How to honky tonk in Nashville

A honky tonk is a bar that has live country music. Nashville is the Home of honky tonks and honky tonk music. The Grand Ole Opry used to be held downtown Music City at the Ryman Auditorium off of Broadway. The Opry now takes place over at the new Grand Ole Opry house over at the Opry Mills complex. Today, the Ryman plays host to big rock and country music shows. In the 50's & 60's the Opry stars would walk across the alley and hang out at Tootsie's before and after their slots on the Opry stage. Ernest Tubb opened a record store downtown across from Tootsies.. Hank Williams even had a shop downtown for a spell. Today, Nashville's lower broadway scene has changed.. a big tourist attraction. But, there's still some great honky tonks and honky tonk music.

I've been working in the music business since about 2003 and going to the honky tonks on Broadway still gets my blood pumping.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A way to get to Nashville
• A passion for good music
• Money for a hotel
• A willingness to have a ton of fun

1. Okay, you gotta find a way to Music City. By plane, car, train, something..

2. You've gotta find a great hotel next to where the action is at. One thing you don't want to be doing is driving around after you've honky tonked the night away. I suggest the Hilton Nashville Downtown at [phone]. They're within walking distance to literally everything you'll want to see downtown.

3. The first thing you'll want to do is goto the historic Country Music Hall of Fame. Learn some history. Take it all in. They have a slew of information about the old days of country music.. the folks that made the genre and industry what it is today.

4. After you tour the Hall of Fame you'll be hungry. While there are dynamite places to eat in town like Sunset Grille, Noshville, and others.. on your honky-tonkin' night I would highly suggest you go straight over to Robert's Western World on Lower Broadway. Sit there, order up a great burger or my personal favorite.. the fried bologna sandwich and chips. While you're there, you'll hear some great live music.
   
   Robert's used to be a boot store/bar. Br5-49 got their huge start playing there before they signed to Arista records back in the 1990's. They stopped selling boots but they've kept serving food & drinks and offering up some great live music. There's a lot of great history there.. it's one of my favorite places to hear music in town.

5. You won't want to stay in one place too long. Before it gets too late into the night you gotta go across the street to the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. Man, talk about a historic place. Back in the 60's, 70's, & 80's they would host the Midnite Jamboree right from the store. Every Saturday night Merle Haggard, Ernest himself, Faron Young, Roger Miller, or one of the other top names in country music would perform live.. and it would broadcast on the radio at 650 WSM-Am. Now, the Jamboree is held at the newest ET Record Shop on Music Valley Drive. But, the original shop on Broadway is where it's at. while you're in there.. pick up some great music from Porter Wagoner (Rubber Room), Merle Haggard (Serving 190 Proof), or Loretta Lynn (Gold)..

6. Head on over back across the street to Layla's Bluegrass Inn. This is where the music gets serious. Layla always has the best acts on the street. It's a great little place.. and if beer drinkin' is your thing you can't walk out without having a $1 PBR in a can.

7. You've gotta make it to Tootsie's Orchid Lounge. It's famous. World famous. The music they normally have in there isn't my cup of tea.. but if you're from out of town you've gotta go in there and check out a piece of country music history. Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Faron Young, Tom T Hall.. all the greats hung out in there when they were coming up in the business.

8. If you're able at this point in the night.. go back across the street on the ET Record Shop side. There you'll find some serious, serious live music. Check out "The Wheel" and "The Full Moon Saloon". Great places with lots of great music and food. And, it'll offer you a little different feel than what you experienced at the other places.

9. There ya have it. That's how you honky tonk on Lower Broadway in Nashville. Have fun.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your vitamins and make sure you've got the strength to endure such an evening on Broadway. It's quite an experience.. lots of walking, lots of having fun. You'll need the boost.
• If you pass out in one of the honky tonks and make a complete idiot of yourself.. don't blame me.
• You gotta get a burger or bologna sandwich at Robert's. Trust me.
• If you or a loved one happens to die from honky-tonking (which has been known to happen).. it ain't my fault.

[missnice104]

on 10/2/2008 I probably won't be honky tonking, but it was a great article. You were very detailed and it does sound like you had a blast! If one loves Country Music, this sounds like the best thing to do!!

[UkieGirl]

on 9/30/2008 This sounds like fun. I never knew what a honky tonk really was.

[ALLinRueThyme]

on 9/30/2008 You make me want to jump a plane. Sounds like an exciting night on the town.