Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar: The Full Guide
- Chase Gillmore
- Jul 27
- 13 min read
Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar is a Cajun and Creole music venue in Printer's Alley that has hosted live blues acts nightly for more than 25 years, since roughly 1995. It serves New Orleans style food alongside two nightly music sets, and it remains one of downtown Nashville's few venues built around blues rather than country.
Key Takeaways
Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar sits at 220 Printers Alley, Nashville, TN 37201, phone (615) 242-5837, in the neighborhood locals and the city both classify as the Historic Core.
The venue has operated in Printer's Alley for over 25 years (since around 1995) and has hosted legends including James Brown and B.B. King on its stage.
Live music runs two nightly sets, typically 4:00pm to 7:30pm and 8:00pm to midnight, with hours shifting slightly by day: Monday and Tuesday it opens at 4pm, Wednesday through Sunday it opens at 11:30am.
The signature drink is the Big Easy Hurricane, and the food menu covers Cajun and Creole staples like PoBoys, sliders, gumbo-style entrees, and Southern desserts.
The bar's Mardi Gras celebration, described as its "Super Bowl," has run every year around late February or early March and includes second lines, parade throws, and live music.
It sits inside walking distance of several Stay Nashville rentals, including Luxe Loft SoBro 916, roughly three blocks from Broadway.
If you've typed "bourbon street blues and boogie bar" into a search bar, you're probably trying to figure out whether it's worth a stop on your Nashville trip, and what exactly separates it from the honky-tonks lining Broadway two blocks over. The short answer: it's a blues and Cajun food bar, not a country music venue, and that distinction matters more than most first-time visitors realize. Nashville pulled in 16.8 million visitors in 2023, a 4% jump from the year before, according to WPLN News reporting on tourism records, and the city is projected to hit 17.8 million visitors by 2026. Printer's Alley predates most of that modern tourism boom by more than a century, and Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar has been a fixture there since the mid 1990s, long enough to have booked acts before Broadway's current honky-tonk row fully took shape.
This guide covers what the official venue site and tourism directories tend to skip: pricing context, accessibility notes, honest crowd expectations, food recommendations, and how the alley itself fits into a broader night out. If you're staying at a group rental like Underwood Manor or planning a bachelorette weekend around live music, this is the practical rundown you actually need.
What Is Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar?
Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar is a Cajun and Creole restaurant and live music venue located at 220 Printers Alley in downtown Nashville's Historic Core neighborhood. It has operated continuously for more than 25 years, giving it a New Orleans-inspired identity distinct from the country-focused bars that dominate the rest of downtown.
The name is a direct nod to New Orleans, and the concept follows through: red beans and rice, PoBoys, gumbo-style entrees, and a drink menu built around the Big Easy Hurricane. Specifically, the venue markets itself around the phrase "Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler," meaning "let the good times roll," which shows up on signage and event promotions.
As of 2026, the bar continues to operate under that same identity, booking blues, soul, and Southern rock acts for two sets nightly. It draws a mixed crowd of Printer's Alley regulars, tourists who wander in off Broadway, and blues fans who specifically seek it out because Nashville has surprisingly few dedicated blues rooms downtown.
What Is the Best Blues Bar in Nashville?
Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar is widely regarded as Nashville's most established dedicated blues venue, largely because of its 25-plus year run in Printer's Alley and its history of hosting touring blues and soul acts. Few downtown venues commit an entire nightly calendar to blues the way this one does.
That said, "best" depends on what you're after. If you want a full Cajun dinner alongside live blues in one stop, this is your spot. If you're looking for a quieter, listening-room style blues experience, that's a different kind of venue entirely, and downtown Nashville doesn't have many direct equivalents. The Bourbon Street stage has hosted legends including James Brown and B.B. King over its run, and thousands of working musicians have played the room since it opened around 1995. That kind of table stakes matters: it means the sound system and stage setup are built for real bands, not just a stool-and-mic acoustic act. Book a table if your group is larger than four, since the room fills up fast once the second set starts around 8pm.
Loose Lips - Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar - Nashville, TN
What Bar Does Snoop Dogg Own in Nashville?
Nashville's downtown corridor includes several celebrity-branded honky-tonks and bars, and ownership details on those venues change periodically as new partnerships form. Rather than guess at current ownership, the more useful fact for trip planning is that Broadway and Printer's Alley both host a mix of celebrity-branded venues and long-running independent bars like Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar.
