Best Honky Tonk Bars in Nashville

The Neon Heartbeat of Nashville

There's nothing quite like stepping onto Lower Broadway in Nashville for the first time. The neon signs blaze, the music spills from every open doorway, and the energy is absolutely electric. Nashville's honky tonk bars are living, breathing temples of country music — and they're completely free to enter.

Here's your guide to the best of them.

What Exactly Is a Honky Tonk?

Before we dive in, let's clear this up. A honky tonk is a bar where live country music is performed, typically with no cover charge. The tradition dates back to the oil boom towns of Texas in the early 1900s. Nashville adopted and perfected the concept, and today Lower Broadway is the world's greatest concentration of live music venues.

Honky tonk etiquette:

There's no cover charge, but tip the musicians — they rely on it
Most places serve food as well as drinks
Shows run from around 10am to 3am — yes, morning honky tonking is a thing
You don't need cowboy boots (but you'll want some after your first visit)

The Essential Honky Tonks

1. Tootsie's Orchid Lounge

422 Broadway | The most famous honky tonk in the world

Opened in 1960, Tootsie's back door opens directly onto the alley behind the Ryman Auditorium. Grand Ole Opry performers would slip out between sets to grab a drink at Tootsie's — Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, and Patsy Cline were all regulars.

The walls are covered floor to ceiling with signed photos and memorabilia. Three floors of live music play simultaneously. Go to the third floor rooftop for the best views of Broadway.

Don't miss: The original purple (orchid) walls that gave the bar its name.

2. Robert's Western World

416 Broadway | The purist's choice

If you visit one honky tonk, make it Robert's. While other bars have modernised, Robert's remains gloriously authentic. The house band, Brazilbilly, plays classic country — real country — with extraordinary skill. The fried bologna sandwich is legendary, and the boot shop in the back still sells genuine cowboy boots.

Don't miss: The Brazilbilly residency (most evenings). It's the best free show in Nashville.

3. The Stage on Broadway

412 Broadway | Three floors of party

The Stage is Nashville's biggest honky tonk, spread across three raucous floors. The ground floor is classic country, the second floor leans rock, and the rooftop offers panoramic views of the Broadway strip. It's louder, bigger, and more party-oriented than some of its neighbours.

4. Layla's Honky Tonk

418 Broadway | The dancer's favourite

Formerly known as "The Wheel," Layla's is where you'll find some of the best two-stepping and line dancing on Broadway. The lower floor has a intimate, old-school feel, while the upstairs opens up for dancing. If you want to learn to two-step, this is your spot.

5. Legends Corner

428 Broadway | Corner spot with big sound

Sitting on the prime corner of 5th and Broadway, Legends has been a fixture since the 1990s. It's covered in murals of country legends and has excellent sight lines from the large windows — perfect for people-watching while enjoying the music.

6. AJ's Good Time Bar

421 Broadway | Alan Jackson's joint

Country legend Alan Jackson opened this bar in 2016, and it quickly became a Broadway favourite. The décor celebrates Jackson's career, and the music policy sticks to classic and traditional country. Three floors, excellent cocktails, and a rooftop with killer views.

7. Luke Bryan's 32 Bridge

301 Broadway | The mega-venue

Love it or hate it, Luke Bryan's six-storey entertainment complex is impossible to ignore. Multiple bars, a restaurant, a rooftop, and constant live music across all levels. It's Nashville's Broadway at its most ambitious and commercial.

Beyond Broadway

8. Santa's Pub

2225 Bransford Avenue | The locals' secret

A double-wide trailer covered in Christmas lights, open year-round, with karaoke every night. Santa's Pub is gloriously weird, completely unpretentious, and beloved by locals. It's BYOB (yes, really) and utterly unforgettable.

9. The Station Inn

402 12th Avenue South | Bluegrass heaven

If you want to hear the finest bluegrass music on the planet, The Station Inn in The Gulch is where you go. No frills, no pretension — just world-class musicians in an intimate setting. This is Nashville at its most authentic.

10. Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge

102 E Palestine Avenue | East Nashville cool

A favourite of Nashville's creative community, Dee's hosts live country, rockabilly, and Americana in a laid-back East Nashville setting. The outdoor patio is perfect for warm evenings, and the crowd is wonderfully eclectic.

When to Go

Daytime (10am–4pm): Quieter, easier to get into popular spots, great for a first visit
Happy Hour (4pm–7pm): Energy builds, locals start arriving
Prime Time (8pm–midnight): Full energy, all venues packed, best performances
Late Night (midnight–3am): The real Nashville emerges — spontaneous jams, celebrity sightings

Pro Tips

Wear comfortable shoes — you'll be standing and walking on Broadway for hours
Bring cash for tips — musicians depend on your generosity
Start at one end and work your way down — don't try to plan too rigidly
Eat at Robert's Western World — the fried bologna sandwich is a Nashville institution
Don't skip the rooftops — the views of lit-up Broadway from above are magical

Experience Nashville's Honky Tonks with Travelling Time

Our tours include free time on Broadway so you can explore at your own pace, plus our expert tour managers know exactly which venues to hit and when. We stay in downtown Nashville hotels so Broadway is just steps away.

Tours featuring Nashville: