Nashville: Queen of the Bachelorette Parties

From a local’s point of view, they keep coming and coming … the endless stream of bachelorettes who descend on Music City every weekend. Entire businesses have cropped up supporting the never-ceasing appetite of the bachelorette party, Nashville-style. Typically, a group of four to 16 women will meet up in Nashville to celebrate one of the women’s impending nuptials. They’ll rent an Airbnb or a swanky downtown hotel and hit the town. You’ll see them at 10 a.m., all fresh-faced with the exuberance of a fun-filled day in front of them — with matching t-shirts as a must. And, that same group can often be spotted well after midnight, with eyeliner and mascara not looking nearly as fresh. By this time, you’ll find them typically in a honky-tonk on Lower Broad. We get it: Nashville is safe. We’re friendly people, and there is a lot to do within walking distance. The food is good, the weather is typically cooperative, and it’s a very Instagram-able city, which apparently matters when at the end of the weekend you’ll want photographic evidence to share, hashtag and hopefully make a book of to preserve the memories.

Nashville also benefits from its central location in the country and many Southwest flights that come here. This makes it easy for people who are spread throughout the country to meet up right here, in Nashvegas. And, similarly to Vegas’ tagline of “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” there is a similar attitude among the majority of bachelorettes: They are here to have fun, come hell or high water.

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From listening to friends who have had bachelorette parties and knowing some Nashville insider information, we’ve gathered a comprehensive list that allows you and your friends to take the typical bachelorette party route … or diverge a little for some bonding beyond the mimosas and pedal taverns. Behold …

The Nashville Bachelorette Party Guide

Your Two- to Three-day Guide of Things to Do, Places to Eat & Fun to Have …

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Blowouts:

You are going to have so many photos from the weekend, so good-looking hair is a must. Bachelorette party favorites are The Blowout Co. in The Gulch and The Dry Bar in Capitol View. Still, they have other Nashville locations that are a Lyft ride away if the downtown locations are already booked. If you want to venture into Green Hills, another local favorite is The Dry House Nashville.

RELATED: 5 New (and Amazing!) Places to Stay in Nashville

Experiential:

You are here to bond with your friends, and that can be over some margaritas or mimosas, but it is also fun to share a unique experience that is very “Nashville.” We suggest:

• Hit the oil bar at Lemon Laine and make your own unique oil combination for your skin.
• Step into amazing immersive settings with over 60 of your favorite musical icons, from Johnny Cash to Taylor Swift at Madame Tussaud’s.
• Book a chocolate-making class at Goo Goo Cluster.
• Bowl at Pinewood.
• Test your skills in foosball, pinball, duckpin, ping pong and bocce at Pins Mechanical.
• See if you have what it takes to solve the mental puzzle and escape your room at The Escape Game.
• Or, combine drinking and eating with golf at Top Golf.

SB TIP: Do NOT rent a car. Just take a Lyft or Uber wherever you go. Parking is costly and you’ll be drinking — two reasons not to drive.

Two experiences in Belle Meade perfect for bachelorettes:

• Pure Sweat + Float offers infrared heat saunas and float therapy. They also have “Pure Parties,” which “customize a 3-hour wellness itinerary combining Infrared Sauna and Float Therapy with some of Nashville’s most exquisite healing arts and therapists brought in just for you.” They can also accommodate parties that want to experience the sauna or float, yet begin and end simultaneously. In addition, Reiki or massage therapists can be booked along with countless other ideas to customize this experience.
• The Kitchen Nashville offers cooking classes and private event classes, and you can BYOB. A cooking class with your bachelorette party is ideal for the group that wants to get out of downtown and chill a bit. See details HERE.

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Is it pouring rain?

Head to Opryland Hotel. This hotel/convention center is like a small town under a glass roof. With waterfalls, rivers, forests, restaurants, a spa and more, you will stay dry and happy here.

Outdoor water lovers:

• Kayak or canoe the Harpeth River. It’s about a 30-minute ride from downtown, but kayaking the Harpeth is great for all experience levels as it’s a slow river that is not very deep. There are plenty of rental companies to choose from, including Foggy Bottom, Canoe Music City and Sunshine’s Adventures.
• Or, you could stay closer to town and kayak our biggest river, the Cumberland. The view of downtown Nashville from the water is worth seeing. Contact River Queen Voyages.
• About 15 minutes from downtown is Rock Harbor Marina. Here, you can grab lunch at Blue Moon Waterfront Grille and paddleboard at Paddle Up. Be sure to make reservations!

Music (before the late-night music):

You are in Music City, so listening to some live music before the late-night honky-tonk scene is always a good plan. We suggest:

• Listening Room Cafe, with dinner
• City Winery, with dinner
• 3rd and Lindsley
• Rudy’s Jazz Bar
• Plan and see if there are any big concerts in town that you’d like to see. Then, check Ascend Amphitheater, Ryman Auditorium and Bridgestone Arena for the biggest shows.

Honky-tonks:

We have a full article on the details of Lower Broad HERE. Our favorites are well described in this article, but we’d pick Robert’s Western World, Paradise Park and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge if we had to pick three.

