Last Updated on May 17, 2024 by Tori Pines
Nashville is a huge vacation destination for many reasons. The city is located in the heart of the south with beautiful sights, lots of history and tons of things to do. But the main reason most people want to visit Nashville is to hear the incredible live music. So that’s why you’ll want to pay a visit to Broadway, the main strip in Nashville.
The main strip in Nashville is a vibrant and energetic street located in the heart of downtown. Known as the “Honky Tonk Highway,” Broadway is a major hub for live music, entertainment, and nightlife, making it one of the most popular destinations in the city.
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Where is Broadway?
Broadway stretches for approximately one mile, running perpendicular to the scenic Cumberland River in the heart of downtown Nashville. It is lined with a multitude of honky tonks, restaurants, bars, and shops, each exuding its unique charm and character. The section of the street that contains the honky tonks is from 1st Avenue (next to the river) up to 7th Avenue. It’s here the street’s iconic neon signs, live music that pours out onto the sidewalks, and the lively atmosphere create an unmistakable energy that has become synonymous with Nashville’s music scene.
The area’s roots trace back to the early 20th century when Broadway began to emerge as a hub for country and western music. As the years passed, the street grew in popularity and evolved into a prominent destination for both locals and tourists seeking authentic Nashville experiences.
The Music on the Main Strip in Nashville
Live music is the beating heart of Broadway, the main strip in Nashville. No matter when you visit, they perform al year long, although Spring in Nashville is my personal favorite! Almost every establishment along the street features live performances throughout the day and well into the night. Talented musicians, ranging from aspiring artists to seasoned professionals, take the stage, performing various genres such as country, rock, blues, and bluegrass. Visitors can enjoy an eclectic mix of covers and original songs to dance the night away.
Broadway’s music venues vary in size and style. Some establishments are intimate and cozy, allowing for an up-close and personal music experience, while others boast large stages and dance floors, accommodating a bigger crowd. Whichever venue you choose, you can expect top-notch musicianship and a lively atmosphere that invites dancing, singing along, and creating unforgettable memories. Nowadays, many of the venues are owned, and named after, the biggest stars in country music. More on those below.
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The Food on the Main Strip in Nashville
Beyond the live music, Broadway offers a diverse culinary scene. From Southern comfort food to international cuisine, visitors can find a wide array of dining options to suit their taste buds. Whether you’re craving mouthwatering barbecue, hot chicken, or a delicious slice of pizza, Broadway’s restaurants have got you covered. Many establishments also offer rooftop patios, allowing patrons to enjoy their meals while taking in the cityscape and the energetic street below.
Broadway’s vibrant nightlife extends beyond the music venues and restaurants. Numerous bars and clubs cater to different tastes, ensuring that everyone finds a spot to enjoy a night out. Whether you’re looking for a low-key dive bar, a swanky cocktail lounge, or a high-energy dance club, the main strip in Nashville has it all. The street comes alive after dark, creating an electric atmosphere that pulses through the city.
In recent years, Broadway has become an even more prominent attraction, drawing in larger crowds from all over the world. The street has garnered attention through television shows, movies, and its association with country music legends who have made their mark in Nashville. The combination of rich musical history, talented artists, and a lively ambiance has turned Broadway into a must-visit destination for music enthusiasts and tourists alike.
Is Broadway Kid-Friendly?
Yes! That’s one of the best parts about Broadway is that it is super kid-friendly during the day. No matter the day of the week, almost all of the stops along the main strip in Nashville will be open to people of all ages.
Each place turns 21+ in the evenings, and each place starts at a different time ranging from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm depending on the bar. However, there are a select few places that are 21+ all day, so if there’s somewhere specific your heart is set on going, make sure to check their website in advance for information.
So, where should you stop along the main strip in Nashville?
The Best Bars on Broadway
There’s tons of great bars on Broadway in Nashville. Here’s just a few of my favorites, but you can read the full guide for more!
Tootsies Orchid Lounge
Tootsies is easily the most famous bar on the main strip in Nashville. This purple (aka orchid) building has been sitting prominently on Broadway since 1960 and many famous artists have played or written songs here, or at least stopped by to hang out. You’ll have to get a picture out front with the famous purple building!
