ehow.com — A honky tonk is a bar that has live country music. Nashville is the Home of honky tonks and honky tonk music. The Grand Ole Opry used to be held downtown Music City at the Ryman Auditorium off of Broadway. The Opry now takes place over at the new Grand Ole Opry house over at the Opry Mills complex. Today, the Ryman plays host to big rock and countr