People love to go to Nashville to stop in the bars with a celebrity’s names on them. But, there’s so many great ones that aren’t celebrity backed. Find a few must-try Nashville bars and restaurants that aren’t owned by celebrities here.
For more help planning your trip, check out all of our post about in Nashville.
When you’re planning a trip to Nashville, people love to offer up suggestions. That’s what happened to us. But, the biggest suggestion was go to Posty’s, Post Malone‘s four level bar (which, actually, was only soft open when we were there; the grand opening was a week after we left — and 30,000 people showed up for it).
Our first night in Nashville, we made friends with a couple that had been there for a few days already, and their suggestion was the same: Go to Posty’s.
But, our new friends did let us know that drinks were super expensive there. So you’re kind of going for the vibe. The boyfriend of the couple told us to pregame before going out there because he was shocked at the prices.
And that’s kind of the thing about Broadway in Nashville.
When you’re walking up the street, you see a lot of familiar names: Kid Rock, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Blake Shelton, and more.
Some of these bars are actually owned by the celebrities, but some of them just pay to use the celebrity’s name.
Either way, you can go if you want. I’m not stopping you.
But — for us — we felt that these bars were just a little bit too flashy and generic and cookie cutter. We didn’t feel Nashville in them. We got more of a Times Square sort of vibe.
So, if you are wanting to go see the Honky Tonk Nashville that you imagined, this list is for you.
We rented bikes in Nashville and that was an amazing way to see so much of the city. If you want to know about that, our BCycle in Nashville post gives you all the information you might need.
Must-Try Bars And Restaurants In Nashville That Aren’t Owned By Celebrities
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Now, before I start, let me say it again. This is your trip. You can go wherever you want and do whatever you please.
When we were planning our trip, people were trying to scare us away from some places because they were touristy. But I’m a tourist when I go visit other cities, so I want to see the tourist stuff.
So, if you like Post Malone and you wanna go to Posty’s, go to Posty’s. Spend your money where you wanna spend it. But, put a couple of these on your list too.
Robert’s Western World
Robert’s Western World (416 Broadway #B) is home of the recession special. It’s six dollars for a fried bologna sandwich, a bag of chips, a Moon Pie, and a PBR. It’s probably the best deal on Broadway.
Honestly, there aren’t many places on Broadway where you can get a beer for six dollars let alone one plus food and dessert. So, if your stomach can handle a fried bologna sandwich, go to Robert’s Western World.
And don’t think you’ll be the only person in there ordering the recession special. When we went, the entire bar was filled with people eating this.
But also, go to Robert’s Western World for the country music. It’s one of the few places on Broadway where you will predominantly hear old country, like Merle Haggard and Hank Williams.
The Honky Tonk has been in operation since 1994, although it feels like 1954. You walk in and boots line the side wall, it feels worn and comfortable.
But that’s because of it’s history.
Robert’s was originally a warehouse, then housed Sho-Bud Steel Guitar Company, where it manufactured and sold steel guitars for a few decades. The building was turned into a liquor store until the 1990’s when Robert Moore bought it for western apparel store, Robert’s Rhinestone Western Wear, then eventually adding live music, food, and alcohol.
It was bought in 1999 by Brazilbilly’s lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, JesseLee Jones, and his wife Emily Ann Jones.
Fun fact: Brazilbilly is the bar’s house band and boasts the title of the longest established band in the history of lower Broadway. Fun fact No. 2: JesseLee Jones is originally from Brazil and a member of Robert’s original house band, BR-549, dubbed him the “Brazilian Hillbilly” — and that’s how the Brazilbilly name came to be.
Was Brazilbilly there when we went? No. But we saw Sweet Megg and she had one of the best voices we heard the entire trip.
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge
My favorite building on Broadway is Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge (422 Broadway) because of it’s color. You can’t miss it. It’s a bright purple building near Robert’s Western World.
Tootie’s is celebrated at 65th anniversary this year and is the longest operating bar on Broadway. In 1960, Hattie Louise “Tootsie” Bess purchased the bar, then called Mom’s, and changed its name when a painter painted it the now infamous purple.
