Planning your trip to Music City? Whether you're coming for the live music, Southern cuisine, or vibrant culture, knowing the best time to visit Nashville can turn a good vacation into an unforgettable experience. As locals who’ve spent over a decade in Nashville tourism, we’re here to give you insider tips you won’t find on generic travel blogs.
Unforgettable Nashville Adventures: 10 Activities Perfect for Large Groups
These days, Nashville’s nightlife makes it easy to entertain a large group after hours. But what do you do with them while the sun is shining? Whether you’re in town for a corporate conference, a bachelorette party or a family reunion, here are ten fun activities in Nashville for adults, and these are sure to appeal to everyone in your group.
(In keeping with our commitment to supporting Nashville, all the activities recommended below are independently owned/operated businesses)
What Food Is Nashville Known For?
What are the must try foods in Nashville? We've created a list of some of Nashville’s most famous foods and iconic restaurants. Some have been part of Nashville’s food story for generations now. Others arrived just in the last few years. Most are popular local favorites, but a few are known only to locals. All of them are delicious. Experience some of these on our Nashville Food Tours.
Raise a Glass to Downtown Nashville's Best Happy Hour Specials and Craft Cocktail Bars
Looking for the best happy hour specials in Downtown Nashville? Look no further! As a Nashville food tour company we like to keep up with all of the best food and beverages in town. We've rounded up nine of our favorite downtown Nashville happy hour specials to help you make the most of your evenings in Music City while saving you a little money along the way. And if you're a foodie looking to explore Nashville's culinary scene, be sure to check out an announcement at the end of this post about a new and unique way to experience Nashville craft cocktails in downtown.
Here are nine of our favorite downtown happy hour options, arranged in alphabetical order. We’ll let you make your own ranking for these amazing options as you go out and get a taste of Nashville.
Acme Feed & Seed
101 Broadway
Monday-Thursday from 4:30-6:30
(Only on the 1st and 2nd floor; not valid in the rooftop bar)
$5 rotating specialty cocktail
2-for-1 draft beers
$10-12 house cocktails
$8-10 snacks
Located at the intersection of Broadway and 1st Ave, Acme Feed & Seed is a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. The first floor is Acme’s “Funky Tonk,” a play on the traditional honky tonk with live music, a fully stocked bar and fast-casual fare rocking it out every night of the week. Their second floor has lounge seating, vintage games and a sushi bar (not one of their happy hour options). The rooftop bar gives a view of both the riverfront and the Broadway scene. Be sure to check out their Farm Store to pick up regionally sourced gifts and souvenirs while enjoying one of the best cocktails Nashville has to offer. Acme Feed and Seed is also one of the flagship restaurants featured on our award winning Downtown Nashville Food Tour.
Black Rabbit
218 3rd Ave N
Monday-Saturday from 4-6
$5 cocktails
$2 off draft beer
2-for-1 cans of beer
Once home to Jimmy Hoffa’s lawyer, the Black Rabbit celebrates Printers Alley’s notorious past. Chef Trey Cioccia and his team have kept that spirit alive by leaving the 16-foot ceilings, brick walls and original wood floors untouched. The restaurant channels the speakeasies of yesteryear, but the food and drink offered there will make any foodie happy. Wood-fired cooking is the center of all that happens in the kitchen, while the bar menu reinvents the boozy drinks popular during Prohibition. No wonder it was named one of the best cocktail bars in Nashville by the writers of the Nashville Scene! Don't miss their Nashville happy hour specials, available Monday-Saturday from 4-6.
Ellington’s
401 Union St
Monday-Thursday from 4-6
$5 beers
$6 well drinks
$7 craft cocktails
$5 appetizers
$8 snacks
Ellington's is a popular downtown Nashville restaurant known for its classic and modern cuisine. Their Nashville happy hour specials feature $5 beers, $6 well drinks, $7 craft cocktails, and $5 appetizers. The menu focuses on updating classic dishes for modern foodies, and their bar program includes a selection of locally sourced liquors and innovative craft cocktails. Ellington's is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner or night out with friends, with both indoor and outdoor seating options, including a wraparound terrace. Don't miss out on the chance to taste some of the best food and drinks that Music City has to offer.
Etch
202 Demonbreun St.
Monday-Friday from 4-6:30
Saturday from 4-5:30
(Lounge area only)
$4 draft beer
$6 featured wines by the glass
$8 “staples” cocktails
$10-14 snacks
$32 Southern charcuterie and cheese
Chef Deb Paquette’s Etch brings global cuisine to Nashville. Her dishes feature bright, layered flavors and innovative sauces, and the bar team's efforts focus on taking classic drinks and updating them to complement the restaurant's diverse influences. Resy named it one of The ten restaurants that defined Nashville dining in 2022, and their craft cocktails are not to be missed. From your first sip you’ll see why Etch is one of the best restaurants in Nashville. Stop by for their Nashville happy hour specials, available Monday-Friday.
