The 15 Best Bars in Nashville

Nashville Honky Tonks at night
The Nashville night life means honky tonks and live music.

Joseph Sohm / Getty Images

The nightlife in Nashville starts early, runs late, and has a lot to offer visitors from out of town. Whether you're catching an up-and-coming band at one of the Honky Tonks on Broadway, grabbing something to eat or drink in Printer's Alley, or looking for a place to dance after the Jack Daniel's Distillery tour, Nashville has you covered. These are our picks for the best places to experience that nightlife for yourself.

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Urban Cowboy Public House

Inside Urban Cowboy Public House bar

Urban Cowboy

Address
103 N 16th St, Nashville, TN 37206, USA
Phone +1 347-840-0525

Things get jumping early at Urban Cowboy, which is located in Nashville's hip and trendy east side. The place opens its doors at 4 p.m. and slings delicious cocktails and tasty food until midnight on most days. The funky spot is great for sharing conversations with friends or listening to some tunes, with the outdoor fire pit creating a fun and lively atmosphere during the cooler months of the year.

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Bastion

hanging lights inside Nashville bar Bastion.

Bastion

Address
434 Houston St STE 110, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
Phone +1 615-490-8434

With a name inspired by a character from "The Neverending Story" and some of the most creative cocktails in all of Nashville, you just know Bastion is going to be a wonderful place to hangout. Open most nights until 2 a.m, the bar has an extensive menu of drinks and a plate of nachos that you'll simply have to try. The staff is fast, efficient, and adept at playing old school record albums over the sound system, creating an atmosphere that is both relaxing and inviting at the same time.

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Pinewood Social

Pinewood Social bar and restaurant interior

Pinewood Social

Address
33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN 37210, USA
Phone +1 615-751-8111

Because Pinewood Social serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner it opens early and closes late. That makes it a great place to drop by at anytime of the day, but especially in the evening when you're looking for a place to gather with friends to enjoy some fantastic food and drinks. But the place has a lot more to offer, as the 13,000 square-foot location also features a six-lane bowling alley, a swimming pool, and a lovely outdoor patio to take advantage of the Nashville weather too. Pinewood even puts these amenities to good use during special events. For example, during the warmer months of the year it hosts a "dive-in" movie night with fun films shown around the pool.

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Henley

A Gibson cocktail with the skwered onion and a glass bottle of brine in an ice filled bowl separate from the alcohol

 Henley

Address
2023 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
Phone +1 615-340-6378

While many of the people that pass through the doors at Henley come for the good food, a fair number also come to experience the place's exquisite bar. While beautiful and classy, the place still gives off a vibe that is accessible and friendly at the same time. In fact, Henley has won awards for its architectural design, which is enhanced by Italian marble, caved ceiling, and globe lighting. Don't let the design fool you however, as there isn't an ounce of pretension to be found here. Instead, you'll get a healthy dose of Southern hospitality served up with a good beverage.

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Robert's Western World

A band plays at Robert's Western World

Robert's Western World

Address
416 Broadway # B, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
Phone +1 615-244-9552

If you're looking for the quintessential honky tonk atmosphere, than look no further than Robert's Western World. Located on Nashville's famous Lower Broadway, this is a bar that has been a focal point for good country music for decades. A favorite amongst locals and out-of-towners alike, the Robert earns bonus points for staying open until 3 a.m., making it a great place to end an evening of revelry in the Music City.

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Santa’s Pub

mural of Santa Clause at Santa's Pub

Santa's Pub

Address
2225 Bransford Ave, Nashville, TN 37204-2309, USA
Phone +1 615-593-1872

Another Nashville staple, Santa's Pub is best known for its cheap beer (prices start at just $2), friendly atmosphere, and nightly karaoke, which begins nightly at 7 p.m., except on Sundays when the house band takes over for a couple of hours. Open until 2:30 a.m. every night, Santa's is the perfect place for budding music stars to show off their chops. Or at least have a little bit of fun on the mic.

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Headquarters Beercade

pinball machines and video games at Headquarters Beercade.

Headquarters Beercade

Address
114 2nd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201, USA
Phone +1 615-942-7436

With its array of classic video games and pinball machines, weekly special events, good food, and impressive menu of drinks, Headquarters Beercade is one of the more unique nightlife spots in all of Nashville. After all, where else can you take part in a Guitar Hero tournament, play a round of Pac-Man or Asteroids, and enjoy a classic Old Fashioned, all under the same roof?

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No. 308

Address
407 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206, USA
Phone +1 615-650-7344

The No. 308 bar doesn't open until 7 p.m., but the nightlife in Nashville really doesn't get started until then anyway. In order to make up for opening fashionably late, the place stays open until 3 a.m. every night, with plenty of signature cocktails, an impressive array of spirits, as well as numerous beers and wines to choose from. Special events — like '80s dance parties and all-vinyl music nights — always keep things interesting at the 308, Many of the shots are named after writers and the vibe leans towards ultra-hip, but the happy hour is one of the best in town when you're looking to get things started early.

