Every Live Music Venue in East Nashville
East Nashville has 25 live music venues with 664 upcoming events — and almost none of them look like Lower Broadway. Cross the Cumberland River and the neon turns into string lights, the cover charges appear, and the people who actually make music in Nashville show up to hear it. This is where the bands playing Broadway in five years are playing tonight.
1. American Legion Post 82
3204 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN
A 501(c)(19) nonprofit veterans organization that has become one of the most beloved music venues in East Nashville, connecting local veterans to the community through live music. Home to some of the best vintage country nights in the city, including a weekly dance night with lessons on Thursdays. No frills, genuine community, and the kind of room where the music matters more than the decor. nashvillepost82.org
2. The 5 Spot
1006 Forrest Ave, Nashville, TN
The 5 Spot has been one of East Nashville’s anchor venues since it opened in 2004. Known for booking strong local and touring indie, Americana, and alternative acts, with a back room stage and a front bar that gives the whole place a neighborhood-bar feel. Monday Night Football of Country, a long-running free honky-tonk night, has made it a weekly institution. the5spotnashville.com
3. The Underdog
1012 Forrest Ave, Nashville, TN
A honky-tonk bar on Forrest Avenue that keeps the format honest — live country and Americana, a straightforward bar setup, and none of the spectacle of Broadway. One of the most consistent live music schedules in East Nashville with a loyal local following. Tickets typically run $10 or less. underdognashville.com
4. The Basement East
917 Woodland Ave, Nashville, TN
The larger East Nashville sibling of The Basement on 8th Avenue South, booking mid-size touring acts that would fill a 1,000-person room. One of Nashville’s most respected independent music venues, known for its sound quality and for hosting artists right at the moment of their breakthrough. Destroyed by the 2020 tornado and rebuilt; came back stronger. thebasementnashville.com
5. Eastside Bowl
1508 Gallatin Pike S, Nashville, TN
A bowling alley and music venue combination that shouldn’t work as well as it does. Eastside Bowl now hosts Honky Tonk Tuesday, one of Nashville’s most beloved weekly music events. Bands play while people bowl, and the energy in the room on a full Tuesday night is unlike anything else in the city. eastsidenashville.com
6. The Cobra
2511 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN
East Nashville’s primary venue for punk, metal, noise, and the genuinely weird stuff. The Cobra books acts that wouldn’t fit anywhere else in Nashville and has been doing it reliably since it opened. Cover at the door, cash welcome. thecobranashville.com
7. Drifters Tennessee Barbeque
1008-B Woodland St, Nashville, TN
A BBQ joint and live music venue with a back patio that turns into one of East Nashville’s better outdoor music spots. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday 2–6 p.m. (2-for-1 beers and well drinks), all day Wednesdays and Sundays. Bluegrass back porch parties on Sunday afternoons are a neighborhood staple. driftersnashville.com
8. Harken Hall
1004 Division St, Nashville, TN
A dedicated concert hall in East Nashville with seated and standing configurations, booking mid-size touring acts and local headliners. Better production than most East Nashville venues, with a proper stage and sound system. harkenhall.com
9. Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge
102 E Palestine Ave, Madison, TN
Named one of the 27 best bars in America by Esquire in 2020. Open seven days a week from 4 p.m. with a vintage country groove, cash bar, and two house rules: pay your tab and don’t be an asshole. deeslounge.com
10. Skinny Dennis
2635 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN
A honky-tonk named after a Townes Van Zandt song, keeping traditional country going on Gallatin Pike. Neon signs, cold beer, live music most nights of the week. Low cover charges and a no-nonsense setup that feels closer to a classic Nashville bar than most of what’s on Broadway. skinnydennis.com
11. Sid Gold’s Request Room
3245 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN
Piano bar karaoke every night — a house pianist takes requests and the crowd does the rest. It sounds like a novelty and turns into one of the most fun nights in East Nashville. Walk-ins welcome. sidgoldsrequestroom.com
12. DRKMTTR Collective
Various East Nashville locations, Nashville, TN
Nashville’s longest-running DIY music collective, celebrating a decade of booking punk, metal, experimental, and underground acts. Operates on a social club model with a Patreon membership supporting the programming. Shows typically move between East Nashville spaces; check their calendar for current location. drkmttrcollective.com
13. The East Room