The building was located behind the infamous Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. As the story goes, Opry performers would sneak out the backdoor and stop by Tootie’s to have drinks between performances.
You walk in to the first level of Tootie’s and it has the absolute smallest stage that either Pete or I had ever seen in our entire life. I don’t know how they fit a band on there, but they do.
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge has two other levels, which get bigger and have larger stages as you go up. It also has a really nice rooftop on the third floor that gives you an amazing view of Broadway.
When I was looking off the Tootie’s rooftop, I saw a horse and buggy riding down Broadway, which just goes to show that you have no idea what’s going to happen in Nashville until you’re there.
Puckett’s Restaurant
Visitors will think of Puckett’s as Puckett’s Restaurant, but Tennessee locals know it as Puckett’s Grocery Store. Back a half century ago when it opened in Leiper’s Fork, then as Fox & Locke, Puckett’s was known for selling dry goods and food.
It changed hands and names a couple times, eventually being bought by Andy Marshall, who had owned a bunch of Piggly Wiggly stores. He sold those, focused on Puckett’s full time, and eventually opened multiple locations across two states, including the Nashville location (500 Church St) in 2010.
You can still buy dry goods, plus souvenirs like T-shirts and mugs, but, I really want you to go there for the food.
Pete had the best piece of trout that he’s ever had in his life at Puckett’s. I had chicken fried chicken with really flavorful green beans.
We finished with a deep fried brownie with candied bacon on top, which was more rich than I expected, but still very delicious.
I’ve heard that Puckett is really well known for it chicken fried steak, so you might wanna try that. It also has Puckett’s Brew, produced by Nashville’s oldest craft brewery, Blackstone Brewing Company, and three different sauces at your table that you should try.
If you come on the right day, there’s a huge stage where bands play, but we went on a Sunday afternoon after football and no one was playing.
Monell’s
If you like southern food and dining with strangers, Monell’s (1235 6th Ave. North) is for you. If you don’t like random small talk with people you will never see again, this is not the spot for you.
With that being said: Monell’s, which became a restaurant about 30 years ago, is in an old house from 1905. For whatever reason, the Germantown home was zoned commercial, although it sits in the middle of a residential area. So you feel like you’re walking into someone’s home.
And as soon as you walk in, you get the hospitality that you would if you were visiting a friend.
The food is served family style and you will make a completely new family while you are there. Monell’s has long tables that sit about a dozen people each and you are just seated at the next available open spot as soon as you walk in.
The meal could have already been started and sitting on the table when you sit down.
You sit next to strangers, many of which are visitors who have come because they heard about the delicious fried chicken. And you have meal together.
It’s actually a really fun experience as long as you know what you’re getting into before you go.
One couple that was sat at our table, after our meal was already in progress, immediately left. It was not for them. And that’s fine.
Monell’s is known for its fried chicken that’s served every day, but a second meat changes daily. We went when it was roast beef, which is my favorite meat, and it was amazing.
There’s cornbread and the best biscuits that I had in Nashville, cucumber salad, mashed potatoes, phenomenal corn pudding, beans, and dessert.
You can’t take anything to go, as is the case with most family style restaurants. We learned that from Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, but you eat as much as you want when you’re there. If something runs out, the staff will quickly bring more to the table.
It’s an experience and definitely something you should experience.
Check out our full Monell’s in Nashville review for even more details.
Springwater Supper Club & Lounge
If Pete was making this list, he would tell you that you have to go to Springwater Supper Club & Lounge (115 27th Ave N).
It is the oldest continuously operating bar in all of Tennessee. It was founded in 1896 and started as an Italian restaurant that served the construction team that was building Centennial Park across the street.
And yes, it’s continuously operating, which means Prohibition didn’t stop it. Then, when it was still just known as Supper Club & Lounge, it operated as a speakeasy.
The lore says that Al Capone and Jimmy Hoffa both enjoyed some time there.
Now, it’s a small local bar with a free pool table and a back room, which was the backdrop for The Black Keys’ Little Black Submarines music video. That same stage hosts Writers At The Water, a singer songwriter showcase, every Wednesday.
