Editorial
Nashville built its rooftops in two waves: the hotel surge of 2018 to 2021, then a second wave of standalone terraces in the Gulch and East Nashville. The 10 rooms below are the ones our editors keep returning to.
For the sibling lists, see the best rooftop bars in Nashville, the Atlanta rooftop restaurants, and the Austin rooftop restaurants for the cross-city comparison. The Nashville city guide covers the broader bar landscape.
The Graduate Hotel's flamingo-pink rooftop runs a Dolly Parton-themed program with brunch dishes $14 to $26 and cocktails $14 to $18. Conde Nast Traveler named White Limozeen one of the country's most-photographed rooftop bars in 2024. Reservations open 14 days out and the Sunday brunch window fills the day it opens.
The Thompson Hotel's rooftop runs a serious kitchen by day and a cocktail program by night, with small plates $14 to $34 and the city's cleanest skyline view to the east. Eater Nashville has flagged L.A. Jackson repeatedly as the Gulch's most-recommended rooftop room. Sunday brunch on the terrace is the locals' weekend pick.
The Michael Mina steakhouse on the JW Marriott's 34th floor isn't a rooftop in the deck sense, but the floor-to-ceiling windows and the open-air patio off the bar room earn the inclusion. Steaks $58 to $98, the duck-fat fries are the order. Nashville Scene's Best of Nashville named Bourbon Steak's bar one of the city's three most-recommended hotel bars in 2024.
The Gulch's rooftop density is the highest in the city. These three are the rooms that earn the elevator wait.
The Fairlane's rooftop runs an intimate 60-seat terrace with a small but precise menu (plates $16 to $28) and one of the city's most-recommended cocktail programs. The Nashville Scene called Up "the rare rooftop that earns the date-night premium". Reservations essential; Friday and Saturday book three weeks out.
The Noelle Hotel's rooftop runs a small-plates menu ($12 to $24) and a cocktail list themed around 1930s aviation. The Tennessean called Rare Bird "the most-photographed downtown rooftop after sunset". The Capitol view from the south banquette is the seat to request; reservations open 14 days out.
The Bobby Hotel's rooftop centres on a converted 1956 Greyhound bus with a hot tub installed in the back. Plates $11 to $24, the city's most-recommended rooftop hot dog ($13). Time Out Nashville has flagged Bobby's repeatedly as the city's most-recommended rooftop oddity. Walk-in only after 9pm.
Fable's rooftop runs an industry-heavy crowd on weeknights, with a short kitchen ($14 to $22) and a writer-friendly listening room one floor down. Rolling Stone Country listed Fable among the city's three most-recommended industry hangouts in 2024. Wednesday's writers-night is the room to catch.
Acme's fourth-floor rooftop sits directly above the Lower Broadway honky-tonk strip. Plates $11 to $22, a 30-bottle bourbon list, and the cleanest river view on Broadway. The Tennessean has called it the strip's most-recommended rooftop escape. Walk-in only; expect a 30-minute wait on weekend nights.
Pinewood's rooftop pool deck is the city's only restaurant with a working pool. Plates $13 to $26, the cabanas book the day they open (60 days out). Nashville Lifestyles called it "the rare restaurant rooftop that earns the seasonal pool premium". Open April to October.
East Nashville's most-recommended rooftop runs a Southern menu ($14 to $28) and a beer-and-shot program that has anchored the neighbourhood for a decade. Nashville Scene has named Rosemary one of East Nashville's three essential rooftops three years running. Walk-in friendly; the back patio bench is the seat to take.
For more Nashville editorial, see the best cocktail bars in Nashville, live music bars in Nashville, and the broader rooftop bars category index.
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