10 Neighborhood Bars in Nashville
Nashville has long been referred to as “a drinking city with a music problem,” and the recent tourism boom in the city has only added fuel to the fire. While country stars like Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, and Dierks Bentley lend their names to bars in Nashville—particularly along lower Broadway—residents are leaning into their local, neighborhood bars like never before.
These 10 bars in Nashville are neighborhood institutions, and we’ve even provided pro tips for each so you can drink like a real local.
PM - Belmont
Since 2003, PM has been the Belmont neighborhood’s premier gathering place. A quiet, college neighborhood, Belmont is surprisingly devoid of the bars and music venues that characterize neighboring university areas like Hillsboro Village or Elliston Place. PM offers residents—students, professors, and locals alike—sophisticated Asian-fusion cuisine with a full bar and friendly staff that give the establishment a familiar charm.
Pro Tip: Sit at the bar. It’s a small corner in a larger space, but the staff at PM are friendly and there appears to be a low turnover rate, so take a risk and chat up the bartender. There’s a good chance they will remember your name the next time you come in.
12 South Taproom & Grill - 12 South
While this historic Nashville neighborhood has been almost entirely consumed by tourist foot traffic and mural posers in the past five years, one local stronghold remains. 12 South Taproom & Grill is a refuge for residents looking for a diversion from the mainstream offerings along 12th Avenue. A truly massive selection of draft beers and wine offerings makes “Taproom” a favorite in every season.
Pro Tip: Stick to beer. While Taproom does offer liquor and wine, cocktails are rarely seen, and a true insider knows to keep it simple.
Bastion - Wedgewood-Houston
As its name suggests, Bastion is a hub for the arts community of Wedgewood-Houston. A favorite gathering place among local musicians, photographers, and creatives of every stripe, this massive, echoey warehouse bar offers a vibe unlike anywhere else in the city. The back wall has a seating installation that can be described as minimalist bleachers, and as a result, strangers and diverse groups of friends often end up mingling and making new connections with every visit.
Pro Tip: Enjoy the “Dressed Up” Tecate, a cheap can of beer rimmed with a unique blend of spices and fresh juice. You’ll feel like you’re getting away with highway robbery.
Greenhouse Bar - Green Hills
Green Hills is one of the few neighborhoods that has maintained an old-school residential feel in spite of the retail explosion within its boundaries, and Greenhouse Bar is the neighborhood’s beloved watering hole with a down-to-earth atmosphere. The bar is located in an actual greenhouse and has all the foliage and humidity to prove it. It’s not all earth tones though; their New Years Eve dance party is notoriously rowdy.
Pro Tip: No honky tonkin’ or cowboy hats allowed. If there was ever a place for townies, this is it, so play it cool.
Sperry’s - Belle Meade
For residents who enjoy golf and oil paintings, there is no better place to savor a whiskey neat than Sperry’s. A Nashville legend, this fine-dining establishment is known for its oak bar as well as its steakhouse cuisine. After 45 years, locals still flock to this upscale southern gothic gem. Sperry’s is an old establishment with clientele that includes politicians and some of the city’s biggest business leaders, so enjoy the pomp and circumstance.
Pro Tip: Tuck in your shirt and lace up your oxfords because you might bump into a Kennedy.
Neighbors - Sylvan Park
A favorite local haunt, Neighbors is beloved for its pure sports bar aesthetic and affordable drink offerings. While the west side’s bar scene grows increasingly hip and chic, Neighbors holds true to its identity as a pub and place for avid sports fans to gather and cheer their troubles away with an ice cold bucket of beer.
Pro Tip: Keep it casual. Anything beyond a T-shirt and jeans is considered overdressed.
51 North Taproom - The Nations
51 North Taproom is arguably the drinking hub of 51st Avenue North, and with local breweries seemingly on every corner of the neighborhood, competition is fierce. A large, almost industrial space, the taproom offers killer cocktails and a wide variety of drafts. 51 North Taproom is open all day long and the wide range of events they host—from sports viewing to live bluegrass music—makes them a center of community in the busy neighborhood.
Pro Tip: Bring friends. This taproom is massive and has multiple, distinct seating areas, so spread out and expect a crowd.
Urban Cowboy Public House - Lockeland Springs
Companion to the popular Urban Cowboy bed and breakfast, Public House has the distinctive character of a prestigious hotel bar. While this southern chic establishment is beloved among travelers, it has also grown into a popular gathering place for locals because it is situated among East Nashville’s quiet, residential streets. The intimate space is enhanced by the wood fire pits that burn on the patio during colder months and the year-round food truck parked outside.
Pro Tip: If there was ever a time to try your hand at influencing, a trip to Public House would be it, so prepare to ‘gram it up.
Pearl Diver - Greenwood
The tiki bar trend makes landfall in Nashville with Pearl Diver, a themed bar known for its chic outdoor patio and flawless dedication to the midcentury tropical aesthetic. A robust menu of fruity, frilly, satisfying tiki drinks paired with the celebratory tone of a Cuban and 1960s-era surf soundtrack makes this watering hole stand out in the crowd of southern beer halls and dive bars that line Gallatin Avenue.
Pro Tip: Embrace the kitsch. The space is designed to look like a blast from the past, so throw on your best Hawaiian shirt and spring for the ornate tiki drink.
Cafe Roze - Eastwood
An unofficial home base for some of Nashville’s busiest female entrepreneurs, Cafe Roze is some combination of the popular co-working space The Wing and a stunning, minimalist cocktail bar right out of a Pinterest board. Founder, Julia Jaksic hatched the idea for the Nashville space after working to help develop the acclaimed New York City eatery, Jack’s Wife Freda.
Pro Tip: Go here with someone you want to impress. This impeccably designed space can’t be wasted on just any company. You’ll want to enjoy the striking beauty of Cafe Roze with someone important: a mentor, a lover, a best friend, maybe even just yourself.