Nashville Downtown: Walking Food & Drink Tour with Live Music

Summary

Taste house-smoked barbecue and hear stories behind nashville’s famous streets

You’ll walk through downtown Nashville tasting smoky barbecue ribs, fiery hot chicken, local beer, and craft cocktails while hearing stories from guides who grew up here. Expect live music drifting from doorways and genuine laughs over shared plates — an afternoon that feels more like hanging out with friends than any typical tour.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the smell — sweet smoke curling out from a little side door just off Broadway in downtown Nashville. Our guide, Jamie, handed me a quarter rack of ribs so tender the meat slid right off. I’m not even a big rib person but I finished every sticky bite before I realized I’d stopped listening to her story about the old printing presses that used to run down this street. She laughed and said, “That’s how you know it’s good.”

We wandered past neon lights and the kind of honky tonk bars you see in movies, but Jamie kept pulling us into places I’d never have found alone. At one spot, a cook waved us over with hands still dusted in cayenne — he wanted us to try his Nashville hot chicken “the real way.” It was spicy enough to make my eyes water (in a good way), and the cold local beer they poured next tasted even better after that. Someone started playing guitar in the corner and for a second it felt like everyone in the room was just there for the song.

I didn’t expect to care much about Printers Alley or the old Ryman Auditorium — but hearing little stories from people who actually grew up here made it feel different. There was this moment at a tiny distillery where we tried some whiskey (I’m still not sure if I liked it) and Jamie told us about her grandmother sneaking into shows back when tickets cost fifty cents. The air outside was thick and humid but nobody seemed to mind; we were all laughing about our failed attempts at saying “y’all” naturally.

By the end, I couldn’t tell if it was the cocktails or just Nashville itself making everything feel warmer. My shirt smelled like wood smoke and fried chicken, which honestly wasn’t a bad thing. If you’re looking for something polished or fancy, this isn’t really that — but if you want to eat well and hear stories from real people who love their city, well… you’ll probably leave thinking about it long after too.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Downtown Nashville food and history tour

• Start with BBQ ribs tasting
• Visit historic downtown restaurants
• Try Nashville hot chicken
• Enjoy local craft beer and cocktails
• Tour a Nashville distillery
• Listen to live Nashville music
• Learn history of Broadway and landmarks

Top questions

How long is the Nashville walking food tour?

The tour lasts between 3 to 3.5 hours.

Is food included on the downtown Nashville food tour?

Yes, all food at four restaurants plus one specialty stop is included.

Are drinks included on this Nashville food & drink tour?

You get one local beer and two craft cocktails as part of your ticket.

Does this tour include live music?

Yes, live music is featured during parts of the walking tour.

Is hotel pickup included for this Nashville day trip?

No hotel pickup; you'll meet at a central location downtown.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Yes, just mention any allergies or dietary needs when booking.

Is this walking tour suitable for kids or strollers?

Yes, infants can ride in strollers or sit on an adult’s lap.

What neighborhoods does the tour cover?

The route explores downtown Nashville including Broadway and Printers Alley.

What’s included

Your day includes all food tastings at four locally owned restaurants plus a specialty stop—enough for lunch—along with three alcoholic drinks (local beer and two craft cocktails), entry into historic venues, tips at each restaurant, and guidance from locals who share their own stories as you walk through downtown Nashville together.