Get your kicks with karaoke in a double-wide trailer, dancing under the stars, or watching burlesque with a brew.
Photograph: Shutterstock
When most people think nightlife in Nashville, they think of Broadway’s bright lights, blaring bands, and party tractors practically tipping over with beer-toting bachelorettes. Hey, they don’t call it “NashVegas” for nothing.
And while everyone should experience the chaotic circus that is Broadway at least once in their lives, there’s so much more to Music City’s nightlife scene. The best of Nashville nightlife doesn’t stop at the city’s fabled honkytonks—there are glamorous rooftops with jaw-dropping views of the city, headlining comedy shows, down-and-dirty karaoke joints, and even a pulsating nightclub for the EDM heads in the crowd.
The best nightlife in Nashville is everything you imagined and so much more. There’s a little something for everyone. It does not disappoint. Here’s a little of what you can expect.
This guide was updated by Nashville-based writer Jackie Gutierrez-Jones. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
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The Twelve Thirty Club gets a lot of press because “it’s that place that’s partially owned by Justin Timberlake.” And while that’s true, it’s also a class act venue that stands out amongst the ruckus on Broadway. The venue is split into three parts: a groundfloor honkytonk for casual sips and tunes, a swanky supper club for oysters, big bands, and songwriters rounds, and the lush rooftop for lounging with killer views of downtown Nashville.
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Downtown's Broadway district is dotted with honkytonk bars that are always filled with live music and cheap drinks, and this is one of the best. However, some of the honkytonks have started playing rock and pop music to accommodate the scores of tourists who stream down Lower Broad, but Robert's is one of the most authentic, with Western swing still on the playlists, even on weekend nights. Don’t leave without ordering Robert’s Recession Special: a fried bologna sandwich with chips, a Moon Pie, and a can of PBR for $6. There's no cover charge, but remember to tip the band.
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A recent fire almost took East Nashville’s Rosemary & Beauty Queen out, but the hip two-story bungalow took the disaster as an opportunity to come back better than ever. Hanging here feels like crashing a college house party hosted by the coolest creatives on campus. Whether you’re dancing to the DJ-spun tunes inside the house, on the outside patio, or from the rooftop cabanas, you can count on the elevated cocktails and bar food to see you through to 2am.
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Night We Met is where Nashville gets its EDM fix. The nightclub is split into two spaces—a laid-back lounge for cocktails and low-tempo beats and the frenetic club room where a rotating roster of DJs from around the country spin beats for the high-energy dancefloor. Art installations adorn the cavernous space while batched old fashioneds, palomas, and espresso martinis serve as a prelude to the late night ahead.
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The Nashville Palace is a seriously old-school hangout with a restaurant, nightclub, and dance floor (including free dance lessons). Located across from the Gaylord Opryland Resort, it isn't particularly convenient, but if you want country music, line dancing, and more, this is the place to go. Live music is on tap daily. Remember to tip the band when the hat gets passed.
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This historic venue originally opened in 1948. A classic cocktail from the dark wood-paneled bar is a must-have if you are on a sipping tour of the city… but wait, there is more. Several nights a week, Skull's offers burlesque shows, and these are not cheesy strip club acts but artful performances accompanied by a live jazz band. Make reservations so you can have a seat with a good view.
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The Bluebird Café is a place that shows off Nashville’s real music magic. It’s an unassuming room, small—and, depending on the night, perhaps even a bit cramped—but when people talk about how they heard so-and-so play in Nashville, odds are pretty good that it was here. The Bluebird is famous for its songwriters’ nights, open mics, and performances in the round. Since it is a small room, reservations are required and hard to get, and this is not the place to plan to talk to your neighbor while the music plays. You will be shushed.
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If you like dive bars or karaoke, this bar is the place for you. You'll recognize it when you see what is basically a large trailer painted with images of Santa. Beers are $2 (cash only), and there's karaoke every night. Did we mention the $2 beers?
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If you think your karaoke skills can hold their own with all the Music City singing professionals, head to Lonnie’s. It’s the city’s number-one spot for singing your heart out to prerecorded tracks (and has been for decades, despite a new location). Be prepared for standing-room-only on the weekends.
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Dee's took over space from an old bar in suburban Madison a few years ago, but it feels like it has been here forever. And as Downtown Nashville has become a tourist destination, more locals (and their bands) have headed here. You're likely to see some of the city's best musicians playing in a low-key environment, bringing their famous friends on stage with them. When there isn't a live band, you can play whatever you want on the free jukebox (chockful of country and rock classics).
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This is one of the newer honkytonks on Lower Broadway, but it has a real connection to the past. Despite the name, it is not a strip club! Nudie Cohn was the tailor who made suits for Johnny Cash and Elvis, among others, and this hotspot celebrates his life. The bar is also a museum, with many of Nudie’s famous works behind glass and one of his ostentatious cars, a $400,000 Cadillac El Dorado, hanging from the wall.
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As Nashville has gotten its share of new high-rises and skyscraper hotels, there has been an explosion of rooftop bars. This particular rooftop spot at the Thompson Hotel offers views of The Gulch, plenty of DJ action, craft cocktails, and a fun crowd that isn't entirely made up of tourists or bachelorette parties (unlike some other rooftops).
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Yes, this restaurant/wine bar/live music venue is a chain (it has locations in Chicago, New York, and Napa, California, too). But because this chain is the brainchild of Michael Dorf, who created the iconic Knitting Factory club earlier in his career, it is worth checking out. Even in a city like Nashville, where everyone is a musician or knows a musician, the musical lineup is impressive here, thanks to Dorf's connections. Tickets typically include seating, so you can eat and drink and not crane your neck to see the act.
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