Things to do on Lower Broadway

Downtown Nashville is made up of Lower Broadway and South Broadway (SoBro). For this article we are going to concentrate on the most popular spot where everyone wants to be .. Lower Broadway, also known as Lower Broad or “The District”. I’ll cover SoBro in another post even though it is just a block away, there is a lot to cover there as well.

OK … let’s cover some monikers for the area we are about to discuss. To the locals, it is called Lower Broad or Lower Broadway. It’s also known as “Honky Tonk Highway”. Then there is the moniker “The District”. This references The Broadway Historic District or the old historic buildings that many of these bars, clubs, stores, and restaurants are in on 2nd Ave and Broadway.

Lower Broadway is where the most popular bars with live music are located. Several famous music artists such as Luke Bryan, Kid Rock, Derks Bentley, and Jimmy Buffet have built their own bars, restaurants, and hotels in this area.

Want to hear live music? All you got to do is simply take a walk down Lower Broadway. As you walk past each bar there will be a different band. Yes, it is that happening!

Lower Broadway is located right next to the Cumberland River where many music festivals are held throughout the year.

The District consists of about 11 “party” blocks. Party blocks meaning there are several blocks that are just business buildings surrounded by the party :-).

Bars and Clubs on Lower Broadway

Here are 10 of the most popular party places on Lower Broad.

Legends Corner

is an old-school honky-tonk dive bar that features live music nightly. Many famous country artists such as Toby Keith, Big N’Rich, Ricky Skags, and many more have entertained here. Located at 428 Broadway.

Tequila Cowboy

They have a game room with pool tables and a TV to watch the game. Karma has a top 40’s hit dancefloor with state of the art sound system and lighting. The Rock Bar has live music nightly. Enjoy Karaoke? Check out Wanna B’s to be a star on stage! This multi-venue is all under one rooftop located at 305 Broadway.

Honky Tonk Central

Three floors of live music, good food eatin’, people gathering place! Their food is the typical pub style featuring Chicken wing, nachos, chicken fingers, and more grub like that. HTC is available for private parties as well. Located at 329 Broadway.

AJ’s Good Time Bar

If you are really into country music, who is AJ? If you guessed Alan Jackson you would be correct. Billboard Magazine voted AJ’s #1 Honky Tonk so it’s sure to say you’re in for a good time! If you wanna be a star for the night head up to the 3rd floor and strut your singing skills on the Karaoke stage. Located at 421 Broadway.

Tootsies Orchid Lounge

Tootsies is probably the most famous bar and lounge in town. It’s located across the alley from the Ryman so MANY famous country music artists have been there hanging out. Loretta Lynn filmed a small part of Coal Miners Daughter at this location. Come hang out at 422 Broadway to eat, drink and chill in the presence of Country Music history.

Nashville Underground

Come check out the double-decker rooftop patio. I’ve been to this place a few times, I highly recommend it! It has 3 floors and multi-genre music so anyone can find something to groove to. As for food they have their own signature Nashville Hot Chicken, BBQ Brisket, BBQ Ribs, Pizza, and more. Located at 105 Broadway.

Robert’s Western World

Robert’s was voted Nashville’s favorite Honky Tonk several years in a row. If you want to go where the locals go, this and Tootsies are the 2 local favorites. Robert’s Western World has live music 7 days a week, great food from the grill, and $2.50 PBR’s! Located at 416B Broadway.

Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row Nashville

Dierk’s has 3 floors with a rooftop patio and a full dining menu. Whisky Row is located in one of the most historic Lower Broadway Nashville buildings at the address of 400 Broadway.

Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge

32 Bridge offers a rooftop patio and live music on 3 floors of its 6 floors totaling about 30,000 square feet of floor space. The restaurant isn’t your typical burger joint, Luke hired a world-renowned chef to put a special twist on the Southen and American-style foods. If you happen to be a Sushi fan as I am, he has that on the rooftop restaurant. Lukes 32 Bridge is located at 301 Broadway.

Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk and Steakhouse

Kid’s place is located on the corner of 3rd and Broadway. This establishment has 5 floors, four stages, and six bars giving the nearly 2000 people capacity of people plenty of room to have a great time! Are ya hungry? Kid Rock’s menu has a great variety of foods to choose from including a 36oz Tomahawk Steak!!! Oh, don’t forget to hang out on the 5th-floor rooftop to get an awesome view of Downtown Nashville. Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk and Steakhouse is located at 221 Broadway.

The list above is really just a few of them. Click here to see more.

Lower Broadway Restaurants

• Great restaurants and 1 REALLY good dessert!
• The Stillery
• Merchants
• The Valentine Nashville
• Acme Feed and Seed
• Margaritaville Restaurant Nashville
• Hard Rock Cafe
• Jacks Bar-B-Que
• Broadway Brewhouse Downtown
• Jason Aldeans Kitchen and Rooftop Bar
• Mikes Ice Cream

Awesome things to do in Downtown Nashville.

• Music City Walk of Fame
• The Ryman Auditorium
• Nashville City Tour on a Double Decker Bus
• Johnny Cash Museum
• Jacked Up Monster Truck Ride
• Nashville Trolley Tour –
• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
• Nashville Party Tractor Tour

Nashville to Jack Daniels Distillery Bus Tour and Tastings

Yep … you take a bus from Nashville to Lynchburg TN for a Jack Daniels Distillery Tour. I’ve driven there a few times, it is a good tour. The little town of Lynchburg is neat.

Ascend Amphitheater

I’ve been here many times for big-name concerts and smaller acts as well.

Lower Broadway Lodging

With all the clubs, bars, museums, and awesome live music within walking distance of Lower Broad in Nashville, it is only fitting that you just have a great place to stay that is close as well. Staying close to all the action means less need for cabs or rideshare.

Check out this page for Nashville hotels that are located within walking distance of all the fun on Lower Broadway. There are many more choices scattered around this big ole city that have lots of AWESOME features to offer, one such place is Gaylord Opryland Hotel with its stunning atriums. Click here to see more lodging choices.

How to Get to Downtown Nashville

There are several options for public transportation. Cabs and rideshares such as Lyft or Uber. Some hotels have shuttle options to be picked up from the airport. Here are some popular options to get around downtown.

MTA Bus Service

Nashville’s bus system provided service to and from the airport and throughout downtown Nashville and even some other inner-city areas.

Old Town Trolley

This is the most popular way of people getting around town. The trolley system runs a 12-mile loop making several stops that you can hop on and off as needed.

Bike sharing

There are about 30 or so stations Scattered around Nashville where you can rent a bicycle. You can rent hourly or daily if you prefer. There are even weekly, monthly, even yearly memberships for those who are gonna hang out for a bit!

Car Rental / Sharing

Of course, there are the typical car rental places that are available in many places. There are companies that offer car rentals by the hour as well.

Downtown Parking

There are plenty of options for parking but some are reasonable and some not so much. The average cost for parking is about $20 a day. During special events such as CMA Fest, the lots that are privately owned get up to $30-$40 a day.

When I go downtown to have a bit of fun in the evenings or weekends I typically park in the Metro Courthouse Garage. Parking is only $5 on evenings after 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday. On special events, parking gets up to $15. It’s within a short walk to 2nd Ave and Broadway where the action is.

The other less expensive option is the Nashville Library Garage which is typically $10 on evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays. Although not quite as close as the Metro Courthouse it still isn’t a far walk to where the party area is! Just be out before Monday at 5 am of the normal hourly rate kicks in.

Other articles of interest for anyone visiting Nashville