WITH things returning to normal, most of us are finding ourselves back out at bars and other food-and-drink establishments more and more often. Perhaps you’re in the market for a new favorite watering hole or cocktail. Well then, who better to ask than the brains behind some of Nashville’s best drinking spots?
For our answers, we looked to the experts at four totally unique and popular bars in four different parts of town: Rosemary & Beauty Queen in East Nashville’s Five Points neighborhood, Flamingo Cocktail Club and Falcon Coffee Bar in Wedgewood-Houston, L.A. Jackson on the top floor of the Thompson Nashville in the Gulch, and The Whiskey Shot in Printers Alley downtown. We learned plenty — including the fact that Nashville’s drink experts seem to really, really like Attaboy and Mother’s Ruin. Read on to find out what else we uncovered.
What’s your favorite drink at your own establishment? If you could recommend just one thing for a first-time customer, what would it be?
Hot Moves is my personal fave — whiskey, cacao, turmeric honey, peach, lemon. Just a delightful li’l take on a whiskey sour. But, your first drink at RBQ should be the Avalon — gin, Midori, cucumber, lime, mint. Truly my greatest contribution to the bar community … so far. —Alicardi
At Flamingo, The Dill (tequila, cold-pressed cucumber juice, dill, lime). At Falcon, the Espresso Martini. For a first-timer, I would highly recommend The Dill and our plant-based nachos. —Laino
The Social Media Influencer. This is currently my favorite drink on the menu. It’s a riff on one of my favorite classic cocktails, a paloma. It splits the base spirit with tequila and mezcal, which are my two favorite spirits, combined with a little Aperol and pamplemousse. It’s a refreshing low-sugar cocktail that everyone has been loving up here at L.A. Jackson. —Morrison
My favorite drink at The Whiskey Shot is called South College Street. It’s a variation on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail, using Tennessee whiskey, spiced cherry bitters and vanilla. A lot of people ask what the best shot is that we have or that I make. I suggest trying a shot of whiskey. Get it? Whiskey Shot. Try something local or something that you’ve never had. If you’re not sure, ask the bartender for a recommendation. —Olagundoye
What’s your favorite cocktail at a Nashville bar other than your own?
Pearl Diver’s Piña Colada, Happiness Style (with coffee and sherry floater). 10/10, five stars. No joke, 55 South has the best marg I’ve ever had. —Alicardi
If I’m really in the mood for a cocktail, I go to Attaboy in East. Every drink I’ve ever gotten there has been amazing. Go there, tell them what you like, what you don’t like, and you will not be disappointed. —Morrison
Attaboy is probably one of my favorite cocktail bars here in Nashville. You can know exactly what you want or have no clue. Either way you’re getting a solid cocktail. —Laino
This is a hard one, because I generally don’t remember the names of cocktails at bars. But that’s because I’m more of a classics guy. My favorite cocktail is probably a gin-and-tonic at Bar Sovereign. They use Jack Rudy tonic, which is delicious, and they don’t make them too sweet. They also know that the choice of gin matters, and ask me every time. The Duke at Skull’s Rainbow Room is also up there, along with anything made at The Fox, Pearl Diver or Attaboy. —Olagundoye
What’s your favorite bar to hang out at other than your own?
Urban Cowboy has such a vibe, and everyone is so friendly — not to mention good-looking. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure type hang: Party inside the Public House, drink wine in the garden, eat a pizza on the porch, the possibilities are endless. —Alicardi
Mother’s Ruin in Germantown. The staff and the atmosphere feel like home every time. They do a great job of that. I’ve always referred to Mother’s as one of two things: Cheers, because there’s always friends there, whether you’ve known them for years or met them that night; or an ex, because somehow I always wind up back there. —Laino
Mother’s Ruin. Hands-down. Food and drinks are on point, and they serve both till 1:30 a.m. But the real reason I’m there three to four nights a week is the people that work there as well as the people that go there. It feels like home every time I’m there. —Morrison
Mother’s Ruin has become my favorite bar to hang out at. The bartenders are friendly and fun. The drinks and food are good. And the vibe is not too serious. You can get a quality cocktail while in a laid-back atmosphere, and that does it for me. —Olagundoye
What’s one tip you’d like to give Nashville bar patrons?
I wish more people understood that bartenders are amazing resources. Need a dinner recommendation? Got you. Emergency tampon? Hold please. Does that creep need to leave you alone? WITH PLEASURE. Oh, and just open a tab. We both know you’re going to have more than one drink. —Alicardi
From a hospitality standpoint, as a guest you should always be treated like you’re the most important person in the room, but not act like it. Also, Lambrusco is definitely something to try out. It’s an effervescent chilled red wine, and it’s classic year-round. —Laino
As all of our bars get back to normal, I think some patrons have forgotten about bar etiquette over quarantine. So if I could give any piece of advice when ordering at a busy bar, it’s that if you’re going to get more than one drink, start a tab. Most bars give you your card back, and it’s much easier that way. Also have your order, card and ID ready. But above all of that, just be nice. —Morrison
Trust your bartender. Be polite. Understand that most places are shorthanded right now, so you might have to wait a little longer than normal. It’s OK. It’s just food and drink. Enjoy yourself. Try something new. Enjoy the night.
- Nashville Scene
