Kristen’s (Incomplete) Guide to Nashville
Dive Bars
One of my best girlfriends would wring my neck if she knew I was sharing this “secret”, but I can’t help myself. This place is awesome and probably my local favorite. It’s a hole in the wall, one pool table a couple dart boards, and a great patio out back. Right above The Fox.
186 locals recommend
Mickey's Tavern
2907 Gallatin PikeOne of my best girlfriends would wring my neck if she knew I was sharing this “secret”, but I can’t help myself. This place is awesome and probably my local favorite. It’s a hole in the wall, one pool table a couple dart boards, and a great patio out back. Right above The Fox.
This place is top notch. Christmas themed, in a trailer, great live music, karaoke, cash only. The owner has a long white Santa beard and his wife tends the bar – she is an OG.
170 locals recommend
Santa's Pub
2225 Bransford AveThis place is top notch. Christmas themed, in a trailer, great live music, karaoke, cash only. The owner has a long white Santa beard and his wife tends the bar – she is an OG.
EAST - Dark dive bar right next to Basement East, pool and dart boards, but fun to go to after a show or on a rainy day!
Lakeside Lounge
338 E 18th StEAST - Dark dive bar right next to Basement East, pool and dart boards, but fun to go to after a show or on a rainy day!
Cool record shop with good food and beer selection. Haven’t tried their cocktails, but their bartenders are always friendly. Hit this up before Fran’s!
56 locals recommend
Vinyl Tap
2038 Greenwood AveCool record shop with good food and beer selection. Haven’t tried their cocktails, but their bartenders are always friendly. Hit this up before Fran’s!
pin ball machines, and a great place to cool down if you’re walking around on a hot day. The bartenders are great and beer selection is always on point. If @bakerandthebeerd is working (bartender with long beard), tell him @honestkabes sent you, he’ll get a kick.
12 locals recommend
No Quarter
922 Main Stpin ball machines, and a great place to cool down if you’re walking around on a hot day. The bartenders are great and beer selection is always on point. If @bakerandthebeerd is working (bartender with long beard), tell him @honestkabes sent you, he’ll get a kick.
Duke's
1000 Main StLate night sandwiches, decent beer selection. Little bit of a grungy vibe.
This place is cool. Gold accent wallpaper in the front, tin roof bar on the back patio. The sign out front just says “BAR”. The owner/bartender is top notch.
20 locals recommend
Never Never
413 Houston StThis place is cool. Gold accent wallpaper in the front, tin roof bar on the back patio. The sign out front just says “BAR”. The owner/bartender is top notch.
Getcha a burger and cheap beer! Good size patio out back. Karaoke!
41 locals recommend
Rosie's Twin Kegs
413 W Thompson LnGetcha a burger and cheap beer! Good size patio out back. Karaoke!
Great place to watch sports. Usually pretty crowded during party hours, never had the food, but I like this place.
17 locals recommend
Neighbors Germantown
313 Jefferson StGreat place to watch sports. Usually pretty crowded during party hours, never had the food, but I like this place.
The Centennial
5115 Centennial BlvdDivey, fun!
Rock Bottom
111 BroadwayGreat rooftop bar with loud music, usually not too crowded.
Robert's Western World
416 BroadwayBest Broadway bar. Take it to the bank.
Sign up as soon as you get in the door if you want to sing, but this place is a boot-scootin’ good time.
20 locals recommend
Ms. Kelli's Karaoke Bar
207 Printers AlleySign up as soon as you get in the door if you want to sing, but this place is a boot-scootin’ good time.
I like going out here, it’s always crowded, but the space is big enough to not notice that. Cocktails are dec and fun, duck pin bowling. Recommended.
85 locals recommend
Pins Mechanical Company
1102 Grundy StI like going out here, it’s always crowded, but the space is big enough to not notice that. Cocktails are dec and fun, duck pin bowling. Recommended.
Fun bar games, private karaoke if you’re into that kinda thing, younger crowd, pretty fun.
52 locals recommend
Kung Fu Saloon Nashville
1921 Division StreetFun bar games, private karaoke if you’re into that kinda thing, younger crowd, pretty fun.
H-Cue's Upstairs Poolroom
1602 21st Ave SGotta throw in a good dive. Pool. Budweiser. Hell yeah.
This place is great. 5 min drive from my house, food is good, local crowd, karaoke, indoor cigs, and bottles of Bud Light. Gets a little sketch if you go on a weekend.
