I asked Nashville visitors what Broadway was like back in the 90s compared to today, and the answers were eye-opening.
If you're worried about safety on Broadway right now, you might want to hear what it used to be like.
Broadway Wasn't The Destination Yet
In the early 90s, Lower Broadway wasn't a place tourists flocked to. It was quieter, less developed, and hadn't become the honky-tonk strip we know today.
One Nashville native described it as feeling run-down and rough around the edges. “Nobody hung out down there,” they recalled.
Visitors didn't really go to the bars on Broadway back then. It just wasn't the tourist playground it is now.
It Felt Rougher Back Then
Many locals remember downtown feeling less safe than it does today.
Parents were cautious about where their kids could go. One person remembers not being allowed to walk in certain areas downtown.
It wasn't polished or tourist-friendly. Several people described it as a place that didn't feel welcoming to visitors.
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Read more →Tootsie's Was Part Of The Early Cleanup
When Tootsie's changed hands in the early 90s, it was part of the push to clean up and reposition Broadway.
The whole area needed work. Buildings needed updates. The vibe needed to shift.
That transformation didn't happen overnight.
There Were Just A Handful Of Bars
By the late 90s, Broadway had maybe a handful of bars — Tootsie's, Robert's, Layla's, and Legends.
Today? There are dozens of honky tonks on Lower Broad alone.
The difference in scale is massive.
2nd Avenue Was Where The Action Was
Here's something that might surprise you — much of the nightlife in the 90s leaned toward 2nd Avenue, not Broadway.
The Wildhorse Saloon was the big draw after it opened in 1994. There was the Mix Factory, Have a Nice Day Cafe, and other spots.
People would cruise up and down 2nd Avenue. That was the strip where things were happening.
Broadway? It was mostly shops and big chains like Planet Hollywood and NASCAR Cafe.
The Ryman Hadn't Been Revitalized Yet
The Ryman wasn't yet the thriving concert venue it is today. It hadn't been fully revitalized and was mostly doing tours.
The whole area around it was quieter and less developed.
Things Were Different
Locals recall being able to park more easily. Beer prices were cheaper — people remember $2 beers at most places.
Sundays were quiet enough that folks would just walk around downtown because it wasn't busy like it is now.
One person remembered their grandparents parking right in front of bars to go inside. Try doing that today.
So What Changed?
The Bridgestone Arena opened in 1996. The Titans stadium construction began in 1997.
Those projects kicked off the transformation.
Slowly, things started shifting from 2nd Avenue to Broadway. More bars opened. Buildings got remodeled and repositioned for tourists.
By the 2000s, Broadway was starting to explode into what you see today.
The Bottom Line For Tourists
Is Broadway crowded now? Yes. Are there safety concerns you should be aware of? Absolutely.
But if you're nervous about visiting because you've heard it's dangerous, just know that it's come a very long way from the neglected, underdeveloped area that locals remember from the 90s.
Today's Broadway — with all its crowds and chaos — is actually the cleaned-up, tourist-friendly version that was designed specifically for visitors like you.