Wildhorse Saloon
Okay, so this one isn’t technically on Broadway, it’s a block up the hill, but is SO worth being on this list anyways. Wildhorse Saloon is a bar and restaurant and you can hear awesome live music. But that’s not why it’s great. It’s also a line-dancing bar!! The middle of the restaurant has a huge blocked off area for line dancing, and the staff gets up on stage throughout the entire day to teach line dancing classes. Then you get to dance along to the live band up on stage in front of you. It’s seriously a blast.
This spot is especially great for groups of all ages. Recently a whole bunch of my extended family came to town ages 13 to 75 and we had the best time learning to line-dance here. And there’s tables surrounding the dance floor so the party poopers, or those who just need to rest their dancing feet, can hang out there with food and a drink and enjoy the show.
The Twelve Thirty Club
Not your typical Honky Tonk, the Twelve Thirty Club is the place to go when you’re looking for a fancier environment. We don’t love being stuffed into bars with lots of drunk people, so this is where we head when enjoying a night out with friends.
It’s a multi-level bar with a casual bar/restaurant on the ground floor listening to live music; usually country. But head upstairs and you’ll find the swanky jazz club complete with red velvet chairs and fancy cocktails. It’s a ton of fun when you want something classy! Then, head outside and you’ll find a rooftop bar that looks out over Broadway, the main strip in Nashville. The rooftop has a DJ and dancing and is a great environment to get some fresh air and hang out with friends. There’s also an incredible restaurant here, but more on that later.
Acme Feed and Seed
Another multi-level spot along Broadway is Acme Feed and Seed. The first two floors are restaurants (more on those below) and the rooftop has the bar! It’s got great views over Broadway, but is also located right on the river so those views are awesome too. And of course, no bar on Broadway would be complete without amazing live music. You’ll find that on the rooftop too.
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Jason Aldean’s Kitchen & Rooftop Bar
This is exactly what you picture when you think of a honky tonk. And Jason Aldean’s is the most popular one of them all these days. The first floor is the restaurant and bar with a stage and the top floor is 21+ with the big bar, another stage and rooftop. You’ll definitely find great musicians playing on both stages, and you’ll also find a super rowdy crowd. So if you’re looking for a busy spot with lots of young partiers, this is your place!
The Best Restaurants on Broadway
Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa
Most of the honky tonks don’t have great food. A lot of them serve basic American bar fare that’s sub-par. However, Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa is not one of those. Instead, she has an awesome sit-down Mexican restaurant with gorgeous decor, delicious food and great drinks.
We showed up here at lunchtime recently with a party of twelve, got seated and served right away, and the food was surprisingly so yummy! There’s a wide variety of Mexican cuisine to choose from and everything tasted great. Plus, since it’s owned by Miranda Lambert, the whole place is decked out in hot pink and super girly. I love it there.
The Supper Club at The Twelve Thirty Club
When you’re looking for a fancy dinner on the main strip in Nashville, or in the entire city for that matter, look no further than the Supper Club. It’s located at the Twelve Thirty Club (more on that above) right on Broadway. The menu is mostly centered around steak, but they have a handful of other dishes including poultry, seafood and vegetarian options.
It’s one of those menus where every single item sounds incredible and you can’t decide what to order. But no matter what you choose, you must start with their homemade focaccia bread. It really is made fresh in house each day and is probably the best focaccia bread I’ve had in the states. And I order it every single time it’s on the menu because it’s my absolute favorite. This one is served with a variety of spreads as well and it’s all incredible.
Make a reservation at the Supper Club for delicious, high quality food with a fun jazz club atmosphere. Just be prepared to spend a pretty penny here, as it is not cheap! But if you’re up for that then it makes for one of the best Nashville date nights!
Assembly Food Hall
This is my go-to spot when recommending places to eat to friends who visit. Food halls are popping up in basically every city around the country (or world?) because their food is inexpensive, offers a huge variety of cuisines and features local business from around the city. I love the concept because then your group doesn’t have to collectively decide what to get to eat. Instead everyone can pick something different and come together to eat at the same table.
