15 Under-the-Radar Nashville Music Venues

Nashville is Music City, home to the historic Ryman Auditorium and Bridgestone Arena, but what about the venues you missed, tucked away in places you've never visited? Live like a local the next time you’re in town and check out these underground venues.

For a schedule of shows and events, see the Nashville Scene.

Note: Before you visit any of these venues, confirm opening days and hours, in case there are closings or restrictions due to COVID-19.

You'll find The End on "Rock Block" in Nashville's Elliston Place neighborhood. This dive bar with just 200 seats is great for a small club experience, but it hosts some really raucous bands, too, so it's not always quiet. Its live music lineup is diverse, and you might hear hardcore punk one night and an acoustic singer-songwriter the next.

This cozy, West Nashville dive bar has been around since the '40s. Rack up a game of pool, order some wings, cold beer and burgers, and settle in to listen to the jukebox or live music. Take your smokes to the outdoor patio and bring cash, because that's all Betty's takes. See more details on their Facebook page.

Shown here: The Rangos onstage.

DrkMttr says their venue is "all-ages, all the time," although they offer a small selection of domestic beers as well as non-alcoholic drinks. Shows are general admission and standing room only, so if you want to grab one of the few bar stools, get there when the doors open — or earlier, since there may be a line. Drkmttr is a volunteer-based collective that aims to build an inclusive community in the underground music/arts scene. Their sound is indie, punk and hardcore.

The East Room brings music, theater and comedy together under one roof. Join them for free open mic stand-up every Tuesday night or a dance party held on the second Saturday of each month. They showcase local and touring rock and indie bands.

Tempo calls itself the go-to spot for "all types of Nashvillians." This coffee shop/music venue serves specialty coffees, Tex-Mex breakfast foods and assorted sweets. It's open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays through Mondays for dine-in or take-out service. Use the contact form on the website for info on special events and show requests.

3rd and Lindsley Bar & Grill is a dual-stop for food and live music, featuring an eclectic list of artists that range from national and international stars to local up-and-comers. Sheryl Crow, Black Pumas, Train and Lady A are just a few past performers. Rehearsal studio time is available here, along with HD video and audio recording.

The Basement isn't actually a basement, but a casual hangout and bar where you can hear live music by nationally touring rock, indie and alternative artists. Surprise guests like Alice Cooper occasionally drop by, too. Located at 1604 8th Avenue South, The Basement is near Grimey's New and Preloved Music. There's limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis for two shows a night, so come early to grab a chair or plan on standing. A second location is known as The Basement East.

The Basement East holds about 400 music fans, so it's much larger than its sister venue, The Basement. But it's standing room only, and there's usually a wait to get in. If you need a seat for medical reasons, call ahead of time and they'll do their best to accommodate you. This 917 Woodland Street venue is also handicapped-accessible.

Come to The 5 Spot on Mondays for a swing dance party starting at 9 p.m., followed by party dancing at 10 p.m. DJs spin funk, soul, doo-wop, rock 'n' roll, Motown and more until the music winds down around 2 a.m. The cover charge is just $2 on Two Dollar Tuesdays, when you'll hear more vinyl hits. Check out the colorful mural painted by local artist Kim Radford on the outside wall of the club.

Launched by Jack White, formerly of the White Stripes, Third Man Records opened in Nashville in 2009. It's a combination record store, photo studio, novelties lounge and the world's only live venue equipped to record directly to acetate. Book a tour of the facilities or use the refurbished 1947 Voice-o-Graph machine to record up to two minutes of audio on a 6-inch phonograph disc. Convert your recording to an MP3 and you can submit it for the venue's Soundcloud playlist.

Savor a classic Prohibition-style cocktail while you enjoy a Creole crawfish sandwich or other authentic New Orleans cuisine at Rudy's Jazz Room. There's a New York City-meets-New Orleans vibe in this intimate, dark, eclectic late-night bar and club. Jazz plays seven nights a week in a listening room that features fine acoustics and a Steinway Model B grand piano.

Since opening in 1971, tens of thousands of performers have played Exit/In, including Johnny Cash, Jimmy Buffet, Muddy Waters, the Talking Heads and more. Check out the Wall of Fame on the front of the building, a mural on the side and an interior Wall of Fame to see all the artists' names. Bring your own food and drink to the club or order from Hurry Back, a nearby eatery, and play board games, vintage Nintendo or bubble hockey until the shows start.

This laid-back music store sells and buys records and CDs and takes pre-orders for upcoming releases. Vintage pressed recordings are Grimey's specialty, but it also handles books, music and culture magazines and DVD/Blu-ray films. Bands sometimes play short sets to celebrate their new music, and those events are free; artists will often sign your purchase.

Live bluegrass plays every night at The Station Inn, a music listening room in Nashville's Gulch area. You'll also hear traditional country, Americana and roots music (which can include anything from blues to bluegrass, Cajun, gospel, traditional country, zydeco, Tejano and Native American music). The Station Inn has been a comfortable, cozy Nashville venue for some 40 years.