When I visited Nashville for the first time, I completely understood why it has become the number one destination for singles in the United States. The city has live music in every bar starting at 11am, rooftop cocktails with views of the skyline, hot chicken that will blow your mind, and an energy that somehow makes everyone feel like the party was thrown just for them.
Since then, I’ve recommended Nashville to virtually every friend who had a bachelorette party to plan, and the response is always the same: “Why didn’t we do this sooner?” If you’re planning a bachelorette weekend and aren’t sure where to start, this guide covers everything from where to stay, what to do, how to get around, and how to keep the whole group together without someone getting lost on Broadway at midnight.
When to go
Spring and early summer (April through June) are the ideal time for a Nashville bachelorette party. The weather is warm enough for rooftop bars and outdoor patios, the city is lively, and you won’t melt in the August heat. That being said, Nashville delivers year-round results. I visited in spring and had a great time.
One thing to keep in mind: Weekends in Nashville are busy specifically because of singles groups. If your group is flexible, a Thursday-Saturday trip will net you cheaper hotel rates and slightly less crowded bars on Thursday night. But honestly, the energy of the weekend is hard to beat if you want the full Music City experience.
Where to stay
My strong recommendation is to stay downtown, within walking distance of Broadway. Nashville is very walkable once you’re downtown, and being close to the action means you’re not spending money on Ubers every time you want to get between places. A trip from the airport to downtown costs between $20 and $30, and most trips around the city cost around $10.
21c Museum Hotel – This is where I stayed on my trip to Nashville and I loved it. It’s right in the heart of downtown, walkable to the Honky Tonk Highway, and has huge rooms. The fact that it also doubles as an art museum makes it feel more special than a standard chain hotel, plus it’s a great spot for group photos in the lobby.
Holston House Nashville – A magnificent 1929 art deco building in the center with an outdoor pool, ideal for a group of bachelorettes who want a morning pool before the next night of partying.
Dream Nashville – Located in two historic buildings on Printer’s Alley with its own nightclub called Dirty Little Secret inside. If your group wants to start the party without even leaving the hotel, this is the one.
Day 1: Brunch, sightseeing, and getting the party started
Brunch at Biscuit Love
Start your first morning off right with brunch at Biscuit Love in The Gulch. It’s a Nashville institution and the lines form early, so arrive around 9 a.m. The bonus cookie The lemon mascarpone donuts are truly one of the best things I’ve eaten in the United States. Budget about an hour and a half because everyone keeps asking for extra things.
Mural Hopping at 12South and The Gulch
After brunch, the 12South neighborhood is perfect for group photos. The famous “I Believe in Nashville” mural is here, along with the blue and white striped wall outside Draper James, Reese Witherspoon’s clothing store. The Gulch has the iconic “What Lifts You” wing mural that you’ll recognize on every Nashville Instagram. Go early before the tourist wave hits if you want to get a perfect wing photo without a crowd in the background, early morning is your best bet.
These neighborhoods also have great boutiques, so it’s a good way to spend a couple of hours before the night starts shopping for matching cowgirl hats or bachelorette party sashes, if you haven’t ordered them yet.
Afternoon: Rooftop Cocktails
Lou/Na on the 25th floor of the Grand Hyatt has one of the best rooftop views in Nashville; It opens at 4 pm weekdays and 3 pm on weekends, so plan accordingly. The cocktails are creative and the skyline background is brilliant for group photos. Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop on Honky Tonk Highway is another solid option if you want to be in the thick of things from the start.
Night: The Nashville Party Bus
This is the part of the weekend that every band I recommended Nashville to rated as their highlight. Instead of trying to coordinate Ubers between venues all night, which becomes a logistical nightmare with a large group, book a party bus in Nashville and keep everyone together for a couple of hours before hitting Broadway.
Rowdy Bus Tours, a party bus tour company runs a Nashville Party Bus on an open-air tour of the city center for just under two hours. You bring your own drinks (no glass, no liquor, and nothing over 8% ABV; they provide mugs, ice, coolers, and a VIP bartender who mixes everything for you), and the tour takes you through the Ryman Auditorium, Bridgestone Arena, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Gulch, Music Row, and more. There’s a premium sound system, an LED light show, and a Bluetooth connection if your group wants to DJ. It looks like the party is already in full swing before you set foot on Broadway.
The BYOB element is what makes it so good. A private bus seats 25 people and costs $395 Monday through Thursday or $595 Friday through Sunday for the entire bus divided into 15 people on a weekend which costs about $40 each before tips (the average tip is $10 to $20 per person, which the crew absolutely earns). There is also a public tour option for $49 per person if you have a smaller group or just want to keep costs down. Pickup and drop-off is at 1205 Milson Avenue South Uber there and go.
