Since this is the unofficial SEC Tournament thread, here's my quick list for folks coming to Nashville.
Admittedly, I don't get downtown as much as I used to, so there are a bunch of new spots I haven't hit, but here's the ones I know of that are worth checking out.
FYI if you're bringing kids under 21, they are generally allowed to go into any bars/honkytonks until about 7pm. If you're not 21 but have a fake ID, Wild Beaver Saloon is the only place that won't look at it too hard (at least that's what my kids told me).
Lots of cannabis places around downtown. Not really my thing, but I know that marijuana is not legal in TN, so anything they are selling will be some variant like Delta 8 or 9, or whatever the new number is.
Cheap beer:
Cheap is relative on Broadway, but generally, if you want something less expensive, avoid places attached to a famous artist (Morgan Wallens, Chiefs, Kid Rocks, Ole Red) and any place owned by Steve Smith (Tootsie's, Honky Tonk Central, and Rippy's). Friends In Low Places is the least expensive of the "name" bars.
Better bets: Robert's, Layla's, The Stage, Legends Corner, Whiskey Bent Saloon.
Live music:
I love Robert's but it's too small for me (reminds me of Dry Bean Saloon-really narrow and packed with people).
The Stage has great music and enough space to move around.
Non-country music: JBJ's. Jon Bon Jovi's bar has cover bands that do 70-80-90s rock. Cool multi-level stage and viewing setup.
Game watching:
Rippy's good vibe b/c it's right across from the arena
DraftKing's haven't been here yet, but I walked past while under construction and it looks like what you'd expect from a mega sports bar.
Tailgate Brewery Music Row This is the Middle TN A&M Club game-watching spot. About a mile from downtown. Good pizza and lots of beers on tap.
Rooftops:
Almost every bar has a rooftop. Tootsie's will be the most crowded, but it's still a fun spot if you've never been.
There's a plaque at Chiefs to commemorate the spot where Morgan Wallen threw the chair off the roof.
Nashville Underground is less crowded and has cornhole and games on the roof.
The Bobby hotel is cool if you want a little nicer place to get a drink. There's a bus on the roof with tables inside.
Eats: tons of places to eat, but these are a few casual spots
Jacks BBQ
Robert's Western Wear - the Recession Special is a fried bologna sandwich and PBR for $6
Assembly Food Hall at 5th & Broad basically an upscale food court with small versions of all the popular Nashville spots (Hattie B's Chicken, Pharmacy Burger, DeSano Pizza, Velvet Taco)
Culture:
Johnny Cash Museum is very cool
Not far from downtown you can walk around Centennial Park, or walk through Vanderbilt campus, which is very nice (although some areas near their stadium are under construction)
Enjoy!
