50 Best Cocktail Bars in Nashville

“The bartender tonight was amazing. I had a great chat with him, and it seems he's leaving to a new adventure soon. Not great for this place, since he has a real passion for what he does, and I think they're losing a great guy. Best of luck on your new adventures! Food was about as expected, not the drinks were phenomenal!“

“As someone who frequents on average 20 bars or restaurants a week and is part of the industry here locally, it is with sincere passion, and honesty that I openly express my backing and support in saying Barrel Proof is the absolute best bar in this city for any local (and/or industry worker), but also a blast for tourists to come soak in what it is truly like to be “one of us”; and from there, the staff will gladly direct you to more friendly and fun spots!“

“Urban cowboys public house is truly one of the best bars in Nashville. I always have fantastic cocktails and a great time while I’m here. My favorite is going when it’s a little bit chilly out, ordering some pizza and sitting by one of their fire pits. They crowd is always so great, even when the line gets really long for drinks. If you’re a local, you don’t want to miss out on this place.“

“We sat at the bar and watched Allison the bartender make phenomenal drinks. We were blown away by how she knew what to add and all those drinks. They were works of art.
I highly recommend the Fox Bar and Cocktail Club and that if you can sit at the bar and watch them make the drinks you'll be blown away.“

“Love this is the Best by Far vibes in whole Nashville!!!!!!“

“We checked this place out last Saturday and it was everything we'd hoped for. I'm currently adding an Absinthe program to a new concept I'm building and the gentlemen that took care of us (ashamed that I forgot his name) was a rockstar! He took the time to educate us on different techniques and the differences between Absinthes of different origins. We asked him to surprise us with chocolate and Absinthe pairings and he surely did not disappoint. If you are new to this world, have no fear. They have subject matter experts that can guide you through the experience. We'll be back next time we're in town!!“

“My friend Brought me here and wow!!!! Such a great spot!“

“i loved my experience at rice vice!! The bartender Luna was very attentive and accommodating to me and my group despite being the only worker in the whole place, that can’t be easy!! The sake was so good and I loved the decor and the overall vibe will be back !!!“

“We were in Nashville for a conference and hosted a happy hour for clients and prospects at the Pullman Standard Bar. It was a perfect choice! We had a fairly large group, but the conversation was lively, the food excellent, and Michelle's service was stellar! We will consider the Pullman Standard Bar for our next event in Nashville!“

“The chicken sandwich and braised brussel sprouts are both awesome. And the staff are super welcoming and friendly“

“Simon was great very customer friendly and great personality he was awesome.“

“I had a fantastic night at Red Phone Booth Nashville. The upscale speakeasy on Broadway is a hidden gem—dim lighting, plush seating, and amazing craft cocktails that felt like a trip back in time. The bartenders were friendly, the atmosphere was perfect for unwinding, and the attention to detail made me feel like I was in a secret lounge. If happiness had a location on Google Maps, it would be here. We had great service from Sharron and Emily making it a wonderful experience
We would never have found this except for Reese Bittner who was great for the recommendations“

“Great little shop with good food and drink and a wonderful music venue.“

“I went for a cocktail before a show, and had a great time at Martha’s! There was a big bar with lots of seating, booths and an area with a pool table. The service was fantastic, and the drinks were better. My friend had a palm reader, which she thoroughly enjoyed as a seasoned mezcal drinker. I had volcarona which was perfectly sweet for me as well. We didn’t try and food, but what we saw passing us by, it looked good.“

“Cute place on a corner in North Nashville! The Burlesque N Brunch show is EVERYTHING and EXCITING!“

“Old Fashioned was amazing“

“My wife and I were married here and it was the best night of our lives. Amazing staff, amazing food, amazing drinks. What else is there to say?!!! Love this venue!!“

“This was the perfect cozy spot for a November family dinner. Everything was delicious but standouts were the NY strip with mole sauce, roasted squash and fluffernutter pie. Our family of three shared everything and still had leftovers. Grace provided fantastic service and made sure all courses were paced appropriately so we could enjoy them all. We will definitely be back!“