We happened to be there for that and it was very cool to see because the man performing was — I say this with the most love in my heart — very old.
So to see someone older performing at an open mic, pursuing his dream on stage, was joyful, but also exactly who you would think would be playing in this hundred plus year old establishment.
The bartender told us that three of the four brothers who own it now want to sell since the land is worth a couple million dollars, so there’s no knowing how long it will be standing. So, if you’re in Music City, you have to stop by.
Peg Leg Porker
The meal that I was looking forward to in Nashville, besides Nashville Hot Chicken, was barbecue at Peg Leg Porker (903 Gleaves St).
It was founded in 2013 by Carey and Delaniah Bringle.
Why the name? Well, it’s named after Carey Bringle and his battle with cancer at age 17 that he won, but which caused him to lose his leg — and gain a new nickname.
Peg Leg Porker is famous for it’s Memphis-style barbecue, as opposed to his second Nashville restaurant, Bringle’s Smoking Oasis, which serves Southwest-style smoked meats.
And then there’s Pig Star, located in the Nashville International Airport, and Peg Leg Porker Spirits, the first bourbon brand owned by a pitmaster (which feels like one of those random facts you get while watching a football game that makes you think, “Who keeps track of those things?” But, we’re getting off topic).
The barbecue at Peg Leg Porker is fantastic. Probably because it’s smoked daily.
We absolutely loved the Memphis sushi, which is nothing like sushi and I don’t understand why it’s named sushi, but it is. It’s sausage that’s skillet fried, served with squares of cheddar cheese and pepperoncini, which you eat on a saltine cracker. It sounds wild, but is one of the most delicious combinations of food you will ever have.
We ordered a half rack of ribs and smoked chicken, both of which were dry rubbed, which is Memphis style. There is barbecue sauce available if you do prefer your protein a little saucer.
We got two sides, which were a little underwhelming, considering the proteins are so well seasoned. So, yeah, you can have a balanced meal with macaroni and cheese and smoked green beans if you want, but if you wanna try out the carnivore diet for a minute and sick with proteins, we support that.
Side note: Next to Peg Leg Porker is the Hear This Nashville mural, which is my favorite mural in the city. So check that out too.
Teddy‘s Tavern
The way Teddy’s Tavern (104 Rep. John Lewis Way S.) describes itself on its website is, “the newest resident in Nashville’s oldest building.” The building, which I can’t find any former tenants of besides Pancho & Lefty’s, is dated 1820. Teddy’s Tavern, however, is dated 2023.
It was opened by The Nations Brewing Co., which is home of Fat Bottom Brewing, Music City Beer Co., and Bravazzi Hard Italian Soda. Which is why you can buy to go six-packs of the latter two for only $12 at Teddy’s (which Pete did on our first full day in Nashville — and that six pack lasted him our whole week there).
The bar feels really old, even though it’s not. It has three floors, including a nice rooftop that looks directly at Bridgestone Arena. Two of the floors have stages for bands, which, on the first floor, is super up close and personal with the audience.
Also, small aside, but if you’ve heard me tell my Opry story, about how I didn’t know any of the performers that night, but then stopped into a bar a couple days later and heard one of our Opry performers being played over the speakers. That bar was Teddy’s.
Skull’s Rainbow Room
When you’re in Nashville, you have to walk down Printers Alley. In it’s former life, Printers Alley was, for lack of a better term, the red light district of Nashville.
Printers Alley, known then as “The Men’s Quarter”, embraces that image.
You won’t see actual woman of the night, but you will see paintings of them on the walls. And if you go to Skull’s Rainbow Room (222 Printers Alley), there is an evening burlesque show there, Thursday through Sundays starting at 11 pm.
Even if you’re not in awake for the show (that’s way past our bedtime), you still want to stop by Skull’s Rainbow Room.
It’s at one end of Printers Alley, in the basement of the Southern Turf building, although you do enter at street level.
The Rainbow Room was run for 50 years by David “Skull” Schulman before he was brutally murdered in the club in 1998 (and honestly, the story is so unbelievably sad that I don’t even want to rehash it. You can read about it here).
