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It’s summer time in Music City and the living is easy.
The sun is high, the vibes are immaculate, and the cocktails are unmatched. From tiki-themed to classically inspired, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite summer sips. Now all you have to do is take a seat, throw on a pair of shades, and kick back with a breezy bevy.
Freaky Tiki
Tropically inspired with a robot tiki twist, Chopper in East Nashville is a rum maven’s heaven. Cocktails are boozy and pack a punch, including the Robo Zombie, which is full of bright tropical ingredients like Fassionola, lemon, lime, and Jamaican rum. The cocktail is served with flaming cinnamon on top and is almost too cool to drink. (1100 B Stratton Ave.; choppertiki.com)
Hot Summer Nights
An Edgehill Village hidden gem, Old Glory is a speakeasy style cocktail bar housed in what was once the boiler room for White Way Cleaners. The multi-level bar serves up a variety of signature cocktails, both shaken and stirred. Find the golden triangle leading to the hidden entrance and the reward is hot, hot, hot: Namely the Golden Years, a mix of Azteca Azul Tequila, cantaloupe, habanero, lime, and basil. (122 Villa Pl.; oldglorynashville.com)
Staycation Vibes
Escape to the islands without ever leaving Music City at Pearl Diver. The cocktail menu is full of fun, fruity drinks, but classics like the namesake Pearl Diver—made with a blend of light and dark rums, vegan honey butter, fresh-pressed orange and lime, cinnamon, allspice, and vanilla—or the fan-favorite piña colada, which is a mix of light and dark rums, pineapple, and coconut cream. Both offer a little escapism and an instant mood boost! (1008 Gallatin Ave.; pearldivernashville.com)
Garden Party
Serving up snacks, oysters and other seafood, a la carte tacos, and burritos, Rosemary & Beauty Queen is a vibrant backyard oasis in the center of East Nashville. Pull up a seat, or rather grab a swing at the bar, and sip creative cocktails like the spirited Watermelon Agua Fresca—made with a selected spirit, watermelon, lime, and mint. Then, boogie on down for a late-night dance party until closing time. (1102 Forrest Ave.; rosemaryandbeautyqueen.com)
Patio Hopping
A snow cone with booze? Say less. These adult-approved shaved ice cocktails are served alongside a playful selection of libations such as the Maui Spritz, made with Prosecco, soda, Aperol, and passion fruit, plus fish camp-inspired snacks like briny bivalves, lobster rolls, and other seafood delights at Jacqueline, The Optimist’s patio bar. (1400 Adams St.; theoptimistrestaurant.com)
Adult Juice Boxes
Go to The Mockingbird for the comfort food and stay for the cocktails. Feel like a kid again (but in a boozy 21-plus way) and order the Punchin’ Bag, a daily punch mixed with your choice of booze, served in a pouch. Think: an adult Capri Sun! (121 12th Ave. N; mockingbirdnashville.com)
Island Hopping—Tennessee Style
The Beach Boys may have sung about a mythical, tropical place off the Florida Keys called Kokomo, but in reality, you need only travel as far south as Franklin to find Kokomo Trading Company, the new island-inspired restaurant and bar serving up rum-heavy, signature cocktails and frozen drinks. If you feel like skipping the spirits, Kokomo also offers non-alcoholic, island-style frozen beverages, which are just as refreshing. (158 Front St. #100; kokomotradingco.com)