This bar is 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.

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 cocktail den from John Peet (Old Glory, House of Cards) has relocated to new East Nashville digs, but keeps its strong Southern Americana vibes, tasty bites, live music, and of course, cocktails. These are arguably the star of the show, with a beverage lineup designed as a nod to Middle Tennessee featuring lesser-known local products and seasonal cocktails like the Bourbon and Water made with watermelon, Chareau (aloe liquor), and Cappelletti, an aperitivo.

Feast on fried crawfish tails and Voodoo pasta while sipping on bar manager Derrick Diggs’ whiskey cocktails and carafes of mimosas at the self-described “Creole seafood social restaurant and lounge” named after owner Christopher Jones’ grandmother who inspired his passion for food at a young age.

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.

This storied brick-clad building was originally built in 1886, but it took a massive hit with the March 2020 tornado. Luckily Geist’s story doesn’t end here — it has risen again with the same breathtaking interior and solid cocktails from Freddy Schwenk, plus Nashville’s only year-round champagne garden for outdoor seating.

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).

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.

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. and Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. with $8 cocktails and $6 small plates.

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.