Live music to fit every mood, a firmly established food scene and plenty of men singing in deep, buttery baritones make Nashville a true feast for the senses. The city embodies an enticing contrast of quaint country romance and urban hustle-bustle, making it ideal for gathering groups with different party preferences. It’s one of the many reasons why, every year, Music City draws countless bachelorette crowds to the bars of Broadway and beyond — there is truly something for everyone.
Photo: Vandyke Bed and Beverage
How to Plan the Ultimate Girls Getaway in Nashville
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For those charged with rounding up sisters, cousins, and besties of the bride-to-be for a celebratory girls getaway, we’ve outlined our favorite places to stay, neighborhoods to explore and, of course, music venues to check out so all that’s left to do is coordinate your matching outfits (we’ve got that covered too) and designate the commemorative hashtag. Here’s how to plan the ultimate bachelorette in Nashville.
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Where to stay for a bachelorette in Nashville
Downtown
In the past decade, Nashville has transformed from a niche, mid-sized city destination to a cultural urban hotspot — complete with hotels and Airbnb’s fitting every personality.
For the uptown girls heading downtown,= where the bars of Broadway, or “Honkey Tonk Highway,” are within easy walking distance, head to The Joseph, an arty new hotel decked-out in gorgeous pieces from its owners’ famously large private collection.
Photo: The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nashville/Facebook
There’s something about the sound of high-heels clicking across hand-cut Italian marble floors that leaves one feeling instantly more sophisticated, even if the intended destination is a beer-soaked Broadway bar. In the mornings, a transportive cup of espresso and freshly baked pastry from the on-site Italian restaurant, Yolan, works wonders on any hangover, followed by an afternoon baking, poolside, in the sun at their posh rooftop bar, Denim. The Joseph’s stylish take on Nashville is a bit like a Southern boy on a New York subway getting up to graciously offer you his seat — you’re not sure if it belongs here, but damn, does it feel good.
Photo: Airbnb
If you prefer your swanky digs in the form of an Airbnb, go for a listing such as this historic Henrie House. The four-bedroom townhouse is located in the quiet Rutledge Hill downtown neighborhood, making it an ideal oasis to return to after a night on the town. Beautifully appointed rooms ensure each guest will feel special, and the host, Natasha, can even help curate welcome baskets for each guest — a major bonus for the bachelorette set.
East Nashville
Those looking for a more off-the-beaten-path experience might opt for Vandyke’s Bed & Beverage, a boutique hotel near East Nashville’s Five Points intersection.
Photo: Vandyke Bed and Beverage/Facebook
This hipster haven is home to a now firmly-established food scene. If the girls are fans of well-maintained facial hair, coffee snobbery and bars with hand-made bitters, East Nashville is the place to be. Vandyke’s was the first hotel to spring up here, with style to fit its surroundings. Each of its eight rooms pays homage to a specific spirit, including wine, whiskey, beer and champagne. This informs the room’s accompanying glassware and décor, so that you can assign rooms based on everyone’s favorite cocktail.
Photo: Airbnb
If Vandyke’s boozy bedrooms are fully booked, opt for a rental like The Purple House on Airbnb, an East Nashville home as eclectic as it is colorful. Expertly-chosen details scattered throughout the house help connect the home’s guests to the city, like shelving made from a repurposed guitar case, framed music posters and a cowhide-clad breakfast nook. Grab some coffee in the bright turquoise kitchen before heading out to sip it on the porch as you contemplate the day ahead — a cherished Southern pastime.
For an unforgettable East Nashville night out, head to Rosemary’s Bar & Beauty Queen (or RBQ as locals call it) a bar and restaurant located in an old yellow house with a Studio 54-inspired club in the property’s back garage.
Germantown
Photo: Germantown Inn/Facebook
For something in-between try The Germantown Inn, located in a restored, multi-level 1865 manor with rooms named for US presidents. Be sure to book “The Adams” for a girls trip, which pays homage to presidential wife and mother, Abigail Adams, who is known for throwing a good party.
Photo: Airbnb
Or try the three-bedroom Chateau on Monroe, an Airbnb designed specifically with group travel in mind. The open-plan living room and kitchen connect to a large outdoor deck via sliding doors, and floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the gloriously green and tree-
ensconced space.
Both The Germantown Inn and Chateau on Monroe are just steps from Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, a large, elegantly manicured and highly Instagrammable green space that’s perfect for those in the group wanting to burn off the BBQ with a run or walk during the day. Germantown is one of those neighborhoods that begs to be explored, with quaint coffee shops, local bakeries and a weekly Farmers Market alongside award-winning restaurants.
Photo: Saint Stephen/Facebook
Try critically-acclaimed Saint Stephen for a celebratory dinner — even if just to celebrate being together. The irreverent, rock and roll-inspired fine-dining spot is helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef RJ Cooper.
Where to drink and experience live music
While it’s a good idea to choose a convenient hotel or Airbnb location for your planned itinerary, there are a few places around Music City you’d be remiss not to see no matter where you’re staying.
Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
On Broadway, the abundance of bars can feel overwhelming, so start with two staples — Honkey Tonk Central and The Stage — for a classic Nashville-night-out experience. Extend the trip through Monday night for a chance to hit up Winners in Midtown for the Whiskey Jam show, known for having the best live performances in town featuring local talent and the occasional celebrity act. The Bluebird Cafe is another must-visit if you can manage a reservation. The 100-seat restaurant has a famous history of hosting up-and-coming singers and songwriters who later become household names. And, of course, there’s the classic Grand Ole Opry, the aspirational stadium venue of so many Nashville musicians where you can catch the biggest stars in country music today.
What to pack for a bachelorette in Nashville
Photo: The Pool Club at Virgin Hotels Nashville/Facebook
Weather-wise, Nashville is at its best in the shoulder seasons, trending more hot and humid by mid-summer. No matter the weather, take a cue from Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” and skip the stilettos in favor of your favorite boots or booties. The laid-back dress code applies for the rest of your ensemble.
Day or night, most bachelorette groups can be identified by their matching cutoff jean shorts and tank tops, though a Dolly Parton-inspired costume of head-to-toe glitter topped with bleach-blonde wigs is also acceptable. Also, make sure everyone has an up-to-date license, or else be turned away from the bars by bouncers wary of sneaky students from the surrounding colleges and universities (take it from a 33-year-old who was turned away for a license that had expired only one week prior).
Pack a cute sundress for brunch, which transitions well to daytime bar-hopping, and a pair of flat sandals to keep you comfortable into the evening. Alternatively, go for a swimsuit and cover-up if the plan is to hit up one of the city’s scene-y rooftop pools. In addition to Denim at The Joseph, The Pool Club at Nashville’s Virgin Hotel is a popular spot.
Finally, a good pair of sneakers or hiking boots and some activewear are necessary if you plan to explore one of the many scenic trails nearby. Favorites include a lovely looping path around Radnor Lake or hiking through Peeler Park Greenway. Expect lush greenery in the summer months and an explosion of fall colors by late October, Tennessee’s peak leaf-peeping season.
Much like the oft-cited mud-soaked truck tires and dusty back roads of so many country songs, Nashville is a city that endears itself to you in small and almost imperceptible ways, with sensory delights to charm even the most stoic among your group. No matter how you and the girls spend a weekend together in Nashville, you’ll be sure to leave with laughter-filled memories and a burning nostalgia that will bring you back again and again. 