Entertainment in Tennessee
-
Overton Park
Stately homes surround the rolling acres of Overton Park, where the Levitt Shell was the site of Elvis' first concert, in 1954. Today the newly reopened band shell hosts free concerts all summer.
reviewed
-
Memphis Redbirds
This American Automobile Association (AAA) minor-league affiliate of the St Louis Cardinals baseball team plays at AutoZone Park April to August.
reviewed
-
A
BB King's
A full restaurant serving ribs and Southern favorites, BB's is better known for its friendly fun-seeking crowd and great live music.
reviewed
-
B
Rum Boogie
Huge, popular and noisy, this Cajun-themed Beale club hops every night to the tunes of the house blues band.
reviewed
-
Young Avenue Deli
This Midtown hipster favorite has food, occasional live music, and a laid-back vibe.
reviewed
-
C
Hi-Tone Cafe
Near Overton Park, this funky little dive balances pool-shooting with live music.
reviewed
-
D
-
E
Bluebird Cafe
It's in a strip mall in suburban South Nashville, but don't let that fool you: some of the best original singer-songwriters in country music have graced this tiny stage. Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, and the Cowboy Junkies have all played the Bluebird, which was the setting for the 1993 Sandra Bullock and River Phoenix movie The Thing Called Love. Try your luck at Monday open mike nights.
reviewed
-
F
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge
The most venerated of the downtown honky-tonks, Tootsie's vibrates with boot-stompin' every night of the week. In the 1960s, club owner and den mother 'Tootsie' Bess nurtured the likes of Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings. Now, up-and-coming country musicians play the two tiny stages and it's not unusual for big stars to stop by for an impromptu jam session.
reviewed
-
G
Cafe Coco
In a ramshackle old cottage just off Elliston Pl, Cafe Coco is like an especially groovy frat house, with a 24-hour whirl of action. People snack on sandwiches and cake in the front parlor, smoke on the large patio, drink at the bar, and tap away on laptops in the old bedrooms (there's free wi-fi).
reviewed
Advertisement
-
H
Grand Ole Opry
Though you'll find a variety of country shows throughout the week, the performance to see is the Grand Ole Opry, a lavish tribute to classic Nashville country music, every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday night. Shows return to the Ryman from November to February.
reviewed
-
I
Wildhorse Saloon
The Wildhorse Saloon is a slick operation that bills itself, over and over, as 'Nashville's No.1 Dining and Entertainment Destination'. That means a three-level complex with restaurant, bar, band hall, and the generous offer of free country dancing lessons.
reviewed
-
J
Bb King's Blues Club
Watch live jazz and blues in this downtown cathedral of sound, complete with stained-glass windows and folk-art portraits of the 'saints': Johnny Cash, Miles Davis, Elvis. The kitchen serves soul food like ribs, fried chicken and catfish.
reviewed
-
K
Robert's Western World
Buy a pair of boots, a beer or a burger at Robert's, a longtime favorite on the strip. Music starts at 11am and goes all night; Brazilbilly, the house band, rocks it after 10pm on weekends.
reviewed
-
L
Center for Southern Folklore
The Center for Southern Folklore, is a well-tended community space with a café, craft gallery and frequent (free!) local music performances and film screenings.
reviewed
-
M
Tribe
Ultra-friendly Tribe caters to a largely gay and lesbian crowd, though everyone is welcome to sip martinis, watch music videos and dance the night away at this slick, modern club.
reviewed
-
Rumours Wine and Art Bar
If you need a rest from neon NashVegas, head to the hip but low-key 12th Ave S neighborhood for a glass of Malbec at this arty hangout.
reviewed
-
N
Earnestine & Hazel's
One of the world's greatest dive bars has a second floor full of rusty bedsprings and claw-foot tubs, remnants of its brothel past.
reviewed
-
O
Silky O'sullivan's
Party-happy youth swill 'divers' out of yellow plastic buckets while goats graze in the courtyard of this massive bizarro tavern.
reviewed
-
P
Tennessee Performing Arts Center
With three great stages, this center is home to the Nashville Ballet, the Nashville Opera, and the Tennessee Repertory Company.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Q
Silly Goose
Beautiful people sip fancy house cocktails (think handmade syrups, rosemary garnishes) at this swank new downtown lounge.
reviewed
-
R
Kudzu's
This well-loved pub gets jumping with live bands (Friday and Saturday) and Thursday-night guitar-pickin' jam sessions.
reviewed
-
S
Ryman Auditorium
The Ryman's excellent acoustics, historic charm and large seating capacity have kept it the premier venue in town.
reviewed
-
T
Station Inn
South of downtown, this unassuming stone building is the best place in town for serious bluegrass.
reviewed
-
U
Cannon Center for Performing Arts
This 2100-seat centre hosts the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and ballet, opera and jazz concerts.
reviewed
