4 Best Bars in Franklin, Nashville

This historic home--turned--wine bar in the heart of downtown Franklin is overflowing with charm, inside and out: with countless cozy hideaways within, and a wraparound porch with picturesque views of Main Street without. Add soft music and even softer lighting, and it’s the perfect spot to share intimate conversation and good wine. The center hallway is lined with wine-dispensing machines that offer 1-ounce, 5-ounce, and 8-ounce pours of 28 different wines. There’s also a full bar if you’d rather order a whole bottle of wine, small plates, or cocktails.

Broken jukeboxes, dusty lamps, countless hand-scribbled mementos thumbtacked to the walls—and, of course, some of the best live music in Nashville, which is saying something. This legendary restaurant, bar, and music venue puts on a show every night of the week, and Sundays are open-stage. Just bring an instrument, and they’ll rotate the players. For great food, local beer, and a genuine everybody-knows-your-name vibe, Kimbro’s is one of a kind.

This bar serves up essential American staples every night of the week: hamburgers, hot dogs, beer, and whiskey. They don’t get too inventive with their menu, preferring instead to perfect timeless classics like a black-and-bleu burger with an old-fashioned. And with one of Franklin’s largest whiskey collections, you’ll never have to order the same Sazerac twice.

Franklin’s oldest bar is an English-style pub known by locals as simply “the Pig.” Downstairs, the stained glass--adorned door leads you into a dark Victorian-style bar, complete with a Beefeater statue, fireplace, and stuffed boar’s head. Upstairs is a bit more modern, with pool tables and darts, as well as a second bar. On a nice day, the café-style seating outside feels especially old-world.