10 Nashville Music Venues That Anchor Their Neighborhoods

It’s the first thing anyone thinks of when Nashville comes to mind—music—and rightly so. While locals might tire of the stereotypes and tropes that accompany terms like “Music City” and “country music capital,” there’s no denying that music is a major industry and beloved community pastime in this city. 

While there are certainly more venues dotting the city than any list can enumerate, consider this the essential primer for Nashville’s staple venues. The list is organized beginning from the geographical and cultural center of music, Broadway, and expanding outward.

The Ryman Auditorium — Downtown  

Widely regarded as “the mother church of country music,” the Ryman Auditorium is the center of Nashville’s live music universe. It’s safe to say that anyone who is anyone makes a stop on this venue’s hallowed stage, no matter how bright their star. The structure was originally a church, and audience members still sit in pews to this day. If the sound quality isn’t enough to conjure a spiritual experience, the light from the stained glass windows is.

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge — SoBro

Perhaps the world’s most notorious honky-tonk, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge shares a back alley with its more reputable cousin, the Ryman, and artists dating back through music history have been known to play the larger venue before ducking into the raunchous lounge for a late-night set. In its day, Tootsie’s was host to the likes of Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Patsy Cline. 

The Station Inn — The Gulch

Quite possibly the most authentic bluegrass venue in all of Nashville, The Station Inn is famous for its dive bar qualities including low ceilings and basic bar staples like canned beer and popcorn. But its most important feature is the high caliber of talent that graces its stage. While bluegrass legends like Bill Monroe famously dropped in after their Grand Ole Opry sets in the 1970s, the Station Inn is still a touring hub for relevant bluegrass acts today.

Exit/In — West End

For local rock ’n’ rollers, there’s no better place than the classic Exit/In. Located just west of Downtown near many of the city’s colleges and universities, the Exit/In has long been a favorite among alternative acts and audiences looking to escape the neon glow of Broadway and rhinestone cowboys. Established in 1971, the club has hosted such iconic acts as R.E.M., Kings of Leon, The Indigo Girls, and Cheech and Chong. 

Douglas Corner Cafe — 8th Avenue South

A classic stop for singer-songwriters, Douglas Corner boasts live music six nights a week in their dark, shotgun venue on the corner of 8th Avenue South and South Douglas Avenue. The space is considered ideal for artists “showcases.” In other words, it’s a place for stripped-down performances with an emphasis on the lyrical content and vocal quality of the tune. Notable alumni of this music row icon include Trisha Yearwood, Alan Jackson, and Keith Urban. 

Nashville Jazz Workshop — Germantown 

The Nashville Jazz Workshop is a bastion of the genre in this region. Founded in 1998 and incorporated as a nonprofit organization shortly thereafter, the workshop is dedicated to fostering creativity in the community and providing space for developing artists.

In conjunction with their educational efforts, the workshop is host to varied live performances every week. A true community of musicians, the Nashville Jazz Workshop is one of those venues that has something unique and entertaining to offer on any given night, and it’s a reflection of the local culture that residents can be proud of.

The Basement East — East Nashville

While Nashville’s country legacy is robust, the city’s population has a wider variety of taste than just one genre. Atop the list of almost every local’s favorite indie venues is The Basement East . Acts like Citizen Cope, The Weeks, and local darling R.LUM.R are slated for upcoming shows, and any music critic worth their salt has likely paid a visit to the Basement to scope emerging artists. If the east side is known for its quirky taste, this music venue is precisely on brand. 

The Bluebird Cafe — Green Hills 

This iconic listening room, popularized by the hit ABC television series “Nashville,” has been a mainstay of Green Hills since it opened in 1982. The Bluebird Cafe has hosted such music luminaries as LeAnn Rimes, John Prine, Maren Morris, and famously served as a launchpad for Taylor Swift in the early days of her career.

Songwriters in particular love the quiet culture in the audience, and the Bluebird even goes so far as to post signs inside the venue that simply say, “shhh!” 

The Grand Ole Opry — Donelson

An offshoot of the original Opry at The Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry House in Donelson is the home of the contemporary Opry. Originally founded as a radio show in 1925, the Opry has been the face of country music since the genre was still called “hillbilly.” Today, the live performances from the country’s best and brightest are still broadcast over the airwaves, but the venue is a new face for the nearly 100-year-old tradition.

The Franklin Theatre — Franklin

The Franklin Theatre dates back to the 1930s, but it wasn’t until recently that this staple of Franklin’s picturesque mainstreet was restored to its original glamour and began to serve as a venue and movie theatre after years of dormancy. Today, the historic theater is preserved by a nonprofit organization and serves as a respected listening room for prominent local and touring musicians and songwriters.