If live music in an intimate setting is what you’re after, then you’ve gotta love the Franklin and Nashville Tennessee area!
After all, this is Music City USA.
Following are all of our favorite places in Franklin and Nashville to see live music in smaller venues where you can get up close and personal with the singers & songwriters.
Franklin’s Best Live Music Venues
Puckett’s
ENOUGH SEATING FOR: about 115… you’re seated at individual tables, so you can enjoy dinner before the show
TYPE OF MUSIC: songwriter nights, mostly Country
DANCE FLOOR: no
COVER: yes, $5 to $10 + dinner reservations (optional)
NIGHTS FOR MUSIC: most weekday nights & weekend nights
MORE INFO & RESERVATIONS: (615) 794-5527
120 Fourth Avenue South
Franklin, TN 37064
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OUR PICTURES & REVIEWS: 11/09/2004 
11/19/2004 10/22/2005
Mickey Roo’s
ENOUGH SEATING FOR: about 125 inside, and another 140 outside on the patio
TYPE OF MUSIC: songwriter nights & live music, mostly Country
DANCE FLOOR: no
COVER: no
NIGHTS FOR MUSIC: most evenings, except Tuesday’s and Thursday’s
MORE INFO & RESERVATIONS: (615) 599-5993
509 Hillsboro Road
Franklin, TN 37064
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OUR PICTURES & REVIEWS: 06/07/06
Bunganut Pig
ENOUGH SEATING FOR: 72… that’s the number you need to have a liquor license. There are only 13 tables, so it’s pretty small, but it’s really hoppin!
TYPE OF MUSIC: local artists (soloists, duets & groups of singers & songwriters), weekends typically feature multiple-piece bands (Blues, Rock, R&B).
DANCE FLOOR: yes
COVER: $5 on Friday’s and Saturday’s only
NIGHTS FOR MUSIC: Live music 7 nights a week starting around 9PM
MORE INFO & RESERVATIONS: (615) 794-4777
1143 Columbia Avenue
Franklin, TN, 37064
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OUR PICTURES & REVIEWS: 04/25/2001 10/05/2004
Henpeck Village Market
ENOUGH SEATING FOR: about 50 …with capacity for 100 standing room only and outside on the patio
TYPE OF MUSIC: Bluegrass, pickin’
DANCE FLOOR: no
COVER: no
NIGHTS FOR MUSIC: 4th Saturday each month (2-hour show starts promptly at 5:30PM)
MORE INFO & RESERVATIONS: (615) 807-2117
1268 Lewisburg Pike
Franklin, TN 37064
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OUR PICTURES & REVIEWS: 09/24/2008
Nashville’s Best Live Music Venues
Listening Room Cafe
ENOUGH SEATING FOR: about 100, plus some standing room only spaces
TYPE OF MUSIC: “in the round” songwriter nights, mostly Country
DANCE FLOOR: no
COVER: usually no, but there’s a $7 food/drink minimum per person
NIGHTS FOR MUSIC: most nights, except Sunday’s
MORE INFO & RESERVATIONS: (615) 259-3600
209 10th Avenue South #200
Nashville, TN 37203
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OUR PICTURES & REVIEWS: 01/20/2007 02/20/2007 09/19/2008 02/22/2012
Bluebird Cafe
ENOUGH SEATING FOR: 125… there are only 21 tables available for reservations, plus a few bar seats & benches
TYPE OF MUSIC: songwriters, mostly Country
DANCE FLOOR: no
COVER: no (for early shows at 6PM – reservations not always needed, but recommended), yes (for late shows at 9PM, usually $10-$15 – reservations required)
NIGHTS FOR MUSIC: “in the round” songwriter nights 7 nights a week, nearly 365 days a year
MORE INFO & RESERVATIONS: (615) 383-1461
4104 Hillsboro Pike
Nashville, TN 37215
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OUR PICTURES & REVIEWS: 08/09/2001 09/21/2001 10/15/2001 11/13/2004 04/13/2005 04/26/2005 07/04/2007 07/08/2007 10/18/2007 09/25/2008
3rd & Lindsley
ENOUGH SEATING FOR: about 150… approximately 35 tables
TYPE OF MUSIC: Progressive, AAA, Blues, R&B, Rock & Roll, Alternative, Americana, Soul
DANCE FLOOR: no
COVER: yes, usually $10
NIGHTS FOR MUSIC: 2 shows a night, 7 nights a week, nearly 365 days a year
MORE INFO & RESERVATIONS: (615) 259-9891
818 3rd Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37210
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OUR PICTURES & REVIEWS: 08/12/2001 05/04/2007 02/23/2009 03/22/2009
Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar
ENOUGH SEATING FOR: about 200 on 2 levels
TYPE OF MUSIC: Blues, Jazz, R&B, Soul
DANCE FLOOR: yes
COVER: yes, usually $10
NIGHTS FOR MUSIC: 7 nights a week, nearly 365 days a year, from 4PM to 3AM
MORE INFO & RESERVATIONS: (615) 242-5837
220 Printers Alley
Nashville, TN 37219
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OUR PICTURES & REVIEWS: 07/04/2001 09/04/1999
Yes, there are many, many more great places to see live music in and around Nashville… but these remain our favorites.
A couple of other places we haven’t been to yet that are also popular spots for live music in Franklin, TN:
What other small but quaint live music venues in Franklin and Nashville do you enjoy?
Lynnette Walczak
I like to help people find unique ways to do things in order to save time & money -- so I frequently write about "outside the box" ideas that most wouldn't think of. As a lifelong dog owner, I often share my best tips for living with and training dogs. I worked in Higher Ed several years until switching gears to pursue things I was more passionate about. I've worked at a vet, in a photo lab, and at a zoo -- to name a few. I enjoy the outdoors via bicycle, motorcycle, Jeep, or RV. You can always find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).
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