Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole

Bar · Elliston Place

Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole

Bar · Elliston Place

4

101 20th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203

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Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by Steve Freihon
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Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
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Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
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Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
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Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
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Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
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Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
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Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole by null
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Highlights

Cross-Eyed Critters inside the Graduate Hotel serves up quirky karaoke nights with an animatronic band, creative cocktails, and vintage country charm.  

Featured in Eater

101 20th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203 Get directions

hilton.com

$20–30 · Menu

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101 20th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203 Get directions

+1 615 551 2700
hilton.com

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 30, 2025

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@infatuation

Cross-Eyed Critters - Review - Midtown - Nashville - The Infatuation

"When you want the honky-tonk experience without going Downtown (a.k.a. more honk and less tonk), Cross-Eyed Critters inside the Graduate Hotel is the move. Go on a Friday night and you’ll catch plenty of locals singing karaoke alongside their new best friends from Milwaukee or St. Louis, backed by the world’s first-ever animatronic band—think Chuck E. Cheese meets Country Bear Jamboree. The acronym etched above the bar, “I.I.T.Y.W.I.M.W.Y.B.M.A.D.” (If I Tell You What It Means Will You Buy Me A Drink) is a good conversation starter between show tunes, rock ballads, and bawdy renditions of Brian McKnight’s “Back At One.” Order a beer and a shot, take a moment to appreciate the hundreds of velvet paintings around the room, and get ready for a show." - Adam Sloan

https://www.theinfatuation.com/nashville/reviews/cross-eyed-critters
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@infatuation

The 12 Most Fun Bars In Nashville

"When you want the honky-tonk experience without going Downtown (a.k.a. more honk and less tonk), Cross-Eyed Critters inside the Graduate Hotel is the move. Go on a Friday night and you’ll catch plenty of locals singing karaoke alongside their new best friends from Milwaukee or St. Louis, backed by the world’s first-ever animatronic band—think Chuck E. Cheese meets Country Bear Jamboree. The acronym etched above the bar, “I.I.T.Y.W.I.M.W.Y.B.M.A.D.” (If I Tell You What It Means Will You Buy Me A Drink) is a good conversation starter between show tunes, rock ballads, and bawdy renditions of Brian McKnight’s “Back At One.” Order a beer and a shot, take a moment to appreciate the hundreds of velvet paintings around the room, and get ready for a show." - adam sloan

https://www.theinfatuation.com/nashville/guides/fun-cool-bars-nashville
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@eater

Dinner Before the Show: 12 Restaurants to Try During Tin Pan South

"There’s a plethora of karaoke bars in Nashville, but the one inside the Graduate Hotel is sure to provide a memorable experience — the stage includes a backup band of animatronic critters. During Tin Pan Week this year, you’ll have to hand the mic over to the pros, but that’ll give you a chance to soak in the music while enjoying a Whiskey Glasses cocktail (bourbon, banana, and black walnut) and small bites like Tajin-topped fries, flautas, and a refreshing paleta for dessert." - Kellie Walton

https://nashville.eater.com/maps/tin-pan-south-show-restaurants
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@eater

Graduate Nashville Restaurants and Rooftops Open Soon — Including an Animatronic Karaoke Bar - Eater Nashville

"Offering up a fun, over-the-top spin on a classic karaoke bar, expect black velvet paintings of iconic country western stars set against black walls with cold beer on tap, hot popcorn, and a taco trailer parked on the patio outside, to fuel late nights." - Delia Jo Ramsey

https://nashville.eater.com/2019/11/15/20967017/graduate-nashville-crosseyed-critters-watering-hole-poindexter
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Kelly

Google
No idea why people complain about the singing bartenders—they’re great. This karaoke bar at the Graduate Hotel has such a fun vibe. The bartenders are super talented and honestly help keep the energy up between regular karaoke performances. Just a heads-up: drink prices are definitely on the higher side, so be ready for that.

Dylan Ariss

Google
This is a cool little spot inside the Graduate Hotel, by the elevators. Full bar with good house drink options and a solid variety of food to munch on. The service was great and seating was near full, but open enough to find seats for 2. The karaoke aspect is lively and was very fun to listen to/enjoy! I was helped by Samantha, who did a spectacular job. Very accommodating to me and my mom, and was quick with service. Highly recommend!

