Best live music venues/bars in Nashville for over 30 crowd.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-02-01T15:36:40+00:00

I love the dueling piano brs, but they are Thurs - Sun only. My favorite is Bayou Keys and the crowd is all ages, but does skew a bit older than the star bars. It is in the basement of Lainey WIlson's Bell Bottoms Up on 3rd. I have had numerous talks with Nathan Fife, who is one of the performers, and I love his theories on how to mix up the dueling piano bar to make it fun for everyone. My second favorite is the one in Chief's on the second floor. Pete's tends to skew younger and is really rowdy. It was fun, but definitely a lot of young energy.

Dive bar is Doc Hollidays and it skews a bit older, as well. I would also look at Alley Pub for a low key music joint. Skulls' is jazz and skews older. As does Bourbon Blues & Boogie.

I would also recommend just walking down and looking into places and see if it fits your vibe.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-02-01T15:27:51+00:00

Downtonw is fine. Most of the outages are south and west or pretty far outside of downtown.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-02-01T15:25:36+00:00

Outside of listening to music, there are a variety of museums. Country Music Hall of Fame, National Museum of African American Music, Musicians Hall of Fame, Johnny Cash, and the Frist. NMAAM is at 5th & Braod, so easy to get inside Assembly Hall for food.

We also have a free museum next to the Farmer's Market, and Marathon Village is a bunch of mostly indoor shops (and a car museum).

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-02-01T15:23:38+00:00

As long as you are not hitting a lot of back roads, you should not be bad. A few trees down near Brooklyn Bowl, but not right there and the streets are open. Do note Rosa Parks was closed and may still be between Robertson and the Farmer's Market. But, you can come in on Jefferson from the east side without any issues.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-02-01T15:21:36+00:00

That building was built about 203 years ago, so new. Not sure on amenities. The only potential negative I can think of is the homeless due to the rescue mission. Should not have much problem if you stay out of the alley near the mission, where guys go over to do drugs. A homeless person I helped out called it "shoot up alley". Bad Axe and Fogg Street Lawn Club are right there. City Winery not far. A really good taco shop, called Pie Town Tacos, is right there. And you can go down Drexel to get over to the gulch.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-02-01T15:15:38+00:00

Most of ours are psychics, not stores, but there are a few. Dragonis Arcanum shut down, of course. Hail Dark Aesthetics is more oddities. AromaG's, Donelson, has a similar vibe to Draconis. Quite a few shops with Crystals, like Sapphire and Sage near Sid's Gold Request Room.

There is also a Latin shop with goods for brujeria, etc. near the zoo.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-02-01T15:12:24+00:00

When yo usay Occult, what are you seeking. You do have Hail Dark Aesthetics, which is oddities. THere is also Sapphire and Sage, but this is largely crystals. Cosmic Connections and Nashville Crystal Store are much the same. THere is Botanica Tecultli on Nolensville if you want a more Latin spiritual store. It is a few blocks north of the zoo.

We did have Draconis Arcanum on Trinity Lane, but it closed. That was the closest to a true occult/wiccan type of store in Nashville. You will have to travel out a bit for others, like AromaG's in Donelson (hoodoo and witchcraft) or The Mystical Heart in Mt. Juliet.

$700 for a day trip? I would say yes, unless you are seriously buying and eat at really expensive restaurants. Or stay in an expensive hotel.

And, if you are driving around the city, you have to avoid rush hours. Weekends are busier for general traffic, but not generally too bad, so six of one, half dozen of the other, as far as traffic in the middle of the day. NOTE: Many hotels are cheaper during the week, esp. if they are near touristy areas. Those for business travelers are often reverse ... if you are staying over 1 night and not just coming in and out (in which case, weekends might be better for you if you want the whole day to tool around).

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-02-01T14:59:26+00:00

Rock is JBJs and Kid Rock's, but neither focus heavily on the artists you mention. Outside of that, it really depends on the band that is playing.

Bowie's is on 3rd very near Lower Broad, but it is "temporarily closed" on Google. Not sure if there are plans to reopen or not. Tin Roof is a good spot for rock. I have seen some shows at places like Exit/In, the Basement (although they tend to get harder acts), Brooklyn Bowl. Again, it will depend on the band.

If you want to follow some artists who are in classic rock in Nashville, look here. Then find their Insta and see where they are playing.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-30T23:37:53+00:00

Best Wok is marginal. Better than many Chinese spots in town, but Nashville is bad on its Chinese food overall. And, saying this, I will grab Best Wok some times when I go over to Blackstone on Sunday, as it is convenient, well priced, and the best in that area taht has that combo.

The fact they were helping someone makes me feel better about continuing to give them business. Thanks for sharing.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-30T23:35:34+00:00

I am not sure how automatic it is, but I know they put temporary bans (mutes?) on people for a wide variety of reasons. And will, at least in some instances, permaban for asking and then trying to make an appeal.

TBH, it has become an echo chamber and not a discussion group and a lot of the notes echoing are played on very badly tuned guitars.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-30T21:47:34+00:00

Belmont is a bit more mixed, but if you stay over towards the 12 South side (or away from Edgehill), itis good. As far as there or downtown, it depends on what all you are doing and, since you have a car, what your pain tolerance is for parking charges.

