3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill

"Compared to the Bluebird, 3rd and Lindsley is a massive space — there’s seating for up to 340 people. The venue’s Tin Pan South lineup teases a few special guests alongside notable names like Chris DeStefano, HARDY, and Sara Evans. Cold beer and craft cocktail options are aplenty (including a few nonalcoholic ones), as well as a menu that features sharable apps, salads, burgers, and a southern-style catfish plate." - Kellie Walton

"The exterior may look unassuming, heck the interior does, too, but this is a place locals rely on for great live music seven days a week. Monday nights are legendary: that’s when the Time Jumpers, a Western Swing group, takes the stage. The Timer Jumpers can include music legends such as Vince Gill, you just never know who will show up. Other nights are regular multiple-act shows sponsored by local radio stations, largely country and Western and bluegrass as well as some rock and roots. The small stage and intimate environment lend themselves to singer-songwriters and bands that like the audience to get up and dance. Development in the neighborhood may see the venue move locations in 2024." - Kristin Luna,Margaret Littman

"If you’re looking for somewhere to grab enticing Southern bar food like chili cheese nachos or gumbo alongside live music, 3rd & Lindsley is the spot. The downtown venue sells general admission tickets for live shows and seating is first-come-first-served, so plan to grab a table early. Live shows vary from cover bands to songwriters, though there’s a good reason the Time Jumpers have a standing Monday night show — mark that on your calendar." - Kellie Walton

"Like many time-loved Nashville venues, 3rd & Lindsley is nondescript. From the outside it looks like the DMV, and inside it's basic square tables and ladder-back chairs. All the lighting and sound mechanics are unhidden, but it has good sound and a stage visible from almost any spot on both floors of the bar—and that’s what matters here. If you want to understand Nashville's music, Backstage Nashville's focus on the singer-songwriter is the place to do it.  The weekly event takes place from 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Kids of all ages are welcome, and it's the perfect place to expose them to Nashville music without all the age inappropriateness of Lower Broad." - Margaret Littman

"Big picture: What’s the vibe of the place, what’s it like?     Like many time-loved Nashville venues, 3rd & Lindsley is nondescript. From the outside it looks like the DMV, and inside it's basic square tables and ladder-back chairs. All the lighting and sound mechanics are unhidden, but it has good sound and a stage visible from almost any spot on both floors of the bar—and that’s what matters here. You want to be able to see and hear the incredible performers. What kinds of events can we see here? 3rd & Lindsley books a wide cross-section of shows with an emphasis on Western swing and old-school country. Nashville’s reputation as Music City makes lots of people think of rhinestones and names in lights, but it's really the singer-songwriter who makes Nashville music. In order to really understand Nashville’s essence, you want to go somewhere you can hear the stories behind the songs. And you can do that every Saturday at 3rd & Lindsley for Backstage Nashville, a live singer-songwriter show that's featured songwriters for some of the biggest-name musicians. How are the seats? Most people at 3rd & Lindsley sit at a table to enjoy table service food and drink. Almost all the tables have good sight lines. Limited standing-room-only space is available to the side of the stage and behind the tables. There’s a small area for dancing in front of the stage, but that doesn’t tend to matter at a Backstage Nashville show, as they are singer-songwriter focused. Come back another time if you want to dance. Good for kids? Yes. Backstage Nashville takes place from 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Saturdays. Kids of all ages are welcome, and it's the perfect place to expose them to Nashville music without all the age inappropriateness of Lower Broad. Anything in particular that makes this place special, from the programming to a unique feature it has? It can be hard to find a singer-songwriter show elsewhere in town if you don’t know where to look. Bluebird Café tends to sellout in minutes, so Backstage Nashville is a great place to scratch that itch. If we’re going to be in town, what—and who—do you think this is best for?      Families, aspiring singer-songwriters, people looking for a low-key couple of hours of music, multigenerational groups, people who love a good story song (it is all about the lyrics here)." - Margaret Littman