Taking over the former Walden space in East Nashville, Tiger Bar is what happens when P.T. Barnum gets his hands on a modern-day saloon. The retro circus-themed bar comes courtesy of the Pearl Diver crew — you can enjoy your freezer martini or cotton candy-topped negroni in one of the booths fashioned to look like a sideshow railcar before diving into high-touch snacks like the Panisse & Caviar, a chickpea fritter topped with crème fraîche and caviar.

Situated in East Nashville’s Highland Yards complex, Golden Pony is a comfy, mid-century modern hang where it seems everyone knows your name (or soon will). Whether you’re hunkering down in a booth with friends, cuddling on a couch with a date, or posting up solo at the bar, order up one of the agua frescas with your choice of spirit and pair it with the hot honey cheese toast or some of the buttermilk breaded fries.

Named in honor of David “Skull” Schulman, the local behind Skull’s Rainbow Room and the pioneer of Nashville’s authentic dive bar scene, Schlman’s is a tried-and-true dive bar with dart boards, a jukebox, and an old-school cigarette machine that dispenses cartons. The drink menu is tightly curated and includes a martini, a negroni, a frozen margarita, and the Frozen Fernz with rum, Fernet, coconut, and mint. The bar — which also offers fried bologna sandwiches and fried pickles for munching on — is open seven days a week until 2 a.m.

An unassuming coffee clatch serving up steaming lattes and pastries by day, Grandpa’s is all about the nightcaps after the sun sets, turning into a cozy bar scene in the evening with Old Fashioneds, espresso martinis, and antique furniture to enjoy them on. The menu at this Marathon Village spot is balanced out by a few local beer and non-alcoholic options.

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery recently completed a full-scale renovation to expand the mercantile shop, add an onsite restaurant, and update the interiors. Part of those updates include a full-service bar offering flights of Nelson’s products and cocktails crafted with the distillery’s bourbons and whiskeys, as well as their new house-made vodka and gin. Try the Cold Fashioned, a frozen twist on the classic Old Fashioned.

Before settling into dinner at Yolan, you’ll want to stop by the Joseph’s newest cocktail bar for interesting drinks in a visually arresting space: picture hide on the walls, fringe hanging from the ceiling, and a long blood-red, Rosso Levanto Italian marble bar. The cocktail menu here features nine different negronis and a selection of kicky aperitivos — like cheddar farfalle crisps and Nashville hot corn nuts — to tide you over until your next meal.

Virgin Nashville’s new speakeasy-style space, The Late Great, is an eclectic, yet comfy, space adorned with folk art paintings, country music memorabilia, love seats, and couches. The bar focuses on savory drinks — like the White Lightenin’ made with vodka, cucumber, lemon, Greek yogurt, and dill — developed by Hope Rice, who formerly collaborated with the bar at Audrey. In lieu of shots, the menu also features “pocket cocktails,” miniature-size versions of classic drinks that are ideal for sampling without committing to the full-size version.

During the day, Blind Barber is a classic three-chair barber shop offering haircuts, shaves, and styling along with a complimentary cocktail to go with your service. After hours, this New York-born speakeasy turns into a funky 70’s-inspired speakeasy outfitted in gold trim and accents with velour booths, a spacious dance floor, and an expansive bar serving cocktails, mocktails, and light snacks.