Views of the Ryman and Prince's Hot Chicken at Assembly Food Hall in Nashville
Photo Credit: @bnabestbites

10 Nashville Restaurants with Live Music You Should Visit

Get a great meal and a show at these must-visit restaurants in Nashville.

Nashville’s music and food scene hits all the right notes. When in Music City, grab a bite to eat or sip your favorite beverage while listening to some live music. Add these spots to your must-visit list, and know there are plenty more where this came from.

AJ’s Good Time Bar

It’s all in the name, y’all. Alan Jackson? Check. Good times? Absolutely. AJ's Good Time Bar is the perfect place for anyone looking for the classic Lower Broadway experience, historic views and the kind of country music that made Nashville famous. Located in the heart of city, AJ’s Good Time Bar features three multifaceted floors and a roof top bar, plus it’s just steps away from the historic Ryman Auditorium and within walking distance from the Country Music Hall of Fame

Puckett's

Puckett's started as a grocery store in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee in the 1950s and  is now a Tennessee staple with six restaurants serving Southern staples and live, local music. Meat-and-three specials and slow-cooked barbecue have guests coming back or more. You can enjoy live music almost every day of the week. And, make sure to try their famous cobbler, made fresh daily and served with local Hattie Jane's ice cream.

Assembly Food Hall at Fifth & Broadway

Photo Credit: @whattoseewithab

Don’t know what you want to eat? Assembly Food Hall is the perfect place to take a group that has trouble deciding on a restaurant. Burgers, Thai food, ice cream, waffles, hot chicken, Indian cuisine - the choices are seemingly endless. After you’ve wrangled the group back together, sit back and enjoy the live music at one of two stages in the sprawling dining hall. Steps away from Bridgestone Arena, the Ryman Auditorium and within walking distance of downtown’s honky tonks, Assembly Food Hall is an excellent place to go whether you spend your whole night there, or out on the town.

Wildhorse Saloon

The Wildhorse Saloon is the mother of all honky tonks. This three-level behemoth was once a warehouse and one of the firsts to begin the downtown resurrection in the early 1990s. Legend has it a country music superstar helped herd live cattle through the streets of Nashville to its front doors. With 66,000 square feet of space, The Wildhorse is simultaneously a restaurant, bar, concert site, dance venue and TV studio. So stop by for the food, the music and definitely get a line dancing lesson in. Oh, and don’t forget to grab a plate of those fried pickles.

The Bluebird Cafe

Away from the bright lights of Broadway is a sacred place. The Bluebird Cafe has gained worldwide recognition as a songwriter’s performance space where each show can include an up-and-coming songwriter along with those whose music is regularly on the charts. Located in a small strip mall outside of downtown Nashville, the 90-seat venue is unassuming in appearance, but inside the signature listening room style at The Bluebird keeps patrons captivated with songs performed by the creators themselves. Enjoy a meal along side your experience with a weekly entrée feature, seasonal menu, delectable desserts and an extensive beverage menu.

Rudy’s Jazz Room

Photo Credit: @ablockphotos

The love of jazz and a desire for an authentic jazz club experience inspired the owners of Rudy’s Jazz Room to bring an authentic jazz listening room to Nashville. Much attention to detail has been put into the design of this cozy and intimate club, including first-class acoustics and the finest New Orleans cuisine.  

Jane’s Hideaway

Photo Credit: @musicneighbors

Explore East Nashville and stop in at Jane’s Hideaway where virtuoso players take the stage nightly performing a modern twist on bluegrass and Americana. Whether it’s the house band or a guest artist, you can expect an upbeat mood and a nod to the East Nashville tradition of diverse and eclectic music. Enjoy reinvented Southern classics on their seasonal menu, including sharing plates, sandwiches and supper items like a personal pot pie or sweet tea pork chop. Live music typically begins at 8 p.m., reservations are recommended, but walk ups are welcome when available.

Plaza Mariachi

Photo Credit: Plaza Mariachi

A lively and entertaining mix of food, shopping and performances, Plaza Mariachi exists to celebrate the cultural diversity of Nashville. It's gathering place for all ages and backgrounds to participate in the beauty of international expressions. Enjoy dinner shows, Latin orchestras and mariachi bands. Choose from an array of restaurants located in the plaza ranging from coffee to juices, hamburgers to tacos or Peruvian cuisine to Indian dishes.

Sambuca

Photo Credit: @sambucanashville / @photography_lukes

Relax at Sambuca, located in Nashville’s Gulch, featuring nightly live music ranging from classic rock, Southern rock, pop and top 40 hits. The high-energy bands frequently bring patrons to their feet to dance the night away, while the well-rounded new American menu keeps them going. Enjoy a cocktail and small plate at the bar or sit down with friends for dinner or weekend brunch. 

Twelve Thirty Club

Photo Credit: @reyleesfood

Twelve Thirty Club is a dapper combination honky tonk, supper club and rooftop bar, dreamed up by Justin Timberlake and restauranteur Sam Fox. Inspired by the Prohibition era, the multi-level dining experience is rooted in the private supper clubs of the 19th century when closing time for pubs and restaurants was 12:30 a.m. Think Gatsby meets the Grand Ole Opry. Enjoy an unforgettable night with a promise of decadence in sight, sound and taste.

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