The Nashville bar scene is certainly entertaining, but sometimes it’s nice to have something else to do while you’re imbibing. Many bars have games to keep the vibe alive during your night out on the town. Whether it’s cards, pool, ping pong, or pinball, here’s a list of the top games and where to play in Nashville.
games & where to play in Nashville
Board Games & Cards
Pints and games pair nicely together. Many Nashville hotspots have added board games and playing cards to their list of reasons to visit. Here are some to keep in mind.
Where to Play Board Games in Nashville:
- Two Bits: More than 70 options including options like Monopoly, Checkers, Apples to Apples, Guess Who, Connect Four, Candyland, Jenga, Uno, playing cards, and many more
- Tennessee Brew Works: Sorry!, Cards Against Humanity, playing cards, and more
- Game Point Cafe: Catan, Ticket to Ride, Backgammon, Clue, Monopoly, and so many more. See full list of games
- Downtown Sporting Club: Checkers, Chess, Monopoly, Sorry!, Uno, Scrabble and many more
- Diskin Cider: Catan, Sorry!, Battleship, Scrabble, Cards Against Humanity, Sequence, and dozens more
- Village Pub: Cards Against Humanity, various board games
- Jackalope: Jenga
- Sky Blue Cafe: Trivial Pursuit
- Hops & Crafts: Cards Against Humanity, Jumbling Towers, Connect Four, and many more
- Hurry Back: Various board games
- Bar Moxy: Never Have I Ever, That’s What She Said, Chess, Scrabble, Cards Against Humanity, Uno
Ping Pong
Nashville has top-notice ping pong spots, including a few outdoor options when the weather cooperates. A few of these places include nets so you don’t have to chase balls throughout the establishment, too.
Where to Play Ping Pong in Nashville:
- Hi-Fi Clyde’s (indoors with nets)
- Melrose Billiards Parlor (indoors with nets)
- Pins Mechanical Co. (indoors)
- Martin’s Bar-B-Que (SoBro) (indoors)
- Smith & Lentz (indoors)
- 6th & Peabody (outdoors)
- Pinewood Social (outdoors)
- Kung Fu Saloon (outdoors)
- Parson’s (outdoors)
Shuffleboard
Table shuffleboard (or more commonly just called shuffleboard) is easily one of the most entertaining bar games. Plus it’s usually difficult to claim the board, making it a treat when it’s your turn.
Where to Play Shuffleboard in Nashville:
- Acme
- Melrose Billiard Parlor
- Kung Fu Saloon
- Two Bits
- ReBar
- Red Door Saloon (Midtown)
- Hi-Fi Clyde’s
- Martin’s Bar-B-Que (SoBro)
- Broadway Brewhouse (Midtown)
- Downtown Sporting Club
- Hampton Social
- Bar Moxy
Bowling + Duckpin Bowl
Of course, there are stand-alone bowling alleys, but few bars actually have bowling as an add-on feature. Pinewood Social has six lanes within the establishment, making it one of the few places to incorporate a bowling alley so gracefully. Pins Mechanical Co. has duckpin bowling, which might even be more fun than traditional bowling. Give both of these great bowling spots a try.
Where to Bowl in Nashville:
- Pinewood Social (six traditional bowling lanes)
- Pins Mechanical Co. (duckpin bowling, no special shoes required)
Pool / Billiards
Can you pass the chalk? Even if you’re not a pro, pool is a fun game when you’re out-and-about. There are some of the best places to shoot pool in Nashville.
Where to Play Pool in Nashville:
Darts
Darts are probably one of the oldest bar games in town, so you’ll find them at a lot of places. Get a game of cricket in while drinking your favorite brews at any of these destinations.
Where to Play Darts in Nashville:
- M.L.Rose (Sylvan Park)
- Broadway Brewhouse (Midtown)
- Beyond The Edge
- The Crying Wolf
- Rebar
- Martin’s Bar-B-Que (SoBro)
- Bar Moxy
Video & Arcade Games
Pop in your quarters—it’s time for a game of Pac-Man and Street Fighter II. Numerous bars in Nashville have brought back the old school video and arcade games of the 80s and 90s.
Where to Play Video & Arcade Games in Nashville:
- 16-Bit Bar + Arcade
- Kung Fu Saloon
- Two Bits
- Headquarters Beercade
- Downtown Sporting Club
- Acme Feed and Seed (limited options)
- Bastion (limited options)
Pinball
Where there are arcade games, there are usually pinball machines, too. If you want to claim pinball wizard status, the places below will help you get there.
Where to Play Pinball in Nashville:
Foosball
Foosball is a classic game, and the best part is—a lot of people can join in the fun (regardless of their blood alcohol level).
Where to Play Foosball in Nashville:
- Acme
- Melrose Billiard Parlor
- Pins Mechanical Co
- Kung Fu Saloon
- Hi-Fi Clyde’s
- 6th & Peabody (outdoors)
Skee Ball
Skee Ball is an old classic. Back in the day it seemed like these were everywhere (ShowBiz Pizza Place / Chuck E. Cheese anyone?). There are still some spots in Nashville that keep this favorite around, though.