If a specific celebrity-owned bar is the reason for your trip, confirm current ownership and hours directly through the venue's official channels before you go, since these details shift more often than most visitors expect. What stays constant is the neighborhood layout: Printer's Alley sits a few blocks from the celebrity row on Lower Broadway, and walking between the two takes five to ten minutes depending on where you start.
For groups splitting a night between celebrity bars and something with more musical depth, Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar works well as the calmer half of the evening, before or after the louder Broadway scene.
What's the Best Bar on Bourbon Street (Printer's Alley)?
Printer's Alley, not to be confused with the actual Bourbon Street in New Orleans, is a narrow historic alleyway in downtown Nashville that has functioned as a nightlife strip since the early 1900s, originally home to the city's newspaper printing operations. Within that alley, Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar stands out for combining full dinner service with a nightly music calendar, something most of its immediate neighbors don't attempt.
Nearby options inside the same alley include Skull's Rainbow Room, a legendary supper club just a few dozen feet northeast, and Fleet Street Pub, roughly 129 feet southeast, both worth a look if you're bar-hopping the alley in one night. Sinatra Bar & Lounge sits about 77 feet southwest and leans into a more polished cocktail-lounge vibe if your group wants a change of pace between blues sets.
For a quick, cheap bite between stops, Daddy's Dogs sits about 105 feet from Bourbon Street's front door and works well for soaking up a round of Hurricanes before moving on. The alley itself is compact enough to cover on foot in under fifteen minutes, which makes it one of the more efficient nightlife stretches downtown compared to spreading a night across all of Lower Broadway.
What Bar Did Morgan Wallen Go to in Nashville?
Country artists and touring musicians have been photographed at a wide range of downtown Nashville venues over the years, including honky-tonks on Broadway and lounges in Printer's Alley, though specific celebrity sightings at any single bar aren't something we can confirm without a verified, dated source. What's more reliable for trip planning is understanding which venues are built for that kind of after-hours, industry-adjacent crowd. Printer's Alley has historically drawn musicians looking for a lower-key alternative to the Broadway strip, in part because it's a shorter walk from the Ryman Auditorium and several Music Row studios than the honky-tonk row is. If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the local music scene without the tourist density of Broadway, Printer's Alley venues, including Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar, are a reasonable bet on any given weeknight.
What's on the Menu at Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar?
The food menu at Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar is built around Cajun and Creole staples, organized into categories that include snacks, sliders, PoBoys, burgers and sandwiches, salads, entrees, and desserts. The approach mirrors a New Orleans neighborhood restaurant more than a typical bar snack menu.
Specifically, PoBoys are the dish most associated with the concept, a nod to the sandwich's New Orleans origin, and they pair naturally with the venue's Cajun seasoning style. For a heartier stop, the entree section covers Southern comfort dishes that lean into the Creole side of the menu, while the dessert list rounds things out for guests staying through a full set.
On the drink side, the menu spans a dedicated cocktail list, draft beer, bottled Louisiana craft beer, domestic and premium beer, and a featured wine selection. The Big Easy Hurricane is the signature pour and the one most first-time visitors order, a fruity, rum-forward cocktail in the same tradition as the original Bourbon Street version in New Orleans. As of 2026, exact menu prices should be confirmed directly with the venue, since food and drink pricing shifts with inflation and seasonal menu updates more often than most guides account for.
What's the Live Music Calendar Like?
Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar runs two live music sets nightly, typically an early slot from 4:00pm to 7:30pm and a later slot from 8:00pm to midnight, with reservations available online for either. This two-set structure means you can catch a full show even on an early dinner visit without committing to a late night. Acts booked at the venue have historically ranged across blues, soul, and Southern rock, with recurring names like Juju Winfield & the League, the Open Jam with the Corey Mac Show, Ger "Bassman" Hoffman, the Alex Kramer Band, and Meg Williams appearing on past calendars. Because live music venues rotate acts weekly or even nightly, always confirm the current week's lineup directly through the venue before locking in plans around a specific performer.
Hours vary slightly by day: Monday and Tuesday the doors open at 4pm, while Wednesday through Sunday the venue opens earlier, at 11:30am, to accommodate lunch and early dinner crowds. If your group is planning a full day downtown, that Wednesday-through-Sunday window gives you the flexibility to grab lunch, catch the early set, and still have the whole evening open for Broadway.
What Should You Know Before You Go?
Before visiting Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar, plan around a few practical details that competitor guides typically skip: parking logistics, timing around Printer's Alley's narrow footprint, and how the venue handles larger groups. None of this is complicated, but knowing it in advance saves time on the ground.
