 |
Nashville NeighborhoodsGet to know these Nashville neighborhoods...8th Avenue South Elliston Place Hillsboro Village 12 South Germantown Midtown East Nashville Green Hills Sylvan Park
The best comedians in the world frequent Nashville's only comedy venue, Zanies Comedy Night Club, located at Douglas Corner. For more than two decades, Zanies has been making Nashville laugh with headliners like Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Tim Allen, Jeff Foxworthy and Paula Poundstone. Performers appear Wednesday through Sunday. Zanies offers non-smoking shows, is an 18 and older crowd and requires a two-item food or drink minimum.Across the street from Zanies is Douglas Corner Cafe one ofNashville's most popular listening venues. The venue boasts livemusic six nights a week ranging from country to rock toAmericana, and many of the early shows have no cover charge.On some evenings, the stage is even disregarded when songwriters pull up chairs and perform "in the round" in the midst of the audience. 12South One of Nashville's newest neighborhoods, 12South is the up and coming place to live and socialize. With the city investing in sidewalks and street lighting, 12South has begun to take shapeover the last several years. You can grab coffee, score some newguitar strings, stock up on garden mulch and grab a bite to eat all in the course of an afternoon on foot. Start a unique shopping 8th Avenue South Elliston Place Hillsboro Villageadventure at Katy K's Ranch Dressing, a one-of-a-kind boutique,offering vintage Manuel suits and spangled gowns by Nudie's ofHollywood. Crammed into this tiny store, customers can lookthrough designer cowboy boots, belt buckles, cowboy hats andWestern shirts - all cleverly called "Ranch Dressing." You knowyou are there when you see the shapely cowgirl cutout on thebuilding's stone facade. Shop for eclectic housewares at Sadie B.and 12th South Mercantile or for music and music accessories atthe Corner Music Store. After walking around this charmingneighborhood, pamper yourself in one of the chic salons like TrimClassic Barbar or Suite 1. Not many neighborhoods have as many standout restaurants as12South. Mirror was one of the area's first and has been a leaderin martini trends and chic environments. Looking to introduce newfoods, drinks and events to the neighborhood, Mirror continues tocater to the expanding and changing clientele. Rumours Art &Wine Bar is a full-fledged wine bar with a small but excellent menu that complements the wine. With an expansive patio and hipambiance, Rumours has been the perfect addition to theneighborhood. Mafiaoza's Pizzeria & Neighborhood Pub is locatedin the heart of the 12 South district, and it fits right into the bustling neighborhood. With the slogan "Welcome to the Family," you know you'll feel at home in this Godfather-themed restaurant. In an obscure, unmarked building on the south side of the district, many have found a rare treat: Las Palletas, an authentic Mexican popsicle shop, makes fruit and vegetable popsicles from old family recipes. Stripped bare of any accessories, two stand-alone freezers separate the customers from the two sisters who own the shop, and a chalkboard with the flavors of the day is the only menu in the store. Don't be afraid to try an unusual flavor like avocado.
Elliston Place Elliston Place is located just west of downtown near the Vanderbilt University campus and has a variety of options for dining and nighttime entertainment. As one of Nashville's young, trendy neighborhoods, small homes and cafes epitomize the tenants of the area. In the heart of the neighborhood is the Elliston Place Rock Block, a block-long section of Elliston Place that is home to six of the loudest nightclubs in town. The legendary Exit Inn in Nashville Tennessee has played host to many of today's hit-makers since 1971. This cornerstone of Elliston Place shows no signs of slowing down. The legendary Jimmy Buffett got his start at Exit/In shortly after it opened, as did the young comedian Steve Martin. For those with more alternative musical tastes, walk across the street to The End, a club firmly entrenched in Nashville's rock scene and definitely worth a listen. There are also several bars on Elliston. The Corner Bar isunabashedly basic - good drinks, good pool and good people. Thisplace is a favorite among locals looking for a low-key night ofsimply hanging out. The Gold Rush doesn't claim to be a pool hall; actually, it doesn't claim to be anything. This no-frills bar is a latenight hangout where many bands have been known to appear after their gigs at larger venues around town.No trip to Elliston Place is complete without a stop at the Elliston Place Soda Shop. An institution for seven decades, Elliston is a meat-and-three favorite with a 1950's decor. Known for its fried chicken and milk shakes, this authentic old-time soda fountain has a faithful following among the locals. Just down from Elliston Place Soda Shop is Elder's Bookstore, which has been serving Nashville's literary set since 1930. This modest-looking bookshop stocks some of the rarest of the rare: first edition Faulkner, limited edition Warren, and signed Hemingway. A superior selection of Southern and classic literature, leather-bound volumes, illustrated children's classics, antique maps and Tiffany-style lamps can allbe found here. A little further up the street is another local favorite with the same down-home charm. Rotier's has been serving up the city's best cheeseburger for decades. Take your waiters'suggestion and try their burgers on French bread. Germantown One of Nashville's historic neighborhoods is bringing people closer to town to live and play. Germantown, so named because of the influx of German immigrants in the mid 19th Century, wasNashville's first suburb. The district is one of Nashville's mostarchitecturally heterogeneous neighborhoods, containing asignificant concentration of Victorian building styles. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979, the neighborhood now is being restored to its original grandeur.Germantown Cafe specializes in straightforward traditionalcooking with a subtle twist. Recently featured in Bon Appetit, this unpretentious restaurant serves bistro fare with the menuchanging seasonally. Nearby in a restored Victorian home,Monell's is a staple of the Nashville food scene. A traditional meat and three restaurant, meals at Monell's are served family-style. Seated at tables of 10 or 12, patrons pass the bottomless bowls of fried chicken and hot rolls to the diner on their left. Get there early as Monell's doesn't accept reservations. Located down the street from Monell's is the Mad Platter Restaurant. With a menu that changes seasonally, is intimate and inviting restaurant was one of the first local cafes in Germantown. Guests are encouraged to try the signature dessert - Chocolate Elvis, a three-layer terrine with dark and white chocolate ganache and Italian milk chocolate buttercream on an almond graham cracker crust. Green Hills An area that sports some of Nashville's most desirable homes,Green Hills also has its fair share of exciting destinations for a night out. The Bluebird Cafe has a national reputation as the place to be heard in Nashville if you want to make it as a songwriter. In this intimate setting you can witness a moment "in the round." In this format, three or four songwriters sit in a circle, sharing songs and the inspirations behind the music. This format has become an important part of The Bluebird Cafe's tradition. The audience is given a unique opportunity to hear original material from differentpoints of view in a casual, comfortable environment. It's a chance to discover up-and-coming writers or to hear hits, new and old, from some of the best of the best. The Bluebird serves a variety of alcoholic beverages, and sports a small but interesting menu. The talent that has graced the Bluebird stage includes Garth Brooks, Michael McDonald and Faith Hill. For the jazz lover, look no further than F. Scott's Restaurant & Jazz Bar. The restaurant has an award-winning menu, wine tastings every Monday and jazz nightly. F. Scott's servescontemporary American cuisine in a setting that combines thecomfort and familiarity of a neighborhood restaurant with flair and sophistication. For the ultimate change in scenery, stop by the Greenhouse Bar. This place really is a greenhouse complete with hanging plants, gravel floor and fountain. Try one of their specialty drinks or step up to the beautifully crafted bar for a beer. A few doors down from the Greenhouse are a couple of watering holes for the sports-minded patron. The Box Seat has TVs everywhere, so you won't miss your favorite team in action. It gets crowded on game days so arrive early. From boutiques to an upscale mall, some of Nashville's bestshopping can be found in Green Hills. Stores like Bamboo and MyFriend's Place offer trendy, chic clothing lines in a boutiquesetting. Anchored by Dillard's and Macy's department stores, TheMall at Green Hills features such stores as Tiffany & Co.,Louis Vuitton, Sephora, Kiehl's, Pottery Barn, Sigrid Olson andmany others. Hillsboro Village Conveniently located near Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities, Hillsboro Village is a collection of shops, boutiques and restaurants perfect for a day's stroll. A four-block radius with all the makings of its own village, this quaint Nashville neighborhood has rejuvenated the community and attracted young professionals for living and playing. If hungry customers are hoping to rub elbows with Music Rowexecs or simply want to eat something from the extraordinary halfprice late night menu, look no further than the venerable Sunset Grill. A long-time staple of Nashville's dining landscape, Sunset Grill offers a great wine menu, inspired entrees and a cool atmosphere. Across the street is the popular Cabana, a versatile restaurant and bar. This mellow restaurant morphs into an upscale hot spot with live music and DJs in the evening. Behind Sunset Grill is the trendy Jackson's Bar and Bistro. Specializing in French Bistro style food as well as eclectic European fare, this neighborhood bistro encourages patrons to come as they are and be themselves. Across the street is arguably Nashville's most famous restaurant. A Nashville breakfast tradition, the Pancake Pantry boasts a menu with 21 pancake selections. Combining some surprising ingredients with family flapjack recipes, the ending results are pancakes that melt in your mouth. (Try chocolate chip or sweet potato flavors.) Saturday and Sunday mornings are especially popular at the