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Rooftop bar recommendations:

Being above the city is always fun. Personal favorites include:

• ACME Feed & Seed (locals call it ACME): the view of the river, the pedestrian walking bridge, the view up Broadway … these are just a few reasons to try to snag a rooftop seat here.
• L27: Atop The Westin Nashville, L27 is home to plenty of comfy couches and a recently renovated look, making it a favorite for tourists and locals alike.
• George Jones: Above the George Jones Museum is a rooftop bar that is cozier than others. Many locals like this place best as it used to be an undiscovered-by-the-tourists gem, but word is definitely out a bit more now.
• L.A. Jackson: The Thompson Hotel has many delicious restaurants, but the rooftop bar is often referenced for the view and vibe.
• Pancho and Lefty’s: The Mexican joint overlooks the Bridgestone Arena on Fifth Avenue. And since it’s located just off Broadway, it’s sometimes not as packed as other places can be.
• See all the rooftop bars in our comprehensive article HERE.

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Rooftop pools:

If you have not decided where you are staying and you want a rooftop pool, you can stay at The Westin Nashville, The Omni or Bobby Hotel and have exclusive guest access to the rooftop pool at each.

RELATED: 6 Nashville Restaurants Proving Hotel Food is for Locals & Tourists Alike

Photos with murals:

We won’t pretend that nabbing a few pictures in front of a mural isn’t sometimes a necessity for a bachelorette weekend. The most photographed spots in Nashville are definitely the “I Believe in Nashville” wall in 12South and the Angel Wings in The Gulch. The most popular destinations will have a line, which can take over 30 minutes to have your turn to snap your photo. If you’re looking to skip the lines at these popular hubs, we have some ideas for a few Nashville murals you likely haven’t visited (or snapped!).

Pedal Taverns and more:

Much to this local writer’s detest, but seemingly to all bachelorette’s desire, there are plenty of options to booze it up and see the downtown vicinity.

Click on any of these for the full rundown on Nashville Pedal Tavern, Nashville Party Barge, Honky Tonk Party Express. Also, see this related article for more photos and options: Nashville Pedal Tavern, Party Barge & Everything in Between.

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Brunch:

If you want to stand in a long line, your best options are Pancake Pantry and Biscuit Love. Otherwise, make reservations at The Southern, Pinewood, The Farm House, Margot, ACME, Woolworth on 5th, Butchertown Hall or Skull’s Rainbow Room. Or, if a stroll down 12South ends up with lunch or the need for guac, chips and margaritas, bartaco is a favorite. Right down the street, Epice is a Mediterranean restaurant that is a local favorite.

Dinner:

If you didn’t go to the music + dinner places already suggested, get some fancier reservations (though jeans are always appropriate in Nashville) at Virago, 404 Kitchen, Etch or Gray & Dudley. For a menu with slightly less expensive options than those just mentioned, head to Henley, Nada, Barcelona Wine Bar or Butcher & Bee. And, if you haven’t hit ACME yet, it’s a bachelorette destination for a reason. Good prices, live music and plenty of options for dinner.

Drinks not on a rooftop:

• Black Rabbit: This bar has a great vibe. Head across the alley to one of our favorite hotels, 21C Museum Hotel, and grab another drink and stroll their museum exhibit for an unexpected cultural addition to your trip.
• Oak Bar at The Hermitage Hotel is old Nashville at its best. When there, ask to see the men’s bathroom. Trust me.
• The Patterson House brought unique cocktails to Nashville almost a decade ago. It’s still a speakeasy favorite.

The coolest place to stay:

If you want to skip the hotel scene but still want to stay downtown, we highly recommend the Printer’s Alley Lofts. We’ve stayed in two different ones for our all-team retreats, and they are amazing.

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If you are staying in for one night:

We suggest hanging out in your jammies with the music on or watching a movie you’ve all enjoyed in the past. It’s easy to have groceries delivered. Just download the Shipt app. You can even order days in advance to ensure you get the delivery at the optimal time for your party. Want pre-made offerings? Check out Postmates and Grubhub for endless options. Lastly, if you want to add an unexpected element to your night in, a Tarot Card reading might be exactly what you are looking for!

Shopping destinations:

We suggest three neighborhoods for the best walking and shopping experience outside of downtown:

• The Gulch: Be sure to stop by Two Old Hippies (fun souvenirs, books, clothes and kitschy items – there’s even a stage for live music!) and e.Allen (a great women’s boutique).
• 12South: stop by White’s Mercantile (lots of Nashville items that are easy to pack), MODA Boutique (trendy women’s boutique with nice, smaller items as well) and Judith Bright (a local jeweler whose collection is found in almost every woman’s wardrobe in Nashville).
• Hillsboro Village: REVV (grab a NASH hat here), Posh (a stylish boutique that has a great denim selection) and Apple & Oak (unique home goods and gifts that everyone will love) and Hey Rooster General Store (a “modern general store” with precious local gifts and goodies).
• West Nashville: L&L Market is your one-stop shop for a fun morning with fitness, food and shopping. Take a class at CycleBar or Bend and Zen Hot Yoga, grab a coffee and acai bowl at Honest Coffee Roasters, take a peek inside Mary Lawless Lee’s stunning store, Happily Grey and pop around all the rest of the sweet shops in this beautiful building. Here’s your full scoop on what you can see and do at L&L!

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If you follow this guide, you are guaranteed to leave exhausted and well-bonded with your besties.

Want a more low-key yet enjoyable bachelorette getaway? Fly to Nashville, but get a ride just south of town to Franklin, TN. See all about Franklin here: 

The Ultimate Girlfriend Getaway: Options for EVERYONE in Your Squad

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