You can’t visit Nashville without seeing the famous Honky Tonk Highway on Broadway Street. But if Honky Tonk isn’t your thing, there are plenty of extraordinary music venues too. To help you figure out where to go, these are some of the best spots to see live music in Nashville.
Broadway – Honky Tonk Highway
I’ll admit it; I don’t like Honky Tonk music at all. But I was curious what it was all about. Broadway’s Honky Tonk Highway has live music venues and neon signs that cover the entire street.
Most of the venues don’t charge any cover fee, but you’ll expect to see a tip jar get passed around. There are also a few celebrity-owned bars here too, like Blake Shelton’s Old Red Nashville at 300 Broadway Street.
Ryman Auditorium & Grand Ole Opry
The Ryman Auditorium is where Bluegrass music started, is where nearly every famous country singer has performed at one point. Now concerts are held at the Ryman Auditorium in the winter, and the rest of the year you’ll need to visit the Grand Ole Opry that is a short drive from the downtown core.
These two venues also host the world’s longest-running radio show. So when you visit, you’ll be able to expect to watch a showcase of several different talents. If you want to enjoy country music, this would be my top suggestion as you’ll get to enjoy a diverse range of talent.
The Basement East
It is one of the many music venues in the city, where you can enjoy a diverse range of bands. It is a standing room only no-frills space that has affordable cover fees.
Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Located just a short walk from bustling Broadway Street, you can visit the majestic symphony center. Here you can listen to not only classical music but occasional pop too. It is the perfect spot to go to if you feel like dressing up and escaping the crowds.