Parking and Getting There
The closest parking options are the Wells Fargo Garage at 232 4th Ave N, about 133 feet from the venue, and the NCB Garage at 217 3rd Ave N, roughly 135 feet away. The Printers Alley Garage on Church Street and the Briley Lot on 3rd Ave N are also within a couple hundred feet. Garage rates downtown typically run higher on weekend nights and during major events, so budget more than a weekday visit would cost. Rideshare is often the simpler option if you're staying further out, and Uber and Lyft both serve the Printer's Alley area reliably, though expect surge pricing during CMA Fest or Bonnaroo travel weekends.
Best Time to Arrive
Arrive for the 4pm opening slot on weekend days if you want a table without a wait, since the 8pm set draws the heaviest crowd, especially Friday and Saturday. Printer's Alley itself gets significantly busier after 9pm as Broadway crowds spill over looking for a change of pace, so an early dinner visit is the calmer option if your group prioritizes conversation over crowd energy.
Groups and Reservations
Reservations are available online for both nightly time slots, and larger groups should book ahead, particularly around big weekends. This matters if you're planning a bachelorette night out, since a table for ten walking in at 8:30pm on a Saturday will likely face a wait. If your group is staying somewhere like Ultimate Bach Pad, which sleeps 24 guests across two side-by-side duplexes roughly eight to ten minutes from Broadway, splitting into two reservations of similar size is often smoother than trying to seat the whole crew at once.
Accessibility and Practical Notes
Printer's Alley's older brick construction and narrow walkway mean mobility access can be inconsistent across venues in the alley; call ahead if accessibility is a concern for anyone in your group. The venue lists Wi-Fi as an available amenity, useful if you need to check in with a rideshare or coordinate a meeting point with a larger party splitting up across the alley's several bars.
How Does Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar Compare to Other Nashville Music Venues?
Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar differentiates itself from Broadway's honky-tonks by focusing on blues, soul, and Cajun food rather than the country cover bands that dominate Lower Broadway. This makes it a strong pick for groups who want live music without another round of country karaoke standards.
For comparison, the Robert's Western World official website and other Broadway staples lean heavily into honky-tonk and classic country, drawing a louder, younger crowd most nights. If your group wants a full night that covers both styles, start at Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar for dinner and the early set, then walk the few blocks to Broadway once the energy shifts later in the evening.
Feature | Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar | Typical Broadway Honky-Tonk |
Music genre | Blues, soul, Southern rock | Country, honky-tonk covers |
Food service | Full Cajun and Creole menu | Limited or no kitchen |
Signature drink | Big Easy Hurricane | Varies, often beer buckets |
Typical crowd | Mixed ages, blues fans, tourists | Younger, bachelorette-heavy |
Reservations | Available online for both nightly sets | Usually first-come, first-served |
Neither format is objectively better; they simply serve different moods. A girls trip built around a full itinerary should probably hit both, and our Nashville Live Music Venues Guide: 15 Local Favorites Beyond Broadway covers additional stops beyond the two extremes if you want more variety across a multi-night stay.
Where Should You Stay Near Printer's Alley?
Staying close to Printer's Alley matters if your group plans to bar-hop on foot rather than rely on rideshare all night, especially given the area's after-dark advice to stick to well-populated streets like Broadway and Midtown. The closest Stay Nashville option is Luxe Loft SoBro 916, a one-bedroom loft sleeping 4 guests just three blocks from Broadway, with a saltwater pool, fitness center, and a private balcony overlooking the pool deck, all within easy walking distance of the alley. For a slightly larger group, Luxe Cowgirl 538 sleeps up to 8 guests across two bedrooms, also three blocks from Broadway, with a glam vanity area that works well for a bachelorette group prepping before a night that includes live blues and Cajun food.
If your crew is bigger and wants more separation between sleeping quarters and party space, The Herman Haven sleeps 10 guests across 3 bedrooms, each with a private en-suite bathroom, and sits under 2 miles from downtown Broadway with a 7-person hot tub and fire pit for winding down after a night out. It's roughly an 8-minute drive to the Broadway District and Printer's Alley area, per the property's listed proximity data.
For the largest groups, especially combined bachelor and bachelorette weekends, Ultimate Bach Pad sleeps 24+ guests across two side-by-side duplexes with two rooftop decks, two hot tubs, and three game rooms, roughly 8 to 10 minutes from Broadway. Its twin properties, Fern A and Fern B, each sleep 12 and can be booked together for the same 24-guest capacity if Ultimate Bach Pad's dates don't align with yours.
