There’s a reason Nashville is known as the “Music City” in the US. The streets of this city are floating with chords, bars, and rifts at any given hour, day or season. In fact, it is basically impossible to go anywhere without listening to at least two distinct genres of music on the way.
Whether you’re in the city to enjoy a weekend trip or are looking for Nashville rentals to stay here for good, you should be aware of the best places for live intimate music in the city. It will indeed be one of the main sources of entertainment for you as long as you are there.
1. The 5 Spot
It would be blasphemy to start with any other place besides the spot that gained national popularity after being featured on the popular musical drama series, Nashville. If that isn’t enough to spark your interest, you’d be fascinated to find out that Lady Gaga chose this remote club as the first stop on her dive bar tour in 2016.
There has to be something special about this place to gain so much attention in pop culture, don’t you think? A healthy mix of primarily local artist sing, dance, and perform in The 5 Spot regularly. If you’re in Nashville, this place is a must-visit.
2. Ryman Auditorium
If you’re interested in history and are looking for something that carries the nostalgic vibe of the city, head right over to the Ryman Auditorium. Huge names in music, such as Chris Stapleton and the Foo Fighters, have been performing at this converted tabernacle for more than a century now.
For Christmas, Vince Gill and Amy Grant host an event at this legendary venue every year. On regular days, you’ll witness local performers using this space to showcase their talents. All in all, there is never a disappointing night in this auditorium.
3. The Basement
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this is as up-close-and-personal as it gets in Nashville. Tucked into the ground floor of a narrow building, this single-story venue only consists of a compact, cozy room with a stage that is barely a few inches above the ground.
However, don’t be fooled by the small structure. The Basement is the true definition of an intimate venue that sparks the interests of locals and touring bands alike. On nights when there are no touring bands, you’ll find this to be the snuggest and coziest place to catch new up-and-coming musicians.
4. Grande Ole Opry
If you know anything about the music scene in Nashville, you’re probably already heard about The Grande Ole Opry. Over the decades, this historic live broadcast has changed various locations – even spending more than 30 years as a resident of the Ryman Auditorium – before finally finding its own dedicated place.
Interestingly, it is famous for not having any bad seats, balcony, or floors. Every now and then, the biggest names in country music make surprise appearances over here. On other nights, it is open for fresh talent to find an audience.
5. The Back Corner
One of the main things that attracts audiences to this venue is that it is in Germantown – an area otherwise devoid of late-night clubs and music venues. However, that does not mean that The Back Corner is just a place you visit when you don’t have anywhere else to go.
You’ll find everything from folk artists to DJ sets in this remote venue. If you’re in the mood to dance while discovering new music, this is a great place to visit on Fridays and Saturdays.
6. Robert’s Western World
This will arguably be the most Instagram-worthy music venue you will visit in the city. Situated in the streets of Lower Broadway, Robert’s Western World is one of the only reliable places in the area to listen to Western swing from some of the best musicians in the City.
Aside from listening to some amazing music, you can also drink PBR, eat some fried bologna sandwiches, kick up your heels, and just have a good time here. You can take some souvenirs from Ernest Tubbs Record Shop across the street, which was bought by the owner of Robert’s in early 2020.
7. 3rd & Lindsay Bar & Grill
If there’s one place you can find live music on a daily basis, it is this. You’ll experience multiple-act shows on most nights, largely influenced by country and western and bluegrass, with some rock and roots. Most singer-songwriters take advantage of the intimate environment and encourage the audience to get up and dance as well. This is why 3rd & Lindsay is considered to be a part of the fabric of the Music City.
8. The Local
With a bit of an irony to its name, The Local actually welcomes all types of genres and musicians on its stage. You may not hear about this place often while discussing the music venues in Nashville, but that’s only because it usually gets overlooked as a midtown hangout.
However, the acoustics of this place are mesmerizing, which makes it a shame that more people aren’t experiencing it. Plus, it is situated a comfortable distance from the hustle and bustle of the town. You can use this to your advantage and visit it when you need breathing space and some good music.
There are a ton of amazing music venues in Nashville, and it’ll be impossible to list down all the visit-worthy places in one article. However, if you’re new to the town and are looking for places to explore, these venues are some great places to begin.
