10 Best Bars in Nashville, Tennessee

While Black Abbey beers can be found on tap throughout Nashville, a visit to their monastery-themed brewery in Berry Hill is an experience all its own. Enjoy a brewery tour, then sample their flavorful beers in the Fellowship Hall located in the middle of the working brewhouse. The brewery also hosts food trucks most nights along with trivia nights and vinyl pop-up parties, where the staff spin their favorite records.

A host of craft breweries have opened in Nashville over the last few years, and Smith and Lentz ranks among the best of them. Conveniently located to Five Points, they offer a number of house and rotating brews, as well as an array of house-made pizzas, salads, and small plates, with flavors and ingredients far more elevated than your typical brewery fare.

Believe it or not, Germantown used to be one of Nashville's industrial hubs. You can see what remains of the neighborhood's old factories and warehouses on its eastern outskirts, where Bearded Iris Brewing lies. Housed in one of these old warehouses, Bearded Iris brews a variety of old-world-style beers that appeal to beer snobs and newbies alike and serves brews in a swanky-comfy setting that combines the best of old and new Germantown.

If you're looking to watch the big game in Hillsboro Village, look no further than Double Dogs. This brewpub has TV screens on TV screens, so they're sure to be broadcasting whichever sporting event you're after, which you can enjoy with a long list of craft beers. It's also a full restaurant, making it a nice spot for a casual meal.

This neighborhood gem serves up beers like Miro Miel blonde ale, as well as an eclectic menu of pizza, salads, and appetizers. The brewery and taproom's back patio is dog-friendly and great for families with young kids.

Visiting the taproom at Fat Bottom Brewing turns enjoying the brewer’s locally crafted beers into an experience. The large warehouse-like space features ample seating, multiple outdoor areas with yard games, and brewery tours Thursday through Saturday.

Curious about the Southeast's celebrated craft beer scene? Make a stop at this laid-back taproom to try one of their 36 rotating taps, order a bite from their small but solid food menu, and relax and refuel after a long day of walking and shopping. Hit up their nightly "Hoppy Hour" from 4–6 pm for different beer specials, and remember to check out the fridge for a six-pack to take home.

Atlanta-based Monday Night Brewing set up its first Nashville outpost in an old meatpacking plant in Germantown, an easy walk from local beer favorite Bearded Iris and from other Nashville-via-Atlanta transplant The Optimist. The space is large and lively and the brews are fresh and adventurous; Monday Night especially excels at making sour beers, so stop in for all your mouth-puckering needs.

For lovers of adventurous varieties of beer, Southern Grist is a must-visit. Check out inventive brews like the Money Moves milk stout and the BroCoNut coconut IPA (note that all offerings are seasonal and vary depending on availability). For a great in-house meal, stop by the inventive and surprising Lauter. 

Local brewer Southern Grist serves pints and flights of their brews in their industrial-style taproom in The Nations. Their often fruity, sometimes sour, but always creative brews pair well with the in-house bites.