Play Dance Bar on Church Street in midtown Nashville is the flagship gay nightclub with three-show drag nights and a dance floor that runs until 03:00 weekends.
Tip: Closed Mon-Tue. Shows at 21:00 and 23:00 Wed-Sun, plus a 01:00 set Fri-Sat. Cover varies by show; cash and card both work.
Address: 1519 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37203
The Lipstick Lounge on Woodland Street in East Nashville is the lesbian-owned karaoke bar opened in 2002, a multi-year Best LGBTQ Bar in Nashville Scene polls.
Tip: Karaoke nightly from 20:00, Sunday from 18:00. Open 18:00 weekdays and 17:00 Saturdays; cash bar plus card.
Canvas Lounge in East Nashville's Five Points moved from Church Street in 2022. A laid-back queer bar with karaoke, DJs and a small dance floor most nights.
Tip: Closed Mon. Karaoke Wed and Sun; DJ Fri and Sat. Cash and card both work; no cover most nights.
Trax reopened in Wedgewood-Houston Nashville at Six10 Merritt by Diskin Cider in 2025, after fifteen years on Ensley Boulevard. Pool, karaoke, drag and DJs.
Tip: Drag and DJ nights run Thursday through Saturday. Pool and darts free during weeknight happy hour; cover only on big show nights.
888 at the base of the JW Marriott in Nashville is the Japanese kissa-style vinyl bar with 2,000 records on a wall curated with Grimey's and United Record Pressing.
Tip: Open 17:00 to 23:00 Sun-Wed, later Thu-Sat. Happy hour 16:00 to 18:00 at the bar only; full sushi menu on the dining side.
Groceries Etc. above Mama Bread and Lemon Laine in East Nashville is a neighborhood vinyl listening room with rotating DJs, tucked-away seating and board games.
Tip: Opens daily at 16:00. Small space, walk-in only, conversation kept low while records play.
Skull's Rainbow Room in the 1948 Southern Turf basement in Printers Alley Nashville is the only downtown jazz lounge, with nightly bands and late burlesque sets.
Tip: Jazz nightly from 17:00, burlesque Thursday to Sunday at 23:00 with a $25 cover from 21:00. Reserve via OpenTable for dinner first.