With each year that passes, visitors and locals alike have more reasons to adore our region! This season, we recommend ascending above the city streets to tour the best rooftop experiences in Middle Tennessee. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual honky-tonk, modern glamor scene, or Nashville’s best steakhouse, the destinations atop our beautiful skyline should likewise be atop your list of things to do.
Please note that each of our highlighted rooftop experiences is either an established favorite or a newcomer that is taking the city’s nightlife scene by storm, so we advise arriving ahead of time, or making reservations where allowed.
lou/na
SoBro | Nashville
25 floors above Nashville’s South Broadway, though open only since the fall of 2020, lou-na has emerged as one of the most glamorous rooftop destinations in the region. Named for and inspired by the famous, historic Louisville & Nashville railroad, lou/na is chic and modern while still recalling the elegance of a bygone era.
Visit lou/na’s rooftop for elevated small plates, innovative cocktails, stunning skyline views over the Cumberland River and Lower Broadway, and live entertainment! While you’ll escape the hustle and bustle of lower Broadway, lou/na boasts an always-active social scene.
Rare Bird
Downtown | Nashville
Named for the great blue heron that graces the Cumberland River below, Rare Bird perches 12 stories aloft on the roof of the boutique hotel Noelle. Stop by this inviting bar and lounge, then settle into a couch to enjoy small bites, handcrafted cocktails, frozen rosé and Riesling, beer, or infused water while you take in the view.
Choose from open-air and covered seating or cozy up to either of the rooftop bar’s two limestone fireplaces—whatever the weather, Rare Bird is a great destination. Its convenient location (a quick walk from the Ryman Auditorium) makes this spot a great choice for pre-show appetizers and drinks!
White Limozeen
Midtown | Nashville
If there’s one thing the whole of Tennessee agrees on, it’s that Dolly Parton is a treasure beyond measure! It should therefore come as no surprise that White Limozeen, a Dolly-themed rooftop bar and restaurant, is wildly popular, so make a reservation ASAP—it's a requirement to enter!
Once you arrive, relax by the Governer’s Pool beneath a pink umbrella, and enjoy a cocktail with or without a homestyle French-inspired meal. The views from atop The Graduate Hotel are nearly as dazzling as Dolly’s rhinestones, and the glamorous pink-and-gold décor inside the restaurant is also a must-see feature.
Denim
SoBro | Nashville
Atop the 21-story Joseph Hotel, Denim invites patrons to order a drink, have a meal, and unwind poolside in casual luxury. Perfect for hotel guests and locals alike, for a quick after-dinner drink or a dedicated destination, it’s clear that Denim’s name accurately evokes the comfort and versatility you’ll find here.
L.A. Jackson
The Gulch | Nashville
L.A. Jackson offers the best rooftop views in The Gulch from above the Thompson Hotel. Because it’s ideal for those times when you’re feeling swanky and fine and want the perfect Instagram moment, but also want to have a genuinely great time with a hopping crowd, L.A. Jackson has become one of the most popular destinations in the neighborhood.
Stop by for small plates, craft cocktails, wine, or beer; stay for the scene and the incredible panoramic views!
Bourbon Steak
SoBro | Nashville
Bourbon Steak has earned the reputation as “the best steakhouse in Nashville,” so even without its stunning 360-degree views of Nashville, we’d be in love. Located atop the JW Marriott hotel, Bourbon Steak boasts in-house Michelin Star Chef Mina, whose claim to fame includes preparing meals for three US presidents. Mina specializes in preparing the best cuts of American beef, Kobe beef, and wagyu alongside the freshest seafood and shellfish in Nashville.
Additionally, diners can select from more than 450 wine offerings from around the globe. If you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or are proposing to the love of your life, Bourbon Steak should be on your shortlist of choices. With that said, if you’re visiting Nashville, why deprive yourself? We highly recommend taking the opportunity to partake in this delectable, not-to-be-missed experience 34 stories aloft!
Up! Rooftop Lounge
The Gulch | Nashville
Up! offers some of the best views in Nashville from the Fairfield Inn’s rooftop. Escape the ordinary and hit up this spot for farm-to-table meals, charcuterie boards, delicious burgers, craft beers, wine, and cocktails. Up! has consistently attracted local diners, so it can be a great place to visit when you’d like to steer clear of the tourist favorites that pepper The Gulch. When the weather is pleasant, head Up! and cozy in behind a fire-top table for a relaxing evening.
L27 Rooftop Lounge
SoBro | Nashville
Twenty-seven floors above the hustle of downtown Nashville, L27 invites visitors to partake in luxurious poolside relaxation, stunning city views, shareable small plates, craft cocktails, and live music. If you’re a guest of the hotel, you’ll be able to enjoy taking a plunge to cool down. If you’re not a guest, you can still spend a sunny day in a rented cabana or a chilly evening getting cozy in a lushly furnished nook. When you’re looking for an escape from the daily grind, L27 awaits.
Nashville Underground
The District | Nashville
Why settle for a single-story rooftop destination when you could kick it up a notch at the city’s only double-deck rooftop? Head to the highest level’s real grass with your furry companion, or enjoy the LED dance floor, arcade games, miniature bowling lanes, and massive video walls below in the restaurant—either way, you’re in for a riotously fun time!
Don’t think the scene here is only famous for fun, though; the food is delicious, the drinks options are endless, and the views are breathtaking. While Nashville Underground has gained a following from the city’s younger crowd, we think the young at heart are just as likely to love it here too.
Jason Aldean's Kitchen & Rooftop Bar
The District | Nashville
Where else in the nation can you tuck into Nashville-style comfort food, enjoy a craft cocktail or a beer, and get down to country music on a rooftop—possibly alongside a country music star? Absolutely nowhere. This four-level venue boasts panoramic views of the city, dancing for the whole family, and plenty of space for large groups. Reservations aren’t offered, though, so we do recommend arriving a little early and getting your name on the waiting list while you take in the scene.
Locals, share your thoughts! Did your favorite rooftop destination make our list? If not, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below. We continue to welcome tourists and newcomers to Middle Tennessee, and recommendations from knowledgeable residents like you are invaluable.
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