Time to Revisit Nashville

 

Nashville is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. So it makes sense that there are new bars and restaurants popping up here all the time!  Not to downplay the explosion of celebrity honky tonks, but there are also plenty of places to get good cocktails off of Lower Broadway. So many, that we thought we’d update our earlier post with some more #tipsypick gems we found #offthetipsypath right in downtown Nashville.

You know we love a good speakeasy… and while it’s not a big secret (there’s almost always a wait) Hidden Bar in the Noelle Hotel downtown is one of the best in town. Not only is the location authentic – storage closet anyone? – but they go above and beyond with their holiday themes. Halloween 2023 was “The Shining” and Christmas was “A Christmas Story.” Such a fun way to spend an hour or two! But seriously, plan on putting your name on the list and visiting another bar while you wait – Black Rabbit is around the corner, and see below for another option . . .

Speaking of nearby bars, just down the street from Hidden Bar, Sinatra Bar & Lounge is another #tipsypick in downtown Nashville! Part cocktail spot, part restaurant and part jazz lounge, Sinatra has it all if you want to feel like you are as far away from a honky tonk as you can get. The cocktails are superb, with an emphasis on Frank’s favorite Jack Daniel’s, and they pair well with the live jazz most evenings. Note the artwork, some of which is from Sinatra’s own hand. The entire concept has been blessed by the Sinatra family. This is a great date night spot.

Did someone say date night? House of Cards has you covered! From the same team that brought us Skull’s Rainbow Room and Sinatra, this is another spot just steps away from Broadway but a world away as far as experiences. It’s a basement speakeasy under the Johnny Cash Museum. Yes, there’s a dress code! But they have live magicians in the bar and dining area, and live magic shows nightly. No, you can’t take pictures of the performers. Look for the artifacts like handcuffs owned by Houdini! Oh, the wine and cocktails are worth it as well – the house Manhattan and Old Fashioned for sure!

And since we’re talking about basement spaces – we bring you Pushing Daisies! This tequila and margarita spot isn’t exactly hidden. It has its own entrance from Broadway and is located under the sprawling Assembly Food Hall complex. But the atmosphere is fantastic – festive and intimate at the same time. And the drinks… way more than just great margaritas! The sangria was excellent and let’s talk about “Something Clarified, Please.” This cocktail requires an explanation from the professionals. Basically, it involves soaking bananas and washing mezcal with coconut. Don’t ask us… just try it for yourself! You’ll thank us!

Here’s one from the “you have to look for it” category. Pullman Standard occupies a space in the historic Cummins Station building with an entrance on Demonbreun Street. It’s #offthetipsypath unless you walk or drive past it. But it’s worth seeking out. This intimate cocktail space is perfect for a cocktail after work or just to hang out for a few. Their version of a black Manhattan known as the “Midnight Train” is very tasty!

Sometimes, presentation is everything. We visited the restaurant Hand Cut recently, where one drink in particular stood out – the Waffle Cone Old Fashioned! Unlike some smoked drinks that are just infused with wood chips, this one had a bottle of smoke all its own with a side of waffle cone in its own container. This relatively new chop house also has great food, but it’s worth a visit just for this cocktail. #tipsypick

And finally, we’ll give a shout out to one of our favorite East Nashville spots, the wine bar Authentique, celebrating one year with new owners in the same spot. They are a #tipsypick for food, wine and atmosphere. Check them out!

No doubt we’ll be visiting more #tipsypicks in Nashville. Let us know where we should go next!

🎉🥃 Nashville - There are great cocktails in the land of Honky Tonks 🎉🥃

 

Yes Virginia, there are some great cocktail bars to be found in the land of Honky Tonks and the “Woo Hoo” crowd (that’s the name given to the endless stream of bachelorette parties on Lower Broadway)  - and in case you haven’t figured out, we’re talking about Nashville, aka “NashVegas!”

We’ve spent a considerable amount of time in the Music City over the last decade and there’s nothing wrong with a night on Lower Broadway. Lots of live music and beer flowing for everyone. But if you’re looking for some great cocktails and a different vibe, here are a few thoughts for you!

First, it is possible to find some great cocktails just a block or two away from the Honky Tonks on lower Broadway! There are so many new cocktail bars popping up in Nashville that we can’t cover them all in one post.

But we’ll start with our consistently favorite spot – the Patterson House. Located in a house on the West End, it’s not exactly hidden, but we did stand outside with a map on our first visit and missed the door entirely!  Luckily, we found our way in and have been coming back ever since. The drinks are some of the best in the city – Scott had his first Black Manhattan and Black Walnut Old Fashioned here. They have small bites for food as well. It is always a stop when we’re in Nashville!

Just a few blocks off Broadway is a red phone booth. It seems out of place, until you realize it’s the entrance to a clever speakeasy and cigar bar called  …  Red Phone Booth. They even have a special secret number you call from the booth to get in (Pro-Hint: Most of the local hotels will have it.) Once inside, you’ll find leather chairs and a bit of cigar smoke. But there are also some great cocktails!

A few blocks from Broadway close to the river is Printers Alley, historically home to some “seedy” establishments. But this festive alley has a number of cool spots that you might not see just walking by. Both Snitch and Dirty Little Secret are accessible from the Alley and have a variety of live entertainment in a “speakeasy” setting. Alley Taps is also located in a former speakeasy basement space.

One place that is well marked and worth the effort to get a table is Skull’s Rainbow Room. A Printers Alley original, this is a restaurant with some amazing prime rib and great drinks. Most evenings they have a cabaret show after 9:30 p.m. if you want some live entertainment! We try to visit when we are in town.

And one block from the Alley is the Black Rabbit, home to some fantastic cocktails and a solid bourbon selection along with an inventive kitchen.

Nashville is a lot like New York City in that there are lots of neighborhoods outside of the city center and each has their own hotspots for great drinks, food and music. For example, SoBro has Bar Sovereign, Edgehill has Old Glory – both are worth checking out for their history and great use of space as well as the cocktails!

One of our favorite areas is East Nashville. Just a decade ago this was a neighborhood “in transition” but we’d say now that it’s well on its way! It’s always been home to some funky spots that are #offthetipsypath. If you look up “best cocktails in Nashville,” there are always at least a few here on the list. Unfortunately, it’s not the most walkable neighborhood between our favorite watering holes. Maybe someone should start a cocktail bus tour 🤔

Anyway, one of our favorite spots in East Nash is a bit #offthetipsypath in that it’s a basement bar behind a building on Gallatin Pike. The Fox Club has some of the best cocktails in the city, including some excellent variations on a Manhattan. Unlike some bars, you can make a reservation here too.

Down the street a bit is Attaboy. This is described as an “outpost” for the famous speakeasy of the same name in NYC. The space is very cool and the drinks are solid, but we think they’re still working on the “tell us what you like and we’ll make something unique” concept that makes the NYC mothership work so well. Would definitely recommend giving it a try!

Also along Gallatin Pike is a cool new wine bar called The Authentique. While it’s located in a strip mall, don’t let the outside fool you. The interior space reminded us of something in Europe. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the wine and the charcuterie is excellent. We’ll be back here!

There are other places nearby as well that are on our list to check out, but we couldn’t pack in too many and still be able to drive lol.

Like we said, too many Nashville spots to cover in just one entry … we haven’t even started on the breweries! More on all that next time.

As always, if you have thoughts or suggestions … we’d love to hear from you!