Assembly Food Hall is one of those awesome spots. With over 30 eateries, there truly is something for everyone! From Nashville hot chicken to pizza, Thai to Greek, you won’t be able to decide what to order. And all of the spots are local restaurants. Support small businesses and enjoy the food culture of the city!
Sixty Vines
Calling all wine lovers! Located just above the Food Hall sits Sixty Vines, a wine bar! This restaurant offers delicious American-Italian cuisine with things like charcuterie boards, flatbreads, pastas and more. And the food really is so good. But the reason you’ll want to come here is for the massive wall of wines on tap!
With 60 different wines from all over the world to choose from, there’s something for every wine lover. And the best part is that they offer pours as small as 2.5 ounces, so you can make your own little tasting menu! It’s a really fun experience!
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
Okay, you can’t come all the way to Nashville without having Nashville Hot Chicken. I mean it’s named after the city after all, and is definitely the food item that the city is most known for. So where should you try it? There’s places all over town that focus on hot chicken or at least have it on their menu. In fact almost every restaurant basically serves it in one form or another.
But there’s a few popular hot chicken spots, Hattie B’s being one of them. One of their locations is located directly on the main strip in Nashville, below the Assembly Food Hall. Get here early for your best chance at a short wait, but no matter when you arrive there’s bound to be a line.
You can have your chicken in the traditional way, on the bone sitting on a piece of white bread and topped with a pickle. Or, have a sandwich. Prefer chicken fingers? They’ve got that too. But the most important thing to decide is the heat level.
Don’t worry, if you don’t like it spicy, they offer southern style which isn’t spicy at all. Mild is the first step up, and let me tell you, it is HOT. I like spicy things, like hot sauce and buffalo sauce, and this is hotter than that. So mild is the way to go for most people. However, if you are a huge fan of the heat, there’s usually like five more levels above mild. Those people are crazy, but the more power to ‘em!
Acme Feed and Seed
Acme Feed and Seed was mentioned above for their great rooftop bar, but they also have some delicious spots to eat. The ground floor serves up super traditional southern style fare in quick-service style. It’s super casual, and you get to try out some southern dishes, which is especially fun if you’re not from the south! And of course, they’ve got live music at most hours of the day.
Alternatively, head to the second floor for the sushi bar and lounge. A completely different vibe, but they offer some incredible sushi if that’s what you’re in the mood for. Be sure to get one of their deep fried rolls!
The Best Places to Stay on Broadway
There’s a million hotels to stay in downtown Nashville, but only a few are located directly on the main strip in Nashville. Located on Broadway, right in the middle of the action are the Hilton Nashville Downtown, the Moxy Nashville Downtown and the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. All are good options and super close to everything but will likely come with a lofty price tag and no super unique features.
For something a little cheaper, head to the Holiday Inn Express Nashville Downtown. It’s still located right on Broadway, it’s just a little bit further down the road from where the heart of the action is. But you’ll save a few bucks and still be within walking distance to all the best stops.
More Unique Places to Stay Nearby
If you’re looking for something super unique and fun, there’s a few others I would recommend. The Bobby Hotel is just 2 blocks from Broadway and has an awesome rooftop. There’s a pool, a bar, and a school bus (yup, sitting right on the roof) but the winter is the best time to come here. They have a Christmas “pop-up bar” with an ice rink, blow up igloos, fire pits and special holiday themed beverages. It’s so much fun.
Another unique option is The Westin Nashville, located a few blocks further away. The super unique thing about this hotel is their infinity rooftop pool. It hangs right over the side of the building and is a little thrilling and a little terrifying, but ultimately so cool!
And finally, if you are willing to be a little over a mile from the action, consider staying at The Graduate. The entire place is Dolly Parton themed, and honestly I don’t think I need to say more. It’s pink and southern and beautiful and they didn’t miss a single detail! There’s even a pink Dolly themed rooftop bar, so if you don’t stay here, at least come to the roof for a drink!
And that’s it! You’re ready to explore the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. Broadway, the main strip in Nashville, is a bustling and iconic street that showcases the soul and spirit of Music City. With its live music, diverse dining options, and vibrant nightlife, Broadway offers an unforgettable experience for visitors looking to immerse themselves in Nashville’s rich musical heritage and vibrant culture.