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Rare Bird

rooftop bar Rare Bird in Nashville

Rare Bird / Noelle Hotel

Address
200 4th Ave N Top Floor, Nashville, TN 37219, USA
Phone +1 615-649-5000

Rooftop bars are popular in Nashville, where the local climate makes them viable throughout much of the year. Rare Bird sits atop the trendy Noelle hotel, where visitors will find an accommodating bar and comfortable outdoor seating, with an impressive view of the city's skyline, which looks especially great at night. Whether you're looking for signature drinks that are local to the Music City itself, frozen connections to keep you cool, or a wonderful selection of wines, Rare Bird has you covered. And since it's open until midnight most nights (1 a.m. on Saturdays), you can slip up to his bird's nest any time you like to enjoy a bit of a respite from Nashville's more raucous locations.

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The Lipstick Lounge

outside the iconic Lipstick Lounge

The Lipstick Lounge

Address
1400 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206-2823, USA
Phone +1 615-226-6343

Situated in the heart of East Nashville, The Lipstick Lounge has been an institution in the Music City for years. You'll be hard pressed to find a more accommodating place to grab a drink, listen to some great music, or even sing some karaoke yourself. Decidedly laidback in its atmosphere, this bar offers a selection of drinks to help you wash down the chips and salsa or a burrito. Come for brunch on the weekends or stay into the wee hours of the morning, either way you'll find a lot to love here.

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Oak Bar

bourbon in a glass

Oak Bar

Address
231 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219, USA
Phone +1 615-244-3121

With a history that dates back more than a century, the Oak Bar isn't just a place to enjoy an adult beverage, it is an experience in and of itself. The place oozes with class and charm, thanks in no small part to its proximity to the Hermitage Hotel. During the Prohibition Era, the Oak Bar found itself in deep trouble for serving bourbon from tea kettles. Today, the bourbon tradition continues with more than 130 varieties available to taste. The bar also serves up small plate menu items, tasty entrees, and a selection of wines, beers, and cocktails too.

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L.A. Jackson

LA Jackson rooftop bar

L.A. Jackson

Address
401 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
Phone +1 615-262-6007

Located on the rooftop of the Thompson Hotel, L.A. Jackson is an indoor/outdoor bar that deftly blends style and elegance. Music is routinely provided by a rotating group of local DJs, while the menu offers everything from avocado toast to venison poppers, with homemade ice cream sandwiches for dessert. Wash it all down with a frozen cocktail, a glass of wine, or a local beer. The adventurous may even want to order up one of the club's signature "cocktails to share," which are large enough to serve six people.

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Rosemary & Beauty Queen

colorful cocktail drinks

Rosemary & Beauty Queen

Address
1102 Forrest Ave, Nashville, TN 37206-2738, USA
Phone +1 615-730-7700

At first glance, this bar looks like just about any other house in East Nashville. But hidden inside is a bar and a living room area that has been converted into a comfortable space to just hang with friends. In the backyard you'll find a cosy and accommodating space to sit and enjoy a beverage during the evenings, with strings of lights creating a relaxed atmosphere. Signature cocktails and delicious food can be found on the menu, which often has new options added on a regular basis. Open until 1:30 a.m. on weeknights and 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Rosemary & Beauty Queen is a good place to enjoy a night out, without all of the noise that can sometimes be associated with a busy bar.

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L27 Rooftop Lounge

L27 Rooftop Bar at sunset

L27 Bar

Address
807 Clark Pl, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
Phone +1 629-800-5070

Another rooftop bar, L27 entices visitors with its lovely outdoor terrace that overlooks the city's downtown skyline from 27 stories up. While the terrace is a good place to enjoy a breath of fresh air and take in the sights, inside L27 you'll find a comfortable place to relax, unwind, and enjoy some time with your friends. The drinks and food are exceptional, as is the atmosphere, which is often enhanced further by live music performed by some of Nashville's favorite local artists.

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Old Glory

Old Glory Bar at night.

Old Glory

Address
1200 Villa Pl UNIT 103, Nashville, TN 37212, USA

One of Nashville's hidden gems, Old Glory doesn't even have a sign indicating where it can be found. Instead, you'll have to look for the golden triangle around the door, which is located just off of Edgehill Avenue. Once inside, you'll find a place that was once a large boiler room for steam cleaning company. Much of the character of the old place is still in place, although you'll also find a long bar and plenty of space to enjoy a drink or two. Open until 1 a.m. throughout the week, and 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, this is another great destination for staying out late while in the Music City.

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The 15 Best Bars in Nashville