Nashville Best Of 2026 · Best Nashville Blues Bar
Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar
A glowing neon sign, wrought-iron balconies, and live blues from open to close in historic Printers Alley. A taste of New Orleans in Music City since 1995, Bourbon Street is our pick for the best blues bar in Nashville.
The Verdict
Best Nashville Blues Bar: Why Bourbon Street Earns the Title
Just a couple of blocks from the honky-tonks of Broadway, Printers Alley offers a different kind of Nashville night, and Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar is its beating heart. Live music runs from the moment the doors open until close, with blues, soul, R&B, and Americana acts ranging from local favorites to touring bands. The room is intimate, fills up fast, and keeps the dance floor moving all night.
Its stage has an impressive pedigree, too. Legends like James Brown and B.B. King have played here, and thousands of musicians have followed in their footsteps. Add Cajun and Creole food, cold beer, and a Big Easy Hurricane, and it’s the perfect escape from the Broadway crowds.
1995
Established in Printers Alley
7
Days a Week of Live Music
3 AM
Late Nights, Friday to Sunday
1,000s
Of Musicians on Its Stage
What to Order
A Taste of the Big Easy
Grab a table near the stage, order something straight out of New Orleans, and let the band do the rest.
Voodoo Wings
Chicken wings tossed in the bar’s signature Voodoo sauce, the perfect late-night snack between sets.
Cajun & Creole Classics
Red beans and rice, po-boys, and even fried alligator for the adventurous. It’s Crescent City comfort food in the heart of Nashville.
The Big Easy Hurricane
The signature cocktail, made New Orleans style. The NOLA Sweet Tea is another house favorite worth ordering.
The Story
Where the Good Times Roll
Printers Alley has been one of Nashville’s most storied nightlife districts for generations, and this building has its own place in that history. Before Bourbon Street moved in, it was home to the Boots Randolph Carousel Club, named for the Nashville saxophone great best known for “Yakety Sax.”
Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar opened in 1995 and has been bringing the spirit of New Orleans to Music City ever since. Thousands of musicians have graced its stage, including legends like James Brown and B.B. King, and it remains a favorite for anyone craving blues, soul, and a good time off the beaten path.
“Laissez les bons temps rouler.”
The Bourbon Street Motto: Let the Good Times Roll
Plan Your Visit
Follow the Neon into Printers Alley
Bourbon Street sits in historic Printers Alley, between 3rd and 4th Avenues off Church Street. Reservations aren’t required, but you can book one to save yourself a seat.
Location
220 Printers Alley
Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 242-5837
Between 3rd and 4th Avenues off Church Street.
Hours
Mon–Tue: 4 pm – 1 am
Wed–Thu: 11:30 am – 1 am
Fri–Sun: 11:30 am – 3 am
Live music from open to close. Hours are subject to change.
Good to Know
Bands typically play two sets a day, one in the late afternoon and one in the evening. Cover charges vary by day and time, and the room fills up quickly on weekends, so arrive early.
Let the Good Times Roll
Check the calendar, grab a Hurricane, and catch the blues in historic Printers Alley.
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