Sam AlvarezLower Broadway is a blinding sea of neon lights, bachelorette parties, and deafening music. But before you grab a bite at a popular restaurant or book a table at a trendy downtown joint, you need a solid game plan for drinks.
Touching down in Music City means getting ready for legendary nightlife. But picking where to spend the evening can become a headache.
You might be a local hunting for an intimate blues performance or a visitor trying to find a decent craft beer away from the downtown madness. I navigated crowded dance floors, avoided obvious tourist traps, and paid premium tabs to help map out your night.
So, step into massive honky-tonks, then pull up a stool at a rustic bourbon saloon to discover top spots where the drinks stay cold, and the live bands never quit.
How much does going to a bar in Nashville cost?
Expect to pay premium prices in Nashville’s nightlife districts, with a standard 9.75% sales tax and a 15% alcohol tax applied to your final tab.
| Drink Type | Average Cost (2025–2026) |
| Draft Beer (Domestic) | $7 – $10 |
| Bottled Beer | $8 – $10 |
| Mixed Drinks & Cocktails | $12 – $20+ |
| Whiskey / Jack & Coke | $14 – $15+ |
| Seltzers | $15 – $20 per round |
| Soft Drinks | ~$4 |
1. Fat Bottom Brewing Taproom
Website: https://www.fatbottombrewing.com/taproom
Address: 800 44th Avenue North
Contact: (615) 219-4589
Schedule:
- Mon-Weds 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Thurs 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Fri 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sat 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sun 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Stepping away from the neon glow of downtown, you’ll find Nashville’s original craft brewery sitting in a massive 33,000-square-foot space.
Fat Bottom Brewing Taproom grabbed that original gangster (OG) first-mover advantage early on. Grab a light, easy-drinking pale ale or challenge your palate with a complex seasonal stout.
All those bold flavors are brewed right there on the premises. You can easily pair rotating seasonal taps with hearty burgers or hot chicken. But food quality can sometimes be a bit inconsistent when the kitchen gets slammed during peak hours.
On the bright side, they have a beer garden. I actually spent a sunny Saturday afternoon there recently. Picnic tables fill up quickly, and dogs lounge in the shade while groups share pitchers in the fresh air.
Customer Reviews
A unique experience!
Visited here for a company Christmas party. The service/staff was impeccable. Everyone was extremely personable and the food was excellent. Kelly, at the bar, deserves a raise. She’s the best bartender I’ve come across in Nashville. Highly recommend this establishment for people looking for a unique experience!
- Adrienne Caudill | Google Review
Wonderful experience
This was such a fun brewery! We had a pub/bar/brewery tour and this was one of the stops with Darrien. We had an opportunity to try 4 different drinks on tap and it was a wonderful experience (we got to go before it opened to public). I can see how this place would be so popular having seating inside and outside – honestly could even be a decent reception venue after a nashville wedding!
- Morgan DiBacco | Google Review
2. Honky Tonk Central
Website: https://www.honkytonkcentral.com/
Address: 329 Broadway
Contact: (615) 742-9095 | [email protected]
Schedule:
- Sun-Thurs 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM
- Fri-Sat 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM
- Daily 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Kitchen)
Finding a spot that captures the sheer energy of Lower Broadway is pretty easy when you step into the largest honky-tonk on the strip.
Honky Tonk Central dominates the neighborhood with three massive floors and three separate stages, all playing live music at the exact same time.
You can wander up the stairs and immediately catch a new band without waiting through any awkward downtime.
Bachelor parties and large groups usually end up here just because of the sheer scale of the building. Grab a late-night burger while the guitars wail and the drinks keep flowing.
All that popularity means the space gets incredibly loud, though. Be prepared to open your wallet, too, as drink prices definitely reflect typical tourist-area premiums.
Customer Reviews
Perfect place to grab food, drinks, and enjoy some music
Great spot for a quick lunch with live music! I had the hot chicken sandwich, and it was crispy with really good flavor. Definitely better than you’d expect from a bar. The live bands made the atmosphere even better. Perfect place to grab food, drinks, and enjoy some music downtown.
- Arian Mohebi | Google Review
Would definitely return if I visit Nashville again!
We planned on bar hopping on Broadway, and HTC was our third stop of the night. Turns out, it was also our last stop.
The music (Band Ana) was amazing, the girl at beer cart was fun and the vibes were high.
We stayed until close and I’m still thinking of the great time we had!
Would definitely return if I visit Nashville again!
