The Local's Guide to Having Fun on Lower Broad

As a Nashville local , here ’s something I never thought I ’d ever say : “ I drop a Saturday night on Broadway and actually had a serious time . ” Lower Broad is the heart of Music City and chock full of historic stone ready to show you what it really means to honky - tonk . So why do n’t the locals spend more time there ? For one , bachelorette parties . But in all seriousness , Lower Broad is n’t just for the tourer if you know where to go . And once you do , you ’ll squawk and swaller with Nashville pride .

Where to drink

A four - tale , speakeasy - style taphouse , The Valentineis a relatively new gain to Lower Broad . Start your evening at the rooftop bar with a Baby Face Julep or a Buckshot ( and keep the flask for later ) . If you enjoy a small history with your cocktail , catch a round at merchant ’ downstairs ginmill and imagine what it must have been like at the oldMerchantsHotel circa 1892 when $ .50 got you a night ’s check and warm repast . rate a drink made with local whiskey like the Blood & Sand with Corsair Triple Smoke ( sadly , not $ .50 ) , and do n’t skip out on the duck fatty tissue tater tot .

Where to eat

There are several option Downtown to enjoy great food with a resilient atmosphere that wo n’t slow your momentum . AtAcme Feed & Seed , you ’ll get your fill of the local airiness – Nashville hot chicken – on the first floor , or you may hit up the sushi bar on the second story , which has a less - push bar , lounge area , and colonnade game ( and you may always take back to first base for dancing later ) . ThePub 5patio is staring for small groups and overlooks Bridgestone Arena and the niche of 5th Ave and Broadway . It ’s a lay - back , casual dining spot that offer healthier pick compare to others in the sphere , and the beer list is curated by the same craft - centric minds that own12 South Taproom .

Where to hear music

There are four shoes you ’ll never be disappointed at : Tootsie’s , Robert’s , Legends , orThe Stage . Lower Broad is famous for establish the career of state giant like Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson . When those are the boot to satisfy , not just anyone with a guitar is allowed on stage around 10 autopsy on a Saturday night . The weekend gang can give honky - tonk a bad belt , but if you hit it at the right-hand fourth dimension on the right night , you ’ll hear some of the sound instrumentalist in the game . And some wreak every Nox of the week like John Stone & the Trailer Park All - Stars , who have played the Tootsie ’s stage for more than a decade . The best part ? Besides the fact that commonwealth maven are known to pop by for an offhanded jam school term , it ’s all complimentary . Just do n’t forget to bung the circle . They will call you out .

Where to dance

Where to get ? This is the turn point where your night can terminate at midnight … or 3 am . So you well get it right . Get your noisome tonk on atAcme Feed & Seed . On the first flooring , you’re able to find anything from vacillation to R&B and salsa . Every Saturday on the Acme rooftop is Way UP ! Dance Party with Coach & Rate until 2 am ( and if you could get up tomorrow , their Soul Brunch with Charles ' Wigg ' Walker is a total blast ) . HistoricPrinters Alleyis only a duo block aside where there’sBourbon Street Blues & Boogie Barwith Nashville favorites like Stacy Mitchhart and Corey Mac . And just down the alley isSkull ’s Rainbow Roomwith belated night burlesque shows like Madam Hazel Jones ’ Rhinestoned Revue , which is backed by a bouncy dance orchestra and live on till 1 am on weekends .

Where to fourthmeal

Why not get a head start on breast feeding that impend hangover ? The 24 - hourSun Diner Cafeis a recent – and much need – addition to Lower Broad ’s belated - night crowd . Next door to The Johnny Cash Museum , the diner pays homage to Sun Records fable like Cash , Elvis , and Jerry Lee Lewis . Originally founded in Memphis , Nashville is now the homebase for Sun Records – and Sun Diner ’s glaze donut breakfast sandwich . If that does n’t offend your interest , however , there ’s alwaysParadise Park Trailer Resortthat has the sweetened satisfaction that only soil at last call can bring home the bacon . And you have until 4 am to get those chili cheese tike to - go .

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Lower Broadway Nashville