Betty Lou's Restaurant & Lounge
2819 Smith Springs RoadThis place is great. 5 min drive from my house, food is good, local crowd, karaoke, indoor cigs, and bottles of Bud Light. Gets a little sketch if you go on a weekend.
Loading Zone
2825 Smith Springs RoadSports bar right next door to Betty Lou’s, friendly staff, great wings, sports!
Twilight Tavern
5303 Charlotte AveNothing to rave about, but the food is okay, the beer is cheap, and I just like it!
Cocktails
The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club
2905B Gallatin PikeFancy cocktails that are delicious. Great staff.
This place is fun. Feels like a college house party because it’s in an actual house. I think it’s a gay bar, but hey, straights are welcome too!
136 locals recommend
Rosemary
1102 Forrest AveThis place is fun. Feels like a college house party because it’s in an actual house. I think it’s a gay bar, but hey, straights are welcome too!
Hip cocktails, good service, young adult crowd, fun spot. They also have bubble hockey, so that’s cool. There’s also an upscale restaurant attached to it, it’s small, so you have to have a reservation.
192 locals recommend
Bastion
434 Houston StHip cocktails, good service, young adult crowd, fun spot. They also have bubble hockey, so that’s cool. There’s also an upscale restaurant attached to it, it’s small, so you have to have a reservation.
In the basement of the Noelle Hotel, walk in and there is a door labeled “storage closet”. This place gets decked out for Christmas. Cocktails are good!
21 locals recommend
Noelle, Nashville, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
200 4th Ave NIn the basement of the Noelle Hotel, walk in and there is a door labeled “storage closet”. This place gets decked out for Christmas. Cocktails are good!
Craft cocktails, dim lighting, excellent bartenders. This is a local hot spot.
368 locals recommend
The Patterson House
1711 Division StCraft cocktails, dim lighting, excellent bartenders. This is a local hot spot.
Martha My Dear
The decor is the real draw here. Friendly bartenders and a very cool spot!
Yum cocktails, industrial club vibe. Never been here late hours, but one of my favorite dates we sat on the wait list at Barcelona and popped in here for one or two. Very cool spot.
161 locals recommend
Old Glory
1200 Villa PlYum cocktails, industrial club vibe. Never been here late hours, but one of my favorite dates we sat on the wait list at Barcelona and popped in here for one or two. Very cool spot.
Food!
I go here way too often. Pizza is SO good. Beer is SO good.
138 locals recommend
Smith & Lentz Brewing Company
903 Main StI go here way too often. Pizza is SO good. Beer is SO good.
I know it looks like I’m obsessed with pizza, but there’s a lot of good pizza to advertise. Including this place. Party style (square cut), great patio, pretty good beer selection!
Dicey's Tavern
I know it looks like I’m obsessed with pizza, but there’s a lot of good pizza to advertise. Including this place. Party style (square cut), great patio, pretty good beer selection!
I must admit, Nashville has some good pizza joints. Add this one to the list if you’re in the Nations.
15 locals recommend
Midnight Oil
1310 51st Ave NI must admit, Nashville has some good pizza joints. Add this one to the list if you’re in the Nations.
this place has a rep and it’s for a reason. Best pizza in Nashville. Prove me wrong.
812 locals recommend
Five Points Pizza East
1012 Woodland Stthis place has a rep and it’s for a reason. Best pizza in Nashville. Prove me wrong.
Two Boots Nashville
1925 BroadwayNot the best pizza in town, but still two thumbs up.
Mitchell Delicatessen
1306 McGavock PkGive this one three fire emojis. Sandwiches are bomb.
Excellent little sandwich shop in Marathon Motor Works museum. Grab some lunch and tour the old machinery!
21 locals recommend
The Southern Engine Deli
1200 Clinton StExcellent little sandwich shop in Marathon Motor Works museum. Grab some lunch and tour the old machinery!
615 deli
1703 Portland AveGreat sandwiches at a great price!
Pass the potatoes! Nothing like some comfort food and casual conversation with strangers to make you feel like you’re in the south! Fun place to take the family.
303 locals recommend
Monell's
1235 6th Ave NPass the potatoes! Nothing like some comfort food and casual conversation with strangers to make you feel like you’re in the south! Fun place to take the family.
This place gives Mitchell’s a run. Sandwiches are bomb, plenty of salads to take with you, they sell produce, beer selection is great, and tacos and burritos!