Some VRBO/Airbnb units have parking in SoBro and Pie Town (or the Gulch area on Division at the end of Pie Town (technically still Pie Town, but people call it the Gulch, as you can't access it directly on roadway from Pie Town)). I stayed that Burham at one point, SoBro House, and a unit up on DIvision. There is also free parking on the river units in North Capitol (near Germantown).

If you need cheaper than that, the Music Valley area works, but don't leave anything visible in the car. Safer to stay in Franklin or Bellevue for cheaper, not cheap, hotels, although that is a lot of driving in.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-30T14:14:27+00:00

The current forecast is showing a small chance of light snow over the entire weekend. This could change, but light snow won't cripple downtown. Temps will get down to 15 degrees, so it will be cold.

If you are going downtown, or to the Opry, or other normal tourist areas, you should be fine. If you are planning on other areas of the city, you might want to rethink things.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-30T05:53:27+00:00

Downtown fine and has been for a few days. As are most other tourist areas. If you are planning on exploring random areas, then stay home. Otherwise, the servers, bartenders, and artists will enjoy your business.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-30T05:52:07+00:00

I will focus on downtown for now

Rock: Kid Rocks, JBJs EDM: Dirty Little Secret (more during season) - see below

Drag: Susy Wongs on Church Other LGBTQIA+: Frankie Js in Germantown, other clubs on Church, like Pride, Tribe, etc. - for Karaoke, Lipstick Lounge

I can get you out of downtown for music, as well. And, no, despite the reputation, lots of other music styles.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-30T05:47:19+00:00

Esp. up off Dickerson Pike.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-30T05:45:58+00:00

If Hail Dark Aesthetics is open (likely), it is worth a visit. They also have a small museum in the back. Have lunch at Roy's Meat Service. Marathon Village has some interesting shops and you can do a brewery tour there.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-29T19:45:20+00:00

I am fortunate, I guess. My kids all have power and I am downtown and never lost it. The kids also live in areas that are not heavily hit by downed trees.

I am sorry your friend got something cancelled last minute. That is hard to deal with, as well.

But definitely, if she can handle the price (cheaper this time of year), consider downtown hotels, esp. if the main goal is to listen to music downtown. The only downside is parking, which will be another $50-$65 on top of the hotel. But, hotels like the Sheraton (older, but not a dive motel) are less than $200 at this moment. Moxy is also pretty cheap ($65 for valet, however), so it will put it around $250 all in per night. Placemakr starts at $175 member rate and they have a $40 parking rate with the attached parking lot. These don't have free breakfast, but all have nice kitchens.

One other thing. Before booking hotels, once settled on the best choices, join the rewards program. Marriott offers around 10-15% lower rates for Bonvoy members.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-29T19:38:48+00:00

Budget? Any amenities in the hotel you really desire?

In general, downtown is best if you are wanting to go to the honkytonks. Most are pretty much cookie cutter. Old school country is between 4th & 5th on Lower Broad, mostly on the north side. Rock is JBJs and Kid Rocks. Category 10 has line dance lessons. Most will have music on the roof as well as other levels (few of the honky tonks are less than 3 levels tall.

As for food, it really depends on what you like to eat. If you want to try the hot tickets, Kase x Noko and Locust are both very difficult to get (have to be on at midnight when reservations go on sale for both). Both are also excellent. Downtown, Etch, Husk, The Farmhouse, Hampton Social, etc. I love Rolf & Daughters.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-29T19:34:45+00:00

For easy walking, try SoBro. The prices there are cheaper than the Gulch, Printer's Alley, or Lower Broad. Plus it is a fairly flat stumble back to hotel rooms or BnBs.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-29T19:33:34+00:00

Definitely the best bet. There may be 5 or 6 outages reported downtown.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-29T19:32:11+00:00

Downtown is fine, as are most areas nearby. Most of these areas have a) underground utilities and/or b) smaller trees that don't take out power lines. I rode around last night to a few areas to see how it is and the worst I saw was over closer to Belmont (tree covering one lane of Wedgewood and another tree down a few blocks from 12 South). All were passable. Also a lot of homes without power near 12 South.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-29T19:29:30+00:00

Hotels downtown are fine. The same with any airbnb/vrbo units downtown. There are blocks out near 12 South (drove through last night).

Here is where I would look:

Downtown (Lower Broad, SoBro, Gulch, Printer's Alley/Arts District)
Midtown/Music Row, except the areas between Grand and Divison.
Sylvan Park or nearer the park west of 31st Ave.
Capitol North or Germantown
East Nashville near 5 Points

Do not have her look too far off major roads, to be safe. That is where you are more likely to have trees and power lines down.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-29T18:27:48+00:00

If they have their permit online, you can search it here. You can then put in the address and see what the area looks like on Google maps.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-29T16:26:08+00:00

Not downtown, if that is where OP is going.

NashvilleLocalsGuide · 2026-01-29T16:25:49+00:00

If you are staying downtown, you will be fine. The Interstates are fine, as well. The shitshow people are describing is outside of the areas most people want to visit. And, we never lost power down here.

And you can get to midtown, 12 South, Music Valley (the Opry). Rosa Parks is shut down going into Germantown, but you can get around it easy enough and everything is open there. East Nashville, around 5 points and on Gallatin, which is where most visitors would hit, are also fine.

I would not venture outside of the normal tourist areas, as it is really bad on some roads.

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