Headed to Nashville for the SEC tourney? Here’s where to eat, what to drink & what to see
If you’re a UK men’s basketball fan, you quite possibly are headed to Nashville for the SEC tournament.
And, it’s likely you’re looking for fun off-the-court. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
In downtown Nashville, live music wafts from the open doors of dozens of honky-tonks no matter the time of day. You can expect to see troops of bachelorette parties and cowboy hats, guitars and murals, and some of music’s most iconic locations on your way to Bridgestone Arena.
There are loads of things to see and do in Nashville while you’re there.
Grab a cheeseburger (with the Anthony Bourdain seal of approval) at Nashville’s oldest dive bar, Dino’s. Challenge yourself to a hot level of Nashville’s famous hot chicken, and swing by some of its award-winning restaurants and bars — if you can find their hidden doors.
Here are a few highlights you won’t want to miss during your visit.
Try Nashville’s famous hot chicken
You’re in the city of one of America’s most famous foods, and it’s definitely worth trying.
The original Nashville hot chicken began more than 100 years ago at Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack. Though the original location is now closed, there’s a location in the south side of the city and a counter-service location at Assembly Food Hall, 5055 Broadway Place, right near Bridgestone Arena.
There’s six levels of heat to choose from, and experts suggest starting in the middle if you’ve never had it before.
Other restaurants that serve Nashville hot chicken include Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish, 400 Degrees, and Slow Burn.
Visit Nashville fixture International Market
The family-owned Thai restaurant International Market, 2013 Belmont Blvd., has been a Nashville staple since it opened in 1975.
Siblings Arnold and Anna Myint took over from their parents and moved the restaurant across the street in 2022. During lunch, the siblings honor their mom’s restaurant by continuing her hot-line steam table style service, while 2024 James Beard Semifinalist Chef Arnold leads a full-service menu for dinner.
The restaurant is known for its Hat Ya Thai Fried Chicken, house-made noodles, steaming dumplings and a popular eggplant dish.
International Market also earned the official Thai cuisine seal of approval from the Ministry of Commerce and Royal Thai Government, “the equivalent of a Michelin recognition for Thai restaurants around the world,” according to the restaurant’s website.
Enjoy the lively Skull’s Rainbow Room
Originally opened in 1948, this basement speakeasy is one of the cornerstone dining and entertainment venues of the city, located right down the famous Printer’s Alley.
Skull’s Rainbow Room, 222 Printer’s Alley, closed in 1999 but reopened in 2015 with nightly live jazz shows, burlesque shows and masterfully crafted cocktails. Etta James, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell have all performed here.
More recently, Skull’s Rainbow Room hosted Brett Eldrege, Dierks Bentley and Tim McGraw.
If you’re going for dinner, try the velvety smooth lobster bisque, prime rib empanadas, honey-glazed pork chop or pan-seared scallops. The cocktail list includes standard and “premium” versions of all drinks, including the house special “Rainbow Room,” made with vodka, Fever Tree ginger beer, pineapple, cava, orange bitters.
Find the Four Walls
To find this bar, enter the Joseph Nashville hotel, walk into an elevator and press the button with the bar’s logo on it: Four lines.
Then pass through a beaded curtain to find this intimate, moody space with Italian-inspired, Wild West-themed cocktails and a minimalist grey-and-brown color palette. Four Walls was named one of Esquire’s Best Bars in America in 2024, and features technique-focused drinks that are sure to make you feel like a high roller.
Take a seat at the marble bar and try one of the many Negroni variations, elevated highballs and classics or a signature cocktail like the crispy “South of Broadway,” made with Conniption gin, Midori, basil, lime, kefir and soda.
There’s also a selection of non-alcoholic cocktails described by flavor profile, wines, beers and snacks like Nashville hot corn nuts, curried Marcona almonds and Bulgogi beef jerky.
Visit Old Glory
Old Glory, 1200 Villa Place, is a subterranean bar serving elevated cocktails in a converted historic boiler room, with brick walls, vaulted ceilings and plenty of industrial accents.
The space still has the original electrical boxes, coal hopper and smoke stack that were used in the 1920s. This bar doesn’t have a sign, so keep an eye out for the golden triangle off of Edgehill Avenue for the entrance to a moody, low-lit bar.
Old Glory Nashville serves wine by the glass and a beer, shot and cocktail of the week for Happy Hour for $10 each.
Their spirits-forward Signature cocktails include such drinks as “Sunny Afternoon,” made with Averna, green chartreuse, lime and mint; “Sincerely Yours,” made with gin, artichoke, dry Vermouth, fino sherry, lemon and parsley oil, and “Slow Roads,” made with rye, aged ru, banana, Montenegro and chocolate bitters.
Check out Nashville’s first night club
If you’re looking for an elevated nightclub and cocktail lounge, Night We Met is the place. The space is split into the high-energy dance space, the Club Room and the community-focused Vera Lounge.
The lounge is open Thursday to Saturday starting at 8 p.m. The cocktail menu focuses on espresso martinis, Palomas and Old Fashioneds, and uses kegged cocktails for efficiency on a quarter of the menu. The menu focuses on being as low waste as possible, too.
Grand Ole Opry
It’s not a true visit to Nashville without paying homage to the “home of country music,” the historic Grand Ole’ Opry stage.
The venue is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, which means the daytime backstage tour includes new, exclusive photos and memorabilia. The tour lets guests relive Opry moments, hear behind-the-scenes stories of stars, see the Artist’s Entrance and more for a $42 ticket.
Post-show backstage tours are available after select performances, and there’s also a “Country Duo” tour that takes you to both the Opry and Ryman Auditorium, as well as a “Women of Country” tour featuring female Country music legends.
Depending how long you’re in town, you can grab a ticket for a 7 p.m. show at the Opry on March 12, 13 and 15. The venue will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a special telecast on March 19 with Blake Shelton hosting a lineup of performers including Reba McEntire, Post Malone, Jelly Roll and Carrie Underwood.
You can watch it on NBC from 7-10 p.m. CT and or stream it on Peacock.
What to know about the SEC championship
Kentucky basketball will start the 2025 SEC Tournament on Thursday, March 13 in the second round of games, starting at about 9:30 p.m. EST. The tournament runs March 12-16 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
Kentucky is the No. 6 seed after winning 91-83 at Missouri on Saturday.
Click here for the full 2025 SEC Men’s basketball tournament schedule.
This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 1:16 PM.