15+ Fun Breweries and Bars to Visit in East Nashville
East Nashville is always growing, and that means new bars, restaurants, and breweries to try. I sometimes feel like I can’t keep up with all the things to do in Nashville. I’ve made my best list to help you plan your trip to Nashville or – for my local gals – find some new places to hang out!
East Nashville has multiple different vibes – from swanky little speakeasies to relaxed breweries to immersive dining and drinking experiences – there is something for everyone. I hope I can give you some new things to do in Nashville or confirm your suspicion about going to one of these.
My guides are meant to be quick and simple lists of places for you to add to your own list. If you want more things to do in Nashville, go to 20 Things to Do on Your Second Trip to Nashville. This might give you more ideas of potentially lesser known or ”touristy” places that aren’t typically on the top of people’s list but still worth it.
1. Hawkers
I know Hawker’s isn’t just in East Nashville, but it can still be fun anyway. It is super vibrant and lively, and it has a Asian street food and a full bar. Their cocktails are delicious (get the Lemongrass Mojito!) and they are beautiful as well. They have plenty of room and even an outdoor patio that is spacious and cozy.
I also tried the sake flight, and I actually loved all of them. The menu is perfect for drinkers and foodies alike. This is a great place for groups or even a fun date night out! Check out the drink menu here: Hawkers Drink Menu
2. All People Coffee & Beverage Hall
I had never been here before this weekend, but I’m in love! As a non-coffee drinker, this was the best type of place I would want to go to meet up with someone or get some work done. I’m always looking for a place to work that is not intimidating but where I can get a delicious beer to end the day. This place was definitely it.
They have a self-serve beer wall where you can get plenty of options of craft beer as well as other wine and spirits. Right now, while they are getting it up and running, they have canned drinks as well! This place was spacious enough, quiet, and even has a small outdoor area. The entire room is calm and has a natural feel that is perfect for small groups, meetups, or solo time. Check out their menu here: All People Menu
3. Southern Grist Brewery
There are two locations for this fun brewery – East Nashville and The Nations. Here is there menu if you want to see more: Southern Grist Beer Menu. The East Nashville location recently moved, and it has both a brewery and bar located inside. While I didn’t try the restaurant, I did have the best beer of my life there – Monkey Moves (I’m a dark beer kind of person). They have a variety of drinks to choose from, so I’m sure there is something for you.
It is light and airy inside, and they even have a patio if the weather is nice. Try a flight here, because why just try one when you can try four? I love to taste different options, because sometimes you can be pleasantly surprised by something. While I’m talking about it, you should definitely get the app ”Untappd”. It helps you track the breweries or places you’ve been to while also letting you rate and get suggestions on beers.
4. Henry James Speakeasy
This bar is closer to Inglewood, but is still located in the general area of East Nashville. It looks as if it’s (and probably is) located in an old bank, and the outside is extremely unassuming. Hence, speakeasy. Head to the back door and walk inside a dim and cozy bar.
The bartenders serve up beautiful craft cocktails, and it has darts, pool, and a jukebox. Sit around the bar or in one of the large booths for happy hour or a night out. You can see outside, but you can’t see in! It even has a small patio outside with picnic tables if you need a smoke. They have happy hour every day from 5-7pm – and don’t worry, you can get wine and beer here too! For more information and the menu, go here: Henry James Bar Menu
5. Smith & Lentz
I’m super excited about this one, because it’s finally back open! I went here years ago and absolutely loved it. Sadly, they were hit by the Nashville tornado back in March 2020, but a year later were able to come back better than ever – and with pizza this time! The new building and concept is amazing. This is a brewery and pizza spot, and their beer garden is my favorite part. I never got to try the pizza, but it has great reviews.
The beer garden is large and spacious, and the best part – it has covered areas!! It is fenced in, but there are plenty of large picnic tables and space for large groups. Inside, it is very open with tall ceilings, picnic tables, and seats at the bar. Definitely a staple in East Nashville – especially because it fought through every challenge that the past few years have given us here in Nashville! Support your local businesses! Here is the location and menu: Smith & Lentz Brewery and Pizza.
6. Crazy Gnome Brewery
Tucked away in a corner of a strip mall is this quaint brewery – Crazy Gnome. It’s small and cozy, but it has that neighborhood feel and is perfect for two or small groups. Crazy Gnome has a huge mural on the wall of a gnome, and they have a rotating list of craft brews that thoroughly surprised me. I actually got a chili Porter. I’m not usually a fan of spicy drinks, so I was hesitant, but the bartenders asked me if I wanted to go for it and I said yes. It was really good!!
