As the best places to hear live music in Nashville TN remind us, there’s a reason Nashville is “Music City. So it should be no surprise that there are tons of places to catch tunes in town. Sure, there are obvious choices of Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry, but sometimes those spaces don’t offer the intimacy or the atmosphere that you’re looking for. If you want to get up close and personal with Nashville’s live music scene, you’ll have to branch out up, down, and off Broadway to find the city’s best venues. Happily, the town has something for everyone – even you! – and that includes standard honky tonks, dive bars, rock joints, and more. You can find the ideal venue to fit your mood and dance the night away to iconic artists and local songwriters alike with the following guide to several of the best places to hear live music in Nashville TN.
| Name | Location | Description |
| The Station Inn | 402 12th Ave S | Station Inn is a Nashville staple, thanks to its rockin’ blend of Bluegrass and Roots music, cheap beer and great food. No matter your musical tastes, count on making a few new friends – hopefully ones who will buy the next round! |
| Springwater Supper Club | 115 27th Ave N | Claiming to be the oldest bar in Tennessee – though only the ghost of Elvis really knows for sure – this divey midtown bar features nightly live music, craft brews, and pool tables. It’s perfect for a night out, or an impromptu Roadhouse remake. |
| Nashville Symphony | 1 Symphony Pl | If you’re in the mood for something a little more refined, Nashville Symphony has a full calendar of concerts and events that are perfect for date night or family night. Come listen to Patti LaBelle or watch Home Alone with a full orchestra. But not Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. That was garbage. |
| The Bluebird Cafe | 4104 Hillsboro Pike | At Bluebird Café, you’re just as likely to hear local artists covering national names as you are national names shouting out to local artists. Established stars and rockin’ rookies alike make this electric venue pop every night of the week, and you never know what you’ll hear next. |
| Losers Bar | 1911 Division St | With a name like “Losers” you can be sure that this is your place. This no-frills dive bar serves up beer colder than your ex and country music hotter than the guy she left you for. The rooftop deck is also perfect for wailing along into the night sky. |
| Robert’s Western World | 416 Broadway B | Three words: fried bologna sandwich. That’s the kind of joint Robert’s is. Featuring a no-apologies Nashville experience, evenings here are are jam-packed with toe-tapping tunes and rowdy times. The full event schedule can be found here , if you’re still feeling brave after fried bologna #2. |
| Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge | 422 Broadway | Tootsie’s is another legendary Nashville honky tonk, with multiple floors of music and mayhem. Past customers include Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Patsy Cline, making this venue as historic as it is hip. |
| The Loveless Cafe | 8400 TN-100 | Whether it’s the made-from-scratch biscuits, world-famous fried chicken, or the mouth-watering all-day breakfast menu, you’ll absolutely find a reason to love Loveless. Chow down while you get down to the best in bluegrass, country and acoustic music, all beneath the most famous neon sign on HWY 100. |
| Mercy Lounge | 1 Cannery Row | Like music, but not crazy about country? Look no further than Mercy Lounge, which hosts local and big-name artists from genres such as rock, alt-rock, and hip hop. A full calendar of artists can be found here, proving that “Music City” isn’t just clever marketing. |
| Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar | 220 Printers Alley | If you’re looking to turn your party up to 11, head to Bourbon Street. Though it’s a bit of a hike from actual New Orleans, you’ll get the entire music, booze and blues experience at this eccentric music spot….all without having to hose down the sidewalk in the morning |
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Assistant editor Christina Elia is currently pursuing her BA in Art History Communications at Fordham University, and writes about various topics ranging from arts and culture to practical tips and how-to advice. She has been published on online platforms such as The Odyssey. You can follow her on Twitter via @stinaelia
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