Posted by Nashville is well celebrated as the home of country music and its lively entertainment scene, what’s less well known is the vibrant and esteemed food and cocktail scene that has emerged in recent years as this booming city has attracted culinary creatives from around the country. The birthplace of hot chicken offers so much more these days, with contemporary southern fare and extraordinary seafood on many menus, plus imaginative cocktails in spectacular bars.
You’ll definitely spend at least one night doing a honky tonk bar crawl along Broadway. The bars are all within a few blocks of each other, each one has its own unique feel – the décor, the style of music, the size of the band, the crowd it attracts, all differ. Stay for one song or drink, if you like the place, stay on, if you don’t, the next bar is only a few steps away. It’s unlikely you’ll be charged an entry fee, but the performers do work on tips so they hustle for these and the tip jar will come around regularly. Some of the bars have live music during the day too, these timeslots are allocated to the more up and coming musicians trying to get their break.
There’s much more and often better music to be experienced than just in the honky tonks, so seek out venues outside of downtown like The Station Inn and the Bluebird Café. It also pays to venture a little out of the centre for dining and authentic local bars, particularly in the enclaves of The Gulch, Germantown and 12 South. The Gulch and Germantown are polar-opposites, the former with high-rise condos and sleek restaurants, the latter is the oldest neighbourhood in Nashville, somewhat sleepy but with pockets of vibrant venues that make you feel at home. East Nashville also warrants a visit if you are staying more than a few nights, it’s emerging as a hotspot of creativity in the bar and dining scene.
And if you still have energy after all your evening activities, there’s a varied and interesting array of other adventures to pique your interest, including ice hockey games at Bridgestone Arena, tours of the Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Just Coffee…
Drugstore Coffee | 200 4th Ave N, Downtown
Attached to the lobby of the stylish Noelle Hotel, Drugstore is a handsome looking space with bright natural light, ample seating and low-key tunes, making it very welcoming to linger and enjoy your coffee. Drugstore Coffee
Elegy Coffee | 150 4th Ave N, Downtown
A local coffee chain with three locations around Nashville, they serve very good coffee. The Downtown outlet is in a rather funky office building lobby, it’s more a grab and go place if you’re downtown and in need of a quick caffeine hit. Elegy Coffee
Barista Parlour | 1230 4th Ave N, Germantown
A Nashville roaster established in 2012, their Germantown outlet is set in an airy warehouse that’s been transformed into a bright, upbeat space. The coffee is some of the best in town, and there’s a handful of tasty breakfast items available too. There are other BP outposts around town, including one in the W Hotel in The Gulch. Barista Parlour
The Library Café | 1319 6th Ave N, Germantown
A recent addition to the neighbourhood is this charming coffee shop and library. Housed in a quaint old cottage, there are a series of cute sitting rooms fitted out with antique furniture and bookshelves heaving with books, there’s also a sunny front porch to linger on. The Library Cafe
Fido | 1812 21st Ave S, Hillsboro
A large, rustic, dark coffee shop that is perfect for sipping on a cup of caffeine whilst labouring over the lyrics for your next country music hit. Fido
Breakfast & Brunch…
Biscuit Love | 316 11th Ave S, The Gulch
Open for breakfast and brunch, what started as a popular food truck has now become a small collection of smart looking outlets around town. Everything is made from scratch, the biscuits come with a variety of heart stopping additions, it’s decadent, over the top Southern fare, so bring your appetite. Biscuit Love
Milk & Honey | 214 11th Ave S, The Gulch
Everything is big here, from the expansive dining room to the long menu and the very generous portion sizes – you won’t leave hungry at this smart looking café that serves all the southern favourites, plus breakfast classics with southern spins on them. It’s a bold, busy and loud place, and yes, they serve shots with bunch if that’s your thing. Milk & Honey
Two Hands | 606 8th Ave S, The Gulch
