While Nashville is known worldwide for its country music, there's more to the music scene here than just twang and two-stepping. Leave the overcrowded honky-tonks on Lower Broadway behind and explore the venues where the locals come to listen and dance. As a city of musicians and music-lovers, there are countless spots around town to enjoy a wide variety of genres and atmospheres without having to fight for a spot at the bar or feel like you’re at a frat party. East Nashville, Edgehill, and Midtown are home to intimate clubs and funky dance bars hosting everything from acoustic indie songwriters to punk shows and retro DJs. Look beyond the tourist spots and get ready to spin the flip side of Music City.

East Nashville

The 5 Spot in East Nashville

Just across the Cumberland River from Downtown Nashville, East Nashville is known for its artsy vibe and eclectic galleries, restaurants, bars, and clubs. You won’t find much country on this side of town, but if you’re looking to sample an authentic taste of Nashville’s diverse music scene, this is the place. Selling vintage clothing and records, Fond Object Records cultivates a lo-fi DIY aesthetic with casual backyard porch shows, featuring local up-and-comers alongside traveling indie acts. Fond Object also hosts neighborhood events like crawfish boils, making it a true local favorite. 

If traditional clubs are more your thing, venues like The Basement East and The 5 Spot are notable spots for a local’s night out. “The Beast,” as it’s fondly referred to by devotees, is a spacious standing-room venue with the capacity and impressive sound system that its full schedule of energetic rock and Americana shows demands. Regular events, like Lightning 100’s Thunderground series spotlighting local artists and QDP (Queer Dance Party), draw plenty of repeat visitors and newcomers. The 5 Spot, another standing venue, packs them in for live performances, popular weekly shows like Sunday Night Soul, and monthly DJ nights like Motown Mondays, frequented by Nashville’s swing dance community. The Spot is a hip but not intimidating venue for an eclectic crowd that isn’t afraid to get down.

Edgehill

Edgehill meets Music Row

Located between Vanderbilt, Belmont, and The Gulch, Edgehill is home to several low-key venues that cater to local artists and fans of authentic Nashville talent. The Basement (sister venue to the Basement East) has a cozy living room vibe with great acoustics for you you can enjoy intimate, unplugged shows from three feet away. A free New Faces Nite regularly brings the city’s homegrown talent together for mellow performances that showcase the future of Nashville sound.

Bobby’s Idle Hour Tavern is the quintessential neighborhood watering hole where Edgehill meets Music Row. This legendary dive bar is a staple of the local music community and boasts the only songwriter’s night left on Music Row. More traditional than trendy, Bobby’s is an unpretentious relic of Nashville before the bachelorettes and bro-country took over. If you’re looking for a casual drink and an authentic immersion into the music scene, you’ll find it here.

Midtown

Exit/In photo courtesy of EVula

Near the city center but removed from the tourist crowds, Midtown’s musical establishments range from relaxed to raucous and everything in between. Exit/In has been bringing rock and punk shows to Elliston Place since 1971. A popular spot for documentaries and music videos, this cavernous black-painted building is a far cry from the glitzy honky tonks of Lower Broadway, but it’s the go-to spot for those who love it loud. You’ll find famous names who have played this iconic venue—including Johnny Cash, the Ramones, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers—listed on the sign out front.

Tucked away behind Centennial Park and with a capacity of only two hundred, The Local is a well-kept secret that caters to up close and personal musical experiences. Dim lighting and warm wood decor create a mellow ambience for enjoying a drink and show. Opened in 2017, The Local is the new kid on the block serving up indie talent while staying true to Midtown’s free-spirited roots. A full schedule of rock, country, and blues brings a diverse range of performances to Nashvillians, while also hosting local creative groups like Girls Write Nashville and the School of Rock.