They don’t call Nashville ‘Music City’ for nothing! Not only is it home to the infamous ‘Music Row,’ a street of recording studios and record labels where some of the best music ever recorded was made and produced, it is also home to some of the best venues to hear live music. Here are six of the best honky tonks and juke joints in Music City.
The Bluebird Cafe. Blink and you might miss The Bluebird Cafe. It is located in an old strip mall, but don’t let that fool you. The listening room is steeped in country music history and is a favorite of songwriters. Vince Gill cut his teeth on its intimate stage and a then-unknown Garth Brooks first heard “The Dance” there in the ‘80s. The Bluebird still offers live music seven days a week — and you never know who might drop in to play a few songs.
Legend’s Corner. Located just steps away from the front door of the Nashville Convention Center, Legend’s Corner may be your first stop on a tour of Lower Broadway’s honky tonks. The venue’s interior is decorated with hundreds of classic country album covers and memorabilia. Keep your eyes open for a familiar face — Vince Gill and Bill Anderson drop by from time to time.
Robert’s Western World. Jake Owen has been known to say that some of the best singers in the world perform at Robert’s Western World. A boot store by day and honky tonk by night, visitors will find a healthy mix of tourists and locals, enjoying some of the best rockabilly around. It also happens to be a hotspot for star sightings!
The Stage. It might be the new kid in town, but The Stage is quickly becoming a fan favorite on Lower Broadway. Home to the Roy Acuff Museum in the ’60s and ’70s, this long and narrow honky tonk provides a stage for some of Nashville’s hottest up-and-coming artists. To get a bird’s eye view of the action, head up to the balcony and be sure to look up – there is a painting of the Highwayman above the venue’s front door that the owner brought from Waylon Jennings.
Station Inn. If you are hoping to run into Dierks Bentley while in Nashville, pay a visit to Station Inn. Open for three decades, this bluegrass venue draws people from all over the world with a lineup featuring some of the best pickets around. Dierks isn’t the only one that likes to jump on stage for a song or two. Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, and Alison Krauss also frequent Station Inn.
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. If you only have time to visit one honky tonk in Nashville, make it Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. In existence for more than 50 years, Tootsie’s has decades worth of publicity shots of its performers tacked to the wall, including legends like Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and Patsy Cline. Make sure you pay a visit upstairs to see the back door where Opry stars of yesteryear entered after performing at the Ryman which is just across the alley.
Can’t get enough of the Nashville music scene? Check out our Top 10 Nashville Honky Tonks and Dive Bars for more venues to visit!
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