Craving live music but not in the mood for the masses typically found at Bridgestone Arena, Ascend Amphitheater and Ryman Auditorium shows? For a more intimate experience—one where you can actually see the faces of the musicians on stage—check out these smaller, equally impressive local venues.
12th & Porter
Neighborhood: The Gulch / North Gulch
Following a gut renovation and major rebranding in 2015, 12th & Porter has rightfully regained its footing in the Nashville music scene. It now boasts state-of-the-art sound equipment, an upgraded balcony and a bonus acoustic stage in the adjacent bar—that’s also new. Despite all the changes it’s endured over the past three decades, this venue remains a room where stars are born. (Just ask Dierks Bentley.)
3rd and Lindsley
Neighborhood: SoBro
There’s no arguing that 3rd and Lindsley is part of Music City’s fabric—it partners with Lightning 100 to broadcast their weekly Sunday night shows and offers up its stage for big local events like the CMA and Americana festivals. Add in a Monday-night residency with the Grammy-winning swing band The Time Jumpers and this place is simply one of the best in town.
The 5 Spot
Neighborhood: East Nashville
The 5 Spot gained national attention when it was featured on the hit show Nashville—and then again when Lady Gaga chose the tiny club as the first stop on her 2016 dive bar tour. On normal days, this East Nashville club features a healthy mix of modest, primarily local acts and dance parties.
The Back Corner
Neighborhood: Germantown
This vibey spot is filling a void in Germantown, which lacks live music venues and late-night clubs. Venture to The Back Corner for everything from DJ sets to folk artists. If you want to dance, this place is usually the place to be on Fridays and Saturdays, too.
The Basement
Neighborhood: 8th Avenue South
The den-like setup of this classic Nashville club can place you mere inches from your favorite bands—close enough for them to sweat on you, should you wish. The Basement has a couple tables up front if you need to sit, but being part of the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd is a tight squeeze that’s always worth it. (Just step outside to the back patio when you need fresh air.)
The Basement East
Neighborhood: East Nashville
Dotting the calendar of The Basement’s sister property in East Nashville are local acts, national tours and “tribute” nights (recent concerts celebrated the music of Chuck Berry and Dave Grohl). With a capacity of about 400, it offers about four times the breathing room as the OG Basement. Affectionately called The Beast, this newish addition to the city’s roster is already a crowd-pleaser.
The Blue Room
Neighborhood: SoBro
Jack White’s music empire, Third Man Records, wouldn’t be complete without a hip way to showcase the rising artists he digs. In true Jack fashion, The Blue Room is the only live venue in the world capable of recording shows direct-to-acetate, essentially producing a vinyl master in real time. Concerts here are few and far between, so if you see one that intrigues you, pounce on those tickets immediately.
The Bluebird Cafe
Neighborhood: Green Hills
If you only know of the Bluebird from watching Nashville, you might not realize it’s actually located in a strip mall in Green Hills. But the real-life interior is just as magical as it appears on TV, with twinkling lights, an in-the-round setup for its performers and a generally hushed vibe. For an extra heavenly experience, try to score a coveted church pew seat.
Cannery Row
Neighborhood: SoBro
At the Cannery Row complex, three popular venues—Mercy Lounge, Cannery Ballroom and The High Watt—live in harmony under one giant roof. While they share an owner, each has its own strengths and personality. Mercy Lounge debuted first, in 2003, and was followed by the 1,000-capacity Cannery Ballroom, about double Mercy’s size. The High Watt opened in 2012 and is the most intimate, club-like spot of the trio, with room for just 250 music fans.
City Winery
Neighborhood: SoBro
Just like at the franchise’s other locations, Nashville’s City Winery values live music as much as its in-house winemaking facility. Regular shows employ assigned seating and the atmosphere is relatively subdued, making this spot a good pick for date nights and intimate evenings with friends.
The Cobra
Neighborhood: East Nashville
The Cobra (née Foobar) prides itself on being a dingy, dive-y east side club. It most frequently hosts rock acts but also caters to standup comedians with its “Another F***ing East Nashville Mic” night every Sunday.
Douglas Corner Cafe
Neighborhood: 8th Avenue South
Don’t be duped by the name—Douglas Corner Cafe is a music venue through and through. Singers, songwriters and small acts alike pack the calendar; plus, Tuesdays are open mic night, if that’s your thing. Go here to catch the next John Mayer or Joni Mitchell and be able to say you saw them when.
East Room
Neighborhood: East Nashville
You probably know someone, or someone who knows someone, who’s recently played at East Room—so it’s no surprise that when you’re here, it feels like you’re chilling in a friend’s basement. (Maybe it’s the couches, too.) It’s dark and low-key, with a focus on spotlighting local musicians and comedians.
The End
Neighborhood: Elliston Place
This grunge-y dive club can get cramped on certain nights, but that’s part of the hole-in-the-wall appeal of The End. So are the dirt-cheap beers, the purple-velvet-covered walls and the up-and-coming rock acts that frequently take the stage.
Exit/In
Neighborhood: Elliston Place
Nearly 50 years into its life on Elliston Place, Exit/In is still going strong. That’s likely because it attracts a nearly limitless range of top-notch acts, from Cee-Lo to Maroon 5 to Paramore. Want (many) more examples? Get lost in the hand-painted “Wall of Fame” above the bar, featuring the names of bands who’ve played sold-out sets at this Nashville institution.
The Listening Room
Neighborhood: SoBro
When you think of songwriter nights in Nashville, you think of The Listening Room. Whether you’re a wide-eyed visitor or a wizened local, the lineup always manages to feel fresh. Its new digs in SoBro features separate rooms for music and food—a notable departure from the previous location.
The Local
Neighborhood: West End
Seemingly contrary to its name, The Local welcomes all types of genres to its stage (including a blues night every Tuesday). This place is often overlooked as a midtown hangout, which is a shame because the acoustics are great and it’s a comfortable distance from the rowdy tourists downtown. Use that to your advantage and enjoy the extra breathing room while you can.
Rudy’s Jazz Room
Neighborhood: The Gulch
Rudy’s Jazz Room is located in an 1800’s stone-walled basement with about 50 seats, providing an authentic jazz room atmosphere similar to renowned jazz clubs like Smalls in New York City. Rudy’s is named after the late saxophonist Rudy Wooten, brother of five-time Grammy award-winning bassist, Victor Wooten, who is a supporter of the jazz-centric venue. For a cozy setting and an ultimate jazz experience, Rudy’s has it.
Springwater Supperclub and Lounge
Neighborhood: West End
Open as a bar since 1897 and in its current iteration as a club for nearly 40 years, Springwater has seen it all—it’s even served as a set for a Black Keys video and Taylor Swift’s first Diet Coke commercial. Rock bands and comedians from across the country perform in front the stage’s famous glittery streamers. Though Springwater finally (finally!) went smoke-free, the allover grittiness remains intact.
The Station Inn
Neighborhood: The Gulch
As the Gulch’s landscape booms, its iconic bluegrass and roots venue, The Station Inn, hasn’t changed a bit. Every seat provides a picture-perfect view of the stage, and you’ll likely walk out with a few new music-loving friends. Sunday nights are reserved for a free weekly bluegrass jam session—a classic “pickin’ circle” where you never know which local legend will show up.
Is there a great intimate music venue missing from the list? Let us know in the comments!
