Amari

Exactly what you would expect from a speakeasy with a hidden entrance behind a bookshelf. Where they over deliver is with the liquor selection. A huge wall of «not your usual» choices… Exceptional whiskey and scotch selection (I noticed several 15-​year options). The menu offers some delightful cocktails. I was very pleased with the «Heart of a Girl,» but despite all of the cleverly named concoctions, my friends all opted for the (IMO) boring Moscow Mule. The bar tender was not exceptionally friendly and on a Thursday night, there were only 4 people when we arrived with our group of 8 at 10:15pm. Abruptly at 10:45, when I requested a second drink, the BT snapped back… «I gave last call 20 minutes ago.» Then he snatched the black bill presenter from in front of me (which clearly I hadn’t seen) and placed it upright so it was obvious he was waiting on my payment. Then he turned on all the bright lights in the bar and said «We close at 11. Everybody out.» 11??? Really??? Well… Considering the point of a speakeasy with an awesome liqueur selection is to enjoy an after-​dinner cocktail, I’ll make sure to schedule reservations next door for sushi at 5pm next time?! Abrupt ending to an otherwise wonderful evening. This place has great potential… But falls short of being one of those really cool hidden gems. Perhaps we should have taken the cue when only 4 customers were there at 10:15pm.

Pros:
Hidden Entrance
Yummy Stuffed Pepper appetizer
Cons:
Bad service
Okay food
I decided to stop here on Wednesday night for a glass of wine. Ordered a chianti which was decent, as well as a caprese salad and a stuffed pepper. The caprese was pretty bland since there wasn’t enough balsamic vinegar; however, the stuffed pepper with ground beef, ricotta, and risotto was tasty. For the food, I would have given this place a ³⁄₅. The service, however, was nonexistent. When we entered, there was no one to seat us, so we ended up grabbing some menus from a nearby table and sitting down at a booth. No one stopped by to grab our order, so we had to order our drinks at the bar. About 10 – 15 minutes later, a server finally came over to take our food order; we didn’t see him at all the rest of the time and ended up going (again) to the bar to pay our check. Terrible service, probably because they lack enough wait staff.

Food was decent but the service was not good. Our food came out at different times. And we constantly had to ask for stuff (ie: silverware, water refills, salt and pepper). They just seemed unorganized. Venue was neat and definitely has potential to be an amazing restaurant

3.5
I’ve been feeling as though Amari is just about to take off ever since I first walked through the doors back in the spring. I don’t know whether it’s a disconnect with the neighborhood or if people still don’t know it’s here but there never seems to be much of a crowd. That’s good for the time it takes to get a drink (in theory) but not so good for business. And, really, who wants to go to an empty bar to drink? That’s just depressing.
I’d hope that Hillsboro Village could support a bar like Amari. It should be easy pickings for grad students and folks who live in Hillsboro/​Belmont who don’t want to get sucked in to the Downtown/​SoBro vortex. The fact that there’s a local place serving up inventive drinks should be a plus. The build out is interesting. I call it ‘western speakeasy.’ It definitely has the speakeasy elements you’re used to seeing in other markets but it has a twinge of a more western feel (to my eye) that makes it just different enough to not be ordinary. And, beyond the way it looks, the space is cavernous. It’s much larger than one would think given the way you enter into the bar. The space gives it a laid-​back unpretentious vibe (which is good) but it also means that it requires a lot of people to feel full and when it’s not, it’s a bit echo-​y (which is bad).
But, what about the drinks? They’re good. They’re made with all the expert care you’d expect and tend to skew a bit more traditional/​conservative than experimental but a well-​made cocktail is a well-​made cocktail. My Adriatique was just the combo of aperol, orange juice and amaro montenegro I needed to cap off my night. In fact, it’s become my drink of choice. There are plenty of gin, tequila, vodka, and wine combos to whet your whistle but when you find something that works at a bar that boasts the classics, why deviate from it? Cocktail lovers should plug Amari into your rotation. You’ll get all the craft you want without the crowds, pretense and/​or attitude. At the end of the day, you go to a craft cocktail bar to indulge in a well-​made libation., right? Try that here.

