The Best Coctail Bars in Nashville
Everyone knows Nashville for country music and Broadway Street. But, locals and enlightened visitors are privy to a secret: Nashville is a haven for cocktail connoisseurs with marvelous speakeasies and craft cocktail bars speckled throughout the city’s most popular neighborhoods. Also, if you’re a speakeasy nerd, look no further because Nashville has no shortage (it’s sort of a thing here). Without further ado here is our locally curated list of the best cocktail bars and speakeasies in Nashville.
The Best Cocktail Bars in Nashville:
1. ATTABOY (8 Mcferrin Ave, Nashville)
2. SKULL’S RAINBOW ROOM (222 Printers Alley, Nashville)
3. THE PATTERSON HOUSE (1711 Division St, Nashville)
4. OTTO’S BAR (4210 Charlotte Ave, Nashville)
5. MOTHER’S RUIN (1239 6th Ave N, Nashville)
6. BLACK RABBIT (218 3rd Ave N, Nashville)
ATTABOY (8 Mcferrin Ave, Nashville)
Attaboy, a secret speakeasy and one of the best cocktail bars in Nashville.
Attaboy, coming in as our #1 pick for cocktails in Music City, is a classic Nashville speakeasy. To enter this incognito venue, you must knock on the front door (no knocky, no entry) and, if you’re lucky, you’ll get access to a seemingly underground 1920’s era speakeasy where there is no menu. Instead, drinks are ordered by telling the bartender what you like and they’ll concoct a cocktail specifically designed to your taste. It’s the ultimate “just surprise me” experience, but with as little or as much preference details as you choose to provide. Warning, this place is dark - not for the faint of sight or maybe just bloggers trying to take good photos.
Highlight of the Bar: Craft-cocktails made custom to your taste.
More Info: Check out their webpage.
SKULL’S RAINBOW ROOM (222 Printers Alley, Nashville)
Skull’s Rainbow Room in Printers Alley, Nashville. A great place for cocktails and Music City entertainment.
Skull’s is located in the historic Printers Alley nightclub district. In fact, Skull’s itself is an acclaimed historic restaurant, dating back to its opening in 1948. A bustling atmosphere, live jazz, and contagious energy puts Skull’s high up on our list of best cocktail bars in Nashville. Not only is this a great place for sipping craft cocktails, Skull’s also serves exquisite high-end meals. It’s certainly a one-stop shop. Come for a drink, but stay for dinner and a nightly show.
Highlight of the bar: Bustling atmosphere.
Burlesque Bonus: On Friday and Saturday nights, Skull’s hosts a marvelous burlesque show.
Menu and Show Schedule: Check out their webpage.
THE PATTERSON HOUSE (1711 Division St, Nashville)
Cocktails flowing at The Patterson House speakeasy in Nashville.
Another speakeasy - can you believe it?!? This dimly lit and exclusive speakeasy was one of Nashville’s first craft cocktail bars. Romantic ambiance and smooth background tunes enable easy conversation and a cozy experience. B-T-Dubs, The Patterson House genuinely makes excellent drinks and the rotating menu keeps things interesting.
Highlight of the bar: Romantic ambiance & an expertly crafted cocktail menu.
Cocktail and Food Menu: Check out their webpage.
OTTO’S BAR (4210 Charlotte Ave, Nashville)
Repurposed auto repair shop, Otto’s Bar, serves up some of the best drinks and tacos in Nashville.
A bit off the beaten path, Otto’s is a unique auto repair shop converted to a bar gem. From the outside, you’d probably think it still was a mechanic’s garage, but the social interior is far from it (though they still do rock some of the original auto-shop paraphernalia). Big red rugs, candle-lit tables and a busy scene (but rarely crowded) give the bar a homey, yet romantic atmosphere. Large double doors open to a back patio that provides a well lit beer-garden style area. We often like to describe it as the dive bar of cocktail bars in Nashville.
Highlight of the Bar: Off the beaten path and uniquely comfortable atmosphere.
Food Recommendation: Their tacos are BOMB!
Drink and Food Menu: Check out their webpage.
MOTHER’S RUIN (1239 6th Ave N, Nashville)
Mother’s Ruin, craft cocktail bar, in Nashville’s Germantown.
Nestled in the heart of Nashville’s Germantown lies the lovely Mother’s Ruin. They’re best known for their constantly changing craft cocktail menu, friendly staff, and fun atmosphere. What’s more - they also serve brunch so it’s never too early for a mimosa or something more adventurous here.
Highlight of the Bar: Brunch!
Here’s a tip: They have another bar upstairs called “The Apartment” which can be reserved for special events.
Drink and Food Menu: Check out their webpage.
BLACK RABBIT (218 3rd Ave N, Nashville)
Black Rabbit has a trendy and intellectual atmosphere, with well preserved features from its historic, late 1800s building, including the original brick walls, high ceilings, and hardwood floors. We like to describe Black Rabbit as “intellectual” because when entering this venue we often finds ourselves inspired to engage in deep & profound conversation (though all forms of discussion are welcome, we’re pretty sure). The cocktail menu is very unique with their own spin on many of the classics. Also, the happy hour is pretty killer. Reservations highly recommended.
Highlight of the Bar: Inspiring historic setting and great happy hour.
Here’s an idea: We recommend Black Rabbit for a first date - who knows, you may just find The One here…(wink, wink).
Drink and Food Menu: Check out their webpage.
LOU/NA (1000 Broadway, Nashville)
The chic Lou/Na rooftop cocktail bar in Nashville, TN.
Located on the 25th floor of the Grand Hyatt on Broadway, Lou/Na offers a chic cocktail lounge with gorgeous balcony seating overlooking the Nashville skyline. The bar serves small plates, such as charcuterie boards, which pair well with their fancy drinks.
Highlight of the Bar: Spectacular 270 degree views of Nashville.
Dinner Suggestion: The Continental, a gourmet and world renown restaurant featuring cutting edge American classics, is also located in the Grand Hyatt, making Lou/Na a great stop for a drink before or after your dinner plans.
Drink and Food Menu: Check out their webpage.
ELLINGTON’S (401 Union St, Nashville)
The elegant Ellington’s Restaurant and Bar in Downtown Nashville.
Pinkies up! Take a step back in time to this classy mid-1900s establishment of refined elegance (we can be really impressive with our vocabulary, huh?). Ellington’s is well known for their fine dining, but we’ve always enjoyed coming here for cocktails. Their happy hour is pretty decent as well.
Highlight of the Bar: Elegant atmosphere and outdoor terrace.
Drink and Food Menu: Check out their webpage.
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