“Awesome place, full of character“

“The atmosphere is very nice and the food is delicious!“

“I was visiting Nashville for the first time and wanted to go to a bar that had interesting high quality cocktails with pure ingredients. One More delivered.I stayed for many hours sampling the nice menu. I was by myself, hanging out for a couple hours before my show. I chatted with Kory and enjoyed myself. Great service even when they started getting busy. As a person that has been in the service industry, it's clear Kory cared about the guests and making a fine cocktail.While you may spend some money here, it's worth every penny in my mind. When you go, order the smoky Manhattan or I made the name 'Smoky Night'.Thanks Kory and team!“

“You can’t beat the Skull room in Nashville. The food, service, music, and atmosphere 5 plus stars! Highly recommend“

“We recently celebrated our organization’s anniversary at this beautiful and charming location. It sets you back into a decor of an era when music was a focus point of society. It has beautiful furniture and decorations, and a spectacular bar. The staff was beyond supportive, our coordinator Eunice had been so thoughtful and prepared a menu of our drink selections and bites for the evening. She was very transparent on cost and really helped us stay on budget. They allowed us to bring a celebration cake and little plates and decorations. We couldn’t have asked for a better location and a better support staff than what we had at Golden Sound. You have to put this on your visitation list when you go to Nashville.“

“Mesa was amazing and such a great waitress!“

“Stopped by the hotel bar for margaritas and the blossom appetizer. Both were great, and the sunset views made the experience even better. Cre was very friendly and attentive—when I made a (very generous!) mistake on the bill, she kindly corrected it. Really appreciated the service!“

“Brunch and Drag show were so much fun! Our bachelorette party, loved the vibe!“

“As an Artist Manager, Promoter and Event Host ourselves, the interaction we had with this establishment . . . was by far, THE BEST we have had in a LONG time! From initial contact by DJ Jane Dupree to handling of contracts and payments with venue owners, to bar and security staff. The patrons are lively and committed, as this truly is a one of a kind. This gem is a labor of love that is BY Artists, FOR Artists. Their time spent building, creating, and execution are all on point! Their level of professionalism is superior. The amount of flexibility, communication, hospitality and attention to detail were astounding. Their willingness to adapt to any issue thrown their way make them a dream to work with. As an attendee, whom has never been to Nashville, let alone their venue . . . they recommended food, entertainment, and even a barber. We were able to enjoy music we had never heard, had prompt service at their diversely stocked bar, and met new people that we will be speaking with in the future. The interactive nature of the venue, ensures there is plenty to explore while visiting. They craft themed events so each experience is different from the last. All of these reasons & many more (like rotating local food vendors), are why we HIGHLY suggest visiting this facility. From BOTH the perspectives of doing business and being an attendee, this is where you want to be. If you ever want to play a great space that is intimate in nature, seek them out. If you want a fun night out and are not ready to go home when the clubs close, this is the one! Hands down, a great vibe. We here at Trinidad Traxx hope they keep alive.“

“Simon was great very customer friendly and great personality he was awesome.“

“Avo in Nashville is a must-visit! The cheese platter is absolutely incredible—perfectly curated and packed with flavor. It’s definitely a must-do when you’re there. The pesto penne primavera was amazing, with fresh, vibrant flavors that really stood out. And don’t miss out on the avocado margarita—it’s a unique and delicious twist on a classic cocktail that you’ll want to try! The vibe is laid-back yet trendy, and the food and drinks are top-notch. Highly recommend if you’re looking for great vegan food and a fun experience!“

“Had the ribs and collards yesterday evening , both were outstanding. Highly enjoyed“

“BEST espresso martini I’ve ever had!!! There’s outdoor seating for drinks on the rooftop with nice views of the city, and happy hour has amazing prices for food + drinks. Thistle & Rye is a true hidden gem in Midtown!

