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Country music, whiskey, In Nashville, hot chicken and all the Western-edged gear you could ever dream of await. Yet cowboy clichés aside, Music City has undergone a remarkable renaissance over the past decade, evolving into one of the country’s premier cocktail destinations. The city’s rich musical heritage plays a part in its appeal, drawing millions of international visitors each year. But ultimately, it’s Nashville’s magnetic blend of warm Southern hospitality and creative cocktails that keeps guests like me hooked—and hydrated.
Planning a trip to Nashville in the future? Of course you will. After checking out our curated list of must-visit bars—with some recommendations from local mixologists and drink professionals alike—you’ll find yourself booking a flight and hotel in no time. Read on for the lowdown on the best bars and cocktails to try when you arrive in Music City.
A Guide to the Best Bars in Nashville, According to Local Experts
This list of bars was carefully selected from our recent personal experiences and recommendations from Nashville's local mixologists and bar experts.
Fox Bar and Cocktail Club
Where is it: 2905B Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216
What do you require: old style fox
Lindsay Rushton
Why visit: This dimly lit venue offers hundreds of bottled and bespoke cocktail options—from alcoholic classics to new in-house creations. The bar has a vintage feel with original wood floors and booths repurposed from its former location: a 1930s pharmacy. Fox Bar values sustainability and seasonality, changing its drink menu almost monthly. The popular Fox Old Fashioned was in its 10th iteration when I visited this summer, using Nashville Barrel Co. Straight Bourbon Single Barrel. Fox Old Fashioned, the bar’s home of the Old Fashioned, uses a limited number of single barrels to empty before switching to a new bourbon base. Fox Old Fashioned also uses Amaro Montenegro, giving this timeless drink a subtle, tart orange peel flavor.
Coral Club
Where is it: 604 Gallatin Street, #217, Nashville, TN 37206
What do you require: Rose Paloma
Why visit: “Coral Club is located in an unassuming location in East Nashville but is really an oasis from the city. It's a quiet spot on the beach in a quiet location and has a great outdoor patio that's perfect for summer lovers. The Rosé Paloma is super refreshing and made with dry rosé wine, a nice alternative to a traditional soda.” — Matthew Pauly, Beverage Manager/Owner at iggy's
Patterson House
Where is it: 1711 Division Street, Nashville, TN 37203
What do you require: Rhymes with orange
Why visit: “It's a Manhattan rye with amaro and a little Scotch Islay. It's Toby Maloney's drink, a bar he built a long time ago!” — Owen Gibbler, Head Mixologist at Night We Met
Santa's Bar
Where is it: 2225 Bransford Street, Nashville, TN 37204
What do you require: Miller Lite Ice Bucket
Why visit: “Santa Claus is a great Christmas place that only accepts cash all year round. If Robert Earl Keen’s “Merry Christmas From the Family” was a bar, this is it! House bands, karaoke, and the usual artist-watching… this is where you can end your night in Nashville! So one of the funniest things about Santa Claus is that they only serve beer. I’m known as “Tequila Kelly” because that’s my favorite drink, and when I go to Santa Claus, my friends know that TK is getting a good night off.” — Kelly O'Shea, Vice President of Brands, Nashville Barrel Company
Tiger Bar
Where is it: 2909 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216
What do you require: lobster martini
Why visit: “While Nashville’s drinking scene is broad and citywide, what I find particularly interesting is that East Nashville in particular has established itself as a hub for world-class bars. Coral Club and Tiger Bar are both located here. A Lobster Boy Martini is like ordering a dirty dinner on the beach with a side of lobster.” — Kevin Sanders, Managing Partner, The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club
focaccia san vito
Where is it: 605 Mansion Street, Nashville, TN 37203
What do you require: macaroni
Courtesy of St. Vito Focacceria
Why visit: “Both cocktails perfectly represent the restaurant and its cozy space—simple, bold, and delicious. The Spaghett is a kind of “dude spritz” that uses an American icon in Miller High Life beer and classic Italian Aperol.” — Michael Hanna, Executive Director/Chef & Owner, Sant Vito Focacceria
The great departed
Where is it: 1 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203 (below Virgin Hotels Nashville)
What do you require: I'd rather be blind
Sam Frawley/Virgin Hotels Nashville
Why visit: The Late Great has managed to deliver everything that makes for a great drinking experience with delicious cocktails in a relaxed and dreamy setting. And luckily for us, this private members club and secret bar accepts reservations.