Alicia Mitchell

Google
They charge state tax, county tax, & something called “liquor by the drink” tax. Over $30 for taxes! I will say that the karaoke was amazing. However the prices are ridiculous! Over $170 for 2 people for 2 hours of drinks. On top of the fact that we paid $660 for a Saturday night hotel stay in the summer (busy season)! not worth the money!!! I could have done a 4 day cruise all inclusive for the same amount as 1 single night! I literally spent over $800 for 1 night and only 2 hours of drinking!

Katie Hamilton

Google
Great place for karaoke. However they charge 3 taxes (state, county, & something called “liquor by the drink”) 2 people for 2 hours should NEVER cost over $160

Scott P

Google
This place is freakin awesome! A great time, amazing singers, and good drinks! You have to check it out.

Kate Mahoney

Google
Cute, fun, great bar staff, wonderful host! Brooke worked hard to get the party started and to keep things positive and fun. Nice mix of talented karaoke entertainers and the rest of us. Plan for noise mitigation for those with sensitive ears. The bar is super laid back but songs are understandably loud. Decor details are fantastic.

Krystal Ward

Google
We were having a great time! Until we closed our bill. We were there from 9:30 until closing and ordered 5 drinks each, so about 1.5 drink an hour. We go to close out our bill, and my friend signed the bill and added on a tip. I looked at the receipt, and they added a large group gratuity! There were only 2 of us!! When I asked the bartender what it was (she was the one serving the two of us all night), she stated it was something the manager added on for after certain amount of drinks. I asked her to remove the addition tip we added on and she did. I'm normally a very generous tipper (to my husband's dismay) but that just did not sit right with me. Just be mindful of your bill when you get it. It sounds like this happens to other people as well. Also, management needs to change this "automatic" fee and allow the bartenders to add it on if it is indeed a large party.

megan milito

Google
Guys…. You HAVE to come here!!! Yes the cocktails are great, the food, the environment BUT the EMCEE is on an another plant!!!!!! Like she runs the show like no other!! She is an INCREDIBLE singer and a fantastic host. I feel like you need to come ASAP because she might come famous soon. She is soo great. Thousand stars for her!!!

Lynn T.

Yelp
This place has the BEST bartenders and host, such a kind & friendly crew. The food was great and super fast, ambiance is the best kind of strange, super fun and unique!! Id come back just for the vibes and the most fun staff
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Janie D.

Yelp
Charming karaoke bar on the ground floor of the Graduate Nashville, a Dolly Parton themed hotel. Enter via the hotel lobby, and follow the signs into the adorable vintage inspired bar/theater, which is complete with a stage and animatronic backup band. Everyone has the opportunity to sing, but on the night I attended, everyone who took the stage was very talented! I can barely carry a tune, so I opted to be an audience member. The bar is well stocked, and they serve a small menu of specialty cocktails and Tex-Mex snacks. I enjoyed the "Remember Everything", a refreshing drink with grapefruit, oolong honey, bourbon, lemon, and mint. Friendly, skilled bartenders. Skip the food. My black bean and cheese tostada was covered in thick, rubbery cheese, and served with a candy-sweet salsa. Fortunately, it only set me back $5, but still.
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Shauna Z.

Yelp
Not the place to go if you're serious about karaoke. The host rigs the list so if you're not one of their little friends forget about singing.

Kevin S.

Yelp
We got there pretty early around 8:30 pm, place was pretty empty and we were worried about our choice. The bartenders were very good , drinks were like everything else it seems in a very touristy area were pricey. See $16-18 for a vodka cranberry or tequila and grapefruit. But as time progressed the place livened up. There was a bachelorette party and a few other regulars that were very entertaining along with the animatronic back up band. We wanted to stay off the straight money grab of Broadway ( kid rocks, Luke Bryant's etc) and that is mostly what we got. Anna was a great hostess was very supportive of all that partook and kept things moving. I would definitely go back.
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Sasha P.

