An insider's guide to West End
The 121 Hotel sits at 121 30th Avenue North, on a quiet residential street in Nashville's West End. Centennial Park and the Parthenon are a few minutes' walk away, Vanderbilt's campus is just beyond, and Midtown, Music Row and downtown are a short ride east.
This is where Nashville lives rather than parties: neighborhood bars with a songwriter in the corner, decades-old diners, and a park big enough to lose an afternoon in. Here are the places we send our own friends, from two blocks away to a short drive.
Where to drink
Neighborhood bars, a legendary rock club, a rooftop and a West End classic down the street.
1The Local
Our neighborhood bar, two blocks from the hotel. A small room, a good patio and a corner stage with live music most nights, from songwriter rounds to full bands. It's the closest thing West End has to a locals' honky-tonk. Order the G-Off burger, topped with candied bacon and jalapeños.
localnash.com2Springwater Supper Club & Lounge
One of Nashville's oldest bars and an unapologetic dive, right across from Centennial Park. Cheap drinks, zero pretense and a stage that books everything from punk to country.
thespringwater.com3Bricktop's
A West End fixture since 2006, right down the street. Pull up a seat at the bar for a cocktail and the game, or stay for dinner from a menu that runs from steaks and seafood to sushi. There's a small patio for nice evenings.
bricktops.com/nashville-west-end4Exit/In
A Nashville institution since 1971 on Elliston Place's small strip of music venues. It's the room to catch a band on the way up, and the calendar is packed most weeks.
exitin.com5White Limozeen
The rooftop bar and restaurant at the Graduate hotel, all pink and gloriously over the top. Go at sunset for cocktails with a view over Midtown.
graduatehotels.com/nashville/restaurant/white-limozeen
Where to eat
Diner classics, a 1934 steakhouse, hot chicken and a cult-favorite deli.
1Elliston Place Soda Shop
Serving Nashville since 1939. Come for a meat-and-three plate at the counter, and leave room for a milkshake or a slice of pie.
2Jimmy Kelly's Steakhouse
A Nashville steakhouse since 1934, in an old house just off West End. White-tablecloth service, a cozy bar and the famous corn cakes brought to every table. Dinner only, so book ahead on weekends.
jimmykellys.com3Hattie B's Hot Chicken
You can't leave Nashville without trying hot chicken, and the Midtown original is the easiest place to start. Heat levels run from Southern (none) to Shut the Cluck Up. Expect a line at peak times.
hattieb.com4The Pancake Pantry
A Hillsboro Village breakfast landmark with dozens of scratch-made pancakes. Weekend lines wrap the block, so go early or on a weekday.
thepancakepantry.com551st Deli
Part deli, part corner market, and a local favorite in The Nations. The line moves fast, so know your order: breakfast tacos in the morning, the pastrami on rye at lunch. There's a juice and smoothie bar too.
51stdeli.com
What to do
Our backyard is one of the best parks in the city.
1Centennial Park & the Parthenon
A full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens, built for Tennessee's 1897 Centennial Exposition. Inside you'll find an art museum and a 42-foot statue of Athena. The surrounding park has a lake, walking loops and lawns made for an unhurried morning.
nashvilleparthenon.com2Vanderbilt University campus
The campus is a designated arboretum with hundreds of tree species, which makes it one of the prettiest walks in the city, especially in fall. On Saturdays in the season, follow the crowds to a Commodores game.
3The Belcourt Theatre
A nonprofit independent cinema in a 1925 building. It shows new indie releases, restored classics and repertory series, with a bar in the lobby.
belcourt.org
Make West End your base
Sixteen rooms and suites, from king rooms to a presidential penthouse, a short walk from everything above. Book direct for our best rate.