A nightlife guide for nashville

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Throughout the year, Nashville, Tennessee, plays host to a variety of activities, including professional and college sporting events, art exhibitions, fine dining and a host of others. However, life in Nashville revolves first and foremost around music, no matter what time of the year. Nashville is affectionately known as Music City after all. And yes, the majority of that music has a country western flare, although blues, jazz, gospel and a host of other types can be found across the city as well. So if you love music, especially of the country variety, you wont find a better selection of nightlife choices in America than the options located in Nashville.

When you think of Nashville, you automatically think of country music. Nashville offers visitors an array of activities during the daytime hours, but when the sun goes down the music scene dominates Nashvilles nightlife. Of course, the music scene for out of town folk usually varies a bit from the local hot spots. Out-of-towners are sure to need some direction and this article is here to help.

If you are visiting Nashville for the first time and are interested in exploring the more touristy bars in the city, the downtown area should act as your compass point. After touring the Country Music Hall of Fame during the day, trek a couple of blocks to Broadway. The four or so block stretch of Broadway is a country music lovers paradise. Legendary bars such as Tootsies, Legends, Roberts and The Bluegrass Inn line one side of the road and showcase some of the best live music in the city. If you get hungry, venture into Jacks Barbeque located smack dab in the middle of the aforementioned bars. Youll get to experience two of Nashvilles finest, country music and barbeque, at one time. If you dont have a lot of time to spend in the city, its perfectly acceptable to bar hop from one place to the other all in the same night. It doesnt matter which bars you visit on Broadway because they are essentially all the same: all are crowded and all are country.

Less than a five-minute walk down Broadway is Second Avenue, another of Nashvilles famous music streets. The most renowned landmark on this stretch of road is The Wildhorse Saloon. This massive dancehall with its open space and its beautiful hardwood floor make The Wildhorse a popular spot for linedancing, live music, and numerous other big events. Definitely include this in your to do list. Buffalo Billiards is right down the way from The Wildhorse and is probably considered more a local favorite than a tourist one. But if youre close by, you may as well stop in here as well. Take a little break from the music and dancing and shoot some pool or throw some darts. Buffalo offers a nice change of pace, although the atmosphere can be every bit as loud and rowdy as the country music joints.

If you want live music but dont want to fight the crowds and the smoke, Nashville provides some distinct options for visitors and locals alike. The historic Grand Ole Opry runs every Friday through Sunday and features country and bluegrass hottest stars. Visiting the Opry at least once should probably serve as your top priority. You simply cannot miss it. Cruising down the Cumberland River aboard the General Jackson Showboat might be a cool option to try as well. Live music, shows and dinner are all available, and cruises run year round. You generally wont get to listen to any famous singers, but you will definitely be entertained.

Now you know where the tourists congregate while in Nashville, but what about where the locals hang? Demonbreun Street would have to be the most consistent answer when asking the natives where they roam. A rundown, nearly abandoned street just a couple of years ago, Demonbreun (located about two minutes from Broadway, if that far) has fast become Nashvilles trendiest area. Bars like Two Doors Down and Dan McGuinness are great for eating, drinking, smoking, and the like. Tin Roof plays host to some of the hottest live music in town. During the summer, Tin Roof converts its connecting parking lot into an outdoor venue and attracts some of countrys hottest stars like Gary Allen and Phil Vassar. A handful of other fun hangouts line the street. No matter what night of the week, Demonbreun is always hopping.

Some other popular spots a little more off the beaten path are country bars like Mercy Lounge. You never know what celebrity might pop in here to jump on stage for a couple of songs. Third and Lindsley and Exit Inn are two other music venues that stay crowded, although these offer a variety of music genres. The Flying Saucer is another neat, unique location in Nashville. Serving over 200 different beers, The Flying Saucers selection rivals anyone in the world. This bar includes plush sofas and billiards as well, although its not quite as noisy as some of the previously mentioned places.

Nashville, Tennessee, truly is one of the best towns in the country to visit. The people are friendly, the weather usually cooperates, and there is plenty to do during daytime and evening hours. While tours and historic sites abound during the day, when nighttime hits, its all about the music. Whether you like big crowds or a more relaxed atmosphere, Nashville is home to more country music bars than you will find anywhere in the country. If you want more nightlife choices than you know what to do with, go to New York. If you want the best country music in America, however, Nashville is the place to be.