- C G | Google Review
3. Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar
Website: https://www.bourbonstreetbluesandboogiebar.com/
Address: 220 Printers Alley
Contact: (615) 242-5837
Schedule:
- Mon-Tues Opens at 4:00 PM
- Wed-Sun Opens at 11:30 AM (Hours May Vary)
Country tunes might rule the main drag, but eventually, you’ll want to wander down Printer’s Alley for a real New Orleans-style blues experience. Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar puts live blues acts on stage every night inside a super historic setting.
I actually struck up a conversation with a regular here last month. They swore the gritty guitar riffs and soulful vocals easily rival anything you’d hear down in Louisiana.
Neon signs cast a glow over the room while plates of hot Creole dishes and icy signature Hurricanes hit the tables.
The smaller room makes you feel like part of the show, though getting a seat on a busy night is tough. Just have your ID ready, and bring some cash for the weekend cover charge.
Customer Reviews
Highly recommend it!
I loved discovering this place! We walked in and went straight upstairs, and luckily found seats at the bar with a perfect view of the band playing at the time. The place fills up quickly, and it’s mostly luck if you find a spot right away. But there’s a lot of movement, so it’s just a matter of waiting. Highly recommend it!
The only thing I wouldn’t recommend are the THC drinks, they’re not great.
- Noelia Bautista | Google Review
Definitely recommend getting there early to get a seat
Absolutely loved this place. The music was incredible and so fun. Definitely recommend getting there early to get a seat. We had great seats on the top floor looking down from the railing. Service was good and the 1 waitress was doing amazing. I loved that she straight up told us, if its too busy just go to the bar and order a drink instead of wait for me. Shrimp was delicious, my only complaint, I wish it came with more! I devoured them.
- Mike Krasinski | Google Review
4. Whiskey Bent Saloon
Website: https://www.whiskeybentsaloon.com/
Address: 306 Broadway
Contact: (615) 953-2245
Schedule:
- Mon-Weds 12:00 PM – 3:00 AM
- Thurs-Sat 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM
- Sun 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM
If you love a good pour, you’ll definitely want to check out this lively spot. Whiskey Bent Saloon sits right in the middle of the downtown nightlife action.
They house one of the largest specialized bourbon collections on the whole Broadway strip. Rows of rare bottles line the shelves behind the bar while live country and classic rock bands keep the energy high.
Their rustic honky-tonk vibe just makes you want to let loose and hit the dance floor.
Bartenders slide expertly mixed drinks across the counter right alongside icy cold beers. Large groups often book out the VIP loft upstairs for private parties.
But you’ll definitely want to grab dinner before you arrive since they don’t serve any food here.
Customer Reviews
Made us want to stay and drink!
Helene rained all over town but this guy made it worth our while. We loved this bar as one of our favorite. Taylor & Lynsey were fun & hard working and efficient. Made us want to stay and drink!
- Carrie Jeske | Google Review
Fantastic
First time experience for me in a live music bar. It was fantastic. The band made sure that the crowd is energetic and is also interactive. The ambiance is different and sets with the place. People at the bar were nice with customers.
- Karthik Parvathinathan | Google Review
5. The Stage on Broadway
Website: https://thestageonbroadway.com/
Address: 412 Broadway
Contact: 615-726-0504
Schedule: Daily 10:00 AM – 2:30 AM
If you want a high-energy party, this iconic spot is probably calling your name. At The Stage on Broadway, signed guitars and platinum records hang on the walls right above spilled beer and scuffed boots.
It sits right in the heart of the action. Live bands fire up the stage early in the morning and keep the crowds moving deep into the night.
Their multi-level layout gives you plenty of room to roam, complete with a massive dance floor, multiple bars, and a scenic rooftop patio overlooking downtown.
Since the crowd mostly consists of enthusiastic visitors, it can sometimes feel a bit touristy and lack intimacy. Plus, their bands stick pretty heavily to country music, so if you want to hear other genres, you might need to wander elsewhere.
Customer Reviews
Perfect mix of small/genuine and great music
No better place on broadway. It’s the perfect mix of small/genuine and great music. I’ve never eaten there but service at the bar is always good and music is great. It’s my go to whenever I’m in Nashville.
- Garrick Russell | Google Review
Just what we needed
Nice October afternoon in Nashville and four of us decided to hit the rooftop bar at The Stage. It was just what we needed. Nice shaded tables, mellow country music with a solid vocalist and Lo taking excellent care of the customers. Perfect for us retired tourists.
- Brian Bennett | Google Review