A strange thing to notice, but my sister and I actually loved their bathrooms. They were super clean and perfect for keeping germs to a minimum. I know, but I have to give credit where credit is due. Crazy Gnome actually also has a a small patio outside for when the weather is nice. Overall, this place is fun and cozy, and if you’re like me, you’ll go to try more local beer and breweries. Here is their menu: Crazy Gnome Brewery
7. Red Door East
This is definitely a local Five Points hotspot. It’s a reliable, go-to bar for anyone and everyone. Located in the Five Points area, this little dive bar is just an easy spot to go and get a drink after work or on a fun night out. They’ve got everything a typical bar would have, and they also have a food menu if you’re getting hungry.
Red Door is small, but they’ve got a patio that people love to hang out on and catch up with friends. It’s a great spot for starting your night or ending it. It is walking distance to multiple other bars including Rosemary and the Beauty Queen, 3 Crow, Beyond the Edge, or the 5 Spot for listening to music (mentioned below). Come on down and be a part of the local crowd!
8. The 5 Spot
The 5 Spot is a music venue in the Five Points area. Want to escape the live music on Broadway? Come to 5 Spot and enjoy local music, dance parties, and themed nights. Here is their calendar: The 5 Spot Events. They have a wide variety of drinks at their bar, so you’ll never go without while listening to your favorite music or learning new artists.
My favorite part is their big covered patio out back. If you need a break from the volume or a quick smoke, head on out back and they have a TV over their small bar where you can still watch and listen. There are plenty of tables to sit at, and you can hang out there before or after the show.
9. Pearl Diver
It’s been a while since I’ve been to Pearl Diver, but it’s definitely a classic spot to escape the typical Nashville feel. With a tropical feel, you can get a cabana or sit in the fun booths inside. They have so many fun cocktails you can try – that look beautiful and aesthetic too!
Their speciality is sugarcane and agave drinks, but any drink you order will look and taste fantastic. Pearl Diver also has a fun food menu if you get hungry. Here’s the menu if you want to take a look: Pearl Diver Food and Drink Menu. Take a look at their gallery too, and see how you can be transported to a retro yet exciting world when you step inside here.
10. Rosemary and the Beauty Queen
This is another classic staple in East Nashville. With the expansion of their rooftop patio, it’s definitely come alive lately. They have happy hour deals, swings at the bar, and multiple bars to choose from. This place really gets loud and fun at night, and they also have trivia and music. Here is the menu: Rosemary and the Beauty Queen.
It looks like another neighborhood house when you walk up, but step inside and you’ll be transported to a cozy bar. Keep walking and it will take you outside to a wraparound wooden porch with tables and access to their rooftop patio that has another bar. Walk down the steps and it will take you to a small courtyard-type area with tables and seats. Keep going and it will take you into another half-indoor, half-outdoor bar area. It’s truly a perfect spot to come for happy hour or drinks on a night out.
11. Honeytree Meadery
Honeytree Meadery is where I take all my guests who come visit me!! I love it so much. Have you tried mead? It‘s alcoholic drinks made from honey. Honeytree has both a local apiary and meadery in East Nashville. They are extremely friendly there and will teach you everything you need or want to know about the process or any of the meads. Click here to learn more about them: Honeytree Meadery
Honeytree is environmentally conscious and doing their part for sustainability efforts. They know and love their bees and their mead. Mead is not for the faint of heart – these drinks are about 10% ABV! But they all taste amazing. They have hot and cold mead, perfect for different seasons. Their meadery is bright and natural, full of plants. They also have a large outdoor patio to sip your drink! Again, I love this place. It is the definition of local by the way they treat you to the drinks you are consuming.
12. Chopper
Have you ever been to a robot tiki bar? Or, have you ever wanted to go to a robot tiki bar? Look no further than Chopper. I can’t say it enough – these drinks are amazing. A lot of the drinks are things I would never even think to ask for. Here is their menu: Chopper Menus.
The drinks are carefully made and each one feels like a whole experience. Specifically, the one that comes in a robot tiki glass and lit on fire. A lot of places you go for the experience or for the drinks – but at Chopper, you go for both. The experience is fun and vibrant, but the drinks make you want to keep coming back. They don’t serve food, but they do have rotating food trucks or pop-ups that you can get.
13. Living Waters Brewing
Living Waters is both a brewery AND coffee bar. Locals love to come here to enjoy a quiet and cozy day or night. It is a perfect spot for a date, to get some work done, or just to catch up with an old friend. They have small tables and some couches to sit on inside if that’s what you prefer. Or, you can sit outside at the few tables or bar tops that they have.
Their menu is on one of my new favorite apps: Untappd. Download the app or create an account, and you can check the beer menu at any of the local craft beer spots. On this app, you can also take pictures of and rate all the new beers you try. It’s a fun way to keep up with the drinks you’ve had, and it can start to recognize beers you may like or maybe remind you what you liked at certain spots!
14. Noble’s
It took me way too long to get to Noble’s, and I regret it immensely. Once I finally did, I had the most delicious southern food, and I was in love. Not to mention they have a full bar to go along with it. I won’t spend too much time on the food since that’s not what we are here for, but here’s a look at their menu: Noble’s Food Menu. And that’s just the downstairs.