Born in NYC’s Soho in 2014, this humble Australian effort to introduce Americans to healthier breakfast fare and fabulous coffee has now spread its wings to Nashville and Austin. It’s a medium size venue, neither too small or too big, bright and just stylish enough without being over the top. The menu is short by American café standards, just ten or so dishes + sides, but it covers all necessary ground and offers restrained, healthy but delicious food to get your day started – even simply poached eggs on toast is a treat here. Two Hands
Frothy Monkey | 235 Rep. John Lewis Way N, Downtown
A place for a very filling and hearty breakfast in downtown, the large menu offers southern favourites, breakfast sandwiches and bagels. The servings are huge, they might not look all that fancy but they taste lovely, and the service is warm. It’s a big rustic space with mellow tunes and local artworks on the wall. Frothy Monkey
Dining…
Skull’s Rainbow Room | 222 Printers Alley, Downtown
An old-world style cocktail bar and restaurant which was originally established in 1948, Skull’s is a rather large venue that feels more intimate than it should; it’s moodily dark, rustic, with deep leather booths and a prominent bar to sit at. They offer refined cocktails and an elevated food menu with all the classic American fare, such as shrimp cocktail, lobster bisque, prime rib and pork chops. With nightly live jazz and late-night burlesque performances on weekends, Skull’s is a more cultured way to experience the Nashville music scene than in the honky tonk bars. Skull’s Rainbow Room
Adele’s | 1210 McGavock St, The Gulch
In a handsome warehouse transformation, this uber stylish space is dark and romantic at night. Offering a farm-to-fork philosophy, the fabulous menu features New American comfort food, though you’ll find it on the lighter side of the comfort food spectrum. Most of the dishes are perfectly cooked in a wood oven. Adele’s
Marsh House | 401 11th Ave S, The Gulch
This spacious restaurant has expansive windows, high ceilings, a variety of different dining zones, and décor that exudes mid-century style. Seafood with rich southern flavours is the star here, start with oysters either plain or with opulent additions, or go for one of the extravagant seafood towers if you are in the mood to lash out. There are small and large plates to share, with all varieties of seafood to whet your appetite. Marsh House
Husk | 37 Rutledge St, Rutledge Hill
One of Nashville’s premier dining experiences is set in an elegantly restored southern mansion, with a series of intimate dining rooms. Serving regional produce, the menu changes regularly to accommodate what’s in season, cooked on an ember-fired grill, the intricate meals are creative in both presentation and flavour. Husk
Pinewood Social | 33 Peabody St, Rutledge Hill
A huge warehouse that’s had an industrial-chic makeover, housing a happening bar, dining space and lively bowling alley. Offering fabulous New American cuisine, there’s easy drinking fare like soups and sandwiches, or entrees that have a bit more depth to them. There’s an engrossing southern inspired cocktail collection, including ‘large-format’ cocktails to share, and a tight choice of craft brews and wines. This is quite a fun scene, with a loud and busy vibe. Pinewood Social
Henrietta Red | 1200 4th Ave N, Germantown
This upscale dining room and bar in Germantown is spacious and busy, but feels quite serene due to its mostly white décor, marble bar, well-spaced blonde timber tables and a service team that make it all seem effortless. The oyster shucker works hard here, with 14 oyster varieties on offer, they are seriously popular (and especially during happy hour from 5-6pm when they’re just $2 each). The mostly seafood menu offers various size plates, with flavours that span from Asia to the Mediterranean, the food is first-class, the spaghetti with clams so simple yet ridiculously good. There’s a tight cocktail list, and a sizable eclectic international wine selection that leans to European drops, but even offers wine from Mexico. Henrietta Red
Lockeland Table | 1520 Woodland St, Lockeland Springs
In a rather quiet residential area of East Nashville (Urban Cowboy BnB is the only commercial neighbour), an old storefront now houses this cosy, rustic (yet busy and buzzing) restaurant. Serving delicious Southern-accented American food & yummy wood-fired pizzas, it’s more than worth the trip from downtown to enjoy an authentic slice of Nashville life. Lockeland Table
Puckett’s | 500 Church St, Downtown
Originally founded in the 1950’s as a local grocery store in Leiper’s Fork outside Nashville, Puckett’s is now a small chain of popular venues across Tennessee. The downtown location is a spacious bar & restaurant with live music, the food is basic southern comfort food, including BBQ, burgers and sandwiches, and although they offer salads, they probably aren’t the light and healthy salads you might expect. The servings are huge here, the food is comforting and filling, it’s not the best quality you’ll find, but it serves its purpose when you need a filling southern meal. Puckett’s
