Nashville: Printers Alley Pub Crawl & Live Music Walking Tour

Summary

Printers Alley bars live music games and stories on foot in Nashville

You’ll follow a local guide through Nashville’s Printers Alley on this walking pub crawl—expect five unique bars, exclusive drink specials, live music at every turn, and plenty of laughs over quirky games or trivia. You’ll leave with new friends (maybe even a plastic sheriff badge) and more stories than you bargained for—it’s not your usual night out.

What’s the experience like?

"Y’all ever seen a ghost in here?" That’s how our guide, Jamie, kicked things off—leaning into the bar’s sticky counter like he owned the place. I didn’t expect to start a Nashville pub crawl with talk of haunted printers and jazz legends, but that’s Jamie for you. He had this way of weaving old stories with whatever was happening right then—like when someone spilled their beer and he just nodded and said, “Happens every night.” The first stop smelled like lemon cleaner and something fried; it felt both new and worn-in at once.

We wandered down Printers Alley, which I’d honestly never heard of before Googling “guided pub crawl walking tour of downtown Nashville” last week. It’s not the neon-blasted chaos of Broadway—more brick walls, faded signs, a couple guys tuning guitars by an open window. At each bar, there were drink specials only for our group (I tried something called a Bushwhacker—tasted like dessert with a hangover built in). Jamie kept tossing out trivia questions about country stars or Prohibition scandals; somehow my friend Jen won a plastic sheriff badge for knowing who recorded at RCA Studio B.

There was live music everywhere—sometimes it just floated out from behind a door while we played some ridiculous game with dice or cards. At one point I caught myself grinning at nothing in particular, just the sound of strangers laughing together over sticky tables. The weather outside was muggy but inside every place felt cool and close; you could smell whiskey and old wood. We ended up swapping stories with a couple from Memphis who’d booked this as their “one touristy thing”—by the last stop I couldn’t remember who came in with who.

I still think about that alley—the way it glowed under yellow streetlights after we left the last bar. Not sure if it was the drinks or just Nashville working its magic, but I walked back to my hotel humming some tune I’d never heard before. So yeah, if you want more than just another night out on Broadway… this is probably where you’ll find it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Walking pub crawl in downtown Nashville

• Meet tour guide
• Walk Printers Alley and 2nd Ave. N.
• Visit 4-5 unique bars
• Enjoy exclusive drink specials
• Listen to Nashville history stories
• Participate in games and competitions
• Experience live music performances

Top questions

How many bars do you visit on the Nashville pub crawl?

The tour includes stops at 5-6 unique bars along Printers Alley and 2nd Ave North.

Is there live music during the guided pub crawl?

Yes, each stop features superb live music as part of the experience.

Are drink specials included on this walking tour?

Exclusive drink specials are available only to guests on the pub crawl tour.

How long does the Music City Pub Crawl last?

The guided walking tour lasts around 2+ hours through downtown Nashville.

Is hotel pickup included for this Nashville bar tour?

No hotel pickup is included; guests meet at the starting location downtown.

Can anyone join the guided pub crawl in Nashville?

All guests must be 21 or older to participate in this tour.

What areas does the pub crawl cover besides Printers Alley?

The route covers historic Printers Alley and nearby 2nd Ave North bars.

Are there games or activities during the tour?

Yes, guides lead fun games and friendly competitions throughout the crawl.

What’s included

Your evening includes entry to five unique watering holes along Printers Alley and 2nd Ave North, exclusive drink specials just for your group, lively storytelling from your professional guide packed with quirky history, plus plenty of games and prizes—all wrapped up with some of Nashville’s best live music at every stop before you wander home full of stories (and maybe whiskey).