Going on a bachelorette party weekend to Nashville at the beginning of May. Would love suggestions for dining, dancing and music clubs. For dining, price range would be moderate (under $30pp). Country music is fine, but would love to explore other music, too. I have read about the Bluebird?

Also, not all of us are under 30, and may like to slip away for some spa time instead of full time party time. Any suggestions for hotels with a good spa, or a nice day spa?

The Vanderbilt/West End area has a good hotel row including Courtyard, Hampton, Marriott, and Crown Plaza. This area is safe and has several restaurants in walking distance.

I am a fan of the Bluebird. Their schedule is posted well in advance on the web site and you can purchase tickets on line.

It's likely that the Bluebird shows will be 100% country and/or Americana/Folk music. It's best know for their "In the Round" performances (ITR) where four songwriters sit in a circle and play stripped down versions of their songs--typically, with just an acoustic guitar. The "late" shows -- 9PM on the weekdays and 9:30PM on weekends feauture established writers performing their hits. The earlier shows have no cover charge--but will be primarily aspiring writer/artists. Other clubs (such as Exit In) have rock bands and every type of live music. The honky tonks on Lower Broadway are great fun--but 100% country. If it appeals, the symphony plays at the beautiful Schermerhorn Center.

Go to www.nashvillescene.com for listings of music shows, restaurants, and more. I highly recommend Monell's on 6th Street near the Bicentennial Mall for a fantastic meal that is an inexpensive, totally unique, authentic experience. Same recommendation for Sylvan Park restaurant.

Have a great time!

The Holiday Inn Vanderbilt on West End would be perfect. They recently renovated top to bottom and have a very nice hotel. They have the Commodore Grille on site which features a wide variety of songwriters. SW Airlines Magazine had a nice write up about them as a nice alternative to the Bluebird. There is a spa only 1 block away. They've also got a complimentary shuttle that goes within a 3 mile radius. Charlotte Siegel does a great job at handling bachelorette parties for the hotel. Phone number is 615-327-4707 and ask for Charlotte. For other things going on in Nashville go to www.nowplayingnashville.com

Enjoy your trip!

Are you looking for a typical sort of bachelorette party experience? If so, I would actually not recommend the Bluebird. It takes the music and songwriters pretty seriously and it's not a "party" atmosphere. Going down to Lower Broadway is a pretty popular bachelorette party plan - there are several honky-tonks (Tootsie's, Robert's, the Stage) as well as Big Bang, a dueling piano bar that's fun. If your bachelorette is interested in standing on stage and getting sung to that's a good spot for it. For other clubs - there are tons around. See what's playing at Exit/In, Mercy Lounge, Cannery Ballroom, and 3rd & Lindsley. (3rd & Lindsley has tables with bar and food service; the others are standing-room venues with just bars.) Check out the Basement for a tiny venue that has some good acts.

If you're dining downtown, there's a Melting Pot that could be fun, and places like Big River and Market Street breweries. Food at both the breweries is OK but not amazing, if you ask me. In the Vandy/West End area (about 10 minutes from downtown), I'd check out Rumba, Mambu, and Cabana. In the Gulch (nearer downtown), try Sambuca.

I haven't really been to any day spas, so I'm not much help there, but there are several on Google close to the Gulch/Vandy areas.

FYI, at the Bluebird it is not permitted to talk during the performances. It's definitely a place to appreciate the music -- not to party.

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I think the Bluebird may be too "serious" for this adventure, and I appreciate the other options.

Funny, I am looking to do the same thing in July! I came on looking for advice and this thread was perfect!

Are any of the hotels recommended within walking distance of the Lower Broadway bars? (And is that what is referred to as "Music Row?") Thanks!

Also to Caroline, I've been to these bars before and had so much fun I asked to go back for my bachelorette party! They will definitely be a good time for your party...although they are all country music.

Here's some of my favorite places to eat: Bricktop's on West End, Midtown Cafe on 19th (I think) and Tayst on 21st. If you have a car and want to go shopping, go to Green Hills Mall where there many upscale shops including Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, etc. I go to a local place. Apropos for nails, skin care and general spa services. It is in the Mall area and there is a nice restaurant right upstairs called F. Scott's.

w351 - Lower Broad and Music Row are *not* the same thing. Lower Broadway is downtown and has the honky-tonks, Big Bang, the Sommet Center (arena), the Ryman, Ernest Tubb's, and Hard Rock, among other things. It also connects to 2nd Avenue, which has the Wildhorse, BB King's, and other clubs and restaurants. Music Row is between downtown and Vanderbilt. It's mostly businesses (publishing companies, record labels...), just in a historic setting. There's not that much to do in the immediate area except for around the roundabout at Demonbreun, where there's a strip with a few bars and restaurants. It is very close to Vanderbilt/West End, though.

None of the hotels mentioned so far are in walking distance to Lower Broadway; unless I missed one, they're all in the Vandy/West End area. You want to look for hotels downtown. There's a Hilton, a Hampton Inn, a Holiday Inn and others as well. The two areas are only a few minutes apart by car, but aren't in walking distance of each other.

I was just in Nashville in October. I stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites and thought it was perfectly located. It's just a couple of easy blocks from Lower Broadway, right behind the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. Because of its location, it's a little quieter, bed was VERY comfy, it was clean, and perhaps best of all...free parking! That is almost un-heard of downtown. Highly recommended. Have fun!

We usually stay at the Hampton Inn for easy access to all the honky tonks on Brodway. The last time I went in December we stayed at the Sheraton - it was fine but a much longer walk to the entertainment.

Thank you everyone! Does anyone know if any of the hotels walking distance to lower Broadway have an outdoor pool? It doesn't look like the Hampton does, unless they don't show it on their website.

I'd be surprised if they did. I've never noticed an outdoor pool downtown. I guess there's a chance there's one on a roof, but I haven't heard of one.

The only outdoor pool I know about is at the Best Western Music Row on Division Street (right near the roundabout statue). Not really walking distance though.

Just found out that the group is staying at the Wynhdam Union Station. Looks like a beautiful hotel, but I have no idea about the location. Thanks for all the tips!

Oooh, nice. That hotel looks great from the outside! It's a good location - it's several blocks to the honky-tonks and 2nd Avenue, but it is walkable. It's also a short drive to the West End area. Have fun!

The party is this weekend. Am I right in assuming that most of the clubs and bars are jeans sort of places? Some of the places we are going the first night are Flying Saucer, Rippys, Tootsies, The Stage, Wanna B's. The next night (if I am still alive at that point) is Wine Loft and City House. Are those on the 2nd night dressier? Trying to pack for this is giving me fits.

Help!

The first night you are FINE in jeans. (Actually I've never heard of Wanna B's but if you're still walking at that point I doubt you'll care! Plus I figure anything that says "karaoke bar" is a jeans place.) Flying Saucer is a regular bar. Tootsie's and the Stage are honky-tonks - you'd seem out of place in anything BUT jeans.

The second night - yes, a little dressier. But I think at City House you'd still be fine in dark wash dressy jeans if that's what you want to wear. Something a little dressier would be fine too.