So, think of the title of this post as if it were sung by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in Grease. Maybe it will make more sense. Or not.
So last weekend I did something I had not done since the SEC Tournament was in Nashville a few years ago: I closed down Broadway. Of course, last weekend didn't end up with me making out with a guy in my car for an hour in a parking lot, but it DID end in my friend C somehow convincing Dominos to bring us pizza at 3 a.m. even thought they were closed. So, I'd say it was equally as successful.
There are several different areas of Nashville nightlife, and it seems you get a different experience depending, on where you spend your hard earned $$$ on drinks that you could make at home much cheaper. But, I guess you can't find sticky floors, dart boards, and creepy old men hitting on 20 year olds at your home/apartment/parent's house, (unless you're at your old Fraternity house on alumni weekend) so you get dressed up, hail a cab, and vow to not worry about your bar tab until you're recounting the previous night's events with your friends the next morning.
Let's break down Nashville nightlife, shall we? (Disclaimer: I have not been to some of these places since college. The atmosphere may have changed...but I doubt it.)
Demonbreun:
During the day it's the place for the Music Circle crew (and Belmont students desperately searching out internships) congregate for chicken fingers at Otters, sushi at Sushiyobi, or whatever the heck it is they serve at Red Rooster. At night it becomes the area college students (both of age and under) flock to in order to find their latest notch on their dorm bedpost. I have fond (?) college memories of frequenting Dan McGuiness, Tin Roof, and On The Rocks (RIP) on weekends. One of our favorite past times was to stand near the door and take bets on if people would get caught with fake IDs. Whoever lost the best bought the next round. I remember someone bought a spiced rum shot once. Worst. Shot. Ever. I did visit Tin Roof last year for a concert for a friend's birthday, but it wasn't memorable. Well, Tin Roof wasn't, but it did become the location of the greatest cock-block ever courtesy of my friend K, so it does hold a special place in my heart. Other than that, Demonbreun is meh. Unless you want to take me to Sushiyobi for a volcano roll. I'm down for that any time.
Downtown: I am not usually a Downtown Nashville girl. I dislike tourists with a passion (yeah yeah, I know they stimulate our economy...yada yada...I saw too many CMA Fest tourists/Fan Fairies turn down one way streeets downtown and make me late to work, and I'm still bitter), and I know I could never be a New Yorker because of that fact...and the fact I like to eat. But that's another story.
I have to be in the mood to go downtown and that usually only happens about twice a year. Unless Kentucky is playing in the SEC Tournament...then I happily spend every waking moment with the fans of the Blue & White. Can't wait for 2013. That parking lot had better get ready for Round 2...
But, when I do venture Downtown, I usually have a great time. If you want to dance to songs like Dixieland Delight or Wagon Wheel, this is the place for you. By the end of the night, everyone has made a new best friend. Bachelorettes pose for inappropriate pictures with men that could be their great grandfathers, country music fans are buying beers for the random hipsters that brave unknown territory, and the locals are banding together shouting about how Nashville is the greatest city in the country. A religious experience can also be found in Downtown Nashville: Paradise Park tator tots. If you have had them at 3 a.m., you know what I am talking about. If not, you haven't lived. Add that shit to your bucket list.
Midtown
I'll end with Midtown, since that's where I spend most of my time. Yes, I know there are other parts of the city to hang out in. However, I'm not cool enough to hang out in East Nashville or rich enough to hang out in Franklin, so this is what I know. Hillsboro Village has fun places, but that's more of a daytime/sports event area of town to me. Although, Taco Mamacita off of Edgehill is hands down my favorite Sunday Funday place. Shout out to Sangria Sunday!
Okay, so Midtown. It's convenient. You get dropped off in the area and you're surrounded by bars within walking distance, which is imperative if you decided to go for shoes that make your legs look amazing rather than shoes that you can actually stand/walk/dance/hobble in. Broadway Brewhouse is usually where we start the night, even though I despise that I smell like cigarette smoke the second I step inside. It's famous for its Bushwhackers (think alcoholic Wendy's frosties), dart board, and ring game. I do not understand the game of darts, but I thoroughly enjoy hanging out near the dart board and watching other people play. A place that is itching to overthrow Brehouse as our #1 spot is Rebar...especially for birthday celebrations. At least three people, plus me, have had our birthday celebrations there. On Sundays they offer a Bloody Mary bar and although I haven't tried that (because the thought of tomato juice makes me cringe), I hear it's quite popular. All I know is, they let you take over one of the rooms, the waitresses are really nice, and sometimes they'll even let you turn one of their game tables into a flip cup table.
Winners and Losers are also in Midtown and fun can be had there as well. I haven't spent as much time at either as I have Brewhouse or Rebar, but I've danced to a few songs there in my time. I think they're basically the same, you just go to each for different reasons. You go to Losers if you're feeling down and want to surround yourselves with other low self-esteemed people and hope for the chance to take two negative people and combine them for a positive reaction. Or, you go to Winners if you are confident that this is going to be a Charlie Sheen "winning" epic night and you are willing to take on any challenge thrown at you. Actually, I have no idea why you would pick one over the other, you probably just go where your friends are.
And if you want to be classy in Midtown, head over to Tavern. One of the bartenders there is quite attrative and from New Zealand. Done and done.
So there are my views of entertainment in Nashville. It's funny that this blog entry makes me sound like I'm constantly out and about, which is not the case. I go out a lot less than many of my friends, yet I always have a blast when I join them. I usually prefer going to dinner with friends and then hanging out at a friend's house solving relationship/workplace/world problems with a glass of wine (pinkies up, y'all). But, a Nashville night is pretty darn enjoyable too.
To continue with the nightlife theme, my friend S gave me the below questions.
Q: What is your favorite drink?
A: Besides milk (seriously...but I would never order it at a bar), I do enjoy a gin & tonic. It's the 65 year old man in me.
Q: Are you a cowboy boot girl?
A: Up until a couple of years ago I would have said no way. I was very anti-country anything. But then I actually bought a pair and realized I could wear them with dresses, jeans, pajamas (?), whatever! So they have become a staple. Plus, they have a little bit of a heel and they're comfortable. What more could you want?
Q: What is your favorite bar?
A: Does it count that it's not in Nashville? Sidetrax in Chicago, all the way.
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