Huntsville’s culinary scene has gained a new addition within the heart of Providence Main Street with the opening of Nitro Tales, a bar and restaurant combining big-city innovation and Eastern-inspired flavors.

Owned by Huntsville mainstay Alka Chain, Nitro Tales celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, December 7th. The spot aims to transport guests into a fusion of “New York atmosphere meets the Mediterranean coast,” offering a blend of luxury, minimalist design, and an adventurous spirit.

“The food and drinks are Japanese-inspired, with everything having a fusion note to it,” explains Chain. “We use tea as a base for a lot of our offerings because, in the Eastern world, tea is bigger than coffee.”

She emphasizes that tea isn’t just a beverage here — it’s integral to their menu, from cocktails to food.

Nitro Tales’ standout feature is its cocktails-on-tap system, a rarity in the Southeast.

“We’re the first and only bar in the region doing only cocktails on tap,” says Chain. “We don’t shake, we don’t stir—everything is prepped in advance to serve drinks within three minutes, like a New York minute, without compromising flavor or balance.”

It’s obvious that the menu at Nitro Tales was crafted with an abundance of care and attention to detail. The beverage selections include offerings like the Ube City, a tea drink made with matcha, ube, milk and lavender coconut along with the Nitro Hojicha which is prepared with hojicha toffee, caramel and ashwaganda.

The cocktails available on tap showcase options from nearly every stop along the taste spectrum. Those who prefer something sweet and familiar can try the Bamboo Colada with both pineapple and coconut-flavored rum while selections such as the Funky Geisha aim to provide a taste that is more novel and refined with mezcal, blanco tequila, citrus, pickled onion syrup and Himalayan salt.

Chain’s roots in the hospitality industry run deep. Alongside her family, she operates the Vintage Cigar Lounge in Bridge Street.

This new venture, however, is a departure from the traditional.

“We bring so much exclusivity and innovation that people are going to want to be adventurous here,” she says, pointing to their menu of unique offerings like waffle sandwiches made with Ube and matcha, sushi-inspired sandwiches called onigirasu, and zuchi cups for convenient, on-the-go dining.

The goal is to offer Huntsville something it hasn’t seen before.

“We all go to Nashville for a vibe — why not have that here?” asks Chain, who has watched the city evolve since her family moved to Huntsville in 1992.

She hopes Nitro Tales will play a role in elevating the local dining scene, encouraging residents to explore beyond their comfort zones.

Chain sums up her vision succinctly: “We want adventurous seekers who want to try something that’s never been seen before. When you come to Nitro Tales, I want you to leave saying, ‘Wow, I didn’t know this existed.’”

While caffeine and cocktails are already drawing attention, Chain encourages guests to explore their “japas” menu.

“Our Japanese tapas are bold, beautiful, and just delightful,” she says, eager for Nitro Tales to be recognized as more than just a cocktail bar.

With its blend of innovation, elegance, and Eastern inspiration, Nitro Tales will provide an experience not easily forgotten as it seeks to become a destination for both locals and tourists craving a unique culinary outing in Huntsville.