The bartender when we were there was so incredibly friendly and gregarious. He was so engaged with the patrons and also so on top of making drinks, it felt like maybe he was from another time.
Maybe I thought this because there is a rumor that Skull haunts it now.
Did we get haunted? No. But it did have that sort of vibe that transported back in time, and we were drawn in by the piano man playing near the historic black and white checkboard stage where Waylon Jennings and Dottie West had played.
And who knows, maybe we were all just ghosts at the bar.
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
If you’re going to Nashville, you have to try Nashville Hot Chicken. It’s a must do. But, choosing which hot chicken to eat is really up to you.
Traditionalist will tell you to go to Prince’s Hot Chicken because it’s the original. And without Prince’s, there would be no Nashville Hot Chicken.
But, personally, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken is my favorite fried chicken sandwich at any fast food or fast casual restaurant ever. Plus, I’m not from Nashville, so I don’t have to be loyal to either.
Hattie B’s was started in 2012, serving delicious spicy chicken sandwiches with brown sugar in the spice blend (which is the reason that they have flavor, not just heat).
You can check them out at a few locations around Music City, although we stopped at the very popular Assembly Food Hall location because it’s conveniently located right off Broadway.
Yee Haw Brewing
Yee Haw Brewing (423 Sixth Ave N) was our absolute favorite spot in Nashville. It was two turns away from our hotel in SoBro. The first night we were in town, checked into our hotel around 9 pm, dropped our bags down, walked too Yee Haw Brewing and had the absolute most magical experience.
It was so fun, so welcoming, and within ten minutes of being there, we were ready to move to Nashville.
The brewery serves it own beer in these very warm night-friendly aluminum cups. Remember our aforementioned new friends we met? The girlfriend in the couple was collecting all the cups to bring back to England because they don’t have them there. I don’t told we don’t have them here either.
The cups kept the drinks so, so cold. Which may or may not be why Pete was obsessed with the English Mild.
We ended up there the next night, right after a huge Tennessee Vols overtime win, and the entire place was electric. The game was played on giant big screen tv’s, everyone was in orange, and you could just feel the energy.
We went on our last day in Nashville too, to end our trip the way it began, and Emma Zinck was on stage with a band that played some of my favorite pop punk songs. It was the first time I heard my songs in Nashville, so that was so much fun.
There’s a room out back with free video games where we spent one night beating the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game.
It’s a part of 6th and Peabody, a large complex that’s also home to Ole Smoky Moonshine and White Duck tacos. Daddy Dogs, a Nashville-based gourmet hot dog restaurant, has a satellite shop there as well.
Ole Smoky Moonshine hosts tastings, by the way. They’re $10 for a bunch of moonshine samples and a small 9 oz. pour of Yee-Haw beer. But then you get a $10 coupon to use in the shop. So it’s kind of a free thing to do in Nashville, if you do some girl math.
Bars In East Nashville That Aren’t Owned By Celebrities
We spent a whole week west of the Cumberland River. There is the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge that goes across the river, but we never crossed it (except to go to the Opry).
However, if we did, it would’ve been for two very specific reasons.
First, it would have been for Duke’s (1000 Main St).
Duke is very well known local, dive bar that caters more to the Nashvillians than the bachelorette parties.
It also serves sandwiches, which is Pete’s second favorite food. Fun fact: His favorite food is pizza. We didn’t try any of that in Nashville.
If you’re looking for a bar that is really low-key and chill, Duke’s is for you.
Second is the speakeasy Attaboy (8 Mcferrin Ave).
I really like speakeasies even though I don’t drink. I just like the mysteriousness of them.
A lot of people think current speakeasys are pretty pretentious because they do often require a password to get in through a hidden door.
But, I personally think this is fine. Just give me something different and Attaboy is definitely that. It’s the sister bar of Attaboy in NYC. I have it on very good authority that the drinks are great, even though there’s no drink menu. The bartenders just ask your preferences and then make you something fantastic.
Do you have any other Nashville favorites to add to the list? Be sure to let us know in the comments.