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The Pharmacy
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UP, A Rooftop Lounge
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L27
It's patio season, and, whether you're in search of a pint and a lawn game in The Nations or hoping for a place to put down your picnic spread outside of town, here's our guide to making the most of this all-too-short window of outdoor opportunity.
Best Patios for a Drink
Downtown
Acme Feed & Seed
Each level of the former Acme Feed Building showcases its ‘sui generis.' Level 2's marbled sushi bar is a win, but the rooftop has become the star of the Lower Broadway show, stealing selfies with sweeping panoramas of the Cumberland, frozen moonshine drink in hand. 101 Broadway, 615-915-0888; theacmenashville.com
Downtown
Barlines
They call it an upscale honkytonkwe call it a respite from the Broadway crowd. Comfy seats and televisions you can watch while dining outdoors only add to the appeal. Oh, and did we mention they have milkshakes? Omni Nashville, 250 5th Ave S, 615-761-3705; barlinesnashville.com
West Nashville
Blue Moon Café
Whether you arrive at Cumberland River mile marker 175 by boat or car, Blue Moon Waterfront Grillewith its breezy outdoor seating, extensive beverage list, and Caribbean- and American-inspired fareis open for harbor-side business. Although the original marina restaurant, a Nashville mainstay, was swept away in the floods of 2010, the reincarnated dining destination and its views have prevailedso, too, have the legendary grit cakes. Rock Harbor Marina, 525 Basswood Ave, 615-356-6666; bluemoongrille.com
The Nations
Fat Bottom Brewing Co.
Building on the popularity of the original East Nashville location, Fat Bottom Brewing has upped the ante on their drinking and dining game at their new home in West Nashville. The Hopyard is a pleasant beer garden and taproom where they serve unpretentious, but delicious, bar food. Go healthy with the Hop Yard Hummus or decadent with The Fat Bottom Burger topped with smoked gouda, Benton's bacon, seasonal greens, tomato chow chow, and Knockout IPA sauce. 800 44th Ave N, 615-678-5895; fatbottombrewing.com
Downtown
The George at the George Jones Museum
The rooftop eatery above the George Jones Museum offers a sweeping view of the Cumberland River. Open from lunchtime until late night, The George is a dependable spot for a cold beer and maybe some diet-busting smothered brisket fries made from waffle fries, cheese curds, jack and cheddar cheeses, barbecue sauce, and bacon. 128 2nd Ave N, 615-818-0128; georgejones.com
The Gulch
L27
The urbane rooftop lounge on the top floor of The Westin Nashville occupys both the 27th and 28th floors with panoramic view of the heart of Nashville. Because of the mod, infinity-pool, most of the beers come in cans, and the drinks are served in premium acrylic glasses, but that does not take away from the classy digs. Huge glass doors slide completely back on temperate days to provide an airy transition from indoors to out. 807 Clark Pl, 629-800-5234; l27nashville.com
The Gulch
L.A. Jackson
Situated 12 stories above the Gulch, atop the uber-hip Thompson Hotel, L.A. Jackson has quickly become a favorite, offering a sweeping 300-degree view of downtown through floor-to-ceiling windows and an expansive, elevated patio. At the oval bar, where a handful of bartenders sling cocktails during busy times, the drinks run from basic to complex. There are also 16 local and regional beers on tap, plus a small list of interesting wines by the glass. 401 11th Ave S, 615-262-6007; lajacksonbar.com
>>> Best Patios for a Bite
West Nashville
M.L. Rose Craft Beer & Burgers
Rest alongside a rusted-out pick-up, which acts as both décor and seating area, on M.L. Rose's west side patio. There's a fire pit for cool nights, plus a covered, open-air room to escape the sunshinemeaning there are plenty of places to peruse the lengthy and ever-changing beer list. 4408 Charlotte Ave, 615-750-2920; mlrose.com
East Nashville
The Pharmacy
Nothing cements outdoor drinking quite like a plush, greenery-wrapped beer garden with more than 25 styles on tap and ice. Add to that hand-smashed burgers, old-fashioned sodas, shakes, and house-made sausages, and you'll find few reasons to stray from The Pharmacy. 731 McFerrin Ave, 615-712-9517; thepharmacynashville.com
The Gulch
Saint Añejo
With more than 120 labels in its Mezcal and tequila rolodex, Saint Añejo has become a constant for Nashville imbibers looking for craft margaritas and Latin specialties. The tequila-centric interior island bar spans into an open-patio concept, lined with Texas prickly pear cacti beneath strung lighting. 1120 McGavock St, 615-736-5301; mstreetnashville.com/saint-anejo
The Gulch
Sambuca
While the towering new hotels and condos may have added some shade to Sambuca's patio, it's still a hot spot when seeking well-crafted cocktails and small shared plates at affordable pricesplus, they have an excellent happy hour. Specialties of the house lean toward Italian, like the Buca beignets, calamari fritti, and bianca flatbread. 601 12th Ave S, 615-248-2888; nashville.sambucarestaurant.com
Germantown
Steadfast
The common patio area outside Steadfast feels like a community center most days, with neighbors waving hi and kids romping in the grass. It'll satisfy your beverage needs from early morning ‘til night, with everything from their high-test coffee soda to local beers on tap. 603 Taylor St, 615-891-7424; steadfast.coffee
Downtown
Tennessee Brew Works
A major player in the revitalization of this tiny corner of Nashville, Tennessee Brew Works draws folks to its Pie Town location who might not have found it otherwise. The dramatic-modern brewery and taproom feature both a ground-level and a raised patio, where you can sit with a pint of one of their food-friendly beers, like the Basil Ryeman or Country Roots. Their menu of elevated gastropub fare, like the Five Beer Burger, features many of the beers brewed onsite. 809 Ewing Ave, 615-436-0050; tnbrew.com
The Gulch
UP, A Rooftop Lounge
Slightly overshadowed by other downtown rooftops, UP is a hidden gem thanks to some of the best unobstructed views of the city from their comfortable patio. Plus, there's a drink menu dedicated to preserving traditional craft cocktails made using quality ingredients. 901 Division St, 615-690-1722; uprooftoplounge.com
East Nashville
Urban Cowboy Public House
There is something undeniably cool about a patio framed by an open-air bar, a fireplace topped with a bleached-out cow skill, and a gaucho-style grill tucked in the cornerwhich is why the Public House, set behind the Urban Cowboy B&B, is regularly packed. Order up a rye-based Blue Collar cocktail, and soak up the city's best people watching. 103 N 16th St, 347-840-0525; urbancowboybnb.com
Downtown
The Valentine
Sure, a lavish crystal chandelier welcomes you to The Valentine off Lower Broadway, but the fourth floor-level rooftop will keep you there. One year after its opening, the open-air watering holewith its saloon-style vibes, Derby-themed cocktails, packed rooftop dance floors, and weekend DJ circuitsprovides a contrast from its neighboring honkytonks. 312 Broadway, 629-202-6979; thevalentinenashville.com