Rowdy Bus has a 4.9 star rating and it’s easy to see why once you’re on it. Book well in advance for spring weekend spots, they fill up quickly and advance purchase is required.
Night: Honky Tonk Highway
After the bus drops you off, you’ll be perfectly warmed up for a night on Broadway. Honky Tonk Highway is like nothing else: live music blasting at every bar, no cover charge anywhere, and performers standing at the bar and taking requests. Even if country music isn’t your thing, the vibe is so infectious that it doesn’t really matter.
- Tootsie’s Orchid Salon – One of Nashville’s most legendary honky-tonks, with multiple floors, live music on every level, and a history dating back to the 1960s.
- FGL House – Florida Georgia Line bar with magnificent rooftop views of Broadway.
- Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink – Five floors including roof terrace. Great for a large group because there is something for everyone at all levels.
The key to Broadway is not to plan too much. Simply move between bars as you please; There really is no wrong answer.
Day 2: Recovery Brunch, Culture and Hot Chicken
Brunch at Pinewood Social
Pinewood Social is a huge industrial-style restaurant with a bowling alley inside, making it a really fun place for a slightly hungover group who wants something low-key before the next round. I ordered the grapefruit and avocado brûléed toast, both great. It gets busy so book in advance.
The Grand Ole Opry and Gaylord Opryland
If anyone in your group has any interest in the cultural side of Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry is worth a visit, if only to see the building and take pictures from the front. It’s home to the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history, a fun fact to share while everyone recovers. Just steps away, the Gaylord Opryland Resort has nine acres of indoor tropical gardens with waterfalls and bridges. It sounds random but it’s really impressive and you can walk around for free.
Hot Chicken at Hattie B’s
No trip to Nashville is complete without hot chicken at Hattie B’s. Spicy fried chicken topped with cayenne pepper sauce, served with pickles and white bread. Order the “Shut the Cluck Up” level if you’re feeling brave. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Bonus: Add a third day on the water
If your group is extending into a long weekend, Nashville has one more ace up its sleeve that most bachelorette itineraries completely overlook. Percy Priest Lake is about 20 minutes from the center and is beautiful and the same team behind the party bus runs it too.
noisy boatsa BYOB boat party experience on the lake. Same concept: you bring your own drinks, they provide you with cups, ice, coolers, a licensed captain, and water toys, rafts, tubes, and pool noodles. Tours last around three hours and are the perfect contrast to Broadway nights. Sun, water and floating dance party. It has become a Nashville bachelorette party staple for groups who want more than just the city’s nightlife.
Book both the bus and the boat when you’re planning the trip, doing them on different days gives the weekend a really satisfying shape: arrive, do the city, do the water, go home happy.
Practical Tips for a Bachelorette Weekend in Nashville
- Book your party bus, boat tour, restaurant and hotel reservations well in advance. Advance purchase is required for Rowdy Bus and spaces fill up quickly, especially spring through summer.
- Sign your waivers online before the tour begins and you will receive a link in your confirmation email. Or arrive 20 minutes early to do it on the same day. Either way, don’t skip this or it will eat up your tour time.
- Stock up on drinks at a liquor store or grocery store near your hotel before the Rowdy Bus tour. Rules: Canned drinks only, no glasses, no liquor, and nothing over 8% ABV. You also can’t take leftover drinks off the bus at the end due to local laws, so plan quantities accordingly.
- Ubers in Nashville are reasonably priced at around $10 for most trips into the city and $20 to $30 from the airport. You won’t need a rental car.
- Wear comfortable shoes for Broadway. Cobblestones and heels are not a good combination after a few drinks.
- The dress code in Nashville is very relaxed: cowgirl boots, matching suits, and bachelorette sashes fit the bill. Nobody bats an eyelid.
- Broadway bars don’t have entrances anywhere. If you’ve already taken the BYOB party bus first, you’re already way ahead on your overnight budget.
- Budget between $10 and $20 per person for tips during the bus tour. The bartender and driver work hard to make the experience great. It is well earned.
one last word
Nashville has earned its reputation as the best singles destination in America for good reason. The combination of live music everywhere, amazing food, a nightlife that runs on pure good energy, and experiences like the party bus and lake boat that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else, just works. Whatever your group’s vibe, Music City has a version of the perfect weekend for you.
If you’re planning a trip, it’s also worth reading my 2-day Nashville itinerary for more information on what to see and do in the city beyond your bachelorette bucket list.