Yelp
Whether you're staying at the Graduate or just looking for a fun spot to hang out, Cross-Eyed Critters is definitely a unique place in Nashville. We stumbled upon it on our first stay at the hotel and now have been back multiple times since! Most of the folks singing karaoke are absolutely amazing and it's so cool to hear them sing! Even those who aren't as great are always entertaining... :) Plenty of seating for a karaoke bar - tables and at the bar itself. We were going up to the bar to order our drinks on our tab and the wait was not too bad, considering. I will say that it's a little pricy, but it's also Nashville and it's also in a nice hotel - so take that for what you will. Either way, I'll be honest - I prefer hanging out at Cross-Eyed Critters to the (very pretty, very fancy) rooftop bar of the hotel, White Limozeen. It's gorgeous and has a lot of photo ops, but just not quite my style for a fun bar to hang out with friends.

Bunny J.

Yelp
Love love love love I don't even know where to start on how much I loved this bar I had the best night ever we had the best service in Nashville with us and just the best experience and talk about the talent in this place I wish this was back home cus I want to just hang out here all the time

Angelina H.

Yelp
What a great karaoke bar right inside of the hotel! Who would have known! The drinks were tasty, the service was amazing and the talent of everyone that performed was insane!

Jack C.

Yelp
Had a blast on our first night in Nashville! Was able to belt out 4 songs! Great hostess, awesome bar staff, great atmosphere! I can't wait to come back and do it again
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Safia S.

Yelp
A fun spot for karaoke inside the Graduate hotel. You walk in to a room with tall caricatures of furry woodland creatures as your band on stage whilst you take the mic and sing. This bar is the perfect size not too big and not too small. There is room to dance near the stage, tables to sit and plenty of room to just stand and enjoy the crowd and music. The menu was concise but covers all the usual karaoke/bar essentials. The cocktail, beer and shot list was good too.

Niko E.

Yelp
This is not your average karoke bar. Very nice inside and plenty of seating. My party got there late (after 10pm) so karoke was in full swing. There are plenty of average Joe's that get on stage but when one of the bartenders has the mic everything changes. Every staff member that sang was incredible and a really great performer. Drinks are good and the vibes are fun. Will definitely go back and recommend to others for a night out.
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Megan M.

Yelp
IM BACK!! love this place!! I came back to a bachelorette party two weeks later and I convinced them to come here! And they were not disappointed! Beyond recommend!
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Amanda B.

Yelp
So I have now been coming to Critters for more than year, and have introduced more than 30 friends to Critters, and tell everyone in town or visiting who will listen that they need to go. Its quickly become a group favorite. There is one issue though, and its happened nearly every visit - some people with amazing voices come and monopolize the entire night. You'll hear "john" sing 5 songs in an hour to show off his range, then the host will sing or one of the other employees, and it can take hours before you'll hear your name. You'll be listening to the same rotation of people over and over, many of which aren't choosing fun sing along type songs either. So many people leave before their name is called because it can be a two hour wait but these people that have been there all night keep getting called. It would be nice that if someone new, who didn't sing yet, signs up for a song they could be raised a little higher on the list so that others can have a turn and so that some variety is happening. It is great to hear someone kill a Journey song, but it also is fun to hear someone poorly singing hit me baby one more time with the entire audience screaming right along. The staff is great though, drinks are pretty affordable still, and the vibes always feel like a fever dream no matter how many times you visit.

Witt T.

Yelp
Doesn't exist anymore. Tried searching online and couldn't find an exact location and the maps on Google and apple took us to an abandoned parking lot
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Tracy C.

Yelp
Y'know how after you go to the dolly themed bar and you're not totally ready to go back to your air bnb? Then your party has to pee and you hear some music and some slightly off key singing? You follow the music to the cross-eyes critters. You stumble upon karaoke night and snag a great table to boot! What a fun night. Karaoke is always what you make it, but the the green tea shots help.
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Jennifer P.

Yelp
Top-notch! We came here on a Saturday night around 6:30-7pm. There were a handful of people, but we were able to get in and sing pretty much right away. The bartenders were incredibly friendly and accommodating--they made their own ginger beer when I requested a Moscow Mule. We remarked at how there were so many bartenders there and we thought it was odd. Then, 8pm hit and the flood gates opened. There was not an empty seat in the house! It was standing room only at the bar. Even still, I didn't go without a drink for long. The atmosphere here is fun, the staff is friendly, and the karaoke song options are endless! And the animatronic characters on stage bring an amazing brevity to anyone taking themself too seriously. This is definitely our new karaoke spot!
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Dani C.

