Tavern ‘96

Across from the convention center but they