Nashville must-do’s: Dining, music, shopping, and more
In town for 36|86? Maximize your Music City downtime with these ideas from our friends at NATIVE, Nashville’s culture magazine.
DINING
BABO
1601A Riverside Dr.
Korean-themed late-night bar and restaurant that provides a wonderful alternative to the mundane fried food usually available after 10 p.m. Whether it’s imported light beers, Sake, or Soju, Babo makes you feel like you’re getting a slice of authentic Korean nightlife.
FIVE POINTS PIZZA
1012 Woodland St.
4100 Charlotte Ave.
Tired of all fancy foods and just need a good slice of pie? Five Points is open late with New York-style pizza that tastes great, available by the slice.
MONELL’S
1235 6th Ave. N.
Go with an appetite. Take your seat family-style at a table of 10 or more, and over the next hour you’re at the mercy of course after course of fantastic, authentic Southern food.
8TH AND ROAST
2108 8th Ave. S.
4104 Charlotte Ave.
Good local coffee and made-from-scratch menu items. Right across the street from Zanies Comedy Club, 8th and Roast is the perfect place for an iced coffee and a quick bite.
PROPER BAGEL
2011 Belmont Blvd.
An authentic New York-style bagel in Nashville. A family-owned operation 35 years in the making, Proper Bagel is serious about quality. The creative menu pays homage to classic bagel-making techniques — with a twist.
PRINCE’S HOT CHICKEN
5814 Nolensville Pike
Hot chicken is a Nashville staple, and Prince’s invented it. Yes, it takes a long time to get your chicken, but that’s because they cook your food when you order it. And any wait is worth it. Just don’t order either of the two hottest options unless you’ve got a fire hose with you.
MAS TACOS POR FAVOR
732 Mcferrin Ave.
Mas Tacos excels in simplicity. Tacos, soup, plantains, and elotes if you want them — all done well. It’s cash-only and worth the wait.
BARISTA PARLOUR
519 Gallatin Ave. B
1230 4th Ave. N.
610 Magazine St.
An experience beyond the typical morning routine. With a fine selection of curated coffees and espresso drinks, Barista Parlor doubles as a brunch spot with delicious breakfast items. Fun fact: The original East Nashville location is a former transmission shop.
BAR OTAKU
505 12th Ave. S.
This traditional-style Japanese pub specializes in yakitori and Japanese soul food. It’s a fun late-night spot, with DJs spinning every Thursday.
REDHEADED STRANGER
305 Arrington St.
Tex-Mex done right at the №1 spot for breakfast tacos in Nashville. Go for the tacos and stay for the daily special.
CHAATABLE
345 40th Ave. N.
A vibrant spot serving up delicious Indian street food that’s a mix of savory and sweet. Try the O.M.Ghee and Curry On.
LOCKELAND TABLE
1520 Woodland St.
Southern-accented American dishes and wood-fired pizzas at this cozy neighborhood gem — a happy hour favorite.
DINO’S
411 Gallatin Ave.
An East Nashville staple. Always a divey, grungy, greasy good time, with the best burger and fries in town.
NIGHTLIFE / ENTERTAINMENT
PLAY DANCE BAR
1519 Church St.
If you don’t dance, Play isn’t for you. Great DJs and drag shows throughout the night in this fun spot with tasty drinks and a lively crowd every weekend.
CANNERY COMPLEX — MERCY LOUNGE
1 Cannery Row
A live music venue and bar that features a lineup of local musicians. It’s standing-room-only for superb concerts that won’t break the bank.
FRIST MUSEUM
919 Broadway
There’s always something new to see at the Frist, which brings visual art from around the world to Nashville and features the work of local artists. Don’t miss the Martin ArtQuest gallery for hands-on fun for all ages.
BELCOURT THEATRE
2102 Belcourt Ave.
Nashville’s nonprofit film center screens movies with meaning, including indies and arthouse flicks you won’t see anywhere else in town. Tasty popcorn, too.
PINEWOOD SOCIAL
33 Peabody St.
A dining room decked with couches and recliners will make you feel right at home. After dinner, check out the bowling alley — six reclaimed lanes from an Indiana Bowl O’ Rama — and then step out back to enjoy the patio, Airstream, and pool.
ZANIES COMEDY CLUB
2025 8th Ave. S.
Some great acts have come through Zanies since it opened 35 years ago and there are more on the way! See what the Nashville standup scene is all about.
FOX BAR AND CLUB
2905B Gallatin Pike
This East Nashville jewel is another spot perfect for grabbing a drink with friends. The bar is intimate with a beautiful Gatsby-esque interior and a cocktail menu of carefully crafted drinks that rotate each season.
LITTLE HARPETH BREWING
30 Oldham St.
A fab night out. The brewery hosts tours during the day and invites visitors to try the craft brews. The Little Harpeth Taproom is open from Thursday to Sunday and also hosts live music.
PROPER SAKE CO.
628 Ewing Ave.
Different from any brewery you‘ve visited — and the only sake tasting room in town. Traditional techniques create hand-crafted, unpasteurized, unfiltered sakes on draft, Japanese style dry lager, and taproom-only special releases.
CHOPPER
1100 B Stratton Ave.
Nashville’s newest tiki bar. Robots-on-an-island themed, the atmosphere is fun and the drinks are delicious.
ROSEMARY
1102 Forrest Ave.
Located in a yellow house in East Nashville, Rosemary is a late-night destination. Spacious outdoor seating, a taco truck out back, delicious cocktails, and a DJ spinning all night long.
PEARL DIVER
1008 Gallatin Ave.
Exotic bar and lounge with cabanas, a vibrant patio, and delicious tiki drinks. Expect fun island vibes in this converted mid-century auto garage.
VON ELROD’S BEER HALL AND KITCHEN
1004 4th Ave. N.
In the heart of Germantown, this German-style pub welcomes guests for a stein or two with the squad. Serving pretzels, Schnitzel, and the occasional bar-wide drinking game, this spot guarantees a good time.
SHOPPING
TORO
917 Gallatin Ave.
Love vintage clothing but hate to pay an arm and a leg? Toro is your new fave. Specially curated clothes at an affordable price, in the heart of East Nashville.
THE IDEA HATCHERY
1108 Woodland St.
Home to several local small businesses in East Nashville’s Five Points area. The roster features local artists of all kinds, including a used and rare bookstore, an art gallery, and more.
OLD MADE GOOD
3701B Gallatin Pike
Specializing in vintage and handmade goods, this shop takes older items and updates them for today. Something for everyone.
ANACONDA VINTAGE
1062 E. Trinity Lane #101
Curated by stylish local musicians, Anaconda Vintage is making a name for itself with a great collection of items for both men and women.
GRIMEY’S
1060 E. Trinity Lane
New and pre-loved vinyl, CDs, and cassettes in every genre, plus a bookstore. If you go at the right time you can catch a free show in-store by a local or touring act.
HOUSE OF
2006 Belmont Blvd.
Operated through the Belmont Entrepreneurship Center, this boutique hosts designs by Belmont students and local Nashville creators. Stop by — and buy! — to support emerging designers in the community.
ROOTED
62 Hermitage Ave.
A must-stop-spot for sneakerheads in Music City. With exclusive worldwide and Nashville drops, it’s the city’s premium streetwear and apparel boutique.
THE SHOPPES AT FATHERLAND
1006 Fatherland St.
A retail community home to more than 20 local businesses, where shoppers can access local retailers and entrepreneurs all in one place.
HEY ROOSTER GENERAL STORE
1711 21st Ave. S.
A charming one-stop shop for artful Nashville gifts — a range of local and small-batch products.