Yelp
My friend's mom came in town to visit in both October and February; both times, Critters was a MUST STOP for us! It is SO much fun and makes for a fantastic night out for tourists and locals alike. Brooke is not only talented, but does an amazing job making everyone feel welcome to get up onstage and perform. This quirky little bar is an absolute gem and will always be one of my favorites. Brooke and team, keep doing what you're doing- you're AMAZING!
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Susan F.

Yelp
The Cross eyed Critter bar is super fun, unique and like stepping into a modern Nashville dream with nods to the childhood days of the audience that now drinks ! There is an animatronic band that will support you when you sing Karaoke! It flashes forward from your pizza eating Chuck E Cheese 10 year old birthday parties to today! This bar has a sort of secret entrance which is appealing to the speak easy crowd too!
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Michael B.

Yelp
Very cool, unique karaoke, with an animatronic band! It definitely brings back the childhood days of seeing Chuck E Cheese shred on that guitar. The sound is great, and the staff are some of the best in town. We will definitely be back.
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Ryan T.

Yelp
We were there last night and this place is terrible. Terrible process to get in through a very unwelcoming individual checking ids. Then you get to the bar, not staffed well enough for the volume, the girls running the karaoke tell you if you want to sing you must tip at least $20 or you won't be able to have a turn because aide there are too many people on the list. Then the girl who runs it gets up and sings two songs, don't know why. Also, is Four Roses yellow label ever going to be worth the $12 they charge for it. This place sucks.
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Christi B.

Yelp
I love this place. It takes me back to my childhood trips to Showbiz Pizza. Such a fun, country, theme park vibe that becomes even more fun after a couple of their tasty cocktails. Please open back up soon so I can escape reality again and go back to my youth for a few hours!! #crittersforever

Olivia S.

Yelp
If you wanna feel the warmest welcome in Nashville head on down to the cross-eyed critters watering hole. If you love good people, good singing and a little karaoke, you'll need to make this a Nashville top 10!

Sarah F.

Yelp
Staff is lovely. Drinks are fresh. Music is great. Hannah made our night!!! She's the best!! Lovely, funny, lively! Karaoke was top notch, food was quick and yummy! We were a big party and it went over without a hitch! Will be back! Would recommend!! Fun for us locals and our out of town guests!
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Brittany S.

Yelp
Awesome karaoke bar in Nashville! The atmosphere is really cool with the animatronic characters in stage with you while you're singing karaoke. Cool place for locals and tourists, younger or older. The fries are amazing, too!

Jay M.

Yelp
This place is what nightmares are made of. The animatronic animals are just strange - poorly designed and weirdly clunky. The sound level is one notch above deafening; don't go expecting to have a conversation. Perhaps the most unbelievable aspect of this place is the drink prices. My friend and I ordered four drinks in total: 2 martinis, 1 manhattan, and 1 bourbon & ginger. Our bar bill was $90.00. Yes, you read that correctly. My manhattan alone was $40.00. When we questioned the accuracy of the bill, our server assured us it was correct. At that point, the evening was effectively ruined. But, I still had my car to rescue from the valet, at a cost of $17.50. There are no self-parking options, no nearby pay lots, and only a few street meters, which were unavailable. Needless to say, first and last visit to the Graduate, and to this bar.

Stephen S.

Yelp
Love this spot! Like it's amazing. Staying in the hotel and made a reservation for a table, the manager Heather went out of her way and had one reserves for us when we came in, even though it was a packed night. The atmosphere was crazy fun... just a friendly, energetic group of people. Waitresses were all doing their best to keep up. Food was meh... fries weren't anything special, tacos were small, and the guac and chips was such a small portion. Drinks were delicious otherwise. Can't wait to come back!

James R.

Yelp
I came here with a friend to enjoy the bar food and the entertainment.... Unfortunately, the food was sub-par and the service was unfriendly and unprofessional. Both our server Hannah and the GM were very rude when approached about our food complaint.