This is a very interesting place with a very interesting menu and bathroom that ain’t nuthin to fuck with. Jerry was one of our bartenders, I didn’t catch the other guy’s name but they were both very kind. It’s not cheap though. Be prepared to drop some dollars.

If you can find it, what a treat you’re in for! We very much enjoyed the great cocktail menu, and the various seating areas make for a great atmosphere. Our bartender was very attentive, so we couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

OK place. The food is good. Service was terrible tonight. As in, the server didn’t come by for an entire 45 minutes.

I really wanted to love this place, but the bartenders were beyond rude to the 25 or so guests I brought. One bartender stormed off, literally when my boyfriend attempted to place a drink order. The place was not super packed, and all staff seemed completely overwhelmed. If you’re gonna be featured in Nashville Scene you need to be prepared for people to want to check it out. Really, really delicious drinks though if you can get your hands on one!

Not worthy of the 4+ rating, and let me tell you why. For reference, we sat at bar. They only had one bartender who would make no recommendations and was clearly overwhelmed. Cocktails were good, but they were out of luxardo cherries. What? Mediocre.
Food was good, but service needs a re-​do.

If you’re looking for a good cocktail or are looking to expand your palate, then this is the perfect place you. Thy have at least 100 different varieties of liquors and the knowledge to use them wisely.
I have found that the menu has something for everyone. If you’re adventurous, try something from the «Decadent» menu. While those drinks will set you back a bit, you will not be disappointed.
The food comes from Savarino’s Cucina downstairs and is always fresh and tasty.
Get out and give it a go, you’ll not be disappointed.

Great idea, bad service: This place is great, with great drinks and a great atmosphere. I gave it three stars because it’s staffed only by one waitress for the entire bar and one bartender. We spent 4 hours there Saturday night, and ordered three rounds – one for each visit by the waitress.
If you can get food, though, the food and the drinks are great.

I had no idea this place even existed until we were invited to an event here for the launch of a new rum in Nashville. I’ve passed by this place a million times, and used to eat a lot down the street at McDougal’s Chicken until they raised the prices and stopped giving you water, thats another story and review. Anyway, we were invited here and luckily the invite had the location and address, because even on google maps it’s not listed.
There aren’t any signs for Amari from outside, at least I didn’t see any when we arrived at night. The entrance is located inside Savarino’s Cucina. You’ll enter the restaurant and then take an immediate left. There isn’t really a door, but like closet shutters. Behind the shutters are steps that lead up to Amari. I guess the idea of the place is kind of like a speakeasy, with the lack of signage and the hidden door. The bar is just one large room, with booth seating, high top table seating and even a couple of leatherette couches. The bar seats 8 I would say, and the whole place is lit with Edison style, vintage light bulbs. It give the place great vibe but makes it really dim. If you’re wanted to meet someone for drinks and have a blemish on your face, take them here because they won’t be able to see it in the lighting.
We had a couple drink tickets to try the rum. Both of the drinks I had were great, and the two bartenders working were super fast and friendly. They’ve got a single person, unisex bathroom on one side of the bar and on the other is the entrance to the kitchen. They’ve got a nice little menu if you’re feeling peckish, I didn’t try anything from the menu that night as the rum event was catered from an outside source and I’d already had dinner.
This place has a nice, hip feel without trying too hard. I had no idea it was here but I definitely think we will be back for a couple drinks with some friends.

Favorite new place to get a hand crafted cocktail in town. Will (bar mgr) and Jerry (bartender) are not only very knowledgable but are also approachable and more than happy to chat about the menu as well as off the menu ideas and suggestions. In fact, my favorite new drink, the Rise & Fall, was something Will made me after some time spent talking about likes and dislikes.
The vibe here rules. Its not as dark as some of the other cocktail bars in town and the music is kept at a level where you do not need to raise your voice to speak to the person next to you.
I cannot recommend this place enough. Check it out!

