If you’re a single girl in your twenties, you’re sure to attend a bachelorette party, or weekend, at some point. I’ve been to my fair share and even planned one. So I’ve taken what I’ve learned to put together this post on how to have your own pre-bridal bash in Nashville, Tennessee, which is quickly becoming the bachelorette capital of the world.
Looking for other bachelorette party and girls weekend ideas? Check out my guides for Las Vegas, Key West, Savannah, Palm Springs, Miami, New Orleans, Atlanta, Asheville, and Charleston.
This post contains affiliate links that can earn this website a small income. They will not cost you anything to use.
Where to Eat in Nashville
Nashville has an incredible restaurant scene, well beyond hot chicken, but many of the top-rated places will have tables booked well in advance. If you do want to eat at places like Husk, make reservations on sites like OpenTable and Resy. And if you want suggestions on lesser-known places to dine, check out Eater Nashville.
For Breakfast
Start your day off with a hearty breakfast before hitting the town. proper bagel has kettle-boiled bagels and bialys topped with different flavors of cream cheese or lox, along with Barista Parlor coffee. Five Daughters Bakery is famous for its take on the “cronut,” a delicious croissant doughnut. Another favorite is Loveless Cafe, a former motel turned legendary Southern restaurant known for its biscuits.
For Lunch
Lunch can be a quick affair in between activities. Assembly Food Hall isNashville’s newest food hall, conveniently located in the heart of Broadway. Among the dozens of stalls of all cuisines are Velvet Taco and The Pharmacy Burger.
Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, the original hot chicken spot, also has a stall here. For something lighter, Sunflower Cafe is a vegetarian restaurant popular with the music industry crowd. Enjoy veggie burgers and Southern-style sides, all without meat.
For Dinner
It’s a good idea to make a dinner reservation if you can. Adele’s is a favorite spot that serves up Mediterranean and American-inspired dishes for lunch, dinner, and brunch. Henrietta Red is known for its oysters and cocktails. The menu is made up of elegantly plated dishes for dinner and brunch. Or head to East Nashville for tasty tacos and margaritas at Mas Tacos Por Favor, which is popular for its patio. Don’t miss the fish tacos or tortilla soup.
For Brunch
Make brunch reservations to avoid long waits, especially at places like Biscuit Love, which has locations in The Gulch, Hillsboro Village, and Franklin. Enjoy biscuit sandwiches and dessert biscuits. Jane’s Hideaway offers bluegrass brunch every Sunday with live music and dishes like avocado toast and breakfast poutine. Liberty Common is popular brunch spot with hot chicken and waffles, burgers, and frozen cocktails, all of which can be enjoyed on the patio.
What to Do in Nashville
When it comes to Nashville, it’s not all about partying and country music. Avoid the crazy party tractors, booze cruises, and celeb-owned bars if you want an authentic experience in the Music City. Set aside some time to learn about the music history as well as some fun activities for your whole crew.
For active bachelorettes
Nashville has plenty of active experiences, including drop-in or privately booked yoga and pilates for you and your crew. Hiking trails are found in nearby Sewanee as well as the Cumberland River Greenway and Radnor Lake State Park. You can even go paddleboarding or kayaking on the Cumberland River, which runs through downtown.
For culture vultures
Frist Center for the Visual Arts hosts works by classical and contemporary artists, including Nick Cave. Located on the campus of the city’s oldest historically black university, Fisk University Galleries has works by notable artists from the Harlem Renaissance as well as pieces donated by Georgia O’Keefe.
Groups also love snapping photos of the city’s many murals. Go on an organized mural photo walk or explore on your own using this guide. But if you want to see the wings, go early!
For music lovers
You can’t go to the Music City and not experience the city’s music. Start at the Country Music Hall of Fame, which has interactive exhibits, including costumes, music, and more. Get your tickets to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum before you go.
The Grand Ole Opry tour is another favorite, especially if your favorite artist is performing on the longtime radio show. Or see where the big names reside on a Celebrity tour of homes.
For foodies
There’s so much more to Nashville’s dining scene than what visitors experience. Learn about the best local spots on a guided food tour. If that’s not enough, learn about the Southern favorite from an expert at a biscuit making class. You can also learn to make the city’s favorite candy at chocolate classes at Goo Goo.
For shopaholics
Nashville has incredible shopping, especially in the 12 South neighborhood. Visit the best with Sip N Shop Tours, which offers drinks and discounts at stores, or explore on your own. Draper James is owned by actress and local Reese Witherspoon and sells both her own products and ones she recommends, including Southern-inspired clothing, accessories, and gifts.
