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Navigating Nashville’s Music Scene Like A Local
Nashville is known as Music City, because it’s home to more than 180 live music venues. Walk down Lower Broadway to the Cumberland River and you will see why Music City lives up to its name. There is an incredible amount of talent playing instruments and singing live country, hip hop, rock, jazz and bluegrass music. Their music streams out of the windows of iconic venues.
Photo by Jill Weinlein – Legends is a great contemporary country music venue.
Known as Honky-Tonk Highway, the musical acts set up as early as 10am and play all night every day of the year. There is never a cover charge, but there is a kitty container to tip an up-and-coming musician who one day may be the next big star.
Photo by Jill Weinlein
For legit country music, start at Robert’s Western World, a small venue offering some of the best country music in Nashville. From the outside it looks like a boot store, and they do sell boots and apparel, but it’s also a fun music venue. Grab a stool and order the Recession Special – a fried bologna sandwich, chips, and a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer for just $6.
Photo by Jill Weinlein
Nearby Tootsies Orchid Lounge has been a honky tonk favorite since 1960, when Tootsie Bess bought the place across the alley for The Ryman Auditorium. Stars such as Patsy Cline, Walon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson would come into Tootsies after performing or watching a show at the iconic auditorium. Locals will proudly tell you that Willie Nelson got his first songwriting gig after performing at Tootsies.
Photo by Jill Weinlein
At the nearby venue, The Stage, Hank Williams Jr. filmed his video for “Why Don’t We All Just Get a Longneck.” This is not only a music venue, but there is a dance floor to kick up your boots to the rhythm of the music.
Photo by Jill Weinlein
Legendary clothing and costume designer Nudie Cohn made many of Elvis Presley iconic costumes, including the $10,000 gold lamé suit worn by Elvis on the cover of his “50,000 Elvis Fans Can’t be Wrong” album. Nudie also dressed Ronald Reagan, John Wayne, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams Sr., Bob Dylan and Elton John.
Since 1947, Nudie’s Honky Tonk offers multiple bars, including the longest bar in Music City, and three stages. It’s also a museum of rare country music memorabilia, and stage costumes. The rooftop deck is known to feature some of the best live music in Nashville. Nudie’s own customized Cadillac El Dorado “Nudie Mobile” hangs on the wall and is insured for $400,000.
TwelveThirty – Photo Jill Weinlein
Newer Clubs on Broadway
Many of the newer venues have celebrity singers and musicians attached to them to attract a crowd. TwelveThirty opened the $25 million dollar multi-level venue by veteran restaurateur Sam Fox of Fox Restaurant Concepts with music artist Justin Timberlake. There is a supper club level, a honky tonk area is on the ground floor, and a rooftop,
Miranda’s Casa Rose – Photo by Jill Weinlein
Other celebrity spots include Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rose a lively Texas meets Tennessee “Pink House.” This Tex-Mex venue by GRAMMY, CMA and ACM award winning, multi-platinum recording artist, Miranda Lambert is filled with some of her most recognizable and important memorabilia, including the birdcage from her #1 song and CMA Video of the Year “Bluebird,” and unique clothing and set pieces from her most popular video shoots.
Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tone Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse is known as Nashville’s biggest and baddest new honky tonk. There are five floors, four stages, and six bars to accommodate almost two thousand people. The two-story main stage is where Broadway’s brightest stars perform daily. The sky-high 5th story rooftop boasts the most stunning views of downtown Nashville, and the kitchen grills up steaks daily, including a signature 36oz. Tomahawk Ribeye.
Photo by Jill Weinlein
Jason Aldean’s Kitchen and Rooftop Bar opened in 2018 in partnership with TC Restaurant Group. The three-time ACM Entertainer of the Year venue offers four levels, Southern food, and live entertainment designed to make each visitor a part of “Aldean Army”. Jason Aldean’s main restaurant level features a large bar with a 1961 4020 John Deer tractor. It’s a tribute to Jason Aldean’s number one song ‘Big Green Tractor.’ World-renowned Chef Tomasz Wosiak teamed up with Jason to create a menu that is a mix of his Southern cooking favorites, plus steaks, pastas, and salads to enjoy with a local craft beer or signature cocktails. Jason’s mom added her homemade Peach Cobbler to the menu and worked alongside with Chef Tomasz to ensure the family recipes are perfect.
Up on the mezzanine is Jason’s merchandise store packed with official memorabilia, T-shirts, hats, jackets and a signature glassware line. There are large screen TV’s, multiple couch settings and a private bar for the ultimate in VIP experience. The venue is the perfect location to host private events for groups up to 1500 guests. “My Kinda Party” is the largest rooftop patio on Broadway dedicated to an all day and night party with live entertainment, dancing and panoramic views of Broadway. The rooftop bar and outside patio features “Eat To Your Own Beat” food in a basket concept. Diners can build their own basket and sip freshly made cocktails served at the Night Train bar.
An old classic Chevy pickup truck is suspended above the ‘Build Your Own Basket’ eating area. Live music is performed on two floors every day focusing on the latest country trends with local and national artists.
Luke’s – Photo Jill Weinlein
Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink offers live music, and the comfort of casual home cooking. Music is every day on multiple floors including the rooftop patio offering some of the best downtown views. Be sure to order a Two Lane Lager, a smooth sippin’ beer. Sales of this beer support of Luke’s Foundation, The Brett Boyer Foundation, an organization that honors his late niece, Sadie Brett Boyer. Their mission is to raise awareness for Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) and fund research for advance treatment options.
The Ryman Auditorium is one of the most celebrated music venues in music. Built as a church 130 years ago, the acoustics are excellent for listening to live music. This stunning building became the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. Now some of the music world’s up and coming and top musicians perform in this celebrated venue filled with wood church pews. During the day you can take a historical tour of the building and have your photo taken while you are up on the stage.
Ryman
The Grand Ole Opry showcases country music’s past, present, and future. Hank Williams made his debut. Others who performed include Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Jeannie Seely, and Dolly Parton. Johnny Cash became met his wife while a member of the Opry Family. During one of his infamous show, he broke all of the footlights at the front of the stage inside Ryman Auditorium. The Grand Ole Opry continues to have top musicians perform every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and occasionally Wednesday and Sunday. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. Visitors can take a tour and purchase tickets to see a show.
See a Symphony Concert – Photo Jill Weinlein
The city is also home to a Grammy Award winning symphony that plays classical sounds inside the stunningly beautiful Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Concerts range from Mozart to guests such as Vanessa Williams.
The Electric Jane Supper Club – Photo Jill Weinlein
Locals love the new supper club The Electric Jane in Nashville. Diners might hear the talented Kyndle Wylde perform songs by Amy Winehouse and other iconic female singers. It’s a dark, romantic and friendly with a large bar in the front, and step down restaurant near the stage. Menu items include an array of grilled proteins, salads and vegetarian items. The flaming halloumi cheese served with walnut pesto and flatbread is a local favorite.
Priscilla Block was at the Ascend Amphitheater
The Ascend Amphitheater is an open-air event venue located on the Cumberland River. It is set inside the Metro Riverfront Park, and seats 2,300 fixed seating, and 4,500 on the lawn, with a total capacity of 6,800.
Music has been the common thread connecting people to the soul of Nashville. Visitors looking for helpful tips before and during their visit, can contact Visit Nashville Visitors Center to learn more about the culture, where to stay and what else to see and do in the Music City.
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