East Nashville is always growing, and that means new bars, restaurants, and breweries to try. I sometimes feel like I can’t keep up with all the things to do in Nashville. I’ve made my best list to help you plan your trip to Nashville or – for my local gals – find some new places to hang out! East Nashville has multiple different vibes – from swanky little speakeasies to relaxed breweries to immersive dining and drinking experiences – there is something for everyone. I hope I can give you some new things to do in Nashville or confirm your suspicion about going to one of these. My guides are meant to be quick and simple lists of places for you to add to your own list. If you want more things to do in Nashville, go to 20 Things to Do on Your Second Trip to Nashville. This might give you more ideas of potentially lesser known or ”touristy” places that aren’t typically on the top of people’s list but still worth it. 1. Hawkers I know Hawker’s isn’t just in East Nashville, but it can still be fun anyway. It is super vibrant and lively, and it has a Asian street food and a full bar. Their cocktails are delicious (get the Lemongrass Mojito!) and they are beautiful as well. They have plenty of room and even an outdoor patio that is spacious and cozy. I also tried the sake flight, and I actually loved all of them. The menu is perfect for drinkers and foodies alike. This is a great place for groups or even a fun date night out! Check out the drink menu here: Hawkers Drink Menu 2. All People Coffee & Beverage Hall I had never been here before this weekend, but I’m in love! As a non-coffee drinker, this was the best type of place I would want to go to meet up with someone or get some work done. I’m always looking for a place to work that is not intimidating but where I can get a delicious beer to end the day. This place was definitely it. They have a self-serve beer wall where you can get plenty of options of craft beer as well as other wine and spirits. Right now, while they are getting it up and running, they have canned drinks as well! This place was spacious enough, quiet, and even has a small outdoor area. The entire room is calm and has a natural feel that is perfect for small groups, meetups, or solo time. Check out their menu here: All People Menu 3. Southern Grist Brewery There are two locations for this fun brewery – East Nashville and The Nations. Here is there menu if you want to see more: Southern Grist Beer Menu. The East Nashville location recently moved, and it has both a brewery and bar located inside. While I didn’t try the restaurant, I did have the best beer of my life there – Monkey Moves (I’m a dark beer kind of person). They have a variety of drinks to choose from, so I’m sure there is something for you. It is light and airy inside, and they even have a patio if the weather is nice. Try a flight here, because why just try one when you can try four? I love to taste different options, because sometimes you can be pleasantly surprised by something. While I’m talking about it, you should definitely get the app ”Untappd”. It helps you track the breweries or places you’ve been to while also letting you rate and get suggestions on beers. 4. Henry James Speakeasy This bar is closer to Inglewood, but is still located in the general area of East Nashville. It looks as if it’s (and probably is) located in an old bank, and the outside is extremely unassuming. Hence, speakeasy. Head to the back door and walk inside a dim and cozy bar. The bartenders serve up beautiful craft cocktails, and it has darts, pool, and a jukebox. Sit around the bar or in one of the large booths for happy hour or a night out. You can see outside, but you can’t see in! It even has a small patio outside with picnic tables if you need a smoke. They have happy hour every day from 5-7pm – and don’t worry, you can get wine and beer here too! For more information and the menu, go here: Henry James Bar Menu 5. Smith & Lentz I’m super excited about this one, because it’s finally back open! I went here years ago and absolutely loved it. Sadly, they were hit by the Nashville tornado back in March 2020, but a year later were able to come back better than ever – and with pizza this time! The new building and concept is amazing. This is a brewery and pizza spot, and their beer garden is my favorite part. I never got to try the pizza, but it has great reviews. The beer garden is large and spacious, and the best part – it has covered areas!! It is fenced in, but there are plenty of large picnic tables and space for large groups. Inside, it is very open with tall ceilings, picnic tables, and seats at the bar. Definitely a staple in East Nashville – especially because it fought through every challenge that the past few years have given us here in Nashville! Support your local businesses! Here is the location and menu: Smith & Lentz Brewery and Pizza. 