You can’t really picture Music City without alcohol. Nashville has embraced the ‘NashVegas’ and morphed itself into one of the nation’s premier party cities. Drawing everyone from bachelorette parties to spring breakers, there’s SO MANY places to get drunk. Unfortunately, visiting every one will probably kill you. As such, here are my favorite bars in the city.
Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa
- Casa Rosa is my favorite bar on Broadway. Lambert’s “latin”-influenced space has frozen margaritas, like four floors of dancing and a rooftop deck overlooking the street. My perfect Broadway night is grabbing a frozen marg and people watching on the roof. I think the place is a tex-mex restaurant by day, but transforms into all its honky tonk glory by 10 p.m. nightly.
The Underground
- The Underground is Broadway’s place for those who “aren’t into country music.” With a club-like atmosphere, each staircase takes you a bit further from the countryness(?). The ground floor has a live band, a bar and a mechanical bull (you can ride it for free on your birthday.) The rooftop has grass, $18 tequila shots and a DJ pumping out techno/pop songs. There’s even a bowling alley? I won’t lie to you, this bar gave me quite a few stories. For starters, the top two floors were fun, but I never explored the bottom; aside from waiting in line for 20 minutes to ride the bull. Over the summer, my friends had to flee from a large number of creeps, but that’s also just a Nashville thing. If you’re ever feeling unsafe, tell a staff member or leave!
Jason Aldean’s
- I feel like it’s almost a crime to not include the legendary Jason Aldean’s. One of Broadway’s most recent ventures, it usually sports the longest line of the tonks. Aldean’s also has, arguably, Broadway’s best scene as it’s a draw for the younger crowds. Don’t get me wrong, jamming with drunk 65 year olds next door at Kid Rock’s is fun, but it’s not really the vibe most people my age are looking for. On the other hand, I don’t think I came to this bar more than five times just because the line was so long. Tip the guests waiting in front a $20 to let you in!
Old Glory
- This is Nashville’s sexiest bar. The dark bricked interior drapes a pride flag mingled with vines climbing down the walls. The entrance, through an unmarked door, requires a two-story climb down into the cavernous room. The bar is in a former boiler room of the White Way Cleaners and much of the machinery remains. The low light is broken by seductively flickering candles as a DJ spins somewhat fitting music. The only weak spot is the drink menu: stick to wine.
The Fairlane Hotel’s Rooftop
- If you ever forget where you’re at, which is very possible with this bar’s heavy pours, the hotel’s rooftop bar sits RIGHT underneath the giant letters spelling its name. The Fairlane knows how to keep their product fresh, as the bar’s theme changes every few months. Currently, it’s Alice in Wonderland themed, but last summer was “Miami Vice.” The tropical themed bar had stick flamingos and reasonably priced tropical drinks. Unchanging throughout the year, it looks out over Germantown and the Cumberland River below. You can follow the neighborhoods all the way up to the jagged hills. It’s my favorite rooftop bar in the city and offers, what I believe to be, the city’s best view.
Pearl Diver
- You’ll never know you needed a 50’s era tiki bar until you step into Peal Diver. There’s sleek red booths lined by paneled wood and drinks mixing every tropical ingredient. Good luck deciding between the enticing beverages. I can’t remember what I got, but browsing through the menu is a tease. Make a reservation, this place is popular, and don’t be surprised if your cocktail arrives in an oyster shell!
Rosemary & Beauty Queen
- This East Nashville bar is cool. There’s an elevated deck disguised as a treehouse that looks over the tree-lined courtyard below. Picnic tables rest underneath the bar and the house has a number of rooms inside to chill in. The scene is what you’d expect of East Nashville – hipsters. Overhead, a disco ball slowly spins to the DJ’s music. Barstools are replaced by swings… that’s really all it took to persuade me to come.
L27
- Sitting 27 floors above the city, this rooftop bar has a great view of the western city. The bar is on the Westin’s pool deck, which includes an infinity pool. You can’t go in the pool but it’s a sight to see. The hotel is slightly off Broadway so the only downside is the obstructed honky tonks below. However, there are gorgeous views of Midtown and The Gulch, especially as the sun sets below the hills. As it’s a rooftop bar, drinks can be pretty pricey. I’d recommend sticking to their wine list. Be sure to look at the guitar shaped roof of the convention center!
Ole Smoky Distillery
- The East Tennessee moonshine staple has a residence in Nashville! Just like their mountainous counterparts, this site has $10 tastings, traded for a $10 off coupon, about a million different moonshine flavors and cocktails mixed with their famous elixir. In typical Nashville fashion there’s an outdoor courtyard with a stage for live music. During any sports season, they blow up a giant screen that broadcasts the game. Grabbing a Yee-Haw beer and cheering on the Titans with Nashvillians is a great time. Their website says they offer distillery tours, ranging from $10-45 that are followed by 13 tasting shots. Daddy’s Dogs and White Duck Taco have small food stands inside the massive warehouse to complement the smooth moonshine.
Bastion
- Another trendy and moodily lit cocktail bar, Bastion has a cool vibe that’s worth a visit. About a mile from Broadway, it’s a short scooter ride down 4th Avenue. It’s split into two: the bar and a small boutique restaurant. The ex-brick warehouse space is gorgeously decorated, with an ascending staircase of seats. The drinks draw inspiration from the tropics, but the $10 punch of the day shouldn’t be overlooked. Circumventing some strange law, the bar also sells nachos. Jackalope brewery across the street was on my list, but I never made it. If you visit, let me know what you think!
It goes without saying that this isn’t a comprehensive list of Nashville’s bars. Most of the bars don’t have a cover, so if you visit a place you don’t like you can leave. Everyone has their personal favorite, so go explore!
Turquoise Skies 