Three things characterize East Nashville: rockin’ little music venues, trendy dining destinations, and the city’s highest concentration of cool thrift stores/boutiques.
Gallatin Pike used to be considered the Main Street of East Nashville but, as that moniker has grown more hip, Dickerson Pike is now included considerably widening the definition of East Nashville.
Not a lot of touristy attractions here but plenty of live music options.
LIKELY VENUES FOR ROCK AND EDGIER MUSIC
The 5 Spot Sometimes it’s a live music venue for rock, Americana and such. At other times, it’s a dance party with recurring events like Sunday Night Soul, Motown Mondays and Strictly ’80s. (See photo.)
The Basement East Acts here are a bit edgier, more rockin’ than at its sister venue on 8th Avenue S. My friend and independent artist Clayton says it’s one of the best mid-sized halls in the city.
The Office A likely spot for EDM DJs but ventures into other genres as well. Current hours are Friday and Saturday, 10pm-3am.
The Cowan Within it is a sleek 600-capacity music venue, the artists range from big deals from years past (Stone Temple Pilots, George Clinton) to rising newcomers in almost every genre.
The East Room In addition to comedy nights, the snug little club embraces the full palette of indie: folk, pop, swing and sounds-not-easily-pigeonholed. Monthly goth show–check the calendar for Fascination Street.
Rosemary & Beauty Queen Looking for a spot to dance the night away? This may be your jam. The DJs keep things moving, the cocktails rate good buzz, and there’s a short menu of Mexican-leaning cuisine.
The Cobra Nashville The Cobra doesn’t lack for entertainment options: darts, pool table, old-school video games and live music. Proud of its dive-y decor, the small stage hosts music leaning toward gritty rock along with comedy and DJ nights. It goes goth every Thursday and the last Saturday of the month.
The Underdog It bills itself as a neighborhood bar with affordable drinks. Smallish space but offers live music 7 nights a week.
Soft Junk A crazy quilt of an event space hosting performance art, comedy shows, album releases, and, because it’s Nashville, live music.
Eastside Bowl Don’t let “Bowl” fool you. Yes, there are lanes but there are also three music rooms: the main hall holding 600 patrons, a new 225-capacity rock venue called The ’58, and the more intimate Low Volume Lounge. Go two-stepping there on Honky Tonk Tuesdays.
Hubba Hubba Tiki Tonk Not exactly a predictable schedule of live music but it’s a good bet that, if there’s a stage show, it’ll something in the rock’n’roll universe.
DRKMTTR Snug all-ages club for indie, punk and hardcore. It’s a standing-room-only, cash-only-at-the-door venue. Typically open 3-4 nights a week.
COUNTRY, BLUEGRASS, AND OTHER GENRES
Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge Wasn’t sure where to place Dee’s. It opened in 2016 but the decor really nails the look of a ’70s honky tonk. Appearances (and the name) are deceiving as their musical line-up varies greatly, embracing rock, blues, soul, and bluegrass. Even if you don’t like the band d’jour, the atmosphere is worth the trip.
Fran’s Eastside Most tourists won’t wander in here but they should if they want the feel of an old-school beer joint. The sign out front even reads “Fran’s Dive Bar.” There’s live music on Wednesdays, open mic on Thursdays, and lively karaoke on Fridays and Saturdays. Cheap beer and the chance to meet its 81-year-old namesake.
Sid Gold’s Request Room I keep hearing what a great time people had at this kitschy piano karaoke lounge.. Got a Tin Pan Alley request or been wanting to belt out a Broadway tune? This is your place.
There is a ridiculous array of food options, mostly in small spaces. I’m only hitting the highlights.
Hit this link for the foodie/chef-driven eateries and scroll down to East Nashville.
SOUTHERN FAVORITES
Nashville Biscuit House Yes, they serve more than biscuits although their country breakfasts are popular. The fried chicken is tasty and they’re known for their pies so save room for dessert.
Doll’s Family Cafe’ Semi-hidden in the basement of a retail store so look carefully. High marks for the fried chicken, mac’n’cheese, hot water cornbread and green beans. Trivia: has the only billiards table I’ve seen in a family cafe’.
Cal’s Country Kitchen How did they get my grandma’s recipe for chicken and dressing? Lots of other no-frills southern-flavored items on the menu.
Shugga Hi Bakery and Cafe’ Only open Friday-Sunday but these people know their way around baked goods and southern delicacies. Stand-outs include their fried chicken, donut casserole, and biscuits. One of the few East Nashville spots for biscuits and mimosas.