25 locals recommend
51st Deli
1314 51st Ave NThis place gives Mitchell’s a run. Sandwiches are bomb, plenty of salads to take with you, they sell produce, beer selection is great, and tacos and burritos!
Rolf and Daughters
700 Taylor StMake a reservation. Nice patio, great food.
Fell in love with this place in Atlanta. You order in line and sit, but the tacos are good and it’s decently cheap. I always get the salsa trio!
128 locals recommend
Taqueria del Sol
2317 12th Ave SFell in love with this place in Atlanta. You order in line and sit, but the tacos are good and it’s decently cheap. I always get the salsa trio!
bartaco
2526 12th Ave STacos are good, margs are good!
I like the vibe better than the food, but I’ve heard people rave about their version of a crunch wrap supreme.
107 locals recommend
Redheaded Stranger
305 Arrington StI like the vibe better than the food, but I’ve heard people rave about their version of a crunch wrap supreme.
Dinos Bar
411 Gallatin AveLate night burger! Great dive bar. Don’t sleep on it!
Edley's Bar-B-Que
2706 12th Ave SJust good.
I haven’t eaten here, but I am told I am missing out. If you’re in the area and you want a burger, this is your spot.
323 locals recommend
Burger Up
2901 12th Ave SI haven’t eaten here, but I am told I am missing out. If you’re in the area and you want a burger, this is your spot.
divey burger place. Little grungy, but I get down with that. Burger is good too!
20 locals recommend
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint RVA
5810 Grove Avedivey burger place. Little grungy, but I get down with that. Burger is good too!
The pit master here literally wrote the Barbeque For Dummies book. He knows what he’s doing. Order at the counter style. It’s good.
181 locals recommend
Peg Leg Porker BBQ
903 Gleaves StThe pit master here literally wrote the Barbeque For Dummies book. He knows what he’s doing. Order at the counter style. It’s good.
big patio, exceptional bar food. Burger is good. Chicken tenders are good. Get the loaded tots.
19 locals recommend
Nations Bar and Grill
705 51st Ave Nbig patio, exceptional bar food. Burger is good. Chicken tenders are good. Get the loaded tots.
Barcelona Wine Bar
1200 Villa PlWine and tapas. Need I say more?
“That burger tho”. Seriously it’s the best one in Nash. Beer is hit or miss, but they have tons of it. They have a stage and live music occasionally!
89 locals recommend
Tennessee Brew Works
809 Ewing Ave“That burger tho”. Seriously it’s the best one in Nash. Beer is hit or miss, but they have tons of it. They have a stage and live music occasionally!
Meat & 3, it’s a Nashville staple. They do it right, but expect to wait in line for this greatness.
145 locals recommend
Arnold's Country Kitchen
605 8th Ave SMeat & 3, it’s a Nashville staple. They do it right, but expect to wait in line for this greatness.
Decent food, lots of room, live music downstairs, the second floor is a great place to watch sporting events, also has a roof top.
578 locals recommend
Acme Feed & Seed
101 BroadwayDecent food, lots of room, live music downstairs, the second floor is a great place to watch sporting events, also has a roof top.
Ever heard of it? Pro tip, get it to go and take it to a brewery to skip the lunch line.
465 locals recommend
Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Midtown Nashville, TN
112 19th Ave SEver heard of it? Pro tip, get it to go and take it to a brewery to skip the lunch line.
see title for description, never been, but I need to up my brunch game. They have brunch.
58 locals recommend
The Row Kitchen & Pub
110 Lyle Avesee title for description, never been, but I need to up my brunch game. They have brunch.
good tacos, love their spicy margarita, nice picnic table patio with live music sometimes.
64 locals recommend
Nectar: Urban Cantina
206 McGavock Pkgood tacos, love their spicy margarita, nice picnic table patio with live music sometimes.
Sushi. Yum. I always carried out, but the place is cute for an intimate date. Their curry is very good too.
Sushi Thai
5760 Old Hickory BoulevardSushi. Yum. I always carried out, but the place is cute for an intimate date. Their curry is very good too.
This place is great. Good food, darts upstairs, sometimes an Irish band playing. Quickly became a local favorite for me, but I’m a sucker for Irish bars.
91 locals recommend
McNamara's Irish Pub & Restaurant
2740 Old Lebanon RoadThis place is great. Good food, darts upstairs, sometimes an Irish band playing. Quickly became a local favorite for me, but I’m a sucker for Irish bars.
