A Visitor’s Guide to Nashville: Sightseeing, My Favorite Restaurants and the Best Bars in Town.

Best Bars

Nashville is well known for its drinking establishments with the most famous being Broadway street which is lined with touristy country music bars.The only one I am going to mention is Tootsies Orchid Lounge because of its long history in Nashville. Otherwise, there are many more unique and upscale bars throughout the city that are worth visiting.

Here is a list of my recommendations:  

Tootsies Orchid Lounge – is a well-known establishment in downtown Nashville. It is in the iconic purple building on Broadway behind the Ryman Auditorium. Tootsies has 3 stages that host live music every night ranging from popular country artists such as Jason Aldean and Taylor Swift to upcoming and aspiring artists.

Patterson House –named after Tennessee Governor Patterson (1907-1911) who was vehemently against the prohibition laws. His famous quote “for a state to control what the people eat; drink and wear is tyranny and not liberty.”  This small bar is considered the godfather of Nashville speakeasies because it is unassuming and not easy to find.  However, once you are inside, you will find a relaxing and intimate atmosphere serving handcrafted cocktails. Reservations are accepted.

Pearl Diver – a “casual exotic hideout in East Nashville focused on tropical food and drinks located in a renovated mid-century auto garage”.

The Greenhouse – In the Green Hills Neighborhood, this unique bar doubles as a greenhouse and a bar. Inside you will find a large oval shaped bar in the center, a tiki bar and a fire pit on the outside and comfortable patio furniture all around where you can sit and enjoy cocktails.

White Limozeen – one of the newest bars in Nashville which opened in July 2020.  This is a Dolly Parton themed rooftop bar offering both indoor and outdoor seating.  It is located at the top of the Graduate Hotel.  The bar is decorated with different shades of bright pink décor and a variety of comfortable seating options. There is a huge statue of Dolly Parton made of chicken wire on the outdoor patio, a wade pool, and an oversized day bed where guests can make reservations to sit and drink cocktails.

Oak Bar – an upscale historical bar located in the Hermitage Hotel.  This world-famous bar has one of the largest collections of bourbons boasting over 200 bottles.  The Oak Bar originally opened in 1910 as a private gentlemen’s club at the beginning of the prohibition era. Their notorious past made them famous when they were caught serving teapots filled with bourbon.