Frothy Monkey
Tuesday-Friday from 3-6
235 Rep. John Lewis Way N.
2-for-1 draft beer
$6 select wine by the glass
$2 off house cocktails
Frothy Monkey in downtown Nashville is known as a popular coffee shop, but it's also a fantastic spot for happy hour. In addition to their delicious coffee and pastries, Frothy Monkey also has a full dinner menu and a great selection of craft cocktails. During happy hour, which runs Tuesday through Friday from 3-6, they offer two-for-one draft beer, $6 select wines by the glass, and $2 off their house cocktails. Don't miss out on their specialty cocktails like the lavender old fashioned, Grenada cosmo, and garden gimlet – perfect for after-work drinks or a vacation treat.
Liberty Common
207 1st Ave S
Thursday & Friday from 4-6
$5 local drafts
$5 house wines by the glass
$8 highballs
$9 frozen cocktails
Liberty Common in downtown Nashville is a must-visit for those looking for a Southern-style brasserie that offers a fusion of French bistro and Southern comfort food. Conveniently located across the street from the Ascend Amphitheater, it's the perfect spot to grab a bite before or after a show. The restaurant offers a cozy respite from the busy downtown area, tucked away just far enough off Broadway. Whether you're in the mood for a classic French dish or a hearty Southern meal, Liberty Common has got you covered. Don't miss their Nashville happy hour specials, including $5 local drafts, $5 house wines by the glass, $8 highballs, and $9 frozen cocktails.
Lou/Na
1000 Broadway
Monday-Thursday from 5-7
$6 draft beers
$6 Canvas wines by the glass
$6 well spirits
$5 snacks
$12 ham and cheese charcuterie
Lou/Na, located on the 25th floor of the Grand Hyatt hotel, offers a stunning view of the city that's hard to beat. Named after the historic Louisville-Nashville railroad, the restaurant provides a blend of Southern hospitality and a modern atmosphere. During happy hour, which runs from Monday to Thursday from 5-7, guests can indulge in $6 draft beers, $6 Canvas wines by the glass, $6 well spirits, and $5 snacks. This Nashville hot spot also has live music on many nights, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind after a busy day of work or sightseeing. With complimentary valet parking for up to two hours, Lou/Na is both convenient and enjoyable.
Makeready L&L
200 4th Ave N
Monday-Thursday from 5-7
$8 specialty cocktails
Half off wines by the glass
Discounted snacks
Makeready L&L in downtown Nashville is not just a restaurant, but a true experience. This unique dining spot merges Italian sensibilities with Southern flavors to create an unforgettable meal. Named after the “makeready” which is the final stage of setting a printing press, the moment when the journeymen makes sure the page was perfectly set. Plus, their Nashville Happy Hour specials include half off wines by the glass, discounted snacks, and $8 specialty Nashville Craft Cocktails. The team at Makeready L&L seeks to make their space a retreat from the chaos outside, a place where the people and visitors of Nashville can relax and celebrate. And, of course, all the food is farm-to-table and locally sourced, adding to the restaurant's already impressive charm.
The Southern Steak & Oyster
150 3rd Ave S
Friday-Sunday from 3-5
$25/dozen oysters (shuckers choice!)
The Southern Steak & Oyster is a must-visit restaurant in downtown Nashville. This eatery celebrates the best of Southern food, with a focus on Gulf Coast and Caribbean-inspired dishes. The produce is sourced locally, ensuring that every dish is bursting with flavor. One of the most popular offerings at The Southern is their oysters - available for just $25 a dozen during their happy hour from Friday to Sunday between 3 and 5pm. Located on 3rd Ave S, The Southern is conveniently situated in the heart of the downtown action, making it the perfect stop for lunch or dinner.
Downtown Nashville is a must-visit destination for foodies and cocktail enthusiasts alike. From traditional Southern cuisine to French brasseries, there is something for everyone. The city's happy hour scene offers some of the best deals on craft cocktails, local drafts, and snacks, making it the perfect time to sample what each restaurant has to offer. Whether you're a local or a visitor, be sure to add these happy hour spots to your list and experience the vibrant food and drink culture that Nashville has to offer while saving some money along the way.
Introducing Nashville's newest addition to its culinary scene: our Nashville Craft Cocktail Tour!
