old, one-story building, with a simple interior filled with a small stage and hodgepodge of tables and mismatched chairs, has its charm and a worldwide reputation as a premier venue for live acoustic bluegrass music.
"It's as real as Nashville gets," said Pat Isbey, who has made a documentary film about Station Inn and set up a barbecue business there six months ago. "I just can't imagine it going away. This place is timeless.
"It's more than just a music venue; it's a museum and a place for people to meet, and it has really cold beer, which is important," Isbey said.
Bluegrass fans everywhere know the joint, said Brian Bailey, 67, who visited one recent night from his home in British Columbia. He said he was on his way to New York for a school reunion and decided to detour through Nashville just to drop in and hear music.
"I play bluegrass in a little group back in Canada, and I've known about the Station Inn for years," he said. "If you're into bluegrass, you can't avoid hearing about it. You never know who's going to show up here, and none of the performers ever get swelled heads. Everyone is down to earth."
Some of the biggest names in country music — Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss and even Dolly Parton — have popped in (generally unannounced) to sing along with whichever band is playing.
That's exactly what happened last week as the regular Tuesday night group, the Mashville Brigade, did some serious picking. About 11:30 p.m., country star Dierks Bentley walked in, trailed by a CBS-TV camera crew.
The band invited him onstage, and Bentley sang two traditional bluegrass songs, playing along on guitar. The crowd, which numbered fewer than 50 on a rainy night, cheered wildly.
"That's the coolest thing about the Station Inn," said Steve Brown, visiting from northwest Arkansas. "I've been coming here for 18 years now, and I always visit whenever I'm in Nashville. I've seen some of the greats here, including Earl Scruggs, Emmylou Harris and even the legendary Bill Monroe."
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