Are Nashville Bars Expensive?

Kid Rock owns a popular bar on Broadway and charges between $7-$10 for a beer.

That might sound steep if you're used to small-town prices. But before you write off Nashville as too expensive, here's what you need to know about Broadway drink prices — and what you're actually getting for your money.

Is Broadway in Nashville Expensive?

Short answer: Broadway isn't cheap, but it's not unusual for a major tourist destination.

You'll pay similar prices in Austin, Nashville, or Las Vegas. The difference? On Broadway, you're getting live music all night with no cover charge.

Most honky-tonks on Lower Broadway don't charge a fee to walk in the door. That four-piece band playing for three hours straight? Free. The rooftop with views of the city? Free. You're only paying for what you drink.

What to Know About Broadway Pricing

This guide focuses mainly on Lower Broadway — the main stretch of honky-tonks and bars between 1st and 5th Avenue.

Prices can vary depending on:

Location within the bar. Rooftop bars sometimes charge more than ground floor bars in the same building.

Celebrity-owned venues. Places like Luke Bryan's Luke's 32 Bridge or Jason Aldean's tend to be pricier than smaller bars.

Time of day. Weekend nights cost more than weekday afternoons at some places.

Now let's break down what you'll actually pay.

Drink Prices on Broadway

Here's what drinks cost at most honky-tonks on Lower Broadway:

Beer: $6-$8 for domestic beer like Budweiser or Miller Lite. Premium beers run $8-$10.

Shots: $10-$15 for liquor shots.

Cocktails: $10-$20 depending on what you order. Simple mixed drinks are on the lower end. Specialty cocktails hit the higher end.

Wine: $7-$10 per glass.

These prices hold pretty consistent across most Broadway bars. Some smaller places might be a dollar or two cheaper. Celebrity-owned spots might charge a dollar or two more.

Food Prices at Honky-Tonks

Most people come to Broadway for drinks and music, not dinner. But if you get hungry, here's what to expect.

Cheaper spots like Robert's Western World charge about $5-$7 for fries or grilled cheese sandwiches. Hamburgers run $10-$12.

Nicer restaurants like Miranda Lambert's Casa Rosa offer full menus with entrees between $15 and $40. Blake Shelton's Ole Red and Luke Bryan's Luke's 32 Bridge have similar pricing.

The food quality at the nicer spots is actually good — not just bar food.

Extra Costs Visitors Often Forget

Drinks and food aren't the only costs you'll run into on Broadway. Here are three expenses most visitors don't think about until they're already downtown.

Parking

Parking near Broadway runs $20-$30 for 3-5 hours. One of the closest spots is 5th and Broad on upper Broadway.

You can find cheaper parking if you're willing to walk a few extra blocks. Check parking apps before you drive in.

Tipping

There are no cover charges on Lower Broadway. You walk in free and enjoy live music all night.

The trade-off? Many musicians rely heavily on tips. Servers expect tips just like any restaurant.

A simple rule: double the tax on your bill. If you bought two $7 beers, your total with 9.75% tax would be $15.50. A $3 tip brings you to $18.50 total.

For the band, $5-$10 during your visit is appreciated. You can tip cash at the stage or scan QR codes many bands post.

Transportation

Taking an Uber from one neighborhood to another (like from Vanderbilt to downtown) costs $5-$10.

If you're planning to drink, factor this into your budget. Downtown Nashville isn't very walkable from most hotels.

How to Save Money in Nashville

Broadway bars don't offer happy hours. They don't need to — there are enough people willing to pay full price that discounting drinks doesn't make sense.

But other Nashville neighborhoods do have happy hours if you're looking to save money:

Game Terminal: Monday-Friday, 4pm-7pm. $6 draft beer and $6 margaritas.

M.L. Rose: Monday-Friday, 3pm-6pm. $1 off drinks.

Brooklyn Bowl: Monday-Friday, 5pm-7pm. 2-for-1 beer.

Germantown Pub: Monday-Friday, 4pm-6pm. 2-for-1 drafts and house wine.

5 Points Diner: Monday-Friday, 4pm-6pm. $5 draft beer.

These spots are in neighborhoods like Midtown, East Nashville, and Germantown. You'll find cheaper prices and more locals than tourists.

High-End vs Casual Nashville

The prices listed above reflect most dive bars and honky-tonks on Broadway.

But Nashville also has upscale options if you're looking for something fancier. Places like Husk, Black Rabbit, and Sunda serve $16+ cocktails. The Tennessean recently noted that high drink prices have “become commonplace in the city's exploding food scene.”

Nashville is diverse. You'll find American dive bars on Lower Broadway, Midtown, and East Nashville where you can drink for less. You'll also find higher-end spots if you want a luxurious experience.

Do You Have to Pay to Get Into Bars in Nashville?

In most cases, no. You don't have to pay to get into bars in Nashville.

On Broadway specifically, there are no cover charges at the honky-tonks. Walk in free, enjoy the music, and only pay for what you order.

A few venues around Nashville do charge covers — usually $5-$20 — but these are special event spaces or ticketed shows, not typical Broadway bars.

How Nashville Prices Compare to Other Cities

Broadway drink prices are right in line with other major tourist destinations around the country.

In Las Vegas, for example, domestic beer costs $7-$10, imported beer runs $8-$10, and mixed drinks are $12-$15. Similar prices in Austin, New Orleans, and other music cities.

The reason? Broadway is a major tourist area with high demand. Rent is expensive. Labor costs are high. And there's a steady stream of visitors willing to pay these prices.

Nashville isn't trying to rip you off — you're paying what major tourist areas charge everywhere.

The advantage Nashville has over those other cities? Free live music. No ticketed shows. No cover charges. Just walk in and enjoy professional musicians all night long.