Nashville’s Best Music Venues, From Honky-Tonks to Converted Churches
These concert venues prove that Nashville is still ‘Music City.’
Since Nashville is known worldwide as “Music City, USA,” it stands to reason that there would be a ton of great live music venues around town. For once, reason wins out, because that is definitely the truth. From historic auditoriums to intentionally dingy dive bars, Nashville offers plenty of spots to catch great musicians practicing their art on any night of the calendar. Just drive around with your windows rolled down, and you’re sure to hear music to draw you inside.
East Nashville
This converted church in Inglewood hosts both private events and public concerts. Details that remain from the previous incarnation like lovely chandeliers and a balcony that offers great sightlines make for an intimate environment for smaller shows, but also a fantastic place to rock out when they crank up the amplifiers.
Midtown
The tony Hutton Hotel sacrificed a few decks of their parking garage to create this sultry music venue that feels like you’ve been invited to a private living room show whenever you attend. The acoustics are spectacular in the intimate space with fantastic sightlines from anywhere in the room. Acts are generally small to fit the space, but the experience is very immersive. The bar also serves up some proper cocktails to keep the vibe classy.
The Gulch
This modern supper club features a wide variety of entertainment ranging from burlesque shows to gospel and bluegrass brunches. A roster of resident artists fill in the gaps between shows by touring acts, so there’s something going on most nights. The flashy decor of the venue draws locals looking to be seen on the scene and visitors seeking a hip spot to enjoy a well-made drink, internationally inspired food, and live music.
Germantown
Designed as a high-class honky tonk far enough away from the neon lights of Lower Broad to attract a more ardent crowd of music fans, Star Rover Sound really elevates the experience of going out for an evening of roots music. The stage looks like a chapel of country music and lots of wood adds warmth to the room and also to the acoustics. Start your evening with one of the best oyster happy hours in town and then nosh on a fantastic Tex-Mex menu while you discover a new favorite band. Oh, and tequila.
Germantown
This offshoot of the popular New York-based entertainment complex was just about ready to open their lanes when COVID stopped them in their tracks right before opening night. After that long delay, it didn’t take long for Brooklyn Bowl to rise to the upper echelon among Nashville music venues thanks to appearances by major touring acts. In addition to ticketed shows, some nights offer free admission for DJ shows, bowling, food, drink, and fun.
Thompson’s Station
What do you do with a rock quarry that’s no longer being mined? If you are smart, you convert it into a world-class amphitheater in a lovely natural setting just a short hop south of Nashville and Franklin. Patrons park in a meadow a short walk away from the venue, but it’s worth the trip along the paved path to find your spot in this unique setting for live music, surrounded by woods and green spaces. Every ticket comes with some sort of seating, so at least you don’t have to schlep a blanket or a folding chair. Just wear comfy shoes.
SoBro
This actual working winery serves a full menu of food to accompany a long list of wines they create in-house along with wine, beer, and spirits from other producers. Headliners play in an impressive performance hall with reserved table seating for guests while smaller acts perform in the various lounges and patios of the massive facility. It’s also nice to know that if the show says it starts at 7 pm, you can show up early for dinner and a show or right on time without having to stake out your spot for hours.
East Nashville
Fanatically committed to local bands, The 5 Spot is a go-to for Nashville rockers with live music almost every night of the week. Most evenings feature two sets with multiple musicians sharing the bill. Fans pack shoulder-to-shoulder to watch bands on the smallish stage in front of a spartan red curtain backdrop. Nobody cares about the ambiance, because it’s all about the music.
Where to eat and drink nearby: Margot Cafe & Bar, The Treehouse, Butcher & Bee
Downtown
We begin with the first name in Nashville music, the venue that started it all. It was the Ryman—“the Mother Church of Country Music”—that first started attracting names like Hank Williams, Dolly Parton, and George Jones, securing Nashville’s status as the American center of country music. The Ryman remains a country music mecca, but as one of the city’s most dazzling concert-going experiences, has also hosted everyone from the Foo Fighters to Janelle Monae. Even if you don’t make it to a concert, it’s at least worth taking the time for a brief tour.
Green Hills
A beloved institution, known for catering both to up-and-coming songwriters and legendary country music vets, the Bluebird navigates the nifty trick of having a ton of appeal for locals, out-of-town tourists, and even A-list stars who have been known to take the stage on a whim. Whether you love country music, are looking for a uniquely Nashville experience, or just have a few hours to kill before your dinner reservation, you can’t beat the Bluebird.
Marathon Village
Want to hear some music in Nashville but looking for something a little different from the whole Nashville thing? Head down to Marathon Music Works, located in the old Marathon Motor Works Factory, which is big, weird, and consistently awesome. They recently finished a big remodel, and the effort shows, with a snazzy new entrance and a few extra bars. The complex also plays host to a huge variety of little stores, coffee shops, and even an improv comedy club, so give yourself plenty of time to explore.
Five Points
Five Points is one of Nashville’s better neighborhoods, and there’s no better venue in Five Points than The Basement East, or, if you want to sound like you know what you’re talking about, “The Beast.” It’s a small venue, but it catches surprisingly big acts and features a bar with all sorts of interesting specials and a lot of charms—like a living room-themed VIP section unlike any other in town.
The Gulch
When people think of Nashville music, what they’re probably thinking of is the Station Inn, a musty old hounddog of a truly historic spot that’s impossible to hate. Everyone who’s anyone (and a good many nobodies) have delivered iconic sets here, and don’t miss the Sunday night bluegrass jam, which brings together seasoned pros and aspiring amateurs of all shapes and sizes for a weekly tribute to Nashville’s oldest, most cherished tunes.
Downtown
One of the city’s few open-air venues and definitely the one with the best views, Ascend is situated right along the Cumberland River on the outside perimeter of downtown. It’s a short walk from the neon signs, honky-tonks, and street corner cowboys of Lower Broadway, but it feels like it’s worlds away on a nice evening.