2412 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN
A music and comedy venue established in 2012 and one of East Nashville’s favorite spots for up-and-coming local and touring talent. Runs a free open mic comedy night every Tuesday at 8 p.m. and Goth Night every second Saturday of the month. theeastroomnashville.com
14. The Bowery Vault
2905A Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN
A live music bar and event space on Gallatin Pike. Regular programming across genres, from country and Americana to rock and indie. A solid neighborhood option on the eastern end of the Gallatin corridor. theboweryvault.com
15. Grimey’s
1060 E Trinity Ln, Nashville, TN
One of the best independent record stores in America, and not just a store — Grimey’s hosts free in-store performances from touring artists who are either on their way up or have been around long enough to know that a Grimey’s in-store matters. Shows are free; the record bins are worth an hour on their own. grimeys.com
16. Vinyl Tap Nashville
2038 Greenwood Ave, Nashville, TN
A bar and music venue in the Greenwood neighborhood of East Nashville with karaoke nights, occasional live acts, and a relaxed local vibe. Regular free events make it a neighborhood spot first and a destination second. vinylnapnashville.com
17. Inglewood Lounge
3914 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN
A neighborhood bar in the Inglewood area with a weekend brunch and a home-away-from-home feel. Open Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 11 a.m. Occasional live music and a full food menu. inglewoodlounge.com
18. The Office
2511 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN
A small bar and live music space sharing a Gallatin Avenue address with The Cobra. Intimate shows, local programming, a neighborhood crowd. facebook.com/theofficenashville
19. Love and Exile
715 Main St A, Nashville, TN
East Nashville’s own winery and wine bar, less than a mile from downtown, with wine made in-house, a lush patio, and local food. Occasional live music and ticketed events in a setting that stands apart from the rest of the strip. loveandexile.bar
20. Duke’s
1000 Main St, Nashville, TN
A no-nonsense bar on Main Street serving a full bar with $7 beer and shot specials all day, every day, alongside NYC bodega-style food. DJs most nights, occasional live acts. Exactly what it says it is — a bar where you can get a drink and hear something good without overthinking it. dukesbarnashville.com
21. Riverside Revival
1374 Riverside Dr, Nashville, TN
A concert venue and event space in a historic building on the river with high marks from attendees for sight lines, sound, and atmosphere. Houses a WMOT radio studio on site. Books concerts, private events, and community programming. riversiderevivalnashville.com
22. Turkey and the Wolf Ice House
800 Meridian St, Nashville, TN
Counter-service food joint from the team behind the celebrated New Orleans original. No reservations, no frills — order at the counter, find a seat. Occasional live music and events in a casual outdoor-friendly space. turkeyandthewolficehouse.com
23. The Lipstick Lounge
1400 Woodland St, Nashville, TN
Nashville’s longest-running LGBTQ+ bar, open since 2000 on Woodland Street. A neighborhood institution that hosts karaoke, live music, drag shows, and community events. Welcoming and unpretentious. thelipsticklounge.com
24. Two Rivers Mansion
3130 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN
A historic antebellum mansion dating to 1859, operated by the Friends of Two Rivers for preservation and community use. Hosts occasional concerts and events on the grounds. More event venue than regular live music spot, but worth knowing about for special programming. friendsoftworivers.com
25. Cellotree Arts
1803 Rosebank Ave, Nashville, TN
A rapidly growing artist-centered ecosystem and performance space built around creating safe spaces for artists to develop and share work. Founded by Sarah Clanton, Cellotree hosts shows, workshops, and community events focused on original music and artist development. cellotreearts.com
East Nashville vs. Lower Broadway: What’s the Difference?
Lower Broadway runs seven days a week, noon to 3 a.m., no cover, and the bands work for tips. East Nashville charges a cover most nights (typically $5–$15), books original music from touring and local acts, and closes earlier. Broadway is the show; East Nashville is the scene.
The crowd east of the river is heavier on musicians, songwriters, and locals. If you want to hear the next Margo Price or Charley Crockett before they sell out a theater, East Nashville is where to look.
Getting there: East Nashville is a 10-minute drive or rideshare from Lower Broadway. Gallatin Pike and Woodland Street are the two main corridors. Most venues have street parking; Eastside Bowl has a lot.
Venue list is current as of September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
