Listen to your favorite musicians on the big stage or spend an evening exploring the live music venues and discover the new voices of Nashville. Either way, these music venues across the city will impress and delight you and your guests.
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The Best Music Venues In Nashville
Ascend Amphitheater
With the beautiful weather in Nashville, who wouldn’t want to enjoy live music outside? Ascend Amphitheater is an open-air venue located along the Cumberland River in Music City.
Set inside Metro Riverfront Park, this massive space can comfortably seat 6,800 people between lawn seating and fixed seating.
They feature a wide range of artists, from big names to more local legends, with a wide variety of music genres.
You can even purchase season VIP passes which will gain you entrance into any show that goes on at this music venue. Ascend Amphitheater is one outdoor music venue you won’t want to miss out on.
- Location: 310 1st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201
The Basement & The Basement East
This music venue has two locations within Nashville, both perfect for a fun night of live music entertainment.
The Basement and The Basement East are well-known spots in Music City for nationally touring acts in a casual hangout space.
While The Basement is only a music venue, The Basement East also features a pub on site for adult beverages to be served during the shows.
They always have new acts on stage, so you’ll see big-name artists and more locally-known bands. No matter what show or location you visit, you’ll have a blast at The Basement or The Basement East.
- Location: 917 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206
Bluebird Cafe
Here you’ll find a tiny and iconic club in the city of Nashville where you may want to make a reservation.
Bluebird Cafe seems like an unsuspecting spot for live music with a blue awning and cafe-style exterior, but the history speaks for itself.
For over 40 years, this spot has been a world-renowned listening room. You’ll find up-and-coming artists along with those who have already made it big, all performing under the same small blue roof.
Some big names have had career-defining moments at this spot; Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, and Taylor Swift are just a few. Bluebird Cafe is one of the most iconic music venues in Nashville.
- Location: 4104 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215
Bridgestone Arena
While it’s not out just made for music, this multi-purpose arena is the perfect spot for watching a live music show.
Bridgestone Arena is located in downtown Nashville and is home to the Predators hockey team when live musicians aren’t performing.
Not only can you visit this arena to watch the local professional hockey team, but you’ll also get to see a ton of your favorite touring artists.
Country artists, Rock and Roll, plus tons of other music genres are featured, so there’s almost always a concert for everyone.
Bridgestone Arena is the perfect live music venue in Nashville for seeing big names.
- Location: 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Grand Ole Opry House
Probably one of the most well-known music venues on this list; it’s a staple to Music City history.
The Grand Ole Opry House was founded in 1925 and has since been an iconic stage for weekly concerts.
This space originated as a one-hour barn dance and has since grown into one of the most sought-after music venues in the city.
They also remain the longest-running radio broadcast in US History as each and every week, they send out live music over the airwaves to listeners everywhere.
The Grand Ole Opry House is the home of live country music and one venue you must see in Music City.
- Location: 2804 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
Nissan Stadium
Another space that doubles as a sports and live music venue. Nissan Stadium is a premier destination to see the local football teams, along with tons of live artists and musicians throughout the year.
This massive open-air arena is made for multi-purpose use, and on the same weekend, you can watch a concert and then a Titans football game.
When the live music is the draw, you’ll be impressed with their ever-changing lineup of large touring acts and other big names.
This one-of-a-kind space is the perfect spot to enjoy live music and other events in Nashville.
- Location: 1 Titans Way, Nashville, TN 37213
Roberts Western World
When you’re looking for a music venue that doubles as a honkey-tonk this spot is the answer.
Roberts Western World is an iconic Nashville location where you’ll get to enjoy fried bologna sandwiches, cold beer, and live country music all week long.
Popular for both locals and visitors, you’ll get a classic Southern experience while soaking in the local Music and city bands.
You can shop for boots, eat traditional food, and enjoy the live local music, maybe even some bigger names too.
Roberts Western World is a notable and unforgettable music venue you won’t want to miss out on.
- Location: 416 Broadway #B, Nashville, TN 37203
Ryman Auditorium
The historical and most well-known music venue in Nashville is also one of the best.
Ryman Auditorium is located right in the heart of downtown Nashville and seats over 2,000 people for the concerts that go on weekly.
This is considered to be Nashville’s most iconic stage where history is made, legendary artists perform, and where music lovers belong.
The range of music genres is also legendary as one night you’ll see bluegrass, and the next might be a rock show.
Easily one of the most celebrated music venues in the country, Ryman Auditorium is more than worth the visit.
- Location: 116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219
The Station Inn
Similar to Bluebird Cafe, this is a much more intimate and smaller experience in The Gulch. The Station Inn is one of the best places in the city of Nashville for live bluegrass every single night.
Open 7 nights a week, you’ll be able to get your fill of live local artists. In such a small space, the music resonates, and you’ll feel each note just as well as you’ll hear it.
Just like most of these music venues in Music City, some major names have graced this stage with no end in sight. The Station Inn is a more low-key venue for some of the best live music in the city.
- Location: 402 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
The 5 Spot
Enjoy live music 5 nights a week at this live music venue and bar space. The 5 Spot is the perfect place to grab dinner and a show, or at least a snack and a show.
They offer bar snacks and cold drinks to go along with the live musicians playing nearly every night of the week.
This is a popular spot in East Nashville for people to come and hang out, locals and visitors alike. Along with live bands, they host dance parties, so this music venue is always lively.
The 5 Spot is a notable East Nashville music venue for a fun concert and club experience.
- Location: 1006 Forrest Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
Final Thoughts
When you’re visiting Music City, you won’t want to miss out on these live music venues filled with unbelievable classic artists and up-and-coming musicians.