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 tiki 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 (which recently reopened after the devastating March 2020 tornado) — 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 new 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).

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.

Find Nashville veteran barman Jonathan Howard making more standout cocktails at Sean Brock’s swanky new spot at the Grand Hyatt Nashville. Choose from an exquisite dirty martini or the “white lady” with Ford’s Gin, Fino sherry, aqua de cedro, lavender, lemon, and froth.

The Charlotte Avenue bar from James and Louisa Green (the husband-and-wife duo who owns Headquarters Coffee just down the street) opened in October of 2020. The former auto shop turned cocktail and taco spot feels like it’s been there for years — with approachable drinks, neighborhood vibes, and throwback 1980s crispy tacos.

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 dimly lit, speakeasy-style bar was named after prohibition-fighting former Tennessee Governor Malcolm Patterson. When the bar opened in 2009, it played a big role in putting both Strategic Hospitality's Goldberg Brothers and Nashville's cocktail scene officially on the map. The go-to drink order is easy: make it a dealer's choice. Food, from loaded tots and smoked/fried wings to a standout burger from upstairs neighbor the Catbird Seat chef Brian Baxter, is also not to be missed.

The Wedgewood-Houston cocktail den and laid-back hangout from Josh Habiger and Strategic Hospitality quickly made a name for itself with impressive cocktails and noteworthy nachos. Cocktails here average $13, plus a $10 rotating special punch-of-the-day and old fashioned, and classic du jours for $11.

It’s possible to imagine Papa himself bellied up to the bar at Earnest (formerly Hemingway’s) in Wedgewood-Houston. The boozy cocktails are creative and cleverly described. Try the Steve McQueen or ask for a classic Hemingway daiquiri, which just feels right somehow here.

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.

Wedgewood-Houston resident and first-time restaurant owner Marcus Capehart’s pH Craft Cocktails set up shop in mixed-use Six10 Merritt at The Finery in summer of 2019, and is a fine destination for creative cocktails and food from fried green beans to cheeseboards. On Sundays, find a Nashville hot chicken biscuit and shrimp and grits and 2-4-1 champagne special. Happy hour is Wednesday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. with $8 cocktails and $6 small plates.

The celebrity-owned three-story rustic-chic space in Hillsboro Village features a fantastic rooftop bar — prime for sipping some of the only sous vide cocktails to be found in Nashville. E3’s eponymous Manhattan is one of the sous vide-style cocktails — featuring Rittenhouse Rye, vanilla, raspberry, vermouth, and bitters. The “kind of a big dill” builds on dill-infused Altos Tequila with lime, mango habanero, and E3 salt blend.