Things To Do
Broadway
If you haven't been before, it's worth a look, whether you're a people watcher or the person being watched! Be sure to check out some of the classic spots like Robert's, but there's plenty of fun to be had at the newer spots.
Mother's Ruin
A fun, lively bar with good food and cocktails. Our first date was here. Please don't judge us for that. Close to the welcome party venue.
The Patterson House
Arguably the best cocktails in town, and the staff is very helpful in guiding you to something you'll like! No reservations; we recommend getting there early to get a seat at the bar so you watch the bartenders work their magic.
Le Loup
One of our favorite bars (Elaine loves the Lychee Martini and the Chartreuse Swizzle is one of Kean's faves), upstairs from The Optimist (excellent seafood, another favorite) and part of the same complex as Star Rover Sound (we love the weekend steak dinner deal). Kean and Elaine celebrated their engagement at The Optimist, followed by drinks at Le Loup! Close to the welcome party venue.
Attaboy
Another no-reservation top-tier cocktail bar, but this time in East! No menus; just tell the staff what kind of flavors you're into and they will return with a beautiful drink you've probably never heard of. We highly recommend getting a spot on the waitlist and hopping over to Up-Down across the road to pass the time.
Bearded Iris - Sylvan Supply
Great beers (mostly IPAs) and ramen at this location; we love walking to their original brewery location in Germantown! Elaine found the first beer she ever liked here - a Nashville staple, The Homestyle. The Germantown location is next door to the welcome party venue.
Von Elrod's Beer Hall & Kitchen
Liters of beer and long tables for big groups - what more could you want? Kean met some of Elaine's friends here for the first time back in the day! This is on a great block in Germantown, with Desano Pizza, Barrel Proof, Neighbors and Geist just a few doors down. Plenty of options! Close to the welcome party venue.
Up-Down Nashville
Our favorite barcade with a midwest-inspired dive in the basement. Kean's personal best on "Ice Cold Beer" is 7. Please let him know if you beat it!
Bad Luck Burger Club
Our#1 draft pick, first team all-American, hands-down favorite burger in Nashville. Come for the lacey smashed cheeseburgers, stay for the mead (and other drinks) from Honeytree! Avoid if don't like mustard. If you ask for ketchup they will laugh at you.
Redheaded Stranger
We love the tacos here - the #3, #5, and #8 are especially tasty. Handmade flour tortillas, a great frozen strawberry margarita, and no f*ckin' chips. If the line is crazy, head to Mas Tacos Por Favor for more traditional (and also excellent) street tacos.
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint
One of our favorites! Awesome burgers and fries, plus a huge beer list. Plenty of locations throughout Nashville. The Germantown location is close to the welcome party venue.
Radish Kitchen
Need something green? Give these guys a look! Great grain bowls and salads. Our perennial post-vacation detox meal.
Humphreys Street Coffee Shop
Excellent coffee for a great cause in a fun area of town! This is the social enterprise arm of Harvest Hands, the non-profit where Elaine works.
Neighborlily
Another cutesy Germantown coffee shop, but this time with flowers! Get yourself a latte, and a bouquet while you're at it.
Dozen Bakery
Elaine's favorite bakery in town! Great pastries and breakfast sandwiches - try the blueberry muffin, seasonal galettes, or the focaccia breakfast sandwich!
Fox's Donut Den
A true Nashville OG and lifelong favorite of Kean's. Hard to beat the apple fritter and blueberry cake donuts!
Crieve Hall Bagel Co.
Top notch sourdough bagels, one of our favorite breakfast spots! The chive cream cheese is lights out.
Fido
Excellent, longstanding Hillsboro Village fixture. Great coffee and breakfast!
Turnip Green Creative Reuse
Possibly Elaine's favorite place on this list! Turnip Green diverts usable material from landfills for creative projects, taking in hard-to-recycle materials and redistributing them back to community members through a pay-what-you-can shopping center, education programming, and studio workshops.
Percy Warner Park
Great hiking trails and an awesome view from the top of the stairs, nestled in Nashville's premier old money neighborhood. Beware power tripping Belle Meade cops, they live to write tickets.
Centennial Park
A great (flat) place to take a walk near Vanderbilt's campus. Go check out the Parthenon!
Bicentennial Mall
Another great place to walk in our neighborhood! Cross the street at the far south end and take the stairs up toward the state capitol and you'll find the landing where Kean proposed!