Pantry, and the waiting line usually wraps around the building down 21st Avenue. For Parisian-style fare, Provence Breads and Cafe offers gourmet sandwiches and decadent baked goods in a relaxed, cozy atmosphere. In the center of the Village is one of Nashville's local breweries. Boscos brews handcrafted beer and has won many awards for its Tennessee original Flaming Stone beer. There are more beers on the menu, too, suited to every beer taste imaginable, plus a variety of pasta dishes, oven-fired pizzas and great sandwiches. Sam's Place is a fully functioning sports bar with great food. A bit younger crowd than at the other Village spots, Sam's is a place where patrons can feel comfortable dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. Across the street from Sam's Place is Fido. This funkycoffeehouse is the heart and soul of Hillsboro Village. Fido draws a mix of Vandy students, Music Row execs, musicians andneighborhood locals. Coffee is the main attraction, but largesandwiches and all-day breakfasts are crowd pleasers. Hillsboro Village may seem small, but unique boutiques andspecialty stores abound. From industrial espresso makers to eggtimers, Davis Cookware carries a myriad of kitchen items.BookMan/BookWoman Used Books offers more than 150,000used volumes and a search service to help you find what youneed. You can even turn trash into treasure at Nashville Lights,where almost anything can be made into a lamp. Pangaea, FireFinch and A Thousand Faces each offer their own varied selectionof art, jewelry, office accessories, furniture and gifts. For unique gifts or rare finds, these stores are a must. Posh Boutique offers a wide selection of the latest styles with prices ranging between $10 and $200, accommodating all budgets. Even glasses aren't spared by this neighborhood's chic style. SEE (Selective Eyewear Elements) features unique European designer eyewear. Midtown Every city seems to have a midtown, and Nashville is noexception. The funny thing is, nobody here ever calls it that. If you were to ask a local where Midtown is, you might receive someconfused looks. But ask about places like South Street, Bound'ryor Virago, and they'll be able to tell you exactly how to get there. A Nashville favorite for years, South Street Original Crab Shack & Authentic Dive Bar is known by locals as simply South Street. This Cajun restaurant serves large portions, spicy entrees, seafood and barbecue. With a 'convertible' dining room and an open upstairs called the Treehouse, South Street is perfect for a casual atmosphere on a warm southern night. A few doors down and a world away, the Bound'ry is one of Nashville's most unusual places to spend an evening. Dining at the Bound'ry is a true experience. The upscale global cuisine is delectable, and the restaurant itself is a work of art. The decor is best described as a Salvador Dali painting gone wild. It is eclectic and beautiful at the same time, combining the five senses into one grand experience. The Broadway Brewhouse is a place for the true beer connoisseur with over 70 beers on tap and another 100 or so in the coolers. Attached to the Brewhouse is the very affordable Mojo Grill. Specializing in Cajun-inspired dishes that will fill your stomach without emptying your wallet. One of the hottest spots in Midtown is Virago. This restaurant is rather upscale with a very contemporary menu. Patrons can choose to lounge around the sushi bar for a more casual dining experience or sit in the main dining room surrounded by Paul McLean's artwork. Part sushi bar, part upscale restaurant, part late night cocktail lounge, Virago plays all of its roles well. Noshville is a New York-style deli that offers a broad menu of deli favorites like the Reuben and corned beef. Try one of theexceptionally large servings of dessert or the sour pickles foundon every table. With a second location in Green Hills, Noshvillebrings a bit of the Big Apple to the Music City. Sylvan Park Southwest of downtown Nashville lies the quaint and quietneighborhood of Sylvan Park, a beautiful setting with homes andbusinesses that run the gamut from funky to upscale. Here 1920'sclapboard homes and 1930's stone bungalows look right at hometogether. The neighborhood's namesake restaurant, Sylvan ParkRestaurant, has been serving Nashville residents old-fashionedSouthern cooking for more than 50 years. The restaurant'scontinuing popularity is demonstrated by the proliferation of Sylvan Park restaurants around the city. Called a meat and three this style of restaurant refers to the meals served for one price - a choice of meat plus three vegetables. Across the street, Caffe Nonna is a cozy, neighborhood Italian bistro. Seating 45 people, the cafe has an intimate ambience with servers who maneuver deftly between wooden tables. Next door to Caffe Nonna is Park Cafe, comfortable and quirky; this fusion eatery serves creative dishes with influences from Asia, India, France and Italy. Known for its upscale dining, Park Cafe has become a top choice for many of Nashville's prominent faces. At The Produce Place, one can find a wide selection of fresh food and produce, including organic and gourmet items. This small establishment offers fresh bread from local bakeries and a varied selection of fine cheeses as well as preservative-free juices and soups.
|