Service was also incredible— shoutout to our server Maree for being so wonderful and accommodating.😊 We will be back!“

“Restaurant is great, food is always good quality, and our server Jenna was perfect and got me a mocktail that exactly matched what I was wanting but I couldn’t describe. \n\nAnd the valets Eric, Jahi, and Nick were outstanding. We had left an item in our car that we needed during the TPAC show, and they offered to go get our car for us, bring it down so we could get the item, and then take the car back. WAY above and beyond what we expected. Thanks, guys - you’re awesome!!“

“Husk is a must try if you’re in Nashville and wanting a nice dinner spot. It is pricey but it’s worth it. The delicata squash appetizer was to die for! The service was good, our waiter was a bit cold and not very chatty or friendly which is why I only gave it 4 stars.“

“The food was very good. I had the chicken Cobb styled salad and it was very enjoyable. The staff was all very polite and friendly, but I got the feeling they weren’t very well organized. That being said the price was reasonable from what you got I had no real complaints.“

“We came here for a girls' night out and were absolutely blown away! The restaurant offers a stunning panoramic view of the Nashville skyline, creating a beautiful ambiance. The food was exceptional! The tuna tartare, prepared tableside, was incredibly fresh with great flavor--an absolute must-try!! The duck fat fries were perfectly crispy and served with three delicious sauces, each one better than the last. The steak was cooked perfectly medium, juicy and tender, and the seared scallop on the side was a delightful addition. This spot is perfect for a girls' night out or a rom“

“I would consider this one of the best quick food places to eat in Nashville. The food was great and the service was extremely nice and fast with orders. We had the crispy magic dumplings first which were exactly that. Magic! The other dishes were an order of noodles and pad kra pow. Both full of flavor and spice like no other. Simple sit down restaurants dont usually have these types of flavor options for under $100. Can't beat it.“

“Great bbq had the wings with hot bbq and buffalo hot and some pulled pork was delicious. Cornbread was on the dry side but the beans and slaw made up for that great flavor“

“amazing food and staff! The brunch is top tier“

“Excellent food and service! The chefs are artist. ❤️“

“The food was delicious and the service was great!“

“Loved this place! My friend who lives in Nashville took me here. The menu was awesome, loved the speak easy vibes. Great staff. My bacon old fashioned was to die for. I wish I had this place close to home! Would go again and again“

“I’m had no idea there was a piano bar here! So glad a friend told me about it and I got to come check it out on Saturday night! The drinks were delicious, service was amazing and the atmosphere was so fun! I will definitely be back!“

“The drinks were amazing! The menu is unique and lots of yummy options. The hush puppies w/ lump crab! Who knew?“

“My kids took me for my birthday. Walking in, the ladies at the front were very nice wishing me a happy birthday. Our waiter, Clifton, could not have been any nicer or attentive. My menu came with a Happy Birthday Anna written on it. The whole experience was really special. Everyone was just friendly and did their job over and above expectations. The food was very good. My daughter and I split a 12 oz Cowgirl ribeye which was perfect. My son got the Cowboy ribeye and he said it was amazing. The Mac n cheese was good. My DIL got the pasta primavera and she liked it. The butter cake was great and the waiter surprised me with Crème Brûlée. All very good. Great atmosphere. Definitely will be going back. Thank you for making my birthday memorable!“

“I've stopped twice at the Donelson, TN location now. Staff are nice, inside is very nice and clean, food is really good.“

“Hands down the best all around dinner experience in Nashville. Presentation was off the charts! This was our first time visiting, they had a “Christmas Eve” menu which looked delicious but we came with our hearts set on the steak; no questions asked the kitchen was happy to adjust, we received the best steak we have tasted yet! The staff was beyond wonderful, the atmosphere was perfect. Love love loved Yolan; this will be a must have every time we visit Nashville! Thank you Yolan for the perfect Christmas Eve experience!“

“Best burgers in downtown! Highly recommend the wagyu burgers!“

“Fantastic service coupled with a well-executed menu!! Intimate atmosphere and delicious plates. Perfect for girls night out or a date night. Parking can be a challenge so don’t be late. The maitre’d is prompt to greet you and they ensure that your experience is flawless throughout the meal. 10/10 recommend!!“

“A beautiful cocktail bar with great food too! Service was great!“

“Layla was amazing!! Very friendly and attentive! Put up with our shenanigans for several hours!! Great music!!“