Nashville Best Of 2026 · Best Honky-Tonk
Robert’s Western World
No cover, cold beer, fried bologna, and traditional country music from morning until 3 a.m. In the shadow of the Ryman, Robert’s Western World is our pick for the best honky-tonk in Nashville.
The Verdict
Why Robert’s Earns the Title
Lower Broadway is packed with multi-story, celebrity-branded bars, but only one is known as the home of traditional country music. At Robert’s Western World, the bands play classic country, western swing, and rockabilly from morning until the early hours, and boots still line the walls from its days as a Western wear shop. It truly feels like a time capsule.
It’s also the best deal on Broadway. There’s never a cover charge, cans of beer start at just a few dollars, and the legendary Recession Special gets you a fried bologna sandwich, chips, a MoonPie, and a PBR for $6. Rolling Stone called it the last true Nashville honky-tonk, and one visit shows why locals, visitors, and even performers from the nearby Ryman keep coming back.
$6
The Famous Recession Special
$0
Cover Charge, Ever
17 Hrs
Of Live Music Every Day
30+
Years of Traditional Country
The Experience
Three Chords and the Truth
Here’s what makes a night at Robert’s one you won’t forget.
The Recession Special
A fried bologna sandwich on grilled Texas toast, a bag of chips, a MoonPie, and a cold PBR, all for $6. It’s the most famous deal on Broadway.
Live Country, All Day
Traditional country, western swing, and rockabilly bands play seven days a week, including owner JesseLee Jones’s band Brazilbilly, Broadway’s longest-running house band.
Sunday Gospel Fellowship
On Sunday mornings, Robert’s hosts the Gospel Fellowship Church with live gospel music and an open-door welcome to all. It’s a uniquely Nashville way to start a Sunday.
The Story
The Home of Traditional Country Music
The building at 416 Broadway once housed the Sho-Bud Steel Guitar Company during country music’s golden age. In the early 1990s, Robert Moore opened Robert’s Rhinestone Western Wear there, selling boots and clothing, and gradually turned the shop into a honky-tonk that launched influential bands like BR5-49.
In 1999, Moore sold the business to JesseLee Jones, a Brazilian-born musician who moved to the U.S. from São Paulo in 1984 and leads Brazilbilly. Today JesseLee and his wife, Emily Ann, run Robert’s with one mission: keeping traditional country music alive on a Broadway that’s changing fast.
“We’ve left it alone. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”
Emily Ann Jones, Co-Owner
Plan Your Visit
Find the Big Red Boot
Robert’s sits mid-block on Lower Broadway, just steps from the Ryman Auditorium. Look for the big red boot out front.
Location
416 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 244-9552
On Lower Broadway, steps from the Ryman.
Hours
Open daily: 10 am – 3 am
Live music all day, every day, and never a cover charge.
Good to Know
All ages are welcome until 6 pm; it’s 21 and up after that. The band passes a tip jar about once an hour, so bring some cash to show your appreciation.
See You Under the Red Boot
Swing by any day of the week, grab a Recession Special, and don’t forget to tip the band.