Apologies go out to Eastside locals who are in-the-know and hope their neighborhood gem stays a well-kept secret. Inglewood Lounge, located inside a former Mrs. Winner’s Chicken, sets an eclectic vibe delivered via mid-century modern quirks and a focused menu of small plates. If you time it right, you might find longtime mixologist Jeremiah Blake behind the bar, who has been an architect of the Nashville cocktail scene for a decade or more. Regardless of who’s slinging drinks, patrons will have no trouble delighting their tastes with elite dishes and drinks. Come for the Negroni, stay for the neighborhood cheer.

Charity: PAWS

It’s always summertime at East Nashville’s Pearl Diver, where the island-themed atmosphere delivers tropical vibes complete with surfer movies on a projected screen and a tiki-focused cocktail menu. They kicked off Nashville’s Negroni week with a launch party on Monday night and will be serving their take on the Kingston Negroni—substituting gin for Jamaican rum—all week long. Order at the bar and get comfortable in one of the sea foam green booths or the charming outdoor lounge. 

Charity: Lambda Legal 

If not for City House, it’s fair to question what the dining scene in Germantown would look like today. A Nashville staple since opening its doors in 2007, City House quickly became a destination while landing multiple awards, including the 2016 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast (awarded to Nashville native, Tandy Wilson). They’re celebrating 100 years of the Negroni by featuring three versions of the cocktail, including the “Caffé Boulevardier”—a Boulevardier riff combining rye and Campari with espresso-infused sweet vermouth. 

Charity: No Kid Hungry

Old meets new at Holston House—one of Nashville’s many recent hotel additions. Hosted in a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the beautiful 1920s interior received a makeover to complement its art deco exterior. Part of that renovation included in-house restaurant TENN, which specializes in classic Southern fare. Above TENN sits Bar TENN, a casual lobby bar serving everything from coffee to cocktails, where imbibers find a comfortable view of the hotel lobby below or the pressed tin ceiling above. While you’re there, head up to the rooftop bar and enjoy your Negroni while overlooking the downtown cityscape (stories above the nearest pedal tavern). 

Charity: Little Free Library 

Downtown Nashville has a reputation for attracting a certain kind of clientele, which has led to more of the same in terms of dining and drinking options. Thankfully, The Green Pheasant opened its doors not long ago, upgrading the heart of Nashville with a refreshing and gorgeous space serving elegant Japanese dishes tied to Southern influences. Grab a seat at the centerpiece bar or in one of the plush velvet booths, and see what beverage director and resident sake sommelier, Kynsey Hunter, has up her sleeve for Negroni Week. 

Charity: Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation 

Situated in a 1920s boiler room that features the building’s original elements, including a towering smokestack, exposed brick walls, and 60-foot ceilings, Old Glory is one of Nashville’s most unique cocktail venues. You won’t find their name on any signs, so look for the golden triangle in the alleyway right off Edgehill Ave to enter. For Negroni Week, Old Glory is serving up the original, plus a few tempting riffs like the Dizzy Bird featuring banana infused rum, Campari, Goslings 151, falernum, and tiki bitters.

Charity: Lambda Legal

If you were to ask any local about the best cocktail bars in Nashville, you’d end up with a long list that definitely includes Bastion. If you were to ask where the best place to get cocktails and nachos, that list gets chopped down to just one. A casual watering hole with laidback, patio vibes and bleacher-style seating, Bastion represents yet another successful venture by Strategic Hospitality. The bar program rivals any of the city, and the nachos might be on a pedestal of their own. And for those in search of a more elevated dining experience, Chef Josh Habiger’s 24-seat dining room with an open kitchen concept offers a “choose your own adventure” a la carte menu of diverse seasonal items. 

Charity: No Kid Hungry  

Comfort meets glamour in the former movie theater turned upscale restaurant. While the food Kyle Patterson cranks out is consistent and noteworthy, Sinema’s bar program, decorated with classics and offering over 100 selections of whiskey, might be one of the most underrated in the city. There’s no better time to experience what they offer than now, during what the restaurant has dubbed “Summer at Sinema,” a celebration of its fifth anniversary that features a variety of small bites and beverages at discounted prices. 

Charity: PAWS