8 Best Nightlife in East Nashville, Nashville

Billed as Nashville's oldest dive bar, Dino's has maintained its charm by changing little over the years. The bar stocks a handful of cheap beer selections and can make simple cocktails, while the kitchen serves up hot chicken, Frito pie, and sneakily delicious burgers. On the weekends, Dino's serves one of the best brunches in town, with offerings like hot chicken French toast.

A host of craft breweries have opened in Nashville over the last few years, and Smith and Lentz Brewing ranks among the best of them. Located convenient to Five Points, Smith and Lentz offers a number of house and rotating brews in various glass sizes, also making each available to take home in a crowler or growler. They don't serve much food but do allow guests to bring in takeout. Ping-Pong tables and a solid selection of board games round out the experience.

A pillar of East Nashville's Five Points, 3 Crow Bar is a relaxed dive with a great beer selection, lively atmosphere, and a solid menu of bar food favorites. The bar does allow smoking inside, but on nice days they keep their large windows open. Don't leave without ordering a Bushwacker, which is basically just a delicious chocolate milk shake loaded down with booze.

Tucked away in East Nashville's Lockeland Springs neighborhood is the Lipstick Lounge, a long-standing queer bar with a friendly, community feel. The bar has all of your standard options, plus excellent brunch offerings like Bloody Marys on the weekend. Don't sleep on the food, which is better than your typical bar fare and has a Tex-Mex influence. Karaoke lovers, rejoice: Lipstick Lounge offers up some of the best in town.

Located in East Hill in a small strip with like-minded bars and restaurants, Mickey's Tavern is a no-frills dive with a neighborhood vibe. Serving local beer and simple mixed drinks to a diverse mix of patrons, Mickey's offers darts, foosball, and outdoor seating options. Big bonus points to Mickey's for allowing patrons to bring over a meal from next-door local Italian establishment Nicoletto's Italian Kitchen.

New East Nashville bar Pearl Diver is an island vacation in bar form. From the tropical decor to the extensive list of tiki drinks, no detail at Pearl Diver was left unconsidered. The drink menu features island classics like daiquiris and mai tais, as well as new signature drinks whipped up by Pearl Diver's bartenders. They also serve small bites like dumplings and skewers. Charge your phone before hitting Pearl Diver—it's one big photo op.

Adjacent to the Urban Cowboy Bed and Breakfast, Urban Cowboy Public House is one of east Nashville's trendiest cocktail bars. Serving up high-end libations and a thoughtfully designed food menu in a cozy backyard setting, Urban Cowboy caters to hip, younger crowds. Most seating is outdoors, so plan accordingly.

East Nashville neighborhood Riverside Village is one of the few remaining stretches in town that has managed to retain a true community feel. Part of the reason is Village Pub, a friendly neighborhood bar serving up craft beer and specialty mule cocktails alongside a menu heavy on soft pretzels and pretzel sandwiches. Outdoor seating goes quickly on nice days, so get there early if you prefer to drink alfresco.