Phish shows in Nashville: Where to eat, drink and what to do
When I first started seeing Phish, tickets were cheaper than a double G&T at Madison Square Garden. Now, Phish is a nearly unaffordable luxury (see: MSG drink prices), so I'm thrilled to have a fall run in my backyard.
Below, you'll find a guide to some of what you can do in the city before and after the Nashville shows (Oct. 6-8 at Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway), including the location of the Phan Art vendor village. You'll also find some useful links at the bottom of the page for where to dine and drink around Nashville.
This weekend, I'll get to catch my 202nd to 204th shows. My editors wanted me to not-so-humble brag about those numbers, but for those of us who love Phish, show counts like that are not unusual and can tend to be higher for old folks like me.
I struggle to explain to the uninitiated that every show is different and that, because of my love for this band, I have forever friends scattered all over the country whom I met on tour, including that year Phish destroyed America. Seeing this band now is unquestionably more expensive than it was in the '90s, which is why I've listed some free events below.
Nashville can be a real non-stop party, so make sure you rest, hydrate, and get yourself off of Broadway occasionally. You'll need the mental rest. You'll find great restaurants and bars over in East Nashville, 12 South, Wedgewood-Houston, and Germantown. If you're sticking around downtown, wander over to Printer's Alley or check out some of the restaurants in the Gulch.
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Please make sure to Uber if you're drinking and planning to see the city. Be safe, have a blast, tip as well as you always do, be friendly as you always are, and I'll see you at the shows.
Stuff to do before and after the shows
Acme Feed and Seed pre- and post-parties: This bar is within walking distance of Bridgestone but still feels like a respite from Broadway. It's a favorite local gathering place before and after shows. Admission is free, the music fun and there's plenty to eat and drink. The weekend kicks off Oct. 6 with Lady Couch at 10:30 p.m. Don't miss favorite local Dead cover band the Stolen Faces, Oct. 7 at 5:30 p.m., with the Aquaducks playing the afterparty Oct. 7 and 8 at 10:30 p.m. 101 Broadway. More details at www.acmefeedandseed.com.
Phan Art + Sample in a Bar at New Heights Brewing: The official local Phan Art vendor village for Nashville. This free pre-show party is noon-6 p.m., Oct. 7-8 and also features live music from five great bands, food trucks and plenty of craft beer on 23 taps. 928 Rep. John Lewis Way S. More @phanart on Instagram.
Pre- and post-show parties at Teddy's Tavern: Just a stone's throw away from Bridgestone Arena, this bar will host live music before and after the shows each night. Highlights include the Mike Miz Band and the Tin Roof Cats, a Grateful Dead cover band. Teddy's is open daily starting at 11 a.m. at 104 Rep. John Lewis Way S. The kitchen closes at midnight, but music runs longer.
Brooklyn Bowl Nashville's Bluegrass Brunch You in the Eye, Oct. 8: Brooklyn Bowl Nashville welcomes the Mountain Grass Unit, a Birmingham-based picking trio performing bluegrass versions of Phish songs while Brooklyn Bowl serves brunch dishes, including a fried egg bacon cheeseburger and bloody Marys. Doors: 11 a.m., show 12:30 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, 925 Third Ave. N. Tickets: www.brooklynbowl.com
Pre-party with Captain Midnight Band at Assembly Food Hall: This Nashville band plays something it refers to as "Waterbed Rock & Roll," meaning ostensibly a blend of funk, R&B and prog rock with lots of "crunchy guitar riffs." The band takes the Skydeck rooftop stage at Assembly Food Hall at 2 p.m. Oct. 8. This is a ticketed event, with entry starting at $10. 5055 Broadway Place. More at www.assemblyfoodhall.com.
What's Bridgestone's bag policy?
The biggest takeaway here is that you can bring small bags but will sail through the line quicker without them:
Backpacks and other bags larger than 12x12x6 inches are prohibited.
Bags between 6x4x1.5 inches and 12x12x6 inches (including clear bags) are subject to X-ray screening and inspection.
Bags smaller than 6x4x1.5 inches may proceed through express screening lanes for visual inspection.
Diaper and medical bags are allowed but will be subject to X-ray screening.
What time do doors open?
Generally Bridgestone opens 90 minutes before show start time, which means you should be able to get inside by 6 p.m., with lines likely to form for bag checks a bit earlier.
Where should I eat?
The Tennessean recently ranked Nashville's top 25 restaurants for 2023 here. Here's our list of the best cheap eats in town.
top 25 restaurants: The top 25 restaurants in Nashville in 2022
There are plenty of places to eat on and around Broadway, including the nearby Assembly Food Hall.
Eat here: Where to eat on Lower Broadway (or just a block or two off), according to a local
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Assembly Food Hall: How do the restaurants at Assembly Food Hall in Nashville stack up? We ranked them
Mackensy Lunsford is the senior dining reporter for The Tennessean, the editor of Southern Kitchen and the food and culture storyteller for USA Today's South region. You can reach her at mlunsford@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Phish shows in Nashville: Where to eat, drink and what to do
