Hear that? It’s the scintillating sound of Nashville’s live music venues beckoning you to a performance you’ll never forget.
The concert scene is truly unmatched in our area — from Bridgestone to The Basement East, there’s a stage for any type of tune. To get to know them all, you must do three things:
Put your hands in the air, wave ‘em like you just don’t care, then lay your eyes (and ears) on our guide.
Arenas and stadiums
Bridgestone Arena | 501 Broadway
Capacity: ~20,000
Home to the Nashville Predators and Nashville Stampede, Bridgestone Arena has won Pollstar’s “Arena of the Year” three times. Local comedian Nate Bargatze set the attendance record in April 2023 with 19,365 fans in attendance.
Nissan Stadium, 1 Titans Way
Capacity: 69,000-74,000
We’d say Titan Up, but this stadium has also hosted huge names outside of sports, including Elton John, Taylor Swift, and Metallica. Originally named Adelphia Coliseum when the venue opened in 1999, Nissan also hosts CMA Fest’s night concerts.
GEODIS Park | 501 Benton Ave.
Capacity: 27,000
The soccer stadium home to Nashville SC promises a rockin’ good time. Wedgewood-Houston’s GEODIS Park opened in May 2022 and has since hosted Shania Twain, Pink, and Guns N’ Roses.
Be sure to make a pit stop at the other businesses that make up Marathon Village before your concert at Marathon Music Works.
Photo by @lindsy_carr
Concert halls
Ryman Auditorium | 116 Rep. John Lewis Way N.
Capacity: 2,362
Ryman Auditorium, also known as the “Mother Church,” was built 130+ years ago as the Union Gospel Tabernacle and became the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974.
Grand Ole Opry | 600 Opry Mills Dr.
Capacity: 4,000
The Grand Ole Opry was formerly housed at Ryman Auditorium and a piece of that legacy lives on at center stage today. Each show features performances by eight or more artists without repetition — so you’ll always see something new.
Brooklyn Bowl | 925 3rd Ave. N.
Capacity: Up to 1,200
Brooklyn Bowl’s slogan “Eat. Drink. Rock and Roll” encompasses everything the venue has to offer. Purchase the bowling lane package for the concert of your choosing to reserve a lane for two hours.
Marathon Music Works | 1402 Clinton St.
Capacity: Up to 1,500
The building was originally built in the 1900s as an auto manufacturing plant before its renovation. Pro tip: Stop by the box office on Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to get fee-free tickets.
Schermerhorn Symphony Center | 1 Symphony Pl.
Capacity: ~1,850
The venue opened in SoBro in 2006 and was named in honor of the late Maestro Kenneth Schermerhorn, who led the Symphony for 22 years.
CMA Theater | 224 Rep. John Lewis Way S.
Capacity: 776
CMA Theater is a part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which spans 350,000 sqft of exhibition galleries, archival storage, retail stores, and event space. The theater hosts performances across genres like country, bluegrass, folk, and Americana.
Nashville Municipal Auditorium | 417 4th Ave. N.
Capacity: 9,700
Originally constructed in 1962 to satisfy the area’s need for a multi-purpose facility, the venue has welcomed musical acts, wrestling, arena football, basketball, and hockey over the decades.
Cannery Hall | 1 Cannery Row
Capacity: 300-1,275
The building, which previously housed Mercy Lounge, Cannery Ballroom, and The High Watt, reopened in early 2024 with new food and beverage options and upgraded lighting and sound systems. Catch a show at the complex’s three concert venues: Row 1, The Mil, and The Mainstage.
Kick your feet up and enjoy the skyline views at downtown’s Ascend Amphitheater.
Photo by @happylilheather
Outdoor settings
Ascend Amphitheater | 310 1st Ave. S.
Capacity: 6,800
The open-air venue is situated on the banks of the Cumberland River and offers reserved seating and a lawn area. On occasion, the Nashville Symphony performs outdoor concerts here.
Skydeck on Broadway | 5055 Broadway
Capacity: Up to 1,600
This standing room venue is cashless, so make sure you have your plastic on hand. Skydeck doesn’t offer food, but you are allowed to bring in bites from one of the 30+ eateries inside Assembly Food Hall.
