Printers Alley: is it worth it?
Our score, honest verdict, what it costs, how to avoid the crowds, and what to do instead if it is not for you.
Our verdict: do it smarter
Printers Alley is a good contrast to Broadway: a smaller, older, more tucked-away district. The alley itself costs nothing, but what you spend inside depends on the venue, so look at menus and covers first.
Walking the alley is free; individual bars and restaurants set their own prices and covers.
Quieter than Lower Broadway, but busy at night.
A narrow historic alley with a different feel from Broadway.
Walkable from Broadway; hours vary by venue.
Who should go, and who should skip it
- You want a nightlife stop that is less hectic than Broadway
- You like historic streets
- You want daytime attractions
To compare, read our review of Lower Broadway honky-tonks, Ryman Auditorium and Robert's Western World.
Better alternatives and what pairs well
NIGHTLIFEPhoto: Cpl. Vincent Needham, public domainLower Broadway honky-tonks
The strip of live-music honky-tonks on Broadway, where bands play from late morning to the early hours.
MUSICPhoto: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0Ryman Auditorium
The historic downtown theater known as the Mother Church of Country Music, open for daytime tours and evening shows.
NIGHTLIFEPhoto: Mx. Granger, CC0Robert's Western World
An independently owned honky-tonk on Lower Broadway with live music from open to close and a famous fried bologna sandwich.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Printers Alley?
Between 3rd and 4th Avenues North, running from Union Street to Church Street in downtown Nashville.
Why is it called Printers Alley?
The area was once home to newspapers, print shops and publishers. The last printing company left in 1977, according to the history on printersalley.com and reference sites.