Hot Chicken…
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken | 112 19th Ave S, Music Row
One of the new generation of hot chicken shops, Hattie’s serves some of the best fried chicken anywhere! There is generally a lineup, but persevere as it tends to move pretty quickly. Choose your type of chicken (including whether you’d prefer dark or white meat), two sides, and the hotness level. Be warned, even the mild and medium hotness levels are pretty spicy. Once you’ve ordered, you need to find your own seat, but people move in and out quickly so it’s not too difficult to find space. There’s also an outlet in the Assembly Food Hall complex on Broadway. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish | 624 Main St, Historic Edgefield
A bare bones shack that does simple southern fare, with fried chicken and catfish being the specialties. The dining room is basic, the menu simple and to the point, and you order through a tiny window. The servings are hearty of course, the food is spicy (even the mild options). This is just good honest southern fare, served without pretense. It’s in a local East Nashville neighbourhood, so you’ll need to take an Uber to get there, but it’s only a short ride from downtown. Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish
Prince’s Hot Chicken | Assembly Food Hall, 5055 Broadway, Downtown
Thornton Prince, who founded Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack over 100 years ago, is regarded as the father of the hot chicken recipe. Now that hot chicken is thoroughly fashionable, Prince’s has spread its wings across Nashville – although this food court location is not its most interesting one, it’s conveniently located on Broadway so ideal for a snack during a honky tonk crawl. There are eight scales of hotness to choose from, you’d better be brave if you go with the XX Hot option, the chicken tenders are indeed tender as their name suggests, and a tempting choice of classic southern sides. Prince’s Hot Chicken
Drinks…
The Patterson House | 1711 Division St, Music Row
A gorgeous old world style cocktail bar in the Music Row district. There is a small holding lobby, then once you enter through the curtained doorway, you are transported into a dark and romantic bar. The cocktails are creative, intricate and divine, with elegant service to match. The Patterson House
Old Glory | 1200 Villa Place, Edgehill
Take a short Uber ride from downtown to this standout bar in an unlikely urban location. Situated in an old boiler room, the subterranean setting takes your breath away immediately upon entering, with exposed brick walls, concrete floors, a soaring ceiling and historic boiler equipment prominently on display. When you reach the stairs that take you to the bottom of the space, there’s a small bar and various nooks and booths to sit in, above the bar are two cosy mezzanine levels that allow you to sit and take in the history of the venue. There’s no country music on offer here, it’s a very slick, NYC style bar that attracts a young and handsome crowd. Old Glory
Gertie’s Whiskey Bar | 507 12th Avenue S, The Gulch
In the heart of The Gulch, Gertie’s is a relaxed, easy-going bar where whisky is the star, with an impressive wall of liquor to ogle, whiskey flights to taste and lockers if you are up for purchasing a bottle to drink over multiple visits. Their cocktails are complex with some exotic twists, and there’s a good selection of wine from across most continents. Food comes from the kitchen of the swanky 404 Kitchen, which is on the floor above. Gertie’s Whiskey Bar
LA Jackson | Rooftop, 401 11th Ave S, The Gulch
With a touch of mid-century styling and vibe, this spacious bar atop the hip Thompson Hotel has cool city views and an outdoor patio that opens in the warmer months. With an extensive food and drinks menu, it’s a buzzy spot for a night out or just a quick night-cap. LA Jackson
Mother’s Ruin | 1239 6th Ave N, Germantown
A sibling to NYC’s bar of the same name, this local gem is a rollicking good neighbourhood bar, the type of place you’d drop into for a quick drink and find yourself still perched at the long bar hours later. Cocktails and craft beers are the order of the night (there’s only one wine in each colour) and the food comes in the form of hearty southern style comfort dishes. If you walked past and peeked through the blinds that shield the windows, you’d have little idea of how much fun was being had inside. Mother’s Ruin
Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint | 1123 3rd Ave N, Germantown
Some dive bars are authentic dives, others are a little contrived for dramatic effect, Jack Brown’s seems to land perfectly in between these two extremes. You’ll likely discover it by accident, as it’s not located near any of Germantown’s other go-to venues, the décor is ‘dive-bar-chic’ with walls covered in stickers and memorabilia and a ‘no cussin’ sign that is purely for decorative purposes. Craft beers on tap and burgers being flipped behind the bar are order of the day here, and even though there’s eight varieties of burger, the basic cheeseburger hits the spot perfectly. The music soundtrack is as eclectic as it gets, from a Matchbox Twenty song to a Ray LaMontagne one the next. Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
Attaboy | 8 Mcferrin Ave, East Nashville
Another NYC star that has made its way to Nashville is Attaboy, with its Lower East Side mothership often named in the world’s best bars list. In an East Nashville neighbourhood that is still on the path to gentrification, it’s a little hard to find so take an Uber there, then wait patiently to be greeted at the door and hopefully granted access to the inner sanctum – they don’t accept reservations, so this is the only way to get in. Inside you’ll find a compact bar and sexy circular booths in an elegant, dimly lit space, with upbeat retro music on the playlist (anywhere playing Fleetwood Mac immediately wins my affection!). Like in NYC, there’s no menu, just verbalise your preferences to the team and they will create something that takes your fancy, and they always deliver on the brief perfectly, with sublime flavours and a lack of fuss in the presentation. One cocktail will certainly not be enough here. Attaboy
Urban Cowboy Public House | 1603 Woodland St, Lockeland Springs
In a mostly residential area about a ten minute ride from downtown, the Public Bar is housed in a timber cabin-like structure behind the Urban Cowboy B&B. It’s a very cool spot, with the cosy inside bar and an outdoor patio (complete with fires for winter). The menu is short but interesting, the place is buzzy and lively. It’s quite the East Nashville hipster hangout. Urban Cowboy Public House
Honky Tonks…
Robert’s Western World | 416 Broadway, Downtown
An authentic older honky tonk that’s a little ‘rough around the edges’, with walls covered in so much memorabilia (including shelves of old cowboy boots) that you could spend hours immersed in the history that’s taken place here. There’s nothing fancy or contrived, it’s good simple country music and a laid-back vibe, with value drinks and heart-attack inducing fried sandwiches and burgers. It’s the type of place that if you ask for a Chardonnay, the bar tender might mishear you and ask “a shot of what?” – true story, that did happen! Robert’s Western World
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge | 422 Broadway, Downtown
One of the most popular honky tonks, Tootsie’s has a whole bunch of different rooms over several levels, with each room featuring a different band or performer. The rather pint-sized ground level bar seems to be the most fun, it’s a bit raucous and chaotic with a miniscule stage that the performers squeeze onto. The top level also has an outdoor terrace. It does get very popular, so not for those who get claustrophobic! Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge
The Stage on Broadway | 412 Broadway, Downtown
One of Broadway’s larger honky tonks, it’s a big room with a big stage, so there tends to be larger and more energetic bands performing. It has a great party atmosphere and gets tightly packed with a friendly crowd who are all here for the same thing – country music, lots of drinks and plenty of fun. There’s a wonderful mural on the wall featuring images of country music legends and a raised sitting area that’s a good spot to grab a seat if you aren’t keen on mixing it up on the dance floor. The Stage on Broadway
Layla’s Honky Tonk | 418 Broadway, Downtown
One of the younger honky tonks, Layla’s was established in 1997 and feels like one of the cleaner cut venues on Broadway, though it’s still got loads of character including a collection of vintage license plates hanging from the ceiling. It features live acts performing across the entire spectrum of country, with bluegrass a highlight. As evidence of how a little more contemporary Layla’s is, the shots menu is a little fancier than most venues and you can even request a song from the band via a QR code.
