The Traveling Man: Nashville

Sharp December 30, 2014

On the surface, Nashville can seem like nothing more than a collection of tired clichés: mullets, cowboy hats and boots, and songs you can sing along to even if you haven’t heard them before. But there’s another side to the city. Hip neighbourhoods like The Gulch, 12South and Germantown are enjoying a serious boom, and boast more than enough cuisine, craft beer and shopping to keep you busy for a few days at least.

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Stay: 404 Hotel

With only five rooms and no staff, just a keyless entry code, this is a true urban oasis, decorated with an eclectic taste that includes a revolving gallery of local art.

Book their King Suite loft, or, if you’re traveling in numbers (or even just have a taste for ultimate privacy), opt for the “Run of the house,” and feel like the coolest kid in Nashville.

the404nashville.com

Shop: Imogene+Willie

A huge selection of high-quality denim is on display in this gas station turned retail outlet and workshop. (You can tell it’s cool because the only other location is in Portland.) Don’t see a pair you like? Gets some made to measure on-site and shipped home.

imogeneandwillie.com

Eat: Josephine’s

The farmhouse-style menu is a welcome departure from the all-fried-all-the-time, music-blaring offerings of many of Nashville’s other popular venues. Get the duck wings and buffalo cauliflower with smoked blue cheese—you won’t regret it.

josephineon12th.com

Drink: Hops & Crafts

You could spend days touring all the local breweries—there are many worth your while—but Hops and Crafts should be your first stop. Their knowledgeable staff will gladly take you on a tap-by-tap tour (36 in total) of Nashville, including the Belgian stylings of Black Abbey Brewery (start with their chocolatey Special) and Jackalope Brew’s Bearwalker Maple Brown Ale.

hopscrafts.com

Eat: Edley’s Bar-B-Que

Tennessee is serious about BBQ. With two locations (one downtown on Main St and the other in the trendy, upscale 12South district), Edley’s has established itself as one of Nashville’s premier stops for the state’s most vaunted cuisine—with a healthy dash of Mexican influence. The menu includes southern staples like fried pickles alongside some Mexican classics and, of course, all the barbecued meat you’d like. After shopping the 12South strip, stop in for lunch and order the Brisket Tacos with white sauce, pico de gallo, fried jalepenos and bean salad. Then grab a growler for later, or a local bottle from their Growler Station just off the parking lot.

edleysbbq.com

Drink: Tennessee Brew Works

Still, if there’s one brewery worth a special trip, it’s Tennessee Brew Works. Their two-tiered building, complete with a kitchen serving classic Tennessee sharing plates, an open view of the brewing floor, live music most nights and an elevated patio (plus a decent selection of board games), is a great place to spend an evening. Chances are, one of the owners will be there drinking with you.

tnbrew.com

There’s also plenty of excellent live music to be found that doesn’t involve pickup trucks or ten-gallon hats. Nashville is coming up.

Image Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation