The Best, Most Rockin’ Broadway Bars in Nashville
Downtown Nashville is famous for its string of honky tonk bars brimming with people looking for rocking live music, cold drinks and possibly a glimpse of country music royalty. A trip to Music City means a visit to its most famous street, Broadway. Let’s look at the some of the best Broadway bars in Nashville to hear live music with a few (thousand) fellow country music lovers.
The Stage on Broadway
412 Broadway Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 726-0504
No trip to Nashville is complete without a stop at The Stage on Broadway. Sip on a Tennessee Mule under the famous mural of country music giants like Willie and Waylon on the main floor or hit the upstairs patio for a cold local Hap & Harry’s Tennessee Lager while you listen to live music under the neon lights of lower Broadway. Don’t miss out on checking out the other guests while you visit The Stage since country music’s biggest stars are known to frequent this place to check out up and comers or even pop onto the stage themselves for an impromptu concert.
Tootsies Orchid Lounge
422 Broadway Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 726-0463
This grande dame of live country music never fails to come through with the quintessential Broadway experience and shouldn’t be missed by first-timers (and return visitors are just as common). Tootsie’s unforgettable purple exterior is usually wrapped by lines of people waiting to get in, but this joint doesn’t disappoint once inside. Namesake Tootsie Bess is now gone, but the infamous live music venue that gave a start to the likes of Willie Nelson, Mel Tillis and Patsy Cline keeps a full lineup on her three stages. If you can snag a table in this perennially crowded bar, order up the famous BBQ Sandwich and a Spiced Apple Jack to wash it down as you keep your eyes out for famous country stars who are no doubt in attendance on any given night.
Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar
307 Broadway St Nashville, TN 37201
Music City’s favorite son, Jason Aldean, has created a spot for just about every kind of music lover who visits Broadway bars in Nashville. The bottom floor hosts live country music performers while the second floor’s large dance floor is often full and the upstairs keeps a live DJ spinning tunes. The huge rooftop has some of the best views of Broadway if you make it up there but the food at Aldean’s is a standout as well. Visitors rave about the southern dishes served here by the world-renowned Chef Tomasz Wosiak like the Nashville Hot chicken sandwich and the chicken and waffles. Live iHeart Radio shows are filmed here weekly, upping the chance to spot a big star in this rocking venue.
Nudie’s Honky Tonk
409 Broadway Ave Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 942-6307
Listening to live country music at Nudies has been a popular pastime for Music City visitors for decades with Nudie Cohn at the helm in one of his rhinestone-covered suits. Music greats like Elvis and Johnny Cash played here and today a full line-up of bands hit the main, 2nd or rooftop stages daily. Nosh on a Nudie Dog with BBQ sauce and jalapeños like a local and wash it down with a Silver Dollar Slinger as a nod to the 10,000 silver dollars covering the bar top leftover from Cohn’s days at the helm of this Nashville institution.
The Stillery
1921 Broadway (Midtown)
113 2nd Ave N (Downtown) Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 760-5158
A restaurant first, live music venue second, The Stillery Midtown is located at the end of Broadway away from the rest of the live music venues. But their downtown location is just a notch off of the main drag of Broadway near the rest of the big bars Music City is known for. This spot is smaller than other country bars but the outstanding food and intimate stage and seating make it a popular Broadway bar in Nashville. Famous for their mason jar cocktails like the Southern Peach and the Whiskey Float (a must for cherry cola lovers), The Stillery’s 2nd-floor venue is sure to be rocking out with
Honky Tonk Central
329 Broadway Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 742-9095
Located right in the center of Music City’s Broadway, Honky Tonk Central is three floors of non-stop country music that is always filled to the brim every day of the week. Popular with Bachelorette and Bachelor parties, this huge venue is the perfect place to grab a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich (similar to the wildly popular Nashville Hot found elsewhere but with a cool twist) and a Honey Do Broadway (sweet Tennessee whiskey drink) to wash it down while you decide on which of the three floors to settle into for some live music.
Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row
400 Broadway Nashville, TN 37203
(629) 203-7822
This Broadway bar in Nashville is one of four Whiskey Row’s also located in nightlife meccas but none so strong as Music City’s spot. Whiskey Row is a great spot to enjoy bands or a DJ spinning danceable tunes or even order a huge plate of Southern Fries (smothered goodness dripping with Nashville’s signature white BBQ sauce and bleu cheese-whiskey sauce). If you can swing a brunch visit after hitting up the Broadway broadway nashville bars in the evenings, snag a seat on the Whiskey Rooftop and order a mimosa tower to share with friends for round two.
Robert’s Western World
416 Broadway Ste B Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 244-9552
Voted Nashville Scene’s favorite Honky Tonk for many years, Robert’s known for classic country western music performances. Located in the shadow of the Ryman Auditorium, many greats hung out at Western World even before it was a famous bar when the location was home to a guitar company and then a western wear outfitter. Now, live performers grace the stages 7 days a week and Robert’s serves up cheeky food options like Moon Pies and fried bologna sandwiches along with traditional bar fare. Owner JesseLee Jones is also the lead in the house band Brazilbilly but Jones keeps the Western World band lined up with four bands every day including a gospel brunch sound on Sundays.
Dive into the rich tapestry of Nashville’s culinary scene and unearth hidden gems. For a comprehensive list, check out the main city link.
Featured Blog Posts
Best Christmas Bars/Pop-ups in Nashville, TN
It’s time to rock the holidays in Nashville! Music City is famous for its iconic country acts and entertainment venues. However, it’s the sound of bells jingling that makes many of the city’s famous bars come to life during the holidays. If you’re coming to Nashville to do some holiday shopping or catch a fun performance, put aside a little time to pop into one of the city’s holiday-themed bars or Christmas pop-up events. Here’s your look at the best Christmas bars and holiday pop-up bars in Nashville.
Top 10 BBQ Spots in Nashville, TN
Nashville’s BBQ scene is pure fire! While Nashville is known as the Music City, you’ll be singing the praises of flannel-wearing chefs and pitmasters after dining out at the top restaurants in town. Where can you go for incredible Nashville BBQ? Get your bib ready because we’re unveiling our list of the 10 top BBQ spots in Nashville, TN.
The Warmest and Coziest Restaurants in Nashville, TN
Are you looking for a cozy spot for dinner or drinks in Nashville? This friendly city is full of restaurants with menus full of Southern classics that simply feel like warm hugs deep in your soul. Nashville’s coziest restaurants know how to combine the right lighting and atmosphere with just the right flavors. Don’t get left out in the cold when it comes to picking the best restaurant! Check out these eight warm and cozy restaurants in Nashville, TN.
Restaurants That Deserve a Michelin Star in Nashville, TN
While Nashville is a city full of music stars, this foodie town actually doesn’t have any Michelin-starred restaurants. That doesn’t mean that Nashville doesn’t have plenty of restaurants worthy of this prestigious distinction. The truth is that the food scene here rivals any food scene on the planet! Check out eight elegant and exceptional restaurants that deserve a Michelin star in Nashville, TN.