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Explore the Dive Bar Scene in Nashville
Pull up a barstool at one of Nashville's treasured dive bars where locals and travelers alike gather for games and karaoke, cheap drinks and a good time.
December 3, 2024
Downtown Dive Bars
Start or end your night at Nashville's dive bars. Here's a guide of some of the eclectic bars you can visit with friends for affordable drinks, games and karaoke, and great local vibes. Reference this easy guide for where to experience Nashville's unique character.
Downtown Dive Bars
Robert’s Western World
416 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Rock the night away at Robert’s Western World, a country dive bar serving cold beer, fried bologna sandwiches and nightly live music. Robert’s has been a staple on Nashville’s Lower Broadway for more than 25 years. It’s a neon standout among Nashville icons, close to Ryman Auditorium, the Mother Church of Country Music. If you want traditional country music, spend your night at Robert’s.
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge
422 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Light up your night in purple neon lights at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. A famous Nashville country dive bar, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on Lower Broadway has seen some of the most famous faces of country music walk through its doors and perform on stage for more than 60 years. Make Tootsie’s part of your Broadway night routine and enjoy local Nashville brews, appetizers, salads, wraps and cheeseburgers.
Wilburn Street Tavern
302 Wilburn St., Nashville, TN 37207
Step into Wilburn Street Tavern for great cocktails, hot dogs piled high with toppings, a pool table and live performances. The tavern is the definition of a cozy neighborhood bar. Spend time talking with locals at this cool dive bar in downtown Nashville. Wilburn Street Tavern is open daily starting at 4 p.m.
Midtown Dive Bars
Bobby’s Idle Hour Tavern
9 Music Square S, Nashville, TN 37203
Bobby’s Idle Hour Tavern is a legendary dive bar on Music Row. The famous dive bar is a musician’s haven, hosting live music Mondays – Saturdays and open every day 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. You’ll love the community spirit of Bobby’s, where songwriters pick guitars and mingle. Bobby’s isn’t too hard to find either – when you see the guitar-shaped sign, you know you’ve arrived.
The Red Door Saloon
1816 Division St., Nashville, TN 37203
While The Red Door Saloon has 3 locations, go to the original in Midtown to see why locals and travelers alike love to visit this Music City staple. The 21-and-up cool bar has some of the most affordable drink prices in town, a menu full of fried pickles wings, pulled pork sandwiches, pizza, bratwursts and more, TVs and free WiFi. Before you leave, take a peek in the hole in the floor to see a bone-ified surprise.
The Villager Tavern
1719 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
The Villager Tavern has been around since the 1970s, providing dart leagues, po’boys and dog bowls full of beer. The jukebox, cigarette machine and tabletop video game add to the nostalgia of this small, smoky dive bar. Go for your birthday to drink from The Dog Bowl and check their Instagram to participate or watch the intense dart competitions that happen throughout the year.
Springwater Supper Club & Lounge
115 27th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203
Part of National Independent Venue Association, Springwater Supper Club & Lounge is the oldest, continuously open and operational bar in Tennessee. A true Nashville gem, the dive bar has cold beer, billiards, pinball, Golden Tee, and live music five nights a week. Stop in for an experience of Nashville history. Springwater is 21+ and cash only.
East Nashville Dive Bars
Duke’s
1000 Main St., Nashville, TN 37206
If you’re in East Nashville, head to Duke’s, owned and operated by musicians, for soul, punk and rock jams spun every day. Get up and dance to a wide variety of music spun by DJs who are local music connoisseurs, musicians and touring bands. Special guests pop in all the time, feeding that unique quality Nashville has for attracting celebrities wanting an under-the-radar good time. Stop in for Happy Hour noon to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday with $1 off draft beer and well drinks, amazing sandwiches and a laidback vibe.
Dino’s Bar & Grill
411 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
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East Nashville’s oldest dive bar, Dino’s is a must visit for an old-school bar atmosphere. It’s a great place to end your night with a no-frills burger and fries, cheap drinks and laidback atmosphere.
Mickey’s Tavern
2907 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216
Mickey’s Tavern, housed in a nondescript building in East Nashville, is a neighborhood staple. Challenge your friends in foosball, pool and darts while enjoying domestic and seasonal beers on tap while listening to tunes from the jukebox. Keep the party going until 3 a.m. every night.
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Prep your vocals for the ultimate night of karaoke at Santa’s Pub located in Nashville’s neighborhood, Wedgewood-Houston. The beloved dive bar is bursting with Christmas spirit year-round with kitschy décor and twinkle lights. Open Wednesday-Sunday 4 p.m. to 3 a.m., Santa’s Pub is a fun hangout with affordable beer and great Nashville company. Plus, you never know who will show up – some famous faces have stepped up to the stage to sing their favorite tunes.
Lucky’s 3 Star Bar
1401 4th Ave. S, Nashville, TN 37210
Grab a beer or cocktail and enjoy the energy of Lucky’s 3 Star Bar. The neighborhood watering hole has great food, friendly faces and a menu full of garlic knots and nachos, specialty hot dogs and subs, pizza and more. Cap off your night with a friendly game of pool and darts.
Melrose Billiard Parlor
2600 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
Melrose Billiard Parlor has been a part of Nashville’s bar scene since 1944 offering cheap beer, food ($5 for a pizza slice, $2 for snacks) and a classic cool dive bar atmosphere. With 12 beer taps and a full bar available as well as games including 5 pool tables, 2 ping pong tables, 2 dart boards, 2 foosball tables, shuffleboard and Golden Tee, you can spend the night relaxing and making new friends. Be sure to take advantage of their Happy Hour specials, too.
Keep the party going until the early morning hours at these dive bars in Nashville. Looking for more? Explore other culinary Nashville experiences like speakeasies, mocktails and restaurants with live music.
Tennessee Music History Destinations
In Tennessee, nearly every city, town and hamlet has a musical connection and a story to tell.