Where to Play Skee Ball in Nashville:
Ring-and-Hook Game
The ring-and-hook game, traditionally called “ringing the bull,” is a Nashville Guru favorite. It’s a simple concept, but an easy way to have fun while mingling.
Where to Play Ring-and-Hook in Nashville:
Basketball
Whether it’s indoor Hoop Fever or a full-size basketball hoop, there are a few places to play in Music City.
Where to Play Basketball in Nashville:
- M.L.Rose (Melrose)
- M.L.Rose (Sylvan Park)
- 6th & Peabody (outdoors)
Axe Throwing
If you need a release, chuck some blades! Axe throwing has gained in popularity in the last few years. After getting a little guidance, you’ll be hitting the bullseye in no time.
Where to Axe Throw in Nashville:
Bubble Hockey
Once the Predators came, Nashville became a hockey town. You don’t see these very often, so it’s nice to see Bubble Hockey show up in a few bars.
Where to Play Bubble Hockey in Nashville:
Pogs (Milk Caps)
Stack ’em up and grab a slammer! Pogs, a craze of the early 90s, is alive and well at B1281, a Hawaiian-themed watering hole in Wedgewood-Houston.
Where to Play Pogs in Nashville:
- B1281 (outdoors + covered bar area)
Cornhole
Cornhole (or bags) is a classic tailgating game that is now commonly found at bars and restaurants with outdoor areas. There are no shortage of places to play in Nashville.
Where to Play Cornhole in Nashville:
- Von Elrod’s
- The Hop Yard at Bottom Brewing
- 6th & Peabody
- Downtown Sporting Club
- Kung Fu Saloon
- Smith & Lentz
- Diskin Cider
Bocce
Bocce (or bocce ball) is a historic game with ties to the Roman Empire, which was later popularized in Italy. The game is often played on grass, turf, or sand. If you can toss a ball (with good aim), give this one a try at any of these spots.
Where to Play Bocce in Nashville:
Giant Jenga
One of the most popular patio games is Giant Jenga. Within about 10 minutes of starting the game, expect a loud boom followed by a bunch of “ahhhhs!”
Where to Play Giant Jenga in Nashville:
Golf
You could spend your whole day on the course, but sometimes it’s easier just to pop down to the local bar for a round of golf with friends.
Where to Play Golf in Nashville:
- M.L.Rose (Sylvan Park) (outdoors in the “The Golf Garden”)
- Topgolf (indoors/outdoors)
- The Bandbox (seasonal / outdoors)
- The Ainsworth (Topgolf simulator / indoors)
Giant Connect Four
The 1974 game is a bit different on a larger scale. See if you can concentrate over a round of drinks while playing Giant Connect Four at these locations.
Where to Play Giant Connect Four in Nashville:
- Hi-Fi Clyde’s (indoors)
- Diskin Cider (indoors)
- Bar Moxy (indoors)
- 6th & Peabody (outdoors)
Giant Beer Pong
Everything’s bigger in…Tennessee? It sure seems that way when it comes to games, anyway! If you’re not great at regular Beer Pong, maybe you’ll have better luck with Giant Beer Pong.
Where to Play Giant Beer Pong in Nashville:
- Pins Mechanical Co. (outdoors)
Shuffleboard (Floor Shuffleboard)
Photo Credit: Danielle Atkins
This is one of those games you usually just see old folks playing at a beach hotel. But when you’re in Nashville with a cocktail in-hand, it’s hard to pass up. When the weather permits, have a go at floor shuffleboard at Downtown Sporting Club.
Where to Play Floor Shuffleboard in Nashville:
- Downtown Sporting Club (outdoors)
Know somewhere else that has games? Let us know in the comments!
Also See:
Rusty Nail has volleyball & McNamara’s Pub has darts
Hops and Crafts has Cards Against Humanity
Were smoking bars not included on this list?
The Villager Tavern has darts and foosball, and Melrose Billiards has pool, ping-pong, and shuffleboard.
Both M L Rose locations offer games. Melrose location has the basketball ball and charlotte pike has corn hole, skeeball, and darts
MIKEYS. It’s the best bar ever, and has foosball, darts, pool, and a juke box that has free plays until 7.
Whoops, Mickey’s!
Smith and Lentz has ping pong!
Buffalo’s Billiards on 2nd has pool (probably the most tables of any bar), arcade games, skeeball, foosball, full length shuffle board, and darts. Whiskey Rhythm has Ring-and-Hook.
The Rusty Nail in Hermitage has an amazing Spinning Beer Pong.
Fairly new but Game Point Cafe in East Nashville is nothing BUT games. I think they have over 300 different board games for you to play while having a beer.
Pinball?
Headquarters Beercade has you covered! We’ll add this soon!