From the whimsical entryway adorned with wallpaper covered in Nashville icons to the intimate feel of the secret bar, you'll feel like you've been transported to your friend's arty nook. The decor, which features pop art, fun murals, photographs, and candid portraits of artists (including Johnny Cash), was hand-picked by esteemed Nashville designer Hannah Crowell, granddaughter of the late Johnny Cash and daughter of Rosanne Cash and singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell.
The all-female bar team is led by the brilliant Hope Rice. “We partner with many local and international whiskey brands,” says Rice. “Our goal at The Late Great is to stay informed and stand behind the brands that represent us. We strive to stock our shelves with female-owned spirits.” For example, my pick, I’d Rather Go Blind, uses a local, female-owned bourbon, Happenstance Whiskey, mixed with Jamaican rum, vermouth blanc, amaro, and lavender bitters in an herbal drink accompanied by lavender tarts for aromatics (I opted out of this drink).
rose bonnie
Where is it: 5133 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205
What do you require: Pistola
Why visit: “The Pistola is a fun blend of carrots, chili peppers, mezcal and rum that will make you wonder about your taste buds! Roze is a bartender's favorite. The atmosphere is relaxed but creates a balance between professionalism and fun. You'll feel right at home with a martini, long pants or shorts and a tiki drink.” — Harrison Drost, bar manager, the night we met
Getting to Nashville
Late summers can be extremely hot, and winters can be extremely windy. We recommend planning your visit to Music City in the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). These months typically offer great weather, with mild temperatures and sunny days perfect for walking through downtown Nashville. Book your flight to and from Nashville with Expedia, starting at just $43.
Place of residence
Looking to stay for a while? Here are some hotels we recommend in Music City.
Thompson Nashville
The 224-room Thompson Nashville Hotel, located in the heart of Music City’s Gulch neighborhood, embodies the essence of Nashville’s great factor—country music and whiskey—throughout the property. Thompson Nashville recently partnered with Entertainer of the Year and Grammy Award nominee Eric Church. When you book a suite or penthouse stay at Thompson Nashville, you’ll enjoy luxurious amenities in the sprawling room, including a newly added Victrola record player and a vinyl collection curated by Eric Church featuring a mix of his classics, regional staples and Nashville legends (Willie Nelson). red haired stranger You'll also enjoy two complimentary cocktails featuring Church's Whiskey JYPSI at the hotel's popular rooftop bar LA Jackson, or the charming Southern-inspired Marsh House restaurant.
Thompson Nashville also regularly hosts a whiskey and vinyl tasting experience in one of its spacious suites, which offers panoramic views of the Nashville skyline. Led by whiskey expert AJ Soldo, guests are guided through a delicious tasting filled with the rich history of whiskey in the Southeast, with each shot paired with a vinyl record. Chris Stapleton’s Tennessee Whiskey paired perfectly with Nelson’s Greenbrier, giving me the “Tennessee Hug,” which locals call the warm first sip that ends with a spicy finish of mint and cinnamon.
Virgin Hotels Nashville
Virgin Hotels Nashville is conveniently located on the historic Music Row neighborhood. The luxury hotel offers 262 guest rooms, including Grand Chamber Suites, and multiple food and beverage offerings, including Commons Club, Virgin Hotels’ flagship restaurant, bar and lounge, The Pool Club, a rooftop restaurant and bar, and the quirky Funny Library Café. The overall aesthetic of the hotel is a mix of contemporary luxury and rock ‘n’ roll—deliberately, quintessentially “Nashville” in every detail. Even the entrance immediately caught my eye with its stunning Music City Ensemble installation, designed by artist and sculptor John Peralta, featuring a 12-piece set of country music instruments suspended from the ceiling of the lobby.
Yusef
This luxury hotel is located in the heart of Nashville, close to some of the city’s newest live music venues and boutique properties. The award-winning hotel has 297 rooms, but you’ll definitely want to book one of the 32 beautifully designed suites. Each suite has a selection of vinyl records to play on Audio-Technica turntables with Bose speakers. The Joseph has three stunning bars, including the rooftop hotspot Denim, the intimate cocktail lounge Four Walls, and The Bar, a spacious lobby bar. If you’re an art lover, you’ll especially appreciate the Joseph’s eighth-floor gallery, where you can experience more than 1,100 unique works of art.
