Guide to Free Live Music in Nashville

Nashville is known for its music scene, and the best part is that most music can be enjoyed for free.

That’s right, many Nashville venues offer free live music 365 days a year. No cover charge, just authentic and entertaining live music to enjoy. Even when the music is free, remember that tips to the band are always appreciated.

Where are you going?
Honky Tonk Highway

Let’s dive into the legendary Honky Tonk Highway. In Nashville, the heart of Music City, honky tonks line both sides of Broadway, filling the streets with live music from sunup to sundown. With no cover charge, you’re free to wander into any bar but don’t forget to show some love to the musicians by tossing a tip in the jar. The music kicks off at 10am and the energy doesn’t let up until the early hours, keeping the party alive until 3am. This is where Nashville’s soul lives and breathes, and it’s always just a step away.

Free Music Venues: AJ's Good Time Bar | Bootleggers Inn | Chief's on Broadway | Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row | Friends in Low Places Honky-Tonk and Bar | Hank Williams Jr Boogie Bar | Honky Tonk Central | Jason Aldean's Rooftop Kitchen + Bar | Jon Bon Jovi's | Legends CornerLucky Bastard Saloon | Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink | Mellow Mushroom – Downtown | Miranda Lambert's Casa Rosa | Nudie's Honky TonkOle Red Nashville | Redneck Riviera Bar & BBQ | Rippy's Honky Tonk |  Robert's Western World | Second Fiddle | Tanya Tucker's Tequila Cantina | Tequila CowboyThe Stage on Broadway | Tootsie's Orchid Lounge | Whiskey Bent Saloon | Whiskey River Saloon

Lower Broadway

Further down Broadway, you’ll find some of Nashville's most unique venues, where live music fuels the energy and excellent drink specials keep the good times rolling. These spots offer some of the best tunes in town, all for an incredibly affordable price.

Free Live Music Venues: Acme Feed & Seed | Hard Rock Cafe | Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville | Kid Rock's Big Honky Tonk & Steakhouse | Nashville Underground | Tequila Cowboy | Tin Roof Broadway

Printer's Alley

Just North of Broadway is 2nd Avenue and Printer's Alley, where you'll find every genre of music, from blues to rock 'n' roll. It's a street prepared for whatever the night might throw at it. They have the tunes and the dance floors, and they promise to keep the party going until the early morning.

Free Music Venues: Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie BarFamous Nashville | Wildhorse Saloon

SoBro

Behind the busy streets of Nashville's Broadway is the SoBro district with a handful of places that are all about FREE music. From a listening room with outstanding acoustics to a Nashville craft beer taproom that hosts rocking bands each weekend. The SoBro district is one of the best places to get a taste of what Nashville offers.

Free Music Venues: 6th and Peabody | Bad Axe Throwing Nashville | BarlinesBig Machine Brewery and Distillery | Johnny Cash’s Bar and BBQ | Lainey Wilson’s Bell Bottoms Up | The Listening Room Cafe | Moxy Rooftop | NashHouse Southern Spoon & Saloon | Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery | Tennessee Brew Works | Yee Haw Brewing Co. 

The Gulch

Some of Nashville's oldest venues can be found in The Gulch. Inside this neighborhood is one awesome clothing store with a guitar room and stage plus eclectic restaurants hosting live music on a nightly basis. The Gulch is a full music experience with the added extras Nashville has come to love like fashion, food, and good times.

Free Music Venues: Rudy's Jazz Room | Sambuca | Gibson Garage

Midtown

Extending up Broadway is a neighborhood known as Midtown. This place is filled with FREE music spots just waiting to be discovered. Multiple bars with stages filled with artists aching to play a tune. A person can spend an entire day traveling from one place to the next and never have to worry about hearing a bad song.

Free Music Venues: Commodore Grille | The Row | Analog | Losers Live

Music Row/Demonbreun

Along one street is a line of music venues and bars that will have you rocking until midnight. Stop on in for a songwriters' night or just listen to some groovy tunes along with the famous Demonbreun St.

Free Music Venues: Tin Roof Demonbreun