This place has a great concept of an old speak easy, but we were a little disappointed. Yes, it was very cool walking in and walking behind a special wall that has a staircase that leads you upstairs to this dark lite bar. We typically like to sit at the bar, but they have a host that walks you up the stairs and he seats you. Okay– well it was actually very slow in there. Our server who rubbed us the wrong way, handed us the drink menus as well as food menu. He told us that the drink menu was broken down by the type of alcohol. I am a vodka drinker and did not see vodka on the cocktails menu. When I asked our server about the vodka drinks, he had a smart ass answer by saying that vodka drinkers usually just drink vodka soda so they do not have any vodka house cocktails and you can not substitute anything on the drink menu.
Whatever, u ordered a gin drink and my husband had a tequila drink.
They were just okay, not enough to go back, especially with the servers attitude. 3
Stars just for the concept.

Honestly, I have not wanted to review this place at all. Granted, I’m not one to believe my reviews have an insane impact, but regardless, I have been scared of giving up Nashville’s best bar to the rest of the world. When you get to the actual space, the speakeasy vibe of comfort, casual, yet appealing, it seeps into your bloodstream. People enjoy themselves, but it’s never crazy crowded. More than anything, that is why I have loved it. It is a safe haven of great drinks, friendly bartenders, and good times.
It’s called Amari, plural for the alcoholic spirit, amaro. I had to ask about that, but I am glad I did. My favorite cocktail and shot of a spirit involve an amaro. The Black Manhattan cocktail, and fernet are my favorite things here, but there is a crazy extensive menu, and the bartenders are there to walk you through it.
Look, I’m probably not doing the best job on this review, considering I have had a drink or two already, but you have to check this place out if you are into the description I am giving of this fine establishment!

Awesome atmosphere. Shared sausage appetizer (made in house) and two different flatbreads. Bread also made in house. Everything fresh and clearly made to order.
All cocktails were legit. The bartender and Wil clearly knew their stuff. We tried four different drinks in total and I would order them all again (both gin and whiskey based). Highly recommend The Botanist if you don’t mind a slightly sweeter drink that literally tastes like you’re drinking springtime. Mint, a little cucumber, lemon, and gin… So good.
Will return.
Flatbreads 10 bucks.
Appetizers around 6 – 8 I think.
Speciality cocktails 11 – 12 bucks.
Happy hour specials available but I don’t remember exactly what — check their Facebook because I think it is still evolving

Like:
* No lines to get in
* Cocktails are very tasty
* Quick and nice service.
Dislike:
* Cheese and meat plate is kinda weak
* I was there on a weekday but no energy in the place (if that makes sense)
* Way to dark. Patterson has nice lighting. This place was just dark.

Best Speakeasy in Nashville, you go into this pizza place and tell the Host your here to go to Amari and Vwalla… he opens up a wall like open sesame and invited you into the private upstairs. Really cool setup, good drinks, cheese and dip is worth it as well. Will return

For now, this place is the best spot to take friends and look like a badass! You walk in to Savarino’s and then pull on part of the wall and head up a stairwell! When you get upstairs you are in a dimly lit room with nice big booths and big chairs in the middle! The bar is nice and the bartender is friendly! Drinks are averaged priced as described by other reviewers and they are pretty tasty! Some friends of ours got the meat and cheese deal and it looked pretty incredible! I will definitely be back and will be trying some of the meat and cheese!

There’s something so amazing about pushing on a bookshelf and it exposing a secret staircase. That’s exactly how you enter this hidden little bar. Perched above Savarino’s in Hillsboro village, Amari is the latest installment of trendy Nashville speak-​easies. It’s still new and a bit unknown so it wasn’t very busy– which was perfect for our large party. They have a large menu of specialty drinks of every variety priced about where you’d expect them at $ 10-​$ 12 a drink.
I can’t wait to bring out-​of-​towners downstairs for dinner then surprise them with a drink afterwards in this hidden spot!