21 Best Bars in Nashville, Tennessee

Located inside Tempered Café and Chocolate (and only open Thursday through Saturday), Green Hour is one of Germantown's best-kept secrets. It's the only bar in town that specializes in serving a wide variety of absinthe in traditional absinthe drips, making each drink ordered its own experiential treat. And if absinthe isn't your thing, the bar also serves a variety of classic cocktails and a small selection of beer.

This no-frills beer-only watering hole is the real deal: cheap beer and a straightforward food menu. Don’t let appearances fool you, however: this is also one of the best places to see both touring and local live music acts up close.

Less of a party scene and more of a place to sit and chat over a pint, Broadway Brewhouse's draft selection is rivaled by few places in town. The attached Mojo Grill serves a mash-up of Cajun and Tex-Mex food, plus some of the best chicken wings in town.

This 6,000-foot cigar lounge and shop takes its selection seriously, with state-of-the-art humidors and an incredibly knowledgeable staff who are more than happy to walk visitors through the basics. Aficionados may even have luck tracking down elusive and exclusive cigars. The bar's focus is on pours of bourbon, whiskey, and craft beer, and there's live music every Thursday night.

This classic dive is a stronghold in The Nations, providing all of the fixings necessary for fun: cheap beer, cornhole on the back patio, TVs, and friendly staff. But the real reason The Centennial has withstood the test of time is their simple yet surprisingly good food.

Like many of its neighbors on the Rock Block, The Corner Bar is heavy on local flavor and flair; its unpretentious clientele, great beer selection, and karaoke make it a favorite among nearby residents. It's open into the wee hours of the morning; stop by for a late-night bite or drink.

Let loose and sing a tune at Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole, located inside the Graduate. Styled like a Western saloon, this karaoke bar is campy and fun. A band of animatronic farm animals—the namesake critters—back those who take the stage.

A kitschy hangout with a 1960s après-ski vibe, Embers Ski Lodge serves gastropub fare—burgers, hand-cut Belgian fries—with a hint of the Pacific Northwest and East Asia, as well as a selection of cocktails, beer, and wine. Their large patio is located on a great corner for people-watching.

Frankie J's is a laid-back queer oasis in the middle of busting Germantown, just steps away from beloved restaurants like 5th & Taylor and Butchertown Hall. Stop in for cocktails and casual fare before a Sounds game, or enjoy one of the bar's many weekly events like Trivia Time Tuesdays. Frankie J's is 21+, so don't bring the kids, but leashed dogs are welcome.

Once a penthouse garden, this space has been converted into an open-air rooftop bar and lounge atop Holston House. Enjoy sweeping views of Downtown alongside craft cocktails and upscale bar bites.

Drawing on the popularity of neighborhood pizza-and-beer joint Slim and Husky's, Minerva Avenue is the first true bar to open in the burgeoning Buchanan Arts District. The bar has an easygoing-meets-speakeasy vibe, with a phone out front to alert the host to grant you entrance to the cozy patio. Grab a fresh, locally sourced sandwich and wash it down with a boozy slushie or a signature cocktail.

Neighbors has long been a popular bar in the west Nashville neighborhood of Sylvan Park, and in 2018 Germantown got its own outpost of the friendly watering hole. Located in close proximity to Germantown restaurants and to First Horizon Park, Neighbors is a great spot to pre-game before a Sounds game, toast to a good meal, or post up to watch the Nashville Predators.

An authentic neighborhood hangout as the name suggests, Neighbors is the spot in Sylvan Park to watch a game, hear some live music, and enjoy cheap beer on either their front patio or covered back deck. On the deck is where they smoke meats for sandwiches, quesadillas, loaded nachos, and more.

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.

The sign touts popular local hangout Twin Kegs as internationally famous, and once you try one of their juicy burgers you’ll understand why. This classic dive features cheap beer, karaoke, a pinball machine, shuffleboard, inventive Burgers of the Month, and occasional live music.

Locally owned and operated, SandBar Nashville has a coastal vibe in the middle of the city. It’s best to visit on sunny days when you can sip on something refreshing—like their boozy juice pouches—and watch a sand volleyball game from the patio.

A kitschy dive bar—that's cash-only—with a holiday twist, Santa's is located in a double-wide trailer decorated with vintage and retro Christmas decorations, including a faux flickering fireplace. This karaoke spot is loved by all sorts, including Ed Sheeran, who hung out there after a summer 2023 record-breaking show at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. Open until the wee hours with cheap beer (no liquor is served), the pub is also located within walking distance of GEODIS Park.

Much of Hillsboro Village is hip and manicured, but not The Villager Tavern, which remains one of the neighborhood's longest-running establishments. A true dive, The Villager, which is wildly popular among locals, serves up a limited menu of cheap beer and occasionally has potato chips for when you need something to munch on. The real draws are the front-room jukebox and the back-room dartboards, the latter of which draw serious competitors on any night of the week.