Nashville has become one of the hottest cities in the country over the last decade, breaking records with 15.2 million visitors in 2018. To keep up with demand, hotel development here is booming, with more than 30,000 rooms currently and at least 14,000 more in the pipeline. Nashville International Airport is also in the midst of a $1.2 billion expansion, which will dramatically increase ease of travel into the city. All of that said, it makes a lot of sense to consider Music City for your next meeting or event—and to incorporate a healthy dose of what makes this Tennessee hub so great: music. Here are five fabulous meeting venues that provide the space and audiovisual capabilities you require while giving attendees a sense of Nashville’s music culture.
Country Music Hall of Fame
Located in the heart of downtown, with views of the Nashville skyline, this museum has more than a dozen individual venues available for rental, and complete buyouts are also possible. The recently added Event Hall is a star, with 10,000 square feet of space and 40-foot windows overlooking the cityscape. The 800-seat CMA Theater is another striking option, where you can utilize the entire space or hold a more intimate reception for up to 50 by just using the stage.
BB King’s Blues Club
This triple threat is a restaurant, bar and live music venue that plays not only blues, but classic soul and rock n’ roll as well. Several event spaces can accommodate groups of up to 1,100 people, including the underground Root Cellar space, which holds 250 for a cocktail reception. This is a great option for a lunch or dinner meeting, with menus of many fun action stations, such as jambalaya, a mashed potato bar, a crawfish boil and an ultimate nacho bar.
Arrington Vineyards
About 25 miles from downtown Nashville is this vineyard owned by country music artist Kix Brooks (of Brooks & Dunn). It’s a stunning location in the rolling hills of Tennessee that’s ideal for outdoor events as well as wine tastings. You can count on excellent local bands playing on the weekends, and planners can easily book special entertainment acts as well. Indoor venues on property include a pavilion (great for corporate dinners), Stone House (for meetings or meals) and Vineyard House (for more intimate gatherings).
Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum
Another must-see Nashville attraction, this is the only museum in the world that honors the musicians behind some of the greatest music of all time (think the drummers on records from Frank Sinatra and The Beach Boys, for example). It’s easy to get lost exploring the rooms of memorabilia here, including a faux storefront of the famous Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama. The museum has a total of 13,000 square feet of event space, and planners can arrange for private tours as well as work with handpicked caterers in Nashville for a delicious meal to complement the music history.
Honky Tonk Central
A trip to Nashville isn’t complete without a few stops along Broadway Street. Prevent your attendees from skipping out on your event to visit this area by booking your event right here at this favorite venue on Broadway. Dubbed “the latest and greatest honkey tonk on Lower Broadway,” this spot has three stories of live music and a full food menu, as well. Private events here are sure to be a big hit—just don’t have your guests expecting a healthy dinner, as the cuisine is all about Southern comfort (pickle chips and Frito chili pie, anyone?).
