92 Best Bars in Tennessee, USA

Originally opened in 1944 but recently reimagined under new ownership, Melrose Billiard Parlor is a classic dive where you can play pool, ping-pong, darts, and shuffleboard in a subterranean lair. A ban on indoor smoking may have changed the ambience a bit, but it has certainly improved the "atmosphere." Patrons fuel up for indoor sports on draft beer, a full bar, and pizza slices.

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.

In some towns, singing at karaoke bars is a way to show off your lack of inhibition; in Nashville some performers sound like they're auditioning for a recording contract. Ms. Kelli's is a favorite among locals because even though the talent level is usually quite high, less experienced and confident singers are also warmly supported.

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 site of the historic Pines Theater, where Dolly Parton played her first paying gig, is now an entertainment-focused bar and restaurant with duckpin bowling lanes, shuffleboard, foosball, and retro video games. The kitchen serves burgers and ramen bowls, and there's also a top-notch sushi and lobster roll joint, Pinchy's, directly across the street. 

Let loose and have a night of play at this spacious and energetic duckpin bowling bar. With smaller lanes, pins and bowling balls, duckpin games offer a unique challenge, but there are also bocce courts, pinball machines, ping-pong tables, and foosball tables to float between for a full night of activities. Free video games and rounds of giant Jenga are a great way to pass the time while waiting for an open lane. Fruit-forward cocktails, punches, and boozy Slush Puppies are the main draw at the bar, and there's usually a food truck parked outside to provide a late-night bite.

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.

Walk into this wood-paneled wonderland and enjoy a little taste of London right in the heart of The Gulch. Anglophiles will be happy to find crispy fish-and-chips, a typical Sunday roast with all the fixings, and shepherd's pie, along with imported British ales that are rare to find on tap. Trivia nights happen every Monday, and it's a popular place for watching both local and overseas soccer games.

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.

Rum Boogie Cafe is a good Beale Street spot to hear the blues.

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.

Beer tastes better inside a castle, served in a heavy glass mug and backed by Bavarian oompah music. That's the scene at this German-inspired beer hall and outdoor biergarten inside a towering gate and turreted walls.

A reimagined version of a past Printers Alley staple, Skull’s Rainbow Room serves classic entrées like steaks and chops, ready to be washed down with a boozy blend from their classic cocktail list. Taking center stage alongside food and drink at this dimly lit yet swanky lounge is the entertainment, alternating between live jazz and live burlesque performances.

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.

The backdrop for many a movie and music video, The Stage is classic Lower Broadway in both looks and entertainment. With live music starting in the early afternoon and a convenient location across from Bridgestone Arena, it's a great stop before or after a game or concert.

This ornate 1,600-seat former movie house serves as the city's performing arts center, hosting comedians, touring musicals, and live bands. Its marquee is a landmark on South Gay Street.

Order a tiki cocktail and step into the mid-20th-century at this throwback lounge with a Polynesian theme. The tucked-away courtyard out back is a cozy place to sip and smile.

If you're looking for laughs while you're in Music City, look no further than Third Coast Comedy Club. Nestled inside the Marathon Village complex, this local favorite plays host to sketch, improv, and stand-up shows most nights of the week. And if you're interested in brushing up on your own comedy chops, Third Coast also offers classes and workshops (check availability before visiting).

Tootsie’s gets its name from legendary former owner Hattie Louise "Tootsie" Bess and the bold color of the honky-tonk's walls and exterior, which also features one of the more famous Downtown murals of ’80s country stars. A multilevel honky-tonk playground, you can see live music on all of its four floors, including the rooftop. Take note of the neon sign in the back alley for the famous Tootsie’s Upstairs, a novelty relic of the ’60s and ’70s, when country legends would go sit in the private room and drink after shows at the Ryman.

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. 

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.