Hot chicken, hell yes. This place is so good. Get the hot chicken tacos, turn up the heat!
14 locals recommend
Subculture Urban Cuisine And Cafe
5737 Nolensville PikeHot chicken, hell yes. This place is so good. Get the hot chicken tacos, turn up the heat!
good greasy brunch and dinner, nothing is stellar, but everything is 4 stars. Also has a cute little bar. I don’t know. I like it!
30 locals recommend
Nadeen's Hermitage Haven
3410 Lebanon Pikegood greasy brunch and dinner, nothing is stellar, but everything is 4 stars. Also has a cute little bar. I don’t know. I like it!
Umm. YUM. This place is friggin’ good. I’ve never eaten in the restaurant, but it’s frequent take out for me.
35 locals recommend
Taj indian restaurant
412 Nolensville PikeUmm. YUM. This place is friggin’ good. I’ve never eaten in the restaurant, but it’s frequent take out for me.
Not my fav, but this is where to go when you’re about to hit Broadway or the Ryman and have eight different opinions on where to eat.
146 locals recommend
Fifth + Broadway
5036 BroadwayNot my fav, but this is where to go when you’re about to hit Broadway or the Ryman and have eight different opinions on where to eat.
Mas Tacos Por Favor
732 Mcferrin AveCool spot and really good tacos.
Breweries
Barrique Brewing and Blending
30 Oldham StreetThis is top notch beer, probably best in town. Cool, intimate spot.
I know this is up in food, but seriously solid brewery. German style beers to your hearts content. Definitely top 3.
138 locals recommend
Smith & Lentz Brewing Company
903 Main StI know this is up in food, but seriously solid brewery. German style beers to your hearts content. Definitely top 3.
Wall paper like your grandma’s house. Top 3 in Nash in terms of beer selection. I really like this place and the staff!
Fait la Force Brewing
Wall paper like your grandma’s house. Top 3 in Nash in terms of beer selection. I really like this place and the staff!
I love this place, go every Sunday for their run club in the middle of the day (HOT), but so fun. Their beer is solid.
16 locals recommend
New Heights Brewing Company
928 Rep. John Lewis Way SI love this place, go every Sunday for their run club in the middle of the day (HOT), but so fun. Their beer is solid.
Extremely friendly, fun beers, this place is sought after in the beer community. And patio!
34 locals recommend
Southern Grist Brewing Company
5012 Centennial BlvdExtremely friendly, fun beers, this place is sought after in the beer community. And patio!
all of their beers taste the same to me, but their patio is what I go for. Hipster/industrial vibes. I actually love this spot.
77 locals recommend
Bearded Iris Brewing
101 Van Buren Stall of their beers taste the same to me, but their patio is what I go for. Hipster/industrial vibes. I actually love this spot.
Technically a cidery, if you’re into that. They do have a beer or two on tap, but this place really shines for it’s atmosphere and board game selection!
42 locals recommend
Diskin Cider
1235 Martin StTechnically a cidery, if you’re into that. They do have a beer or two on tap, but this place really shines for it’s atmosphere and board game selection!
Live Music
This is the OG. By far my favorite venue. Intimate setting, stand only, beers and cocktails are good and there are some great bands that come through.
104 locals recommend
The Basement
1604 8th Ave SThis is the OG. By far my favorite venue. Intimate setting, stand only, beers and cocktails are good and there are some great bands that come through.
Music venue with fantastic food, bluegrass and americana type artists come through. Go for brunch & bluegrass!
6 locals recommend
Jane's Hideaway
407 Gallatin AvenueMusic venue with fantastic food, bluegrass and americana type artists come through. Go for brunch & bluegrass!
Love bluegrass every night. First come, first serve on the seating!
245 locals recommend
The Station Inn
402 12th Ave SLove bluegrass every night. First come, first serve on the seating!
Okay, this is a cultural experience. Honkey Tonk Tuesdays is deep Nashville material. If you get there at 7p, they’ll teach you to two-step and you can try it out at the 8p live show. Just great.
American Legion Inglewood Post 82
Okay, this is a cultural experience. Honkey Tonk Tuesdays is deep Nashville material. If you get there at 7p, they’ll teach you to two-step and you can try it out at the 8p live show. Just great.
Another Nashville classic dive. Live music and whiskey sours. Yeehaw!
