Nashville is called Music City for a reason: We always have great music happening somewhere. But downtown is typically packed, and it’s nice to relax and hang out with friends and neighbors at music venues outside of the tourist hubbub. Here are some of our best music venues that don’t require a trip downtown.
Grab a cocktail and get cozy at this smaller venue, which consistently hosts local singer/songwriters debuting a new song or album.
This independent music venue on the edge of downtown has been open since 1991! It always has a great lineup, and you can check it out for free on Fridays, when WMOT tapes its weekly live shows.
🎸 Drkmttr
This all-ages nonprofit music venue and late-night vegan cafe turns 10 this year! It’s a vital community space, and one of Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s favorites.
Jillette Johnson and Jess Nolan at the OG Basement. (Marie Cecile Anderson / City Cast Nashville)
The OG Basement has been around for almost 20 years, and the Basement East opened in 2015. Many big names have performed here, like Kacey Musgraves, Alice Cooper, Maren Morris, and John Prine. It’s also a great place to discover new voices.
Tucked downstairs at the Hutton Hotel, this swanky venue has a living-room vibe, albeit a much nicer living room than mine.
This country music honky-tonk and Southern restaurant hosts line dancing on Friday and Saturday nights. While always packed, there’s plenty of parking.
Our very own City Cast Nashville host Marie Cecile Anderson performing in her comedy band Reformed Whores at Dee’s. (Photo courtesy of Dan Dion)
Dee’s in Madison is a much more laid-back country music venue, bar, and neighborhood favorite. A lot of locals call this place home.
This former early 1900s automobile factory was turned into a music venue in 2011, and it’s a super cool place to listen to live music.
Something fun is always happening at The East Room, from free open-mic comedy nights to a stellar music lineup.
The Ornaments at Eastside Bowl. (Marie Cecile Anderson / City Cast Nashville)
You can do it all here: Grab a shepherd's pie and a pint, bowl, and listen to incredible live music. Definitely check out its next Honky Tonk Tuesday.
This essential community hangout features nightly live Latin American music and events, often free. Check out its packed event schedule, and grab some food while you’re there!
This hole-in-the-wall dive bar has stellar musicians playing every night. Don’t expect anything fancy in terms of food and drink: You’re getting beer or beer. It’s still a perfect place to idle away a night.
