THE US NASHVILLE DESTINATIONS
P
eople flock to Nashville with dreams of cowboy boots,
checked shirts and country music. The Tennessee city is famed for the live music that drifts from honky-tonks on bustling Broadway and world- class performances at the Grand Ole Opry.
But suggest clients consider
venturing a little out of downtown for a laid-back, yet still lively, vibe. Nashville’s neighbourhoods
offer a different pace of life away from the partying crowds, with great shopping, delicious food and boutique hotels. And, because this is Nashville, there is still plenty of music to enjoy. With British Airways launching
a direct route from Heathrow in May – the first non-stop flight from Europe to the city since 1995 – its popularity for leisure and business travellers looks set to grow. So here are the neighbourhoods to recommend in Music City.
◗ THE GULCH Why go: When an area is flanked by districts named SoBro – home to Jack White’s Third Man Records – and Pie Town, you know you’re in cool company. The Gulch, on the edges of downtown, has a reputation as one of Nashville’s hippest ’hoods, with a funky nightlife scene and shops selling everything from cowboy boots to guitar strings. What to do: Two Old Hippies isn’t a live-music venue, shop or
museum – it’s all three. This local institution has a huge stage, a guitar room, glass cases stuffed with music memorabilia, and a range of cool clothing and accessories for sale. Top dining options include
Whiskey Kitchen, with pub-style grub and pizza, and Biscuit Love, whose menu is based on the scone-like southern breakfast favourite. Suggest heading to rooftop
cocktail lounge Up for sunset, which is one of the best spots for gazing across Nashville’s skyline. Where to stay: The 404 Hotel is far too cool to pack in hundreds of rooms. There are just four, in fact, and each is a delight of understated, luxurious textures and furnishings. Its restaurant, housed in a former shipping container across the street, serves up seasonal dishes with flair. Doubles from £170.
the404nashville.com
◗ EAST NASHVILLE Why go: This decidedly low- key yet hip neighbourhood has been compared to New York’s East Village. It feels like a lovely local secret. The liveliest part, known as Five Points, is stuffed with great restaurants, shops and galleries. The area has long been a magnet for artists and musicians, so there are plenty of places to catch a live gig. What to do: As in most Nashville districts, visitors should be prepared to eat. A lot.
Popular local hangouts The
Post East and Marché are particularly good for breakfast or lazy grazing at any time of day. Colourful, ramshackle bar
Treehouse sums up the eclectic nature of the area. Its elevated bar snacks include mussels with harissa aioli and local cheeses with homemade apple butter. Suggest clients take home some southern flavours at Oliver & Sinclair, the only bean-to-bar chocolate maker in Tennessee, or grab a cool T-shirt from celeb favourite DCXV Industries. After dusk, the Lipstick Lounge and The 5 Spot are buzzy bars with regular live music. Where to stay: This is the kind of neighbourhood visitors will want to really get to know, so suggest booking a suite at Urban Cowboy Bed and Breakfast. The enormous and characterful rooms are housed in a Victorian mansion, with marshmallow beds and claw-foot bathtubs. The attached bar and kitchen pours craft cocktails alongside a menu of dishes infused with wood and smoke. Suites start at £250.
urbancowboy.com/nashville
◗ 12SOUTH Why go: This stretch of 12th Avenue South is the place for those looking to shop beyond the big-name brands and malls. Rows of bungalows and craftsman- style homes have been converted into stores selling antiques, cool clothing and cute souvenirs
beyond their broad porches. This is also a hotspot for craft beer and innovative food, with tap rooms, bakeries and restaurants aplenty. What to do: You could easily spend a full day weaving between shops and pausing for coffee, lunch and cupcake breaks. White’s Mercantile sells antiques, foodie gifts and covetable souvenirs from aprons to ceramics. Owner Holly Williams is a singer-songwriter and granddaughter of country legend Hank Williams. Bartaco has a chic blue-and-
white patio with comfy sofas and pots overflowing with plants, making it a glorious spot on a sunny day, while 12South Taproom serves local beers with burgers and barbecue. For something sweet, Five Daughters Bakery is famous for its 100-layer doughnuts. Flavours include chocolate sea salt, lemon blueberry and maple bacon. Suggest rounding off the day
at Ember Ski Lodge. This Alpine- inspired bar serves salmon lox and mountains of fries alongside Nashville’s longest whiskey menu. Where to stay: There are no hotels in 12South, but Loews Vanderbilt, near the main university campus, isn’t far away. A super-stylish blend of modernity and tradition, its luxurious rooms blend soothing shades with bright pops of colour and local art. Doubles from £130.
loewshotels.com/ vanderbilt-hotel
27 September 2018
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