No one likes waking up in the morning with big, black Xs on their face and pillow, right?
Wrong. Some Belmont students are willing to pay the price of staying out late, even on school nights. Nashville offers students an assortment of night life activities, from music venues to dancing to hookah. There won’t ever be a night when there isn’t something going on.
I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite places to go in Nashville throughout the week, but don’t be afraid to venture out into the city and discover for yourself what Nashville has to offer – after you’ve written that paper that’s due tomorrow, of course
Monday Coyote Ugly 154 2nd Ave. N. 615-254-8459
Not a lot of homework on a Monday night? Looking for something fun to get into? Get a group of friends together and check out the establishment “where dancing on the bar started.” Coyote Ugly is downtown and has a great environment for music and dancing. And on Monday nights, there’s no cover charge.
“I think Second Avenue is a lot of fun,” recent graduate Kathryn Fleming said, “They have good music. And Coyote Ugly is “a lot more chill than other places,” she said. “It creates a less dramatic environment that could surely cure any case of the Mondays.”
Tuesday Tarboosh 120 21st Ave. N. 615-320-5909
Some students, like sophomore Andy Kelly, prefer a more laid back scene on a week night. If this sounds more like you, Tarboosh is a great place to go smoke hookah on a Tuesday night.
Kelly, who likes being around smoke, described Tarboosh as “really chill.” But you don’t have to smoke; Tarboosh also serves food. And, according to Kelly, they have good prices and the people are really friendly. “It’s kind of a small joint,” Kelly said. “It’s like 10 bucks for hookah. The chairs are comfortable. They have couches that you can sit on. It’s pretty fun.”
Wednesday Play Dance Bar 1519 Church St. 615-322-9627
If you like to dance, then there’s only one place to be on a Wednesday night. Play Dance Bar hosts college nights on Wednesdays, meaning there’s no charge for you when you show your student ID. (And go early – no one under 21 is admitted after midnight, even if you’re willing to pay at the door.)
“It’s the perfect atmosphere for dancing,” junior Chris Housman said of the club that was tops for “best place to dance” in the Nashville Scene Readers’ Poll. “I think the reason most people really like it a lot is because it’s actually a dance club. Like people actually go there to dance.”
Play is a gay club, but the crowd on the dance floor is diverse. Play’s high level of energy makes it a great place to go with a group of girlfriends. “A lot of girls go there so that they can go to a club without getting hit on,” Housman said.
Thursday McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon 134 2nd Ave. N. 615-256-9140
With college nights on Thursdays, McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon is a great place to get your weekend started off. You can show off what you’ve learned in the trivia contest from 6:30-8:30. “It’s a chance to meet people,” sophomore Hillary Unis said.
McFadden’s often hosts underground celebrities, attracting “the funnest or most diverse crowds” and it’s not too big, Unis said. “You don’t feel out of your comfort zone.”
McFadden’s location downtown on Second Avenue makes it a great place to go on the weekend. “There’s always tons of stuff going on,” Unis said. And that’s not just on Thursdays, of course; this Saturday night, McFadden’s hosts “The Freak Show” for Halloween with cash prizes for sexiest, most creative and most comedic costumes.
Friday Exit/In 2208 Elliston Place 615-321-3340
If live music is the way to end your school week, then always check out who’s playing at Exit/In on Friday night. It’s a popular scene for Belmont students, for listening and even performing. “It has a great reputation,” senior Michael McGehee said, “If somebody’s playing there, it’s a big deal.”
Many well-known artists have performed at Exit/In in the past. Shows have ranged from Modest Mouse to Red Hot Chili Peppers to Billy Joel. Ticket prices vary according to who’s playing, but shows generally don’t cost over $20. Friday night kicks off the Halloween weekend with Panty Raid, a Nashville burlesque revue that brings vaudeville, can-can and belly dancing to the stage.
Saturday Hollywood Disco 1907 Division St. 615-320-3472
Hollywood Disco is a popular dance club for Belmont students, especially on Saturday nights. “If you like to dance, it is a huge dance party,” sophomore Spenser-Anne Edwards said. Hollywood’s light-up dance floor is surrounded with mirrors on two of the four sides of the floor, making it a great atmosphere for dancing with friends. Though the cover charge of $15 is slightly more expensive than other venues throughout the week, Hollywood Disco is definitely worth a weekend splurge. “It’s really really fun,” Edwards said, “The music’s good. It’s a fun place to go out if you want to dance.”
Sunday Café Coco 210 Louise Ave. 615-321-2626
Sunday nights mean only one thing to college students: the start of another week of madness. Café Coco is a great place to study or relax and prepare for the start of another week.
“My favorite part about Café Coco is the digital jukebox,” junior Robert Mento said, “You can put a dollar in, pick any song from a digital list of songs and hear it play throughout the restaurant.”
Open 24/7, Café Coco is also a great place to spot celebrities. Over the years, it has developed quite a reputation. “They have a great area in the back where they let small local artists and songwriters come and play music,” Mento said. Café Coco’s great selection of food and warm environment make it an awesome place to hang out on almost any night of the week.
So maybe the sound of your alarm at 7:30 a.m. after a night on the town isn’t the most appealing experience. Or perhaps washing your sheets more than twice a semester doesn’t exactly sound like a good time. This lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but Nashville has a collection of nightlife opportunities that definitely add some local flavor to your college experience.