Henley

This modern American brasserie inside the Kimpton Aertson Hotel makes Midtown that much cooler. Henley isn’t just a great bar, it’s a Michelin star restaurant. The seasonal New American menu offers dynamic small plates with a southern soul and French technique. They offer a delicious Sunday brunch, served with a side of live music—but we’re here to talk booze. The bar program puts small-batch Tennessee bourbons in the spotlight. You can get a Manhattan made with your choice of bourbon and vermouth, made tableside from a cocktail cart. How fancy is that?! There’s also a thoughtful wine list and curated menu of Nashville craft beers. When you get the munchies, order the Trailer Baby Crackers, made with pimento cheese, gulf crab, and celery, or an order of the sweet potato rolls to soak up the alcohol. They’ve got a great patio, too! You can get a ladle full of their seasonally rotating house punch for six bucks, every day during happy hour from 4-6pm.

THE VIBE

Modern and understated, yet stylish, this is more of a special occasion spot than an every day hang. Eyes peer at you from behind the bar. Are they judging your consumption?

Photo courtesy of Henley

Old Glory

The Soler sisters, Alexis and Britt, transformed this 1920s boiler room into a bar and restaurant. You can find Old Glory in Edgehill Village, but you have to keep your eye out as there is no sign. Find the golden triangle off of Edgehill Avenue through the alleyway behind Taco Mamacita, then make a grand entrance down the winding staircase. There’s a full bar, with an emphasis on creative specialty cocktails and small plate options for food.

THE VIBE

The design intertwines original elements of the building, including the original electrical boxes, coal hopper, and smoke stack that were in use in the 1920s, with industrial components like exposed brick, cement blocks, and high ceilings, with the addition of custom aspects, including a sweeping staircase, a cement bar, OG-tiled walls, cozy booths, and two other levels that offer a variety of seating overlooking the room.

Photo courtesy of Old Glory

The Patterson House

Looking for something sophisticated to sip on? Head to this mod speakeasy in Midtown that prides itself on carefully crafted drinks. From old-school classics to clever remixes, The Patterson House offers high-end cocktails in an intimate setting. This hidden gem is marked with a sign, which is hard to spot when you drive by. Once you arrive, you walk in to what looks like a library and put your name down for entrance. They do have food, (like tater tots and donuts) but this is more of a pre- or post-dinner drinks spot. The drinks menu is organized by type of alcohol, then listed in order of strength, with stronger drinks at the bottom.

THE VIBE

Dim lighting and vintage wood accents make this one of the finest Midtown venues to lounge and linger with friends.

3 Crow Bar

Whether it’s for day drinking or late night munchies, we recommend you grab a table on the patio, order a Bushwacker (or three), and enjoy some fried food. Expect a good crowd, better-than-average bar food, an extensive beer list and—the best part—hours than run until 3am seven night a week. Basically, it’s everything you want in a dive bar, complete with seasoned bartenders, seedy bathrooms and secondhand smoke.

THE VIBE

Easy going spot that’s divey in all the right ways.

Photo courtesy of 3 Crow Bar

Bastion

This cocktail lounge and restaurant is located in a back alley of the “WeHo” neighborhood. The restaurant side is reservation only with only 24 seats in the dining room. Catbird Seat alumnus Josh Habiger serves a foodie-friendly tasting menu with can’t-miss ingredients for an intimate date night, special occasion or a ‘treat yo-self’ evening. If you can’t get a reservation, the large lounge area does serve a mean plate of nachos if you are in need of carbs to soak up all the A+ cocktails.

THE VIBE

The bar area is trendy with low lighting, bar games, and retro furniture.

Pinewood Social

Some places just make you feel cool, Pinewood Social is one of those places. Maybe it’s the retro vibe with the indoor bowling lanes or the fact you feel like an extra in the movie Swingers. Either way, the self-described social gathering place is indeed a great place to meet. This industrial space has something for everyone, you’ll find a coffee shop, restaurant, co-working space, bowling alley, a karaoke room, bocce ball courts, ping-pong tables, and two swimming pools.

THE VIBE

Fun with a capital F!

Photo courtesy of Pinewood Social

Bar Sovereign

Escape the touristy, try-hard feel of downtown at this cozy bar south of Broadway. Eclectic and cool without being pretentious, Bar Sovereign has a slight hunting lodge feel to it and reasonably priced cocktails served by friendly bartenders.

THE VIBE

Excellent service and a laid back vibe.

Photo courtesy of Bar Sovereign

Gray and Dudley

The bar and restaurant attached to the 21C Museum Hotel, Gray and Dudley, takes on that modern art influence with way-too-lifelike goats and rabbits staring down at patrons from high wall displays. Don’t let that deter your appetite from enjoying the food by Chef Levon Wallace of Cochon Butcher fame. That means the menu is meat heavy, but we’re not complaining—that’s right up his alley.

THE VIBE

Drinking in an art gallery

Photo courtesy of Gray and Dudley