This spring I finally made my way to Nashville! I had been once when I was in college with my yearbook staff (hi, nerd alert) so this was a very different trip since it had been over a decade and now I can actually drink legally (am I aging myself?!). I went with two of my girlfriends, and we did allllll the things. I’m so excited to share my Nashville Cocktail Guide with you!
When I travel I try to get the most out of the destination, particularly food and drink. Very rarely will you hear me ask upon waking, “where should we eat breakfast?” I will have that PLANNED. OUT. No meal can be wasted!
In addition to great cocktails, I LOVE food. Truthfully just as much as cocktails, if I’m being honest. Cheese, chocolate and carbs are definitely my love languages and I am always up for ordering the most interesting thing on the menu. We had so much fun snacking and sipping our way through Music City. I am already dying to go back!
To kick things off, let’s start with the reason you’re here: COCKTAILS. Below is my list of recs in order of YOU MUST GO HERE to Pretty Good But Skippable.
Feel free to also check out (and bookmark!) my Google Map, which has all of these spots (and more—over 100!!) mapped out. Bookmark it to have it handy on your trip!
Attaboy: I think this was the first place I’ve ever done a repeat visit to on any vacation. Why would I go somewhere TWICE when there are so many places to try? Attaboy was the exception—it was that good. This cocktail bar is a new(ish) outpost for the NYC flagship of the same name. There are no menus here—you just tell them what kind of drinks you’re into and they’ll create something for you. Not only were the cocktails phenomenal, but the space was beautiful and the staff was top-notch (hi Lucas!). They humored all my questions about ingredients and quantities and made sure we left having had the best time ever. Do not miss this place!
Patterson House: The cocktails were great but it was our mixologist, Megan, who made our night. She was incredibly thoughtful and you could tell she knew her cocktails at a level most don’t. A couple notes: be prepared to wait—for both a table and your drinks. No one is in a hurry here, and I think that’s what makes it magical. Don’t pester the hostess—she doesn’t know how long it will be for a seat. You can’t belly up to the bar here (same with Attaboy, FYI), each person must have a seat. But once you have one, linger as long as you like. No one will be forcing a check on you or hurrying you out the door. Similarly, it will probably take 20 minutes to get your drink. They are made thoughtfully and to perfection (I think Megan tasted mine 2-3 times, tweaking as needed, before serving it to me). Sit back, settle into conversation with your company and enjoy the moment.
Pinewood Social: Good drinks, but go here for the party. Recommend visiting during the day so you can enjoy the patio (and the frosé, natch). Inside, the wrap-around bar serves up classics done right.
Bar 308: Great drinks, fun atmosphere, cool space. Good spot to grab a nightcap.
Mockingbird: Probably one of my favorite meals we had in Nashville, and the cocktails were amazing to boot. Definitely get the Punchin’ Bag, a cocktail literally in a bag—and you get to choose the liquor they add to the punch!
Edley’s: Boozy milkshakes and killer BBQ. Enough said.
Bartaco: Again, came for the food, stayed for the amazing margaritas. Plus, our host was charmed with our California crew and sent us all sorts of extras, which really made this meal one of our most memorable.
Two Bits: Dive bar to the max but one my favorites from the trip. Just embrace the low-brow-ness of it all. Order a round of jell shots. Drink Bulleit on the rocks. Play Uno until you’re crosseyed. Watch the cheesy movies playing on the big screens around you. Belt out the 90s rap blaring from the speakers. You won’t regret it.
L.A. Jackson: Named the “best rooftop bar” in Nashville, it did have some nice views and the cocktails were pretty tasty. That said, it was super loud and definitely scene-y. Go if you’re in the area but I’m not sure it’s worth a special trip.
Bar Sovereign: A cool space, but the cocktails were just OK. Would skip this one next time, but if you’re in the nabe and thirsty, it’s a good option.