On the second floor is what they call the Break Room. This is a full bar with a patio, plenty of seating at the bar or tables, pool tables, and more. The upstairs of Noble’s is strictly 21 and up (and yes, you can still order food up here!) The Break Room has a late night menu from 10pm-2am, so you can really stop here any time of day. It’s a great place to meet up with friends or cool off after a long day’s work. Here is the late night and drink menu: The Break Room Menus
15. Donut Distillery
I will always recommend Donut Distillery – especially if you like sweets. I can’t stay away. In fact, I think I wake up every weekend wanting to go back, but I have to hold myself back. Yes, this is a place where you get super delicious mini donuts. And yes, there is a location at Fifth and Broadway. But this is the superior location, because they have mimosa flights, craft beer, coffee, donuts, board games, picnic tables outside, etc. It honestly transforms all the time!
They recently opened up on the weekends also, so they do donut shots where it’s a craft shot with a donut on top. YUM. But again, my favorites are the mimosa and donut pairing flight. They literally have 4 different mimosas and you can either let them pair donuts with the flavors or choose your own donuts. Let me tell you, the mimosa definitely hits you. My other favorite (not an alcoholic drink, I know) is the donut milkshake. You get to choose the donut flavor(s) that your milkshake is made with as well as which donut comes on top. If you’re a sweets person, this is a must try.
BONUS:
Some of these I’ve been to, and some of these are just on my list to try. This doesn’t make them any less great!! That’s why I can’t help but mentioning them.
-Up-Down
Up-Down is a chain arcade bar, but that doesn’t make it any less fun. If you like to make sure you have an activity to do while you’re drinking a beer or a cocktail, this is definitely a place you should try. They have every arcade game you could want as well as free Nintendo 64, my personal favorite. Upstairs, they have more games and a large rooftop deck with cabanas and giant Jenga.
-Sid Gold’s
If you like piano bars or if you like karaoke, this is the place for you. It’s more towards Inglewood, but it’s right off Gallatin Ave. I would suggest making a reservation, just in case, and then you’ll be able to text with them if you need to make any changes! They have a 2 drink minimum, but it’s easy to do when it’s free to go in and you’re being thoroughly entertained.
When you walk in, there is a bar out front, but when you go back to the piano bar, it is a dim, cozy room with tables and a large, wide bar with a piano at the front. Either the owner or a guest is usually playing, and once they open up karaoke, you can pick from their list what you want to sing!
-East Nashville Beer Works
This is definitely an East Nashville staple and it comes highly recommended as a place to go grab drinks. They have pizza and beer, a large outdoor area with a play place for kids, and plenty of seating everywhere. It does get really crowded and sometimes can be hard to get a parking spot, so make sure to try to go at off times. Their beer is good, their food is good, and the environment is relaxed yet lively.
-Dino’s
Well, when I talk about a local spot, this is probably the truest local spot. It is considered a staple to so many. I actually hesitate to put this on this list! But alas, I’m going to briefly mention it. This is the best kind of dive bar. They serve cheap drinks and delicious eats. Their food is exactly what you would expect, and there are no bells and whistles. Just a fun bar with food, and it has a back patio area if you want to get out the dark bar.
-Inglewood Lounge
Inglewood Lounge is a little more upscale than most of these other places I’ve mentioned. And not upscale in the way that it feels exclusive. It’s just one of those places that is on the smaller side and the drinks are more pricey. You’re not going to get the typical dive bar experience or the ”insta-worthy” drinks, but you will get well-made drinks and a cozy room with a definite vibe. There is also some seating out front, but I think this would definitely be a great happy hour spot. And they serve food!
-Vinyl Tap
Now we are getting into the places I haven’t gone yet, but absolutely want to. Vinyl Tap is number one on my list – a taproom and vinyl shop. I don’t think it gets more East Nashville than that.
-Fox Bar and Cocktail Club
I’ve been told to go here, and I also hear they serve an espresso martini, which I’ve been dying to find in Nashville. That’s why this one is on my list. But also because it’s a quaint cocktail lounge that almost seems to have speakeasy vibes, and it’s always good to have one of those on your list.
-Van Gogh Wine Bar
This place seems like your go-to spot for wine, and that’s what makes me want to go there. There aren’t many wine bars in Nashville apart from maybe one in each of the different areas. I’m interested to see what East Nashville has done with this one! And I hear they do happy hour (and have more than just wine.)
There you have it. East Nashville is home to so many types of different people. It’s so important to show some love to these businesses, especially the local ones. I hope you’ve found a bunch of new places to add to your list or to explore your own neighborhood. If you want a more comprehensive list of everything there is to do in East Nashville (including food and activities), stay tuned for the next post, and follow me on Pinterest!
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