Music Row is an area designated on 16th and 17th Avenues, where legendary artists have recorded iconic albums in the numerous music studios located within these blocks. It’s also where locals call home! From beloved local dive bars with quirky character to Nashville artistic features, we share a few of our local favorites on Music Row and how we like to pass our time here!
NOTABLE MUSIC STUDIOS AND RECORD LABELS
Walking up and down the main arteries of Music Row on 16th and 17th Avenues, you’ll see where music history was made in several historic recording studios, record labels and publishing houses. Columbia Studio A/Quonset Hut has seen the likes of Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and Patsy Cline. The legendary RCA Studio B still has the holiday lights that were strung in July to get Elvis Presely into the spirit to record his Christmas album. Ocean Way Nashville Recording Studios has seen the likes of The Spice Girls and the birthplace of several well-known video game scores, like Madden NFL.
Because many of the recording studios are still actively run businesses, only RCA Studio B is open for public tours. Tickets to the tour can be booked here and need to be reserved ahead of time.
Whether you take an official tour or not, we agree it’s powerful walking by these unassuming buildings that bore some of the greatest songs of all time.
THINGS TO DO ON MUSIC ROW (THAT LOCALS EVEN LOVE)
OWEN BRADLEY PARK
A little pocket-sized oasis amid the hustle and bustle of the north end of Music Row, this park is home to the bronze statue of Owen Bradley, one of the people responsible for creating the “Nashville sound.” Scoot in beside Owen for a photo op; there is room for two on his piano bench! This park is also small dog-friendly. Admission: free.
MUSICA SCULPTURE
Across from Owen Bradley Park is the well-known and beloved Musica sculpture. Not only is it Alan LeQuire’s largest sculpture commission to date, it is currently the largest sculpture group in the United States. Cast in bronze, Musica features nine bronze nude figures, male and female, dancing in a circular composition. Reaching nearly 38 feet tall, this sculpture is not only physically the heart of Music Row, its symbolism represents the historic and economic significance of the piece. Admission: free.
ART AT UPPER ROOM CHAPEL
The Upper Room Chapel is home to some rare and international works of art. Within the chapel you’ll see a nearly life size wood carving patterned after da Vinci’s Last Supper and dazzling stained glass. From the museum you can venture outside to the beautiful Agape Garden. Admission: $5 suggested donation.
BEST PLACES TO EAT ON MUSIC ROW
Vibe: With the motto “True Taste of Nashville”, you’ll experience both music and good Nashville eats. Live music every night at 6pm!
Order Recommendation: Traditional southern fare; Nashville Hot Chicken, Southern Burger or Shrimp & Grits
Price: Moderate
Vibe: A must-visit for those looking to experience this spicy, local specialty
Order Recommendation: Fried hot chicken sandwich with pimento cheese
Price: Reasonable
Vibe: This speakeasy-style bar is known for its craft cocktails and small plates
Order Recommendation: Yeast Donuts or TPH Burger
Price: Pricey
Vibe: Traditional Indian flavors with Southern influences
Order Recommendation: Hot Chicken Pakoras and Masala Fries
Price: Moderate
LOCAL WATERING HOLES NEAR MUSIC ROW
Bar Type: Classic Dive Bar
Serves: Classic bar eats and variety of beers on tap
*Nashville Pedal Tavern Partner: Drink discounts with Pedal Tavern wristband
Bar Type: Sports Bar and Full Service Restaurant
Serves: Full service bar with specialty draft selection, signature frozen cocktails, and vodka infused juice pouches
*Nashville Pedal Tavern Partner: Drink discounts with Pedal Tavern wristband
Bar Type: Brewery and Pizzeria
Serves: Craft Beer. Craft Cider. Craft Pizza.
Drink Types: Lager, Hazy IPA, Southeast IPA, Cider, Peanut Butter Milk Stout
Fun Stuff: Trivia every Thursday at 7pm
Drink Recommendation: Passionfruit Yuzu, which is a collab between TailGate Brewery and The Nashville Pedal Tavern!
Bar Type: Pub Food. Brunch. Late Night Menu
Drink Types: Serves a variety of beers on tap
Fun Stuff: Karaoke every Friday night and brunch until 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Bar Type: Sports bar with old-school arcade games
Drink Types: Draft cocktails and a variety of beers
Fun Stuff: Vintage arcade games are free and shuffleboard, Skee ball and private karaoke rooms are available. An outdoor patio offers heaters and pingpong!
Bar Type: Dive bar with cheap drinks and low-key atmosphere
Drink Types: Saloon shooters, railroad libations, Midtown mules and a variety of beers on tap
Fun Stuff: Home of Red’s Irish Frozen Coffee Whacker
BEST MIDTOWN COFFEE SHOPS
Our Order: Coco Loco latte with the avocado toast on waffled sourdough bread
Why We Love It: Community focused with a passion toward supporting families in the adoption process
Our Order: Bourbon vanilla frozen latte with Athena breakfast burrito (hellooooo, tzatziki!)
Why We Love It: This nonprofit is committed to turning coffee into water; since 2012, they’ve completed 74 water projects in 24 countries, donated $386,000 and directly impacted over 145,000 with clean water, dignity and health.
Our Order: Matcha with a side of smashbrowns
We We Love It: Located in the Graduate hotel, this coffee hot spot not only serves great bean juice, its decor is IG-worthy
HOW TO EXPERIENCE MUSIC ROW, THE MIDTOWN OF NASHVILLE
There’s no better way to see the city than sitting atop the #1 party bike in Nashville with a cold drink in hand. In addition to a route downtown on Broadway, Nashville Pedal Tavern offers a ride through Midtown to see all the best sights with stops at one or two bars (where you’ll score an exclusive drink specials!). Our drivers are locals, so they know not only the history of famed Music Row, they have the best recommendations and insight into what you should see, what you should hear and what you should eat while in Nashville.
If you have a group of fewer than six, the public pedal tour is the tour for you. What better way to meet new people than on a bar bike in Nashville? Hop on Nashville Pedal Tavern to meet new friends, and really get a taste of Music City and the Honky Tonks.
Got a group of more than 6 people? Make it a private party on the Nashville Pedal Tavern as you cruise down Broadway! Perfect for a Nashville bachelorette party, family get-together, birthday party or pregame activity, Nashville Pedal Tavern will make sure your night (or day) on the town will be one for the books.
OLD TOWN TROLLEY TOURS NASHVILLE MIDTOWN
The trolley runs all through Nashville with “Hop-On, Hop-Off “ticket options. Learn the history of the area and discover the heart and soul of the Music City through engaging tour drives/trolley drivers.
NASHVILLE’S HISTORIC ELECTRIC BIKE TOUR
Explore the neighborhood that put Nashville on the musical map while pedaling atop an electronic bike. This tour will point out recording studios, record labels and delve into the history behind some of Nashville’s best selling hits. ico
With the recommendations and guidance above, you’ll see Nashville’s Music Row through the eyes of a local. While talented musical artists put Music Row on the map, Midtown boasts so many incredible restaurants, eclectic bars and must-see coffee shops. There is no shortage of things to do on Music Row, as this neighborhood is the perfect ballad of where history meets innovation. You’ll leave Midtown feeling inspired and rejuvenated!
