Nashville in March/April ... Advice?

Stay at Bode. A couple blocks from Broadway street but is a really cool place. 

Biscuit love for breakfast. You are going to have a blast. Awesome town and a great time of year to visit. 

My son's friend Nathan Wilson is a new singer down there, playing at Tootsies this weekend. Go watch some local music on Broadway. Don't expect to get in the Bluebird or other high profile places...they book early. Nashville is fun!

You can have broadway at night. Full of 20 something’s drinking til they puke. Give me those hole in the wall places a block or two off the beaten path any day. Great talent is everywhere and keep in mind most are working for tips only. If elbow to elbow madness is your jam then Broadway is the place. 

Nashville is a fun town!  They know how to separate you from money quickly!!! Take in a Preds Hockey game, fun times!!!

We have made the 4.5 - 5 hr ride up many times since 2009 with Jan 2019 being our most recent trip. And from what I have heard, things have changed quite a bit with new hotels and attractions. 

We have always booked our trips around concerts at Bridgestone Arena, Ascend amphitheater, or the Ryman. And added a day before or after to enjoy Broadway. 

I tried my best to avoid Fri/Sat nights toward the end. Hotel rates got insane and the young crowd had indeed, taken over. Bars with 3 levels would be jam packed on every floor. And beer prices had risen from the 4/5 range to the 6/7 range. And I hear that they haven't slowed down one bit. 

I think Sunday - Thursday nights are great. Much less crowded and often you and your group can sit very close to the musicians. And with plenty of interaction. It's amazing what a $20 bill can get you in that town!

If it was my first trip to Nashville, I would pick a hotel within walking distance to Broadway. Music starts at 11am and runs at least until 2am every night. Food has always been secondary for us but there are certainly plenty of options. I always try to pick something new to us every trip but often we are good with just some apps at one of the bars. 

I have never seen a cover charge at any of the bars but the tip jar comes around often for the musicians. That is how they get paid. 

And try a piece of Nashville hot chicken! Shouldn't be hard to find, but Prince's and Hattie B's are two of the bigger names. I'm sure there are others by now.

I read recently where a new venue has opened that has multiple levels and houses maybe 20 different bars and restaurants. I'm thinking maybe Broadway and 4th street. I'll check and add an update soon. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. 

 

I was one block off. Check out Fifth and Broadway. Plenty of info online regarding this new establishment. 

Also,  you can check out visitmusiccity for tons of info. 

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Thank you all for your advice.  @gonepostal , very much appreciate the detailed write-up.

Looking for dates right now and some plane tickets.  Looks like a pretty popular time to go there.

Us Northerners venture south for spring break.  Nashville is a nice drivable distance.  Our spring break is the first week of April.  Other schools around us are staggered from March-April.  My guess is that is what you are running into.  

Get yourself to the Bluebird Cafe.  Don't worry about tickets.  Buy a cheap guitar and go on open mic night.  Sign up and then say you're too scared to play.  Have done it a few times.  It is a hoot!

Not downtown, but Loveless Cafe has always been good for us, tending to go at off-peak hours.  I usually eat about a dozen of those small biscuits they put on the table.  And - chicken livers are great there.
https://www.lovelesscafe.com/