BARBECUE
The Gambling Stick Don’t come for the atmosphere–it’s a food truck adjoining a butcher shop with a tent for a dining room. But modest surroundings here produce brag-worthy cherry-wood smoked meats with a taste of Texas. Short list of side items–remember they’re working from a food truck.
Roy Meat Service A family-owned butcher shop and grocery, they keep a pair of smokers going out back for folks who’d rather not do the work. Some claim it’s the best around.
Shotgun Willie’s Many locals declare Shotgun Willie’s THE joint for Nashville’s best brisket but they can also hook you up with sausage, pork shoulder, or chicken. They’re only open 11am-3pm Wednesday through Sunday. It moved this year to a larger space near Briley Parkway.
Toto’s BBQ Express Rhonda the bartender declared this is her favorite barbecue and she’s been working among musicians and barflies for 15+ years.
Edley’s Bar-B-Que One of Nashville’s most popular spots for pulled pork. Also good catfish.
Drifter’s Everything I’ve tried has been delicious and their smoked meats don’t require sauce. Extra points for often having live music on their deck.
HOT CHICKEN
Bolton’s Hot Chicken and Fish Along with Prince’s, it’s one of the veterans of hot chicken.
Brave Idiot This food truck permanently parked at the arcade/bar No Quarter gets rave reviews for its hot chicken and burgers (including Impossible burgers). You can take their food into No Quarter of Hubba Hubba.
OTHER FAVORITES
Mitchell Delicatessen I’d recommend the turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce that tastes like Thanksgiving but there are ton of other savory options for breakfast and lunch.
Mas Tacos Por Favor This cinderblock building, popular with locals, cranks out a variety of tacos, refreshing drinks, and a brothy chicken tortilla soup.
The Pharmacy A beloved combination burger parlor and beer garden, you can also order German-inspired meats. Sides include fries, tots, sweet potato fries, and black bean & corn salad.
Dino’s It’s heralded as a dive bar that’s been visited by celebrities including Lady Gaga. But it’s also a great spot for a burger.
The Wash Formerly a carwash, the six bays are now home to these diverse offerings: Leche de Tigre Peruvian Cuisine, Soy Cubano, SS Gai Thai Cuisine, Sweeza Super Quesadilla, East Side Pho, Bay 6 Cocktail Bar,
Graze Vegans, take heart. It’s not just a plant-based bistro–it’s a delicious spot for all-day dining. Prepare for a wait for their weekend brunches.
Joyland Often praised for its burgers and fries, it’s chef Sean Brock’s salute to fast food. Breakfast available as well as boozy milkshakes.
If you’re a bargain hunter, you’ll love the dozen or so vintage boutiques and thrift stores in East Nashville noted in this post.
MUSIC-MINDED
Grimey’s New and Preloved Music & Books A mecca for lovers of local music, Grimey’s frequently hosts album debuts and mini-concerts but every day is a good day to hunt for all sorts of music. A combination of new and used titles with the latter usually priced around $10. If you’re into books about music, this is a go-to. (Photo: Bob Seaman/FB)
The Groove The groovy little bungalow welcomes folks looking for mainstream music as well as interesting niches. It hosts a Fright Night Fridays film festival along with a busy schedule of events for the neighborhood.
Vinyl Tap More than a record store, it’s a bar, listening party and concert venue, does trivia nights, and sometimes has a live DJ. They’re cool with you bringing in food from neighboring restaurants.
Fanny’s House of Music Based in an old home at 1101 Holly Street, Fanny’s touts itself as “Nashville’s most comfortable store.” A full-service shop for used and vintage instruments, they buy, sell, consign and repair.
Caldwell Guitars This father-and-son operation specializes in small-batch and boutique products from around the world. Their name understates their inventory which includes amps, basses, keys, synthesizers and gear.
Eastside Music Supply Specializing in electric guitars, basses and the gear that goes with them, Eastside also stocks breakable items for drummers. They operate a repair shop that includes keyboards and are worth a call or visit for a hard-to-find item.
Corner Music It’s home to an assortment of instruments including guitars, basses, bluegrass instruments, keys, drums, recording equipment and the occasional other musicmaker. They’re a straight-shooting, no-hype purveyor in business for more than 45 years. A recent readers’ poll by the Nashville Scene listed it as “Best Place in Nashville to Buy a New Musical Instrument.”
The Gulch
