Tennessee Nightlife

A mounted buffalo head eyes guests curiously as they swing through the french doors of Buffalo's Nashville, having climbed the stairs or ridden the elevator to the historical building's second floor. As patrons settle into studded leather barstools, bartenders take their orders for well drinks or domestic beers such as Bud, Miller Light, and Coors Light, and sports games play on 21 high-definition TV screens. Behind the scenes, the kitchen yields plates of burgers and sandwiches as well as wings dipped in a dozen mild to extra-hot sauces.

In between rounds of drinks, bouts of shuffleboard, darts, and billiards occupy glassless hands as spectators watch from atop a refurbished shoeshine station. Buffalo's Nashville also hosts special events and parties in a pair of private rooms overlooking the Cumberland River and the Titans' LP Field.

Like a hand-grenade-fueled fever dream of New Orleans, Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar throbs and glows: neon signs and strings of twinkling lights flicker off wrought-iron balconies. Mardi Gras beads droop like tendrils of Spanish moss from light fixtures behind the amply stocked bar. And to top it all off, blues riffs pulsate through the bar until 3 a.m. Since opening its doors in 1995, Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar has welcomed more than 100 blues musicians to its stage, including luminaries such as James Brown and B.B. King.

The homage to New Orleans extends to Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar’s cuisine: chefs coat crayfish and catfish in a crispy golden crust and serve them with classic sides such as gator bites, hush puppies, and deep-fried voodoo dolls.

The owners of Myridia designed their lounge-like eatery to be a place where guests can spend an entire evening and feel as though they've visited multiple venues. The menu covers flavors from several international cuisines—Middle Eastern and Japanese, to name a few—that arrive at tables as appetizers, salads, paninis, and Asian bowls. That worldly approach is also reflected by the drink menu, crowned by wines sourced from regions such as South Africa, Spain, and California. The lounge-like atmosphere keeps patrons relaxing on plush seats while they enjoy themed nightly music events that may range from an '80s night to an evening of songs from local singers and songwriters.

Though Dublin may be an ocean away, a perfect three-pour pint of Guinness can be found right in Franklin, Tennessee. A talented bartender at McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery will even slide you a frosty imperial pint with a Celtic symbol drawn into the foam so you can marvel at a four-leaf clover or a full Yeats verse before taking a sip. The Irish lore doesn't stop at the beer—a complete menu of shepherd's pie, corned beef and cabbage, and signature fish ‘n’ chips fits right in with the rustic decor of Irish maps and vintage posters. On weekends, live bands play bouncy Irish music as diners chat at communal tables and feast on housemade soda bread or plates of whiskey-glazed salmon. Traditional Irish breakfasts, another weekend treat, rouse sleepy stomachs with steel-cut oats kissed with brown sugar or gargantuan ulster fry plates packed with bangers, bacon, corned beef, eggs, potatoes, and black-and-tan bread.

Since 1989, Bleachers Sports Grill has welcomed families and sports fans into its friendly confines for a hearty meal, cold drink, and plenty of game-time action. Twenty TVs broadcasting everything from MLB games to Big 10 showdowns encircle the dining room and bar, where Mississippi flags, Tennessee pennants, and Kansas State steaks proudly hang from bright-red walls. A wait staff shuffles sliders, Reubens, and half-pound burgers from high-topped table to high-topped table, while barkeeps fill up mugs with ice-cold drafts. The smoke-free, family-friendly environment also caters to tiny sports fans with grilled-cheese sandwiches and kid-size pizzas.

The Silly Goose's laid-back atmosphere of candlelight, antique books, vibrant artwork, and non-flammable coat hangers provides an environment for the cerebral tête-à-têtes and swordfighting that'll ensue over your meals. Prime your palate with chicken quesadillas ($7.29) or the melted sausage cheese plate ($7) before moving on to one of the menu's main dishes. The panini selection includes the flavorful pesto parmesan chicken ($7.50) along with the turkey and swiss ($7), or for a sandwich with less panini qualities, try one of the flatbreads ($6.50¬–$7.50). The Silly Goose entree selection features a spicy smoked sausage on baguette with fries ($7) and smoked beef brisket sided with Gouda mashed potatoes ($8).