Best Bars in Nashville: Where to Drink Beyond Broadway
Lower Broadway is the most famous drinking destination in Nashville, but it's far from the only one. Nashville's neighborhoods are packed with exceptional bars — rooftop spots with skyline views, craft cocktail lounges, legendary dive bars, and everything in between. Here's where to go beyond the tourist strip.
Broadway Classics (Start Here)
Robert's Western World is the best honky-tonk on Broadway — it's the real deal, with traditional country music, cheap beer, and a fried bologna sandwich that's become a Nashville icon. Tootsie's Orchid Lounge is the most storied bar on the strip, with a history going back to the original Ryman regulars. Both are worth at least one round.
Best Rooftop Bars
L27 Rooftop Lounge at the Westin has one of the best downtown views in Nashville. Acme Feed and Seed has a rooftop deck right on Broadway. Decker & Dyer at the Graduate Hotel is solid. For something in a neighborhood, Pinewood Social has a great outdoor space in the Gulch. Nashville is a city built for rooftop drinking.
Best Craft Cocktail Bars
No. 308 in East Nashville is one of the best cocktail bars in the city — a consistently excellent program in a neighborhood bar setting. Patterson House in Midtown is where serious cocktail people go. The bar at Chauhan Ale and Masala House on Broadway is underrated. Attaboy Nashville (the New York bar's outpost) is worth a trip if cocktails are your thing.
Best Dive Bars
Santa's Pub in South Nashville is Nashville's most beloved dive bar — a double-wide trailer with cheap beer and a karaoke machine that never stops. It's a Nashville rite of passage. The Springwater Supper Club in Midtown is old Nashville at its finest. East Nashville has several excellent dives along Gallatin Road.
Best Bars for Groups
Losers Bar and Grill is a Nashville institution — multiple floors, a rooftop, live music, and a crowd that's always a good time. FGL House (Florida Georgia Line's bar) is big, loud, and fun for a group. Old Glory in the Gulch is a speakeasy-style bar with great cocktails and a fun atmosphere for larger groups.
Best Beer Bars and Breweries
Tennessee Brew Works in SoBro is one of Nashville's best local breweries with a great taproom. Jackalope Brewing Company has a huge outdoor space. Yazoo Brewery has been a Nashville staple for years. For beer variety, The Filling Station in East Nashville carries an excellent rotating tap list.
Pre-Game at the Rental Before You Go Out
Broadway and Nashville bar prices add up fast. Music City Weekend Co. can stock your Airbnb or vacation rental with your favorite drinks, mixers, and ice before you arrive so your group can pre-game at the rental and save money on the night out. Shop the full catalog at musiccityweekend.co/shop, or learn more about Nashville grocery delivery and fridge stocking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most famous bars in Nashville?
Robert's Western World and Tootsie's Orchid Lounge are the most famous bars on Broadway and in Nashville overall. Santa's Pub is the most famous dive bar. The Patterson House and No. 308 are the most respected cocktail bars in the city.
Where should I go bar hopping in Nashville?
Lower Broadway is the obvious choice for a bar hop — you can walk between dozens of bars in a few blocks. East Nashville's Five Points area is the best neighborhood bar hop, with a range of bars within a 10-minute walk. The Gulch has several bars clustered together as well.
What is the Nashville bar scene like?
Nashville's bar scene is lively, diverse, and one of the best in the Southeast. Broadway is the high-energy honky-tonk experience. The neighborhoods offer craft cocktail bars, breweries, rooftop spots, and dive bars that cater more to locals. Overall the scene is welcoming and fun for groups of all kinds.
Do Nashville bars close early?
Most Nashville bars are open until 2am or 3am on weekends. Broadway bars stay open late. Some East Nashville and neighborhood spots close earlier — around midnight on weekdays and 2am on weekends. Last call is typically 1:30am at most venues.