This excellent East Nashville bar showcases an Art Deco-style interior alongside cocktails curated by veteran barman Will Benedetto. Cocktails clock in at $12 to $15 each — with options ranging from light and refreshing to high octane and boozy. The monthly old fashioned is always a good call, here. To eat, there’s vegan charcuterie, hot chicken hummus, and Old Bay-dusted popcorn.

East Nashville’s first laid-back island lounge might be housed in a former garage, but it’s nearly impossible to tell that when stepping inside the highly-detailed, brightly decorated space with plenty of patio seating. Patrons are abuzz about Pearl Diver’s tropical bites and island libations, from a classic daiquiri and paloma pitchers to coconut shrimp and hot Cuban sandwiches.

The tropical lounge from Barista Parlor’s Andy Mumma, Isle of Printing founder Bryce McCloud, and longtime Husk Nashville bar manager Mike Wolf brings the East side a unique Jetsons-meets-Polynesia aesthetic. The cocktail list riffs off of tiki classics — like the mai tai and Singapore sling — while using fresh juices, spices, and generous pours of rum. Small bar snacks are available nightly — plus weekend brunch appearances featuring birria and more from Julio Hernandez’ popular Maiz de la Vida food truck.

This New York City cocktail stalwart opened an outpost in East Nashville a few years ago, and partners Sam Ross, Michael McIlroy, and Nashville managing partner Brandon Bramhall remain true to the original. Knock on the door to be seated, answer a short round of questions, then wait while the bartender creates something tailored just for your palate.

Nashville landed the first outpost of the NY-based bar, named as a nod to the mid-eighteenth century nickname for gin. But non-gin enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief because they’re pouring much more than just gin here. To eat, find fabulous Old Bay waffle fries, green chile queso, and oreo bombs to pair with the slushy du jour among plenty of other rotating cocktails.

The cocktail den from John Peet (Old Glory, House of Cards) provides a nightly oasis from Broadway insanity as well as a bang-up weekend bluegrass brunch. Enter for strong Southern Americana vibes with plenty of excellent bites, live music, and of course, cocktails. The address once housed legendary saxophonist Boots Randolph’s supper club (and most recently — Sea Salt). Visitors can enter off Third Avenue or through the back Printer’s Alley entrance (just follow the signs to the bar).

The splashy, built-for-social-media Layer Cake debuted at the beginning of June, bringing a four-level, “choose-your-own adventure” bar and restaurant meant to offer a different experience on each floor. There’s a casual, ground floor bar, a full-serve dining room on level 2, a stylish rooftop marked by neon signs, DJ booths, and bottle service, and the Cherry Lounge, an invitation-only cocktail lounge whose location in the building is kept mysterious (though you can inquire about VIP table service by texting a phone number).

Walking into the First Level of the Twelve Thirty Club from the shenanigans of Broadway is a refreshing, elevated escape — with plenty of $14 cocktails to make you forget the beer and shots you just took in down the way. The espresso martini and chamomile gin and tonic are both instant winners here.

Matt Bolus’ ground-floor cocktail spot even touts a members-only whiskey society for the most serious of imbibers. The bar’s 404 Old Fashioned is an instant favorite — with Jim Beam bonded, homemade brown butter, roasted pecan syrup, and Dale Degroff’s bitters. Currently from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, enjoy half off the esteemed whiskey list, while on Thursdays you can score $5 off old fashioneds.

This West End cocktail and piano bar provides a gilded backdrop for sophisticated drinking. The cocktail list is built up with classics like a proper old-fashioned, negroni, or sazerac.

Never Never took over a former welding shop across from Bastion last summer, and the owners here kept the space’s industrial feel inside. A tiny food menu offers vegetarian and regular bang chili, bang chili nachos, and bar snacks to munch on while sipping whiskey cocktails and prosecco punch.

The celebrity-owned three-story rustic-chic space in Hillsboro Village features a fantastic rooftop bar. E3’s eponymous Manhattan is stiff and smooth — featuring vanilla and cocoa notes via framboise-infused Rittenhouse Rye, while the fruit-forward “Amarillo sky” builds on rum with blackberry and pinot noir.

Sipping a cocktail in Sinema’s upstairs lounge feels like enjoying a cocktail as a star in a glamorous Hollywood movie (as does taking a #sinemaseslfie in the well-lit ladies' bathroom). Roger Miller’s seasonal cocktails also shine —like the gray whale gin-based ‘ocean planet’ with lillet rosé, clarified blood orange juice, simple syrup, and tarragon mint oil.

There’s a new bar dedicated to the art of sake, a gorgeous East Nashville space serving a revolving selection of sakes brewed onsite, koji beers, highballs, ferments, and food from hot pop-ups like Fox Den Izakaya, Alebrije, and Kisser. Eventually, dumplings will be available on nights when there isn’t a chef pop-up. From Byron Stithem, Rice Vice is now open Wednesday through Sunday, 4 to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 1 to 10 p.m. on weekends., with plans to expand hours soon.