Bootleggers Inn | 207 Broadway, Downtown
At the quieter end of the Broadway strip, this is one of the smaller and more laidback honky tonks, ideal for a more relaxed beverage or two and some good quality music. There’s a touch of hunting lodge in the décor, a very long bar to sit at and if you really want to do some damage, a menu of moonshine flavours – you can even order a flight of them! Bootleggers Inn
The Station Inn | 402 12th Ave S, The Gulch
Regarded as one of the best bluegrass venues in town, this intimate bar is dripping in history, the rickety looking timber walls lined with show posters for some of the thousands who have performed here over the years. With nightly live performances, there’s nothing fancy about the Station Inn, just damn good music and damn good times. The Station Inn
Where to Stay…
Nashville has a huge selection of hotels across all parts of the city, with a raft of new openings in recent years adding considerably to the choices. If it’s a short visit, you’re best staying downtown for easy access to the honky tonks and most of the attractions, for a quieter locale The Gulch is a good option, and if budget is a consideration, there are some very decent economy and midscale hotels around Music Row.
Noelle Nashville | 200 4th Ave N, Downtown
In the heart of downtown you’ll find this beautiful art-deco hotel that offers character, style and first-class service. The curated design and immaculate attention to detail make this one of Nashville’s most interesting bolt-holes. Noelle Nashville
Moxy Nashville Downtown | 110 3rd Ave S, Downtown
Known for their very compact but well thought out rooms and buzzy public areas, the Moxy chain are popular with those who don’t plan on spending too much time in their rooms – and the location for the Nashville outpost is perfect for this, as it’s just off Broadway with all the honky tonks within stumbling distance. Moxy Nashville Downtown
Thompson Nashville | 401 11th Ave S, The Gulch
With elegant mid-century styling, a rooftop bar and seafood restaurant in the complex, this is the premier hotel choice if you are wanting to stay in the upmarket, quieter enclave that is The Gulch. There’s a raft of different room and suite sizes to choose from, all of them offer lots of natural light. Thompson Nashville
Urban Cowboy Nashville | 1603 Woodland St, Lockeland Springs
For a more intimate and edgy option, venture to East Nashville and rest your weary head at the very cool Urban Cowboy Nashville, set in a historic Victorian mansion, there’s just eight rooms here, all with their own unique design and character. They also have a sassy bar. Urban Cowboy Nashville
Placemakr Music Row | 1600 McGavock St, Music Row
For a longer stay, this bright and modern apartment style hotel is great value and it’s well located in Music Row, only a short drive or 20-minute walk from the action downtown. From studio up to two-bedroom apartments available, with all the conveniences you’ll need. Placemakr Music Row
Must Do…
The Bluebird Café | 4104 Hillsboro Pike, Green Hills
Located in a suburban strip mall about 15 minutes from downtown, the Bluebird was founded in 1982 and not much about the ethos or décor seems to have changed at this iconic music venue that more recently gained fame in the ‘Nashville’ TV series. They usually host two different performances per night, featuring an eclectic lineup of up-&-coming and more experienced songwriters in a very intimate setting – the in-the-round sessions are particularly charming to experience. With only 90 seats, reservations are highly recommended (most shows only go on sale about a week prior). The Bluebird Cafe
Ryman Auditorium – Backstage Tour | 116 5th Ave North, Downtown
For the best insight into this historic concert venue, take the guided backstage tour that takes you through the dressing rooms where most of country’s stars have spent some time before and after their performances. Long regarded as one of the premier country music venues, as well as the former home of the Grand Ole Opry radio show, the Ryman has hosted concerts by just about every big-name musical act across all music genres. Ryman Auditorium – Backstage Tour
Travis’ Wish List…
Because there’s always more eating, dining and exploring than can be done in just one visit, Travis likes to keep a wish list so there’s an incentive to visit again!
Nashville has one of the most dynamic and exciting food scenes in the country, so there will always be an array of special restaurants to dine at, next time we’re in music city our wish list for reservations will include The Catbird Seat, Locust, Audrey and Lou.
There’s also endless options for drinking and music, so we’ll be heading out of downtown to some authentic local gems in the suburbs like Rudy’s Jazz Room, The 5 Spot, Fran’s Eastside and Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge.
Featured Photo: ‘The Music Makers’ – Bluebird Cafe, Nashville
Travis. 