Nashville, Tennessee
In the past few years, nashville, Tennessee has had a buzzy vibe that’s exploded beyond the city’s country and western crowd of yore and started to lure artsy types from the Austin/Portland scene. Curious, I headed to Music City to check it out for myself.
bunk I got to stay with a friend during my trip, but the Hutton Hotel is the city’s most stylish and pet-friendly option. The brand new Omni is close to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Local fave, The 404 Kitchen, is set to open a boutique hotel later this year in the leed-certified Gulch neighborhood.
Urban + Cowboy Country music is still the main star in Music City, which counts Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, and Dolly Parton among its residents (although that could also be because there’s no state income tax in Tennessee). But rockers have a presence too-- the Kings of Leon and Motley Crue’s Mick Mars also call Nashville home.
After checking out funky soul and pop band Alanna Royale rock out at the Mercy Lounge, I was impressed by the emerging local music scene.
Mother Church of Country Music Touring the Ryman Auditorium is a must for visitors. A church in it’s former life, the Ryman was the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. With killer acoustics that musicians love, the Ryman has been named one of the top 10 big room “Venues that Rock” by Rolling Stone.
Go Honky Tonkin I unleashed my inner Honky Tonk Woman by doing the rounds on neon drenched Music Row. Don’t miss Tootsie’s Orchard Lounge, which has an entrance on the alley behind the Ryman. It was good fun to yell and swig beer when the band called out to “hollar and swaller” at the iconic Robert’s Western World. If you’re hungry, $5 will get you the Recession Special, a fried bologna sandwich and a PBR.
True Grits Nashville has a thriving foodie scene. At City House, the menu changes frequently, but they always have a section dedicated to “pork snacks.” Pinewood Social is part fine dining diner and part hipster bowling alley. It’s all about communal dining at Rolf and Daughters. They serve Italian peasant food including fantastic homemade pasta in a beautifully renovated factory.
Libations Nashvilians like their hooch… and brunch. Husk serves a next level Bloody Mary garnished with pancetta and pickles. The taxidermy-filled Crying Wolf in East Nashville is a favorite of the local artistic community, who rave about the wolf burger and excellent happy hour. At Rumours East, a Sazerac with your choice of whisky or cognac will set you back only $7.
I had a great 3 days in nashvegas. The locals were friendly, and prices reasonable. The happening music, and food scene were intriguing enough to make me want to plan a return visit, perhaps for the Bonnaroo Music Festival or a show at the Ryman.
