Jordan Powers
Four Walls
Lindsay Rushton
Love Knows No Bounds
Tucked into the Joseph Hotel is one of Nashville’s most intimate cocktail bars, Four Walls. Inspired by Spaghetti Westerns and cowboy culture—but in the chicest way possible—this unique space features hide on the walls, fringe in the air, and light dancing across the many textured layers, coming together for an unexpectedly visceral experience. In other words, it’s a sexy spot to share a signature cocktail. We love the Paisano (house olive oil vodka, manzanilla, green tomato, orange bitters, basil oil) and the La Famiglia Negroni—a menu of inventive twists on the classic Italian cocktail. (401 Korean Veterans Blvd., fourwallsnashville.com)
Destination Romance
What’s more romantic than being whisked away by train for a last- minute getaway? How about skipping the trip and tucking into Ergo, the bar at Union Station Hotel—a former train terminal established in 1900? It’s a sweet escape without ever having to pack your suitcase. Sip on an L&N— Cincoro reposado, orange bitters, angostura, and mole bitters—named for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and enjoy some light bites with your love, like Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Fried Tandoori Cauliflower, and Local Farms Cheese Plates. Make sure to plan an early date so you can enjoy live music from local artists in the evening. (1001 Broadway; unionstationhotel.com
Feeling Foxy
With its velvet booths, cozy nooks, and incredible cocktail program, East Nashville’s Fox Bar is an ideal date destination. Pull up a spot at the bar to watch their master bartenders work or get in on the action with cocktail classes and experiences—any of which would make a perfect experiential date. This month, bring your sweetie in for a sweet pairing: Fox Bar is serving up Patrón tequila cocktails alongside locally made chocolates. And don’t forget to snag a sweet snap in the Photomatica photo booth before you leave! (2905b Gallatin Pike; thefoxnashville.com)
By the Sea
If you’re looking for an elegant night on the town, look no further than the bar at Carne Mare inside the W Hotel. Set apart from the dining room by a stunning black, gray, and white mosaic tile floor, the bar area offers ample options to cozy up with a cocktail, including banquette seating and 13 leather stools at the large, wood-paneled bar with a striking green quartz counter. Not only is the bar itself a stately feature, but the drinks and snacks are perfect for a sophisticated meetup. Enjoy one of the Italian steakhouse’s signature cocktails like the Granita with Campari, grapefruit, Limoncello, vermouth, and Prosecco, or choose something from their extensive Aperitivo menu. Classics also abound, and as an editor’s note, the dirty martini is to die for. (300 12th Ave. S., 615-379-9000; carnemarenashville.com)
Hidden Love
Escape prying eyes for an underground romantic rendezvous at Hidden Bar at Noelle Hotel. This dimly lit speakeasy-style bar is known for its themes, making it a great spot to take a date. Up next: Alice in Wonderland, with food and drinks themed around the timeless classic. And for serious relationships, take things up a notch and plan a staycation date with Noelle’s Romance Revived package, complete with a bottle of champagne in your room and a cheeky breakfast for two. (2000 Fourth Ave. N.; noelle-nashville.com)
Emily Dorio
Café Roze
Le Loup
Andrew Thomas Lee
Andrew Thomas Lee
A Roze by Any Other Name
Café Roze is the quintessential neighborhood spot. It’s intimate and vibey with fabulous food all day, an incredible Salt & Spirit Happy Hour (oysters anyone?), and an inventive cocktail menu with drinks like the Devil’s Rose (tequila, red bell pepper, marigold, and ginger) and the Inner Coastal (Brazilian rum, Spanish Brandy, coconut, and Tepache). And if that’s not reason enough to spend a cozy evening out with your love, reserve a table at this East Nashville gem on designated Mondays for Jazz Night—a romantic way to while away a weeknight. (1115 Porter Rd., 615-645-9100; caferoze.com)
Come Fly with Me
Indulge in a date night that’s straight out of another time and place—think Manhattan meets Palm Springs at the height of the Rat Pack. Sinatra Bar and Lounge offers up classic cocktails and dishes in a sophisticated and chic space that makes the perfect backdrop to your old-school love affair. And an homage to Ol’ Blue Eyes wouldn’t be right without live music. Sinatra Bar and Lounge hosts nightly performances of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack’s music as the soundtrack to a swinging date night out. (222 4th Ave. N., 615-866-2224; sinatranashville.com)
Sailor’s Delight
Perched above seafood fave, The Optimist, is a romantic retreat reminiscent of all things maritime. Le Loup offers couples intimate seating options, incredible seafood small plates, and a cocktail menu so expansive it would take months to try each offering. (Though we’d be willing to spend the time!) Share a selection of oysters, or nibble on the house favorite tots and raclette or smoked fish dip and sip on signature drinks like Murmur of the Heart with hopped vodka, grapefruit, Aperol, lime, club soda, and citrus salt or A Very Private Affair with vodka, Kabosu, white rose tea, Calpico, and elderflower liqueur. (1400 Adams St., 615-709-3180; leloupnashville.com)
Two For One
Like all good relationships, Bastion is all about balance. It is both an all-are-welcome casual cocktail bar and a haute gourmet reservations-only restaurant. Both sides of this coin make for a fabulous date night. At the bar, get fun and flirty with signature cocktails like the Velvet Elvis (vodka, sloe berry, pineapple, and lemon) or the Free Real Estate (caçao, port, grapefruit, and lime). And don’t leave without trying the bar’s sole dining option: nachos. And these aren’t regular bar nachos—they’re arguably some of the best nachos in town. Looking for a fancier fete? Dine at the restaurant and enjoy a seriously special six-course meal that changes from night to night. Perfect for the adventurous lovebirds. (434 Houston St., 615-490-8434; bastionnashville.com)
The Patterson House
Considered the OG of Nashville’s cocktail bar scene, The Patterson House remains one of the top spots for a romantic evening and incredible drinks. This intimate bar specializes in craft cocktails using freshly squeezed juices, house-made syrups, and eight variations of twice-filtered ice. With its dark booths and dangling chandeliers, it’s a cozy spot to share some small plates and toast your relationship. (1711 Division St.; thepattersonnashville.com)