What's the Real History Behind Printer's Alley and This Bar?
Printer's Alley earned its name from the printing and publishing businesses that operated there in the early 1900s, before the neighborhood evolved into a nightlife strip through the mid-20th century. Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar entered that history around 1995, positioning itself as a New Orleans-style anchor inside a Nashville institution that predates the modern Broadway boom by decades. That timing matters more than it might seem. Nashville's tourism economy has grown dramatically since the mid-1990s, with visitor spending hitting a record $10.56 billion in 2023, but Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar built its reputation before that surge, largely on the strength of its live blues booking and its willingness to host touring acts other downtown venues weren't set up for. The James Brown and B.B. King performances associated with the venue's history reflect that early commitment to booking real blues talent rather than chasing the country tourist wave that came to define Broadway.
As of 2026, that history is part of what separates the venue from newer, more polished downtown concepts. It has the patina of a room that's actually hosted thousands of working musicians, not a recently opened concept designed around a marketing plan. If you care about that kind of authenticity in a live music stop, it's worth the visit on that basis alone, separate from the food or drink menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar located?
Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar is located at 220 Printers Alley, Nashville, Tennessee 37201, in the Historic Core neighborhood of downtown Nashville. It sits within a short walk of Broadway, Bridgestone Arena, and the Ryman Auditorium.
What are the hours for Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar?
Hours vary by day: Monday and Tuesday the venue opens at 4pm, while Wednesday through Sunday it opens at 11:30am. Live music runs in two nightly sets, typically 4:00pm to 7:30pm and 8:00pm to midnight, though hours are subject to change and should be confirmed directly with the venue.
Do I need a reservation for Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar?
Reservations are available online for both nightly music sets and are recommended for larger groups, especially on weekend nights when the 8pm set draws the biggest crowds. Walk-ins are typically accommodated for smaller parties, but a table for a bachelorette group of eight or more should book ahead.
What food does Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar serve?
The menu covers Cajun and Creole cuisine, including snacks, sliders, PoBoys, burgers and sandwiches, salads, entrees, and desserts. The signature drink is the Big Easy Hurricane, and the bar also offers draft beer, bottled Louisiana craft beer, and a featured wine list.
Is Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar good for bachelorette parties?
Yes, the venue works well for bachelorette groups looking for a live music dinner stop before heading to Broadway's honky-tonks. Book ahead for groups larger than six, and consider the earlier 4pm set if your group wants a calmer atmosphere before the later crowd arrives.
How far is Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar from Broadway?
It's roughly a five to ten minute walk from Lower Broadway, since Printer's Alley sits just off 3rd and 4th Avenues in downtown Nashville. Many visitors combine a stop here with a longer night touring Broadway's honky-tonks.
Does Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar host special events?
Yes, the venue's annual Mardi Gras celebration, described as its "Super Bowl," typically falls in late February or early March and includes live music, second lines, parade-style throws and beads, a photo booth, and food and drink specials. A New Year's Eve event has also historically featured live bands, party favors, and a midnight countdown.
What's the best time of year to visit Printer's Alley?
Printer's Alley is a year-round destination, but spring around Mardi Gras season and the fall shoulder months tend to offer a better balance of activity and manageable crowds compared to peak summer tourist months. Nashville's peak visitor season overlaps with major festivals like CMA Fest, so plan accordingly if you want a quieter night out.
The Bottom Line
Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar earns its reputation the old-fashioned way: 25-plus years in the same Printer's Alley spot, a stage that's hosted James Brown and B.B. King, and a Cajun menu that actually backs up the New Orleans theme instead of just leaning on decor. It's not trying to compete with Broadway's honky-tonks, and that's exactly the point. If your Nashville trip already has country music covered, this is where you go for something with more musical range and a plate of real PoBoys to go with it. As of 2026, the venue continues to run its two-set nightly schedule and its signature Mardi Gras event, making it a reliable stop whether you're visiting for one night or building a full week around Nashville's live music scene. Confirm current hours and reservations directly through the venue before you go, since live music calendars shift week to week.
If Printer's Alley and its live blues scene are on your itinerary, Luxe Loft SoBro 916 puts you three blocks from Broadway and an easy walk from the alley itself, with a private balcony overlooking the building's saltwater pool for winding down afterward. Check current rates and availability directly at the Luxe Loft SoBro 916 booking page.
Written by Chase Gillmore, Owner & Operator at Stay Nashville
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