46 locals recommend
Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge
102 E Palestine AveAnother Nashville classic dive. Live music and whiskey sours. Yeehaw!
See who’s playing. Book a show if you can, but they sell tickets at the door if it’s not sold out. This is a great venue and decent artists come through table service for smaller shows.
296 locals recommend
The Basement East
917 Woodland StSee who’s playing. Book a show if you can, but they sell tickets at the door if it’s not sold out. This is a great venue and decent artists come through table service for smaller shows.
Neighborhoods
This is my spot. Hipster vibes from the locals, but packed with killer bars, great food, and hidden gems. Great place to park the car and walk around.
221 locals recommend
East Nashville
This is my spot. Hipster vibes from the locals, but packed with killer bars, great food, and hidden gems. Great place to park the car and walk around.
This is the closest “cool” area to go out in. It’s a little more spread out, but has a couple of great spots – namely my personal favorite: Santa’s Pub (details below).
15 locals recommend
Berry Hill
This is the closest “cool” area to go out in. It’s a little more spread out, but has a couple of great spots – namely my personal favorite: Santa’s Pub (details below).
This area is pretty well developed, decently close to downtown/Broadway, an has a lot of walkable options. Catch a Sounds game and hang out!
21 locals recommend
Germantown
This area is pretty well developed, decently close to downtown/Broadway, an has a lot of walkable options. Catch a Sounds game and hang out!
This is where the OG Nashville sign is. Very touristy, but honestly it is for a reason, lots of shops, dining, and my favorite to do is park at Sevier and walk around the park, then hit the strip. It’s cute.
353 locals recommend
12 South
This is where the OG Nashville sign is. Very touristy, but honestly it is for a reason, lots of shops, dining, and my favorite to do is park at Sevier and walk around the park, then hit the strip. It’s cute.
Apparently this used to be a rough part of town, but they’ve given it a major facelift. I probably lack some exploration here, but this is what I got.
48 locals recommend
The Nations
Apparently this used to be a rough part of town, but they’ve given it a major facelift. I probably lack some exploration here, but this is what I got.
This is what people come to Nashville for. Get ready for heavy crowds, tons live music, and bachelorette parties. There is so much, I’m gonna keep this list short. Walk around, follow your instincts.
575 locals recommend
Broadway
BroadwayThis is what people come to Nashville for. Get ready for heavy crowds, tons live music, and bachelorette parties. There is so much, I’m gonna keep this list short. Walk around, follow your instincts.
A stone’s throw away from Broadway - if you want to go downtown and avoid the major crowd, this is a pretty good alternative.
83 locals recommend
Printers Alley
Printers AlleyA stone’s throw away from Broadway - if you want to go downtown and avoid the major crowd, this is a pretty good alternative.
This is a hot spot for young crowds and tourists. I’ll be honest, I kind of avoid it, so I haven’t explored a ton, but this is a great alternative to Broadway for you bachelorette parties. Packed with food/drink.
255 locals recommend
Music Row
This is a hot spot for young crowds and tourists. I’ll be honest, I kind of avoid it, so I haven’t explored a ton, but this is a great alternative to Broadway for you bachelorette parties. Packed with food/drink.
Again not the most hoppin’ area, but shouldn’t be overlooked! I lived in Hermitage for two years (right next door) and frequented a couple of these place.
Donelson
Again not the most hoppin’ area, but shouldn’t be overlooked! I lived in Hermitage for two years (right next door) and frequented a couple of these place.
My neighborhood with friendliest neighbors around! Not the best area for night/patio life. Here’s what we got though.
Antioch
My neighborhood with friendliest neighbors around! Not the best area for night/patio life. Here’s what we got though.
Activities
Sounds Stadium
19 Jackson StMinor league baseball, beer, what’s not to like?
Nissan Stadium
1 Titans WayLooks like a barber shop, it’s a theater. A friend just told me about it and said it was awesome. I plan to go very soon!
The Barbershop Theater
4003 Indiana AveLooks like a barber shop, it’s a theater. A friend just told me about it and said it was awesome. I plan to go very soon!
Assembly Food Hall
5055 BroadwayNashville’s Largest Rooftop, bars, food, entertainment.
If the Preds are in town, go to a game. It is expensive, but the crowd is electric, it is a ton of fun.
535 locals recommend
Bridgestone Arena
501 BroadwayIf the Preds are in town, go to a game. It is expensive, but the crowd is electric, it is a ton of fun.