6. Crazy Gnome Brewery Tucked away in a corner of a strip mall is this quaint brewery – Crazy Gnome. It’s small and cozy, but it has that neighborhood feel and is perfect for two or small groups. Crazy Gnome has a huge mural on the wall of a gnome, and they have a rotating list of craft brews that thoroughly surprised me. I actually got a chili Porter. I’m not usually a fan of spicy drinks, so I was hesitant, but the bartenders asked me if I wanted to go for it and I said yes. It was really good!! A strange thing to notice, but my sister and I actually loved their bathrooms. They were super clean and perfect for keeping germs to a minimum. I know, but I have to give credit where credit is due. Crazy Gnome actually also has a a small patio outside for when the weather is nice. Overall, this place is fun and cozy, and if you’re like me, you’ll go to try more local beer and breweries. Here is their menu: Crazy Gnome Brewery 7. Red Door East This is definitely a local Five Points hotspot. It’s a reliable, go-to bar for anyone and everyone. Located in the Five Points area, this little dive bar is just an easy spot to go and get a drink after work or on a fun night out. They’ve got everything a typical bar would have, and they also have a food menu if you’re getting hungry. Red Door is small, but they’ve got a patio that people love to hang out on and catch up with friends. It’s a great spot for starting your night or ending it. It is walking distance to multiple other bars including Rosemary and the Beauty Queen, 3 Crow, Beyond the Edge, or the 5 Spot for listening to music (mentioned below). Come on down and be a part of the local crowd! 8. The 5 Spot The 5 Spot is a music venue in the Five Points area. Want to escape the live music on Broadway? Come to 5 Spot and enjoy local music, dance parties, and themed nights. Here is their calendar: The 5 Spot Events. They have a wide variety of drinks at their bar, so you’ll never go without while listening to your favorite music or learning new artists. My favorite part is their big covered patio out back. If you need a break from the volume or a quick smoke, head on out back and they have a TV over their small bar where you can still watch and listen. There are plenty of tables to sit at, and you can hang out there before or after the show. 9. Pearl Diver It’s been a while since I’ve been to Pearl Diver, but it’s definitely a classic spot to escape the typical Nashville feel. With a tropical feel, you can get a cabana or sit in the fun booths inside. They have so many fun cocktails you can try – that look beautiful and aesthetic too! Their speciality is sugarcane and agave drinks, but any drink you order will look and taste fantastic. Pearl Diver also has a fun food menu if you get hungry. Here’s the menu if you want to take a look: Pearl Diver Food and Drink Menu. Take a look at their gallery too, and see how you can be transported to a retro yet exciting world when you step inside here. 10. Rosemary and the Beauty Queen This is another classic staple in East Nashville. With the expansion of their rooftop patio, it’s definitely come alive lately. They have happy hour deals, swings at the bar, and multiple bars to choose from. This place really gets loud and fun at night, and they also have trivia and music. Here is the menu: Rosemary and the Beauty Queen. It looks like another neighborhood house when you walk up, but step inside and you’ll be transported to a cozy bar. Keep walking and it will take you outside to a wraparound wooden porch with tables and access to their rooftop patio that has another bar. Walk down the steps and it will take you to a small courtyard-type area with tables and seats. Keep going and it will take you into another half-indoor, half-outdoor bar area. It’s truly a perfect spot to come for happy hour or drinks on a night out. 11. Honeytree Meadery Honeytree Meadery is where I take all my guests who come visit me!! I love it so much. Have you tried mead? It‘s alcoholic drinks made from honey. Honeytree has both a local apiary and meadery in East Nashville. They are extremely friendly there and will teach you everything you need or want to know about the process or any of the meads. Click here to learn more about them: Honeytree Meadery Honeytree is environmentally conscious and doing their part for sustainability efforts. They know and love their bees and their mead. Mead is not for the faint of heart – these drinks are about 10% ABV! But they all taste amazing. They have hot and cold mead, perfect for different seasons. Their meadery is bright and natural, full of plants. They also have a large outdoor patio to sip your drink! Again, I love this place. It is the definition of local by the way they treat you to the drinks you are consuming. 12. Chopper Have you ever been to a robot tiki bar? Or, have you ever wanted to go to a robot tiki bar? Look no further than Chopper. I can’t say it enough – these drinks are amazing. A lot of the drinks are things I would never even think to ask for. Here is their menu: Chopper Menus. The drinks are carefully made and each one feels like a whole experience. Specifically, the one that comes in a robot tiki glass and lit on fire. A lot of places you go for the experience or for the drinks – but at Chopper, you go for both. The experience is fun and vibrant, but the drinks make you want to keep coming back. They don’t serve food, but they do have rotating food trucks or pop-ups that you can get. 13. Living Waters Brewing Living Waters is both a brewery AND coffee bar. Locals love to come here to enjoy a quiet and cozy...