Skull’s Rainbow Room is a nostalgic Printers Alley gem serving craft cocktails, classic American fare, live jazz, and sultry burlesque since 1948.
"The original Skull’s Rainbow Room opened in the 1940s and was a legendary local hangout for live performances for nearly 60 years before shuttering in 1999. The downtown icon in Printers Alley reopened in 2015 with nightly live jazz shows and many of the vintage touches of the original, not to mention burlesque shows every weekend. The revamped dinner menu features soul-warming lobster bisque, prime rib empanadas, and an excellent garlic honey-glazed pork chop. —JGJ" - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones, Ellen Fort
"Skull’s is a Nashville institution that’s located on Printer’s Alley, one of the city’s most iconic strips. It’s changed ownership a few times since opening in 1948, but the spirit remains the same: a classed-up dive with good booze, good music, and an even better lobster bisque. The place sees its fair share of tourists, but don’t let that deter you—the live jazz and weekly burlesque shows draw a local crowd, too (fact: everyone loves a good whirling tassel). The room is usually packed, so whether you’re on a date or flying solo, you’ll feel comfortable here, especially when a single-barrel cocktail, perfectly seasoned rack of lamb or prime rib, and the aforementioned lobster bisque hit the table." - jackie gutierrez jones 2, ann walczak
"Skull’s is a classed-up dive with good booze, good music, and even better lobster bisque. It’s a Nashville institution—one where you can eat a perfectly seasoned rack of lamb while catching the weekly burlesque shows. There's always a pretty boisterous crowd, so don’t bank on a whole lot of deep, soul-searching conversation. But what you can count on is a show, whether it’s in the form of those burlesque performers or a jazz number from a local quartet up on the checkerboard stage. Whether you’re on a date or flying solo, it’s hard not to get swept up in the festive energy here, especially with Skull’s expertly-made single-barrel Old Fashioned in hand. " - jackie gutierrez jones 2
"Skull’s is a Nashville institution that’s located on Printer’s Alley, one of the city’s most iconic strips. It’s changed ownership a few times since opening in 1948, but the spirit remains the same: a classed-up dive with good booze, good music, and an even better lobster bisque. The place sees its fair share of tourists, but don’t let that deter you—the live jazz and weekly burlesque shows draw a local crowd, too (fact: everyone loves a good whirling tassel). The room is usually packed, so whether you’re on a date or flying solo, you’ll feel comfortable here, especially when a single-barrel cocktail, perfectly seasoned rack of lamb or prime rib, and the aforementioned lobster bisque hit the table." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones
"The original Skull’s Rainbow Room from the 1940s, a legendary hangout and performance venue, shuttered in 1999. The Printers Alley icon reopened in 2015 with nightly live jazz, late-night weekend burlesque, and many of the vintage touches of the original. The revamped dinner menu features luscious lobster bisque, prime rib empanadas, and an excellent garlic honey-glazed pork chop." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones, Eater Staff
