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Nash Bash 2022: Best of Food & Bars

  • Writer: Kaitlyn Esposito
    Kaitlyn Esposito
  • Apr 8, 2022
  • 5 min read

Updated: Aug 4, 2022


Across the U.S., Nashville, TN has become the hot spot for birthday bashes, bachelorette parties and a lively weekend out on the town. Country music echoes through the streets as nearly every bar and restaurant has a performer on set from morning to night, and once evening arrives, the streets flood with party goers ready to dance the night away.


I went to Nashville last summer for the first time, and it certainly lived up to my expectations. Yes, it’s touristy and very country, but the food, music and people are unmatched. I went back recently to celebrate my boyfriend’s birthday with a few of his close friends and got the chance to explore even more bars and restaurants — and had a great time doing it.


From Broadway to a few spots off the beaten path, see below for a recap of the places we visited and the amazing food and drink highlights I’m still craving to this day.


FOOD

Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint (410 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201)

This spot came highly recommended by many of our friends and it certainly did not disappoint. Not only was the BBQ exceptional and juicy, but the atmosphere and interior design gave a funky, eclectic feel that left something new to discover around every corner on both of the restaurant’s floors. It felt like you were in a greenhouse turned restaurant and bar with many plants, scattered wall art and alternative seating options like car backseats and barber shop stools. The menu included every classic BBQ dish you can think of, and I ordered Mac and cheese with pulled pork, which I topped with one of the many BBQ sauces to select from.


Click here to view the menu! I tried ...

  • Mac & Cheese with an ounce of Pulled Pork


Bar Louie (314 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203)

The main thing that drew us to Bar Louie was the ultimate brunch deal: almost bottomless mimosas ($10 for 5). The food was right up to par and left us craving our dishes long after we left the restaurant. Every item on the menu sounded delicious, and each member of the group loved the meal he or she ordered without hesitation. The menu also had many alcohol-infused items including sauces, desserts and batters which added to the boozy-brunch feel we were going for.


Click here to view the menu! I tried ...

  • Double B&E Sandwich: Applewood smoked bacon, bacon onion jam, two fried eggs, white cheddar, garlic aioli, toasted brioche bun, side breakfast potatoes.

  • The Southern Clucker: Jalapeño cornbread topped with fried chicken breast, applewood smoked bacon, two fried eggs, apple bourbon butter, maple syrup, side breakfast potatoes.

  • Cinnamon Doughnut Holes: Cinnamon sugar dusted, Knob Creek bourbon maple caramel, chocolate sauce (...yes, ID is required!).

  • Strawberry Lemonade Sangria: SKYY Wild Strawberry, Ruffino Pinto Grigio, simple syrup, Sprite, fresh lemons & strawberries.


Tennessee Brew Works (809 Ewing Ave, Nashville, TN 37203)

We were looking for a good Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich from the beginning of our trip and we found one that fit the bill at Tennessee Brew Works. The second floor of seating overlooked the behind the scenes of the brewery, and both full size and flight beer selections were available for sampling and enjoyment. When ordering the iconic sandwich we had the option of hot or mild, and I was quick to order mine mild while everyone else ordered hot — and it definitely was hot. The mild heat option left my mouth watering and the hot sandwich led almost everyone to break a sweat. The shoestring French fries that accompanied the dish were delicious and the variety of beer flavors washed it all down well, resetting our taste buds for the next heated bite.


Click here to view the menu! I tried ...

  • Nashville Hot Chicken (Hot & Mild): Farm egg gribiche, extra cheesy cheese, cutaway pickles.

  • Sampler Flight: Choose 5 of any beer.


Assembly Food Hall (5055 Broadway Pl, Nashville, TN 37203)

This two floor food hall (home to Elixir mentioned in my previous post) has something to please even the pickiest of eaters with a wide variety of food and beverage options. We opted for the tacos with birra sauce from one spot and Nutella iced coffee from another spot in the hall, and other members of our party went for the mini made-to-order doughnuts and a tequila-based drink (like I said, something for everyone). The hall also had live music that echoed through the eating area.


Click here to view the bars and eateries! I tried ...


BARS OF BROADWAY

Kid Rock is hands down my favorite bar in Nashville. The live music, drinks and atmosphere make for the perfect night of partying with your besties. The main floor hosts the band performance area and a large light up bar, while the upstairs offers a balcony view of the downstairs space and has a bar as well. The live band was AMAZING and kept the crowd engaged with country music, throwbacks and today’s hits, even inviting ladies to dance on the bar top for a few songs. It is very busy and can be packed at times, but it’s the kind of place where you can dance like no one’s watching. If you visit and regularly enjoy a Malibu Bay Breeze type drink, I would recommend trying the “Cowboy."


Miranda Lambert's Casa Rosa (308 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201)

This bar was poppin’ in both color and good vibes. You enter into a semi-quiet small bar space with a single country music performer then when you go up stairs, you enter a party scene that feels like an entirely different bar. Almost everything is pink and the main area has a DJ with the hottest hit’s and a very lively crowd. When dancing on the elevated stage, a local told us that it was the best spot on all of Broadway and he regularly posts up there every weekend to dance the night away and entertain the crowd.


Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Rooftop Bar (307 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201)

This bar had the best rooftop views we experienced with the ability to see straight down Broadway on both sides. The corner of the rooftop bar offers a great spot for those Nashville ‘Insta-worthy’ pics and inside there are lively bands and bars across multiple floors.


Luke Bryan's 32 Bridge (301 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201)

This bar also has a rooftop space and views, but the area with the best views was blocked off when we visited. We stayed to watch some of a football game and enjoyed sushi from their rooftop sushi bar and other fun appetizers like dumplings (pork, root vegetables, ponzu sauce).



Have you been to Nashville? If so, feel free to drop other recommendations in the comments below, and be sure to follow @kaitlyns_compass for more blog posts and new content.


Safe Travels,

Kaitlyn



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