The 9 best spots in Nashville for celebrating right now

Fine dining, craft cocktails, and a little magic collide at Nashville’s House of Cards. The 9,500-square-foot dining and entertainment venue is a special backdrop for any occasion, offering people an evening unlike any other in the area. Interiors are dark and whimsical, setting the stage for some of America’s top magicians, including Los Angeles-based hypnosis expert Nader Hanna and family entertainer Dr. Gary Flegal. The illusions and tricks pair perfectly with an expansive food menu, which kicks off with globally inspired starters such as Chinese red braised pork belly and scallop ceviche. Entrees include a variety of steaks and mains featuring ostrich, elk, and lamb. Note that diners are required to adhere to an elegant dress code and photography is not permitted.

Set inside the historic Melrose Theater, Sinema takes a contemporary approach to classic American cuisine. The opulent design, timeless dishes, and exceptional service reflect the building’s storied history The grand entrance, complete with a curved staircase, exposed brick, and velvet tufted booths, is worthy of a photo op. For special occasions, try the five-course tasting menu, featuring hand-formed agnolotti, scallops with spinach orzotto, and short rib with horseradish and buttermilk potato puree. A la carte standouts include veal and beef bolognese and burrata-topped gnocchi with pork. Whiskey lovers, take note: Sinema’s bar stocks more than 200 varieties to toast your celebration with.

The dapper Twelve Thirty Club, a festive, multi-story dining experience in the heart of Nashville, comes from renowned restaurateur Sam Fox and a list of high-profile partners including artist Justin Timberlake. It’s a splashy spot, sprinkled with Art Deco influences and inspired by the private supper clubs of the Prohibition Era. Celebrate an anniversary or birthday over a fresh seafood tower or a savory ribeye, dry-aged for 28 days. Keep the night going at the venue’s rooftop for a paloma spritz or classic old fashioned and sweeping city views.

Two-time Emmy award-winning television personality Billy Dec launched Sunda New Asian in Chicago in 2009. In 2018, he brought that modern Southeast Asian experience to Nashville. Inspired by Dec’s travels, Sunda is a transportive special occasion spot. Refined cooking techniques meet bold flavors in signature dishes such as fried rice topped with pork adobo, shrimp, chicken, or vegetables; sushi, nigiri, and sashimi also feature on the menu. Feast on it all in a photogenic dining room where pops of orange and red liven up dark neutrals. Or grab a seat at the rectangle bar—an art installation, resembling a school of fish, floats above. In addition to dinner service, Sunda offers a regular happy hour, a weekend brunch, and private rooms for larger gatherings.

There’s no better spot to ring in a special occasion than Nashville’s only Champagne garden. Serving bubbles year-round on its outdoor terrace, Germantown’s Geist calls for celebratory toasts. Housed in one of Nashville’s oldest buildings, the restaurant draws its name from the blacksmith shop that opened there in 1886. These days, the sophisticated yet unfussy haunt offers a step back in time with its exposed brick interiors, dazzling chandeliers, and plush seats. The American and European menu merges modern and vintage dishes such as pan-roasted branzino and braised lamb shank. Celebration-worthy sides include ricotta-infused creamed corn and crispy marble potatoes with Calabrian chile aioli.

The Optimist, a haven for fresh seafood, comes from renowned restaurateur Ford Fry (of Superica fame). In the former TD&W Handle Company building, the restaurant welcomes diners into an elegant bar adorned with stained glass; other spaces include a large dining room with an open kitchen and a breezy patio. The menu, well-suited for birthdays, date nights, or just an extra special Friday night, promises high-quality, sustainable seafood. Think oysters from the Alabama coast, sea scallops from Maine, and whole-roasted Georgia trout. The seafood pairs exceptionally well with coastal cocktails such as “the pleasure cruise” (vodka, hibiscus, ginger, lemon, and club soda) and the colorful, gin-based “into the sunset.”

Nada, with four outposts in neighboring states, brings its vibrant taqueria and pan-Latin dishes to Nashville’s Midtown. Its bright interiors encourage lively conversation. Celebrate a milestone over a beer can-roasted Peruvian chicken served with papas fritas. If you’re partying with a group, share plates of cumin-roasted beets and shrimp ceviche. Round out your festive meal with a cocktail from the bar—a classic margarita, paloma, or sangria all hit the spot.

Since 1948, Skull’s Rainbow Room in Printer’s Alley has offered one of the city’s most iconic nights out. Its tin ceilings, low lights, and heavy velvet curtains call for more intimate occasions. Start with a cocktail from one of its renowned bartenders; must-tries include the scotch-based “great Scott” or the bourbon and citrus-forward “sarge”. For your main meal, choose from French American classics such as red wine demi-braised short rib and roasted half chicken. Dinner comes with a side of entertainment—once graced by Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline, Skull’s famous black-and-white stage showcases some of the area’s best performers on a nightly basis, from jazz bands to burlesque dancers.

Red Pony puts a sophisticated spin on contemporary Southern dining. It’s the first restaurant from owner and executive chef Jason McConnell, who operates some of south Nashville’s most popular restaurants (55 South and Cork & Cow). The tony spot in a century-old building promises an elegant evening with a Southern twist, best for quieter occasions. The menu spans both the land and sea with highlights such as shrimp and grits and beef tenderloin with blue cheese corn risotto. Cap off a special night with a stroll through Downtown Franklin’s charming city streets.