TWO-STEP AND COUNTRY DANCING
Most bars provide enough space for a waltz but these spots give you more room to strut your stuff.
Category 10
Downtown The largest dance floor downtown if you’re into country dancing. Lessons daily and visitors under 21 alloweed until 8pm. (Pictured above.)
Skinny Dennis
East Nashville Our Australian pretend daughter loves this spot where beginners and pros are equally welcome. Although it’s an expansion of a place in Brooklyn (go figure!), they smartly book some of Nashville’s most respected bands.
Nashville Palace
Opryland/Donelson The OG of Nashville dance floors, people have been Cotton-Eyed-Joe’ing at this spot near Gaylord Opryland Hotel since 1977.
Eastside Bowl
Madison It’s not just for bowling; each week it hosts Honky Tonk Tuesday. Lessons start at 7 and the band kicks in at 8. Nice big floor that draws locals and tourists, geezers and hipsters alike.
Long Hollow Jamboree
Hendersonville. If you don’t mind a drive, you’ll find almost exclusively local folks on the floor after chowing down on southern cookin’. Live music only on weekends. Call to make sure they’re open: 615-824-4445.
Nashville Palace FB
DEFINITELY NOT COUNTRY DANCING
If your style leans toward jazz, big band, Motown, hip hop, techno, EDM or trance, check these hotspots.
Downtown honky tonks
Probably a fourth of the establishments host late-night dance parties on their upper floors including Ol’ Red, Dierk’s Bentley’s Whiskey Row, Jelly Roll’s Goodnight Nashville, and Nashville Underground. Depending on the DJ, you might hear rock, K-Pop, emo–almost anything but country.
Dirty Little Secret
Downtown. Located below Dream Hotel and accessed via Printers Alley, it has the vibe of an underground club with pulsing music and potent cocktails. Only open Friday and Saturday evenings.
Bourbon Street Boogie Bar
Downtown Funky little spot in Printers Alley with a tiny dance floor but that doesn’t seem to stop people from shaking their groove thing to the sweaty blues sounds. Open daily.
Marquee
Downtown. Head to the lower level of the Woolworth Theater where the band offers fresh jazzy, bluesy takes on chart-topping tunes on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Night We Met
The Gulch. They promise an immerse experience moving to the beats of EDM and house music via one of Nashville’s top-rated sound systems. Dress to impress. Technically it’s above The Gulch just north of Broadway. Open Thursday-Sunday nights.
The Vinyl Lounge
SoBro Outward appearance isn’t much but it’s a hot spot for rock bands, EDM parties, festivals, and more. Two stages and 100 free parking spots.
Lulo Soundroom
SoBro Smallish spot cranking out techno, house, Latin, and Afro beats. You can also tune in Lulo_radio streaming Friday and Saturday.
The 5 Spot
East Nashville A longstanding tradition guaranteed to start your week with a smile, Motown Mondays throws down the best of Motor City’s golden years. Lots of locals. Every Monday, 9pm-1am for just $5. Come early to hear the Tiger Beats slathering you with blues from 6-8pm.
The Office
East Nashville Self-described as an underground club, you’ll need to check the website to see what’s going on.
Tin Roof Demonbreun
Music Row Known mostly for live music ranging from edgy country to rock, they’ll also bring a DJ to give the energy up. More like a rave than a square dance. 😉
Play Dance Bar
Midtown Known as a gay bar but open to all, the DJs are spinning plenty of beat-driven tunes in a post-disco environment. Open Wednesday-Sunday.
The Trimble
Wedgewood/Houston Indoor and outdoor performance areas with music leaning toward EDM. The neighborhood is a bit iffy–just be aware.
Vibes Bar & Lounge
Centennial/West End Leaning hard into hip hop sessions. Three rooms to hang with your posse.
Blind Barber
The Gulch Come in for a haircut by day or come late for the cocktail lounge/speakeasy vibe in the back room while a DJ keeps things chill.
Occasionally you’ll find dance parties and raves here:
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