Launching May 2023!
Announcing our Newest food tour: The Nashville Craft Cocktail Tour
Announcing our Nashville Craft Cocktail Tour launching in May 2023! This exciting tour will take you to some of the best locally-owned restaurants in the city, exploring the unique and flavorful craft cocktails that Nashville has to offer paired with exquisite bites. Get dressed up for a night on the town and join us as we embark on a journey through some of the finest establishments in Nashville, enjoying locally-sourced and farm-to-table foods and drinks. With our experienced and knowledgeable guides, you'll learn about the history and culture of Nashville's culinary scene, and discover new favorites along the way. Don't miss out on this delicious adventure!
Amazing Women Owned Businesses to Support in Nashville this Holiday Season
When you shop local, you'll get a new taste of Nashville. Over the last few years, many of the most innovative new businesses to open in town are female owned. As a female-owned company ourselves, we think that’s pretty rad. To simplify your shopping here’s a list of some of our favorite women Nashville entrepreneurs.
Family-Friendly Activities For Your Next Trip to Nashville
Whether you’re traveling with a flock of your best [adult] friends, or your crew is made up of small humans who are still learning the basics of arithmetic, Nashville has plenty of activities that people of all ages can genuinely enjoy. So for your next trip, take a look at our Eight Family-Friendly Activities in Nashville:
Six Instagrammable Nashville Murals That You Haven’t Already Seen All Over Instagram
Aside from moseying in and out of Music City’s infamous honkey tonks down on Broadway, one of the most popular tourist activities in Nashville is a creative endeavor that we like to call Mural Hunting. Similar to hunting game, mural hunting is an activity in which groups of adults strategically traverse the city in search of capturing images of Nashville’s most beautiful, iconic, and Instagram-worthy murals. iPhones in hand, people brave long lines and inclement weather to capture the shot. We’ll do anything for some likes on the ‘gram, won’t we!?
Our Community is #NashvilleStrong
We are open for business and running tours.
We are so incredibly Thankful that our staff and their homes were not damaged by the tornado. Downtown Nashville was largely unaffected and our restaurants are still operational.
As you have probably heard, a terrible tornado swept through Nashville in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3rd.
Food Tours: Nashville Team Building Ideas For Corporate Events
Treating your team to one of our top-rated A Little Local Flavor food tours is just the ticket to excite and engage your team. And having hosted corporate tours for companies big and small (including Amazon, American Express, Cheddar’s restaurants, and Vivial Marketing, to name a few) we’re confident that our tours are just the ticket for your next team outing.
Proudly Announcing: The Marathon Village Spirits Tour!
Nashville's Best and Healthiest Eats to Start 2020 Off Right
Where to Warm Up in Nashville - Our Favorite Hot Drinks in Music City
Whether we’re picking up the pace on our walking food tours, or bundling up in our warmest coats and scarves to beat the chill, we can’t seem to shake the need to get warm! And while moving our bodies and packing on layers sure can work wonders, sometimes it’s more effective — and more fun! — to slurp something down that will warm us back up.
The Nashville Foodie Gift Guide
Even though the holidays come at exactly the same time each and every year, the challenge of finding the perfect gift for all the special people in our lives never seems to get easier. From colleagues to classmates, and from family to friends, the list is endless. But if we can bet there’s one thing that everyone appreciates getting, it’s this: great food. Especially from Nashville.
Discover the Best Lunch in Downtown Nashville
Downtown Nashville is best known for hosting tourists: from cowboys with big dreams to bachelorettes celebrating upcoming nuptials, the music of the honky tonks leads their march through the neon-lit streets. But downtown Music City is also host to a large local workforce who rely a number of good eats for their lunch breaks every day.
Small Businesses Worth Supporting This Holiday Season
The Best Brunch in Nashville: 7 Spots to Try on Your Next Visit
The Best Rooftop Bars In Nashville, Tennessee
Although the onslaught of chilly weather strikes fear into the hearts of summer-lovers near and far, the truth is that the lines between summer and fall are quite blurry here in Music City. What might be a hot and humid scorcher one day, could turn into a breezy, chilly, 65 degree afternoon the next. So how do we locals deal with Nashville’s admittedly schizophrenic weather patterns during this time of year?
UNIQUE AND FUN TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP TO NASHVILLE
Music City has become more than just a small, country music town; it’s now a major tourism hotspot, and a popular professional destination as well. Not only are major corporate conferences hosting their events right here in Music City, but budding companies and large-scale corporations alike are planting roots in Nashville, opening big, shiny offices in our rapidly-growing town.