Pick up a pair of high quality jeans at imogene + willie, a former service station turned boutique. White’s Mercantile is owned by Hank Williams Jr’s granddaughter Holly, also a musician. It features home furnishings and gifts. Parnassus Books is owned by writer Ann Patchett and hosts author readings and supports smaller presses.
Where to Drink in Nashville
Nashville is still in the “Bible Belt,” but the party scene, especially on Broadway, is legendary. But keep in mind that most bars close by 2 am, which is a good time to bring the party back to your room. You can, however, find a drinkery for just about every style.
For breweries and wineries
Did you know that Nashville has a winery? Arrington Vineyards is owned by country legend Kix Brooks and has stunning views. Yazoo Brewing Company is the original Nashville brewery and serves up pints in the Gulch. Take a tour and enjoy Dos Perros, one of their flagship brews. Yee-Haw Brewing has outdoor stages and lawn games.
For fun themed bars
Pinewood Social is a favorite hangout with a bowling alley and cocktails. Dolly Parton fans can’t miss White Limozeen, a rooftop bar dripping in pink, and Cross-Eyed Critters, an animatronic animal karaoke bar in the Graduate Nashville. For tiki drinks, don’t miss Chopper.
For honky tonks and dive bars
Don’t miss Nashville’s quintessential dives, where you’ll get your fill of country music and more. Layla’s Bluegrass Inn has seen names big and small over the years and is a great spot to see live music. Grab a cheap beer and enjoy. Acme Feed and Seed is in an 1890 building with food, live music, and a rooftop bar.
Robert’s Western World has cheap beer and fried bologna sandwiches, not to mention nightly music and a 3 am closing time. Tootsies Orchid Lounge was an early spot for performers like Dolly Parton, tucked behind the famed Ryman Auditorium.
For rooftop views
Choose from the never-ending selection of rooftop bars. L27 at the Westin Nashville has a pool and club vibes perfect for relaxing after a big night out. The George Jones includes a museum in honor of the music legend, along with a restaurant and rooftop with great views of the city and a menu of beer, wine, and cocktails.
The second location of the Chicago spot, Hampton Social is known for its beloved “Rose All Day” neon wall. They also have a rooftop where you can enjoy
Where to Stay in Nashville
There is a high inventory of hotel rooms in Nashville, but they also tend to be a bit overpriced. But there are options, no matter your budget or style. Rentals are the most popular option, but there are some deals to be found if you book well in advance and travel during the week instead of on weekends.
Bode Nashville has large rooms including a four-bed suite, a restaurant, coffee shop, and fire pits. The Fairlane Hotel is a midcentury style hotel with a restaurant known for its bagels. The Graduate Nashville is popular with bachelorettes for the bright pink decor and Dolly portraits.
Enjoy the perks at the Kimpton Aertson Hotel like daily happy hour and morning coffee. Set in a former department store, Noelle, Nashville has four food and drink outlets, including a coffee shop and a rooftop bar. Virgin Hotels Nashville is a new property with a rooftop pool and a coffee shop.
Rentals are another popular option, with apartments and houses in The Gulch, 12 South, and Hillsboro Village, among other neighborhoods. Airbnb has plenty to choose from.
Additional Advice
Depending on where everyone is traveling from, it might be best to plan on a nice dinner out on Friday that ends in drinks back in your rooms. I found this wedding-style Cards Against Humanity (Cads Against Matrimony) that was a hit with the group. I printed it off at home and cut up the cards myself for free. At other bachelorette parties, we’ve done the game where you guess which pair of panties represents which guest and the bride keeps them all.
Keep the party going with this awesome playlist from PopSugar. Pick up some custom temporary tattoos to keep your group together as well as some phallic paraphernalia online. My crafty friend made cutout faces of the groom to carry around as well as tote bags and tanks for our most recent bachelorette.
You probably won’t have access to a kitchen but you can bring bites to snack on in the morning like granola bars. Make splitting costs easy by making everyone download Splitwise and Venmo before you go, which are great for dividing the hotel room, show tickets, drinks, and food.
Stop drinking early enough in the day that you can rally at night! I’ve been to a fair few that ended in extended naps. A hangover kit is also a must-have. You definitely won’t need a car so instead, rely on rideshare apps. Rent something fabulous from Rent the Runway. And it’s never a bad idea to bring a pair of extra shoes in case your feet hurt.
Are you ready for a bachelorette weekend in Nashville?
Booking.comPIN IT
Kristin says
Great guide! Ready to welcome you back to Nashville whenever ;-)