FirstBank Amphitheater | 4525 Graystone Quarry Ln., Franklin
Capacity: Up to 7,500
Situated on the back end of 140 acres, this venue features a natural landscape in a reclaimed rock quarry. Pro tip: You’ll park in grass parking fields before walking a quarter-mile on paved surfaces to the amphitheater.
Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave.
Capacity: Varies by event
In addition to Musicians Corner, the park hosts Fever Candlelight Concerts inside The Parthenon on select dates and Big Band Dances on Saturdays from June to early August.
Intimate spaces
EXIT/IN | 2208 Elliston Pl.
Capacity: ~500
EXIT/IN evolved from a “listening room” to a rock club, hosting musical acts like the then-unknown Jimmy Buffet and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as comedian Steve Martin (who took the entire audience out for burgers). The Nashville Historical Landmark sits on the famous “Rock Block.”
The Bluebird Cafe | 4104 Hillsboro Pk.
Capacity: 90
This intimate space is recognized for being a songwriter’s venue — you might know it as the place Taylor Swift was first discovered at 14 years old. The Bluebird was featured on the TV show “Nashville” and is also set to become the muse of an upcoming musical called “Bluebird.”
The Station Inn | 402 12th Ave. S.
Capacity: ~150
Six bluegrass singers opened The Station Inn in 1974 at its original location near Centennial Park and Vanderbilt University. Some past performers include Alison Krauss, Bill Monroe, and Jerry Douglas
The Basement East | 917 Woodland St.
Capacity: ~600
The Basement East, also known as “The Beast,” is the larger sister venue to The Basement. If you visit the standing-room-only space, you’ll see a mix of nationally-known artists and performers that call Nashville home.
3rd and Lindsley | 818 3rd Ave. S.
Capacity: Up to 700
The rock club began as a Mexican restaurant called Jose’s. The first band to play the venue was the Bobby Bradford Blues Band, followed by DeFord Bailey Jr. — both of whom performed sold-out shows. The club has seen the likes of Lady A and Little Big Town on their rise to fame and also hosts artist residencies, like The Time Jumpers on Monday evenings.
The End | 2219 Elliston Pl.
Capacity: 200
This staple also located on the “Rock Block” was originally a popular dive bar and pool hall called Amy’s before it became a venue. Self-described as offering “no-nonsense digs,” this spot has an electric vibe with some past performers including The Flaming Lips, The Black Crowes, and REM.
The 5 Spot | 1006 Forest Ave.
Capacity: ~150
All shows are open to guests 21 and older, and the space is known to have regular drink specials.
The Basement | 1604 8th Ave. S. Ste. 330
Capacity: 150
Did you know that Metallica dropped into the venue to perform in 2008? You never know who you might see at this cozy hangout, which is also the scene of regular album release parties.
The East Room | 2412 Gallatin Ave.
Capacity: 250
The East Room, an East Nashville music and comedy venue established in 2012, hosts up-and-coming local and touring talent.
Listening Room Cafe | 618 4th Ave. S.
Capacity: 240
Through Sound Good, Do Good, this venue donates a portion of the cover charge for select events to organizations and people in need. Pro tip: Your show ticket doubles as a dinner reservation, which requires a $15 minimum food/beverage order per person.
Rudy’s Jazz Room | 809 Gleaves St.
Capacity: 80
The jazz club offers live music, New Orleans-style food, local brews, and prohibition-era cocktails (no dress code is required).
Analog at Hutton Hotel | 1808 West End Ave.
Capacity: 325
You’ll love the personal and intimate living room-style seating at this venue located near Music Row. The space is described as “part social club, part live music and entertainment venue.” If you’re an artist staying at the hotel, be sure to take full advantage of the writers studios.
The Local | 110 28th Ave. N.
Capacity: 200
This bar and live music venue is open daily in West End offering original musical performances. The kitchen stays open late, using locally-sourced ingredients, and the bar serves craft beer from Tennessee breweries with weekday specials.
Skull’s Rainbow Room, 222 Printers Alley
Capacity: ~150
The restaurant hosts nightly jazz performances. Reservations are recommended and can be made up to two weeks in advance.
Neon Steeple at Chief’s, 200 Broadway
Capacity: 400
The performance hall, located on the third and fourth floors of Eric Church’s Lower Broadway bar, features church pew seating and stained glass windows depicting the country artist’s biggest influences.