Honkey Tonks: Fun to see the spectacle of it all. If you can, head to the roof of one of the many bars to get a little breathing room. Be prepared to spend $8 on a bud light.
FOOD + SHOPPING + ENTERTAINMENT
Husk: Incredible meal. Great cocktails. Wonderful wine list. Highly recommend.
Barista Parlor: Worth all the coffee hype. Plus, lots of locations so it’s easy to work into your itinerary.
Lockewood Table: Go here for great upscale (but not unreasonable) Italian food when you can’t eat any more BBQ.
Fort Louise: Went to this adorable hipster spot for brunch and it did not disappoint! I’m still thinking about the green sauce that topped the chilaquiles. Yum.
Loveless Cafe: Chances are if you’re visiting Nashville, you’ve heard of the Loveless Cafe. If you have a car, it’s worth the drive. Wouldn’t necessary rent one specifically for it, though.
Five Daughters Bakery: Don’t ask questions, just go. Order one of everything. Demolish in your car en route to brunch.
Frothy Monkey: Order coffee, look for Taylor.
White’s Mercantile: the cutest shop ever. From bath accoutrements to cocktail accessories, this is a great place for interesting souvenirs.
3rd & Lindsley: We went and saw my friend’s buddy perform here, and it was a great time. Don’t expect great drinks here, though—it’s definitely a whiskey-on-the-rocks kind of place, as it should be. You’ll feel like a local, which I loved.
Grand Ole Opry: It’s everything you want it to be and more. Loved.
Hatch Show Print: One of the oldest (THE oldest?!) letterpress shops. The tour is super interesting and you get to make (and take home) a print of your own.
STILL ON MY LIST
Urban Cowboy Public House: We went here RIGHT after it had closed for the night. Still sad about that one. Definitely on my list for next time.
The Treehouse: We heard great things about this spot from many of our servers and bartenders. I wish we had time for this one, and will definitely make it a priority on my next visit.
Henley: The menus look to-die-for (duck fat donuts with rye whiskey!?), and the cocktail list has my mouth watering.
Walden: The space looks gorgeous and they have a ton of cocktails on tap—beyond the negroni.
Gray & Dudley: Cocktails sound top-notch and the menu would be hard to pass up, too.
Gertie’s Bar: If the Insta-worthy bar alone doesn’t make you want to visit, the cocktail list might. Definitely want to try their 404 old fashioned ASAP.
Bastion: This place just oozes cool.
Old Glory: The drinks look interesting, but I’m really in it for the glam gold-and-black front door.
The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club: I heard mixed reviews of this place, so we skipped it. The interior looks rad though, so I’d like to check it out next time.
Makeready Libations + Liberation: You have to love a spot whose motto is “Work like a dog, drink like a fish.”
Black Rabbit: More cool interiors and complex cocktail programs. Do you want to move to Nashville yet?
Rolf & Daughters: OMG THAT PATIO. Menus all look phenomenal to boot.
Peninsula: They have a whole section on their drink menu for G&Ts! Don’t have to ask me twice.
Little Octopus: Heard about this one from the gals at Of A Kind, and would love to visit this quirky restaurant on my next stop into town.
Henrietta Red: My world-traveler BFF, Kelsey, recommended this place and I’m bummed we didn’t end up going. Looks adorable and the food is supposed to be just as great.
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken: A Nashville staple, but we just didn’t have time. Sounds like it’s a top spot even for locals.
Las Paletas: Artisinal popsicles. Need I say more?
ALLLLL of the breweries: Yazoo, Jackalope, Black Abbey, Fat Bottom, Tennesee Brew Works. I’m looking forward to a brewery crawl when I go back with my beer-loving husband!
ABLE: Goods from independent and sustainable makers from all over the world.
Check out my Google Map, which has all of these spots (and more) mapped out around Nashville. We used this so much on our trip—total lifesaver!
Want more travel recs? Head over to browse my New Orleans Cocktail Guide—one of the absolute best cities for amazing cocktails!