Nashville Guide | Welcome to Music City

Hello,

I saw somebody did this for Austin, so I figured I'd start something similar for Nashville. To everybody coming, welcome to Music City! For other residents, feel free to add input and I will update the OP.

Things To Do:

Even if y'all are not huge country music fans, I'd suggest trying to find a writers round. It's a good experience. Sometimes you'll end up with a songwriter who plays a song he wrote for Blake Shelton that went #1 and then it'll be something he did with Ed Sheeran next. You get to hear the stories behind them. Everybody on stage will sort of harmonize with each other. The Bluebird Cafe is probably the coolest venue, but it's just about impossible to get tickets there. The Listening Room would be your best bet. Normally it's about $10-12 ticket with a $15 food/drink minimum that is sometimes enforced. I'd try to just meet that with drinks though. The food is average.

We also have some breweries that are fun. Bearded Iris, Black Abbey, Jackalope, Southern Grist and Yazoo would all be fun to do. Depending on if you want to take a larger chunk of time and have a car, the Jack Daniels Distillery is definitely doable. Nashville Brew Festival is actually taking place on Friday at the Sounds stadium as well.

Pilgrimage Festival is this weekend down in Franklin. Some big names playing Saturday evening/Sunday if you're hanging around for longer.

As far as restaurants:

I've listed some here, but for a more comprehensive list, check out this thread with everything from dives 30 minutes out of town to places you need a nice outfit/reservation to go.

Hot chicken is the Nashville thing. I've never particularly loved it, but it is a thing to try. You will get a different opinion on what the best is from everybody. Hattie B's will probably be the most accessible because it has a lot of locations. Prince's was my favorite, but they only have one location south of town now because some person drove a car into the original one.

For tacos, I'd go Mas Tacos Por Favor or La Juquilita. They are cash only hole in the walls and they are delicious. Pizza I'd do Five Points Pizza. I'd skip BBQ here. I think it's overrated. Not bad, but just not on par with what you got if you made the trip to Austin two weeks ago. 51st Deli honestly has sort of an Am Mart vibe. It's a little shop that has an awesome sandwich counter.

If y'all would want something nicer that would require a reservation, Chaatable is a new Indian restaurant opened by a renowned chef. Pastaria is another good option. Those two are nicer, but don't break the bank. They're in the 20ish dollar range before drinks. If you really want to blow it out, I love Folk and Barcelona. Barcelona is a wine bar/tapas place, and it's where I always go to celebrate anything.

In the mornings, Frothy Monkey is always a popular spot for coffee/breakfast/brunch and it has multiple locations. I prefer Dose, though. It's not far from Vandy. I like their coffee more. They have a rosemary biscuit sandwich I would give my life for. Proper Bagel is also not a bad bet in the Vandy area. If you want to drink in the morning. Von Elrod's is tGOAT. Decent food, but they serve what they refer to as a "Big arse Mimosa" which comes in a massive stein and contains a full bottle of champagne. For a nicer brunch, you could try Pinewood Social or Marsh House.

As far as bars go:

You can absolutely hop down Broadway if you want. It is honky tonk after honky tonk with a couple exceptions that have 90s cover bands and things like that. Live music everywhere. Bachelorette parties galore. It's what most people do when they come.

If y'all like something more laid back, you can always hit Printers Alley. Still downtown. More calm. Some really cool bars. The live music at those sometimes is more blues/jazz than country. Bourbon Street Blues Bar, Alley Taps, etc are in there. Midtown also has some decent bars.

If you want nicer drinks and something really relaxed, my go-to's would be Urban Cowboy, Rooftop Lounge at the Bobby or Old Glory. Also, Skull's is great. It's had Elvis, Paul McCartney, Etta James, etc. play there. Great music. Burlesque shows from time to time. Super cool place.


If you're not going to the game, LSU Music City is normally down at Cajun Steamer to watch. If you want to stay in town to watch or watch other games, Downtown Sporting Club is cool and puts you on Broadway. There are a ton of other sports bars that give you a ton of TVs and decent food, so I'd recommend one of the ones downtown.

Parking

It's Vanderbilt. It's not really a big deal. Do not pay much at all to park. Park in a neighborhood nearby and walk. Uber or Lyft for cheap. Take a scooter. Park at a brunch establishment and just Uber or walk over. You can almost certainly park for free if you're okay with walking less than a mile. Do not pay more than $10 to park. You're getting ripped off if you do.

Traffic Note

For those driving

quote:

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I-65 / I-440 INTERCHANGE CLOSURE


Friday, September 20 at 9 p.m. through Monday, September 23 at 5 a.m., I-440 and I-65 will be closed at the interchange in order to set beams. Traffic going towards the interchange will be reduced to one lane and detoured away from the construction area.

Eastbound traffic on I-440 will be detoured to I-65 South

Westbound traffic on I-440 will be detoured to I-65 North

Northbound traffic on I-65 will be detoured to I-440 East

Southbound traffic on I-65 will be detoured to I-440 West

Franklin Road will be closed from Berry Road to Woodmont Boulevard

The closure is dependent on weather and project progress. TDOT will provide immediate updates if the closure schedule changes.

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Can't wait to see y'all out and about on Friday/Saturday! Geaux Tigers!