Why the Party Fowl Bloody Mary is Still the Most Ridiculous Brunch Drink in Nashville

You’re sitting there at a high-top table in the Gulch, or maybe the Donelson location, and the server walks out with something that looks less like a cocktail and more like a structural engineering project. It’s heavy. It’s aggressive. It’s the Party Fowl Bloody Mary, or as the menu formally calls it, the "Brunch for Two." Honestly, calling it a drink is a bit of a lie. It’s a 55-ounce behemoth topped with two whole fried Cornish game hens.

Nashville has plenty of brunch spots. You can’t throw a rock in this city without hitting a place serving avocado toast or shrimp and grits. But Party Fowl carved out a niche by leaning into the absurdity of the "Hot Chicken" craze and marrying it to the maximalist Bloody Mary trend. If you haven't seen it in person, pictures don't quite capture the scale. We’re talking about a liter-plus of tomato juice and vodka acting as the foundation for a literal poultry farm.

What is Actually in the Party Fowl Bloody Mary?

Let’s break down the anatomy of this thing because people always ask if the birds are real. Yes, they are real. And they are hot.

The base is their signature 55-ounce Bloody Mary mix. It’s savory, it’s got a kick, and it’s served in a massive glass that requires two hands to lift safely. But the toppings are where the "Party Fowl" identity shines. You get two whole fried Cornish game hens, seasoned with their signature Nashville Hot spice. Then come the scotch eggs. Two of them. If you’ve never had a scotch egg, it’s a soft-boiled egg wrapped in sausage, breaded, and deep-fried.

There are also fried okra skewers and whole avocado halves. It’s a lot.

Most people order it for the "wow" factor, but there’s a genuine culinary effort behind the spectacle. Austin Smith, the co-founder of Party Fowl, has been vocal about the fact that they didn't want it to just be a gimmick. The chicken has to be good. The scotch eggs have to be runny in the middle. If the food on top is cold or dry, the whole $50-plus price tag feels like a scam. Luckily, the kitchen stays busy enough that the turnover keeps the fried elements fresh.

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The Heat Levels: A Warning

When you order anything at Party Fowl, including the birds atop your drink, you have to choose a heat level. They don't play around.

1. Mild (Basically just seasoned)
2. Medium (A respectable glow)
3. Nashville Hot (The standard)
4. Poultrygeist (Don't do this to yourself)

The Poultrygeist level uses ghost peppers and other high-SHU (Scoville Heat Unit) peppers. Putting that on a Cornish hen that is sitting inside your drink is a bold move. As the condensation from the glass or the natural juices from the bird drip into the tomato mix, the drink itself gets spicier. You’ve been warned.

Is it Actually Worth the Price?

It’s expensive. You’re looking at a price point that usually hovers around $50 to $60 depending on the current market price of poultry and location specifics. For a single "drink," that sounds insane. But you have to look at it as a meal for two people—or three, if you aren't starving.

Think about it this way. Two Cornish hens, two scotch eggs, two orders of fried okra, and a massive carafe of booze. If you ordered those as separate entrees and cocktails, you’d likely end up at the same price point. The value isn't in the liquid; it's in the convenience of having a literal buffet skewered to the top of your booze.

There is a downside, though. The "soggy factor."

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If you are a slow eater, your fried okra is going to eventually take a bath in the Bloody Mary mix. Some people love that—the breading soaks up the spicy tomato juice like a sponge. Others hate it. If you’re in the "crispy or death" camp, you need to dismantle this thing the second it hits the table. Ask for extra plates. You’re gonna need them.

The Cultural Impact on Nashville Brunch

Nashville has changed a lot in the last decade. It went from a sleepy music town to "Bachelorette Capital, USA." The Party Fowl Bloody Mary is a product of that evolution. It is designed to be photographed. It is designed to be shared on social media.

But beyond the "Instagrammability," it represents the city's obsession with its own culinary export: Nashville Hot Chicken. Before 2013, hot chicken was a local secret, mostly confined to legendary spots like Prince’s or Hattie B’s. Party Fowl took that local flavor and turned it into a full-service restaurant experience with a bar program to match.

The restaurant itself, particularly the 8th Avenue South location, became a hub for tourists and locals alike who wanted the "Hot Chicken Experience" without standing in a line outside in the rain. They added the sports bar element, the big screens, and the heavy-hitting cocktails. It’s a specific vibe. Loud. Energetic. Very Nashville.

Practical Tips for Your First "Brunch for Two"

If you’re actually going to go for it and order the big one, keep these things in mind:

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• Go Early: Party Fowl gets packed, especially on Titans game days or during big concert weekends. If you want the Bloody Mary without a two-hour wait, get there when the doors open.
• The "Tear Down": Don't try to drink through the birds. It’s a recipe for a stained shirt. Deconstruct the garnishes onto plates immediately.
• Hydrate: It sounds counterintuitive to drink water with a giant cocktail, but between the sodium in the Bloody Mary mix and the heat of the chicken, you’ll be parched.
• Check the Location: Not every location has the exact same layout or vibe. The downtown/Gulch area is usually the most "tourist-heavy," while the Franklin or Murfreesboro spots feel a bit more like neighborhood joints.

Common Misconceptions

One thing people get wrong is thinking you can finish this alone. Can you? Technically, sure. Should you? Probably not. It’s a massive amount of protein and salt. The "Brunch for Two" label is there for a reason.

Another misconception is that the drink is just a gimmick and tastes like canned tomato juice. It actually has a pretty complex flavor profile—horseradish-heavy, plenty of Worcestershire, and a citrus backdeck that cuts through the grease of the fried toppings. It’s a balanced drink, even if the presentation is totally unbalanced.

Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Experience

To get the most out of a visit to Party Fowl for their legendary drink, follow this specific sequence:

1. Select your spice level wisely. If you aren't a regular hot-chicken eater, stick to "Medium." The cumulative heat of the chicken and the spicy Bloody Mary mix can be overwhelming by the halfway point.
2. Order a side of "Boars Head" fried pickles. They are some of the best in the city and provide a nice vinegary crunch to contrast the heavy scotch eggs.
3. Request extra napkins upfront. You are dealing with fried chicken on skewers; things are going to get messy.
4. Split the cost. Use a payment app to split the bill with a friend. It makes the $50+ price tag feel much more like a standard brunch expense.
5. Plan your afternoon. This is a "nap-inducing" meal. Don't plan on hiking Percy Warner Park immediately after consuming two scotch eggs and a liter of vodka.

Whether you think it's the pinnacle of brunch culture or a sign of the apocalypse, the Party Fowl Bloody Mary is a Nashville staple that isn't going anywhere. It’s bold, it’s spicy, and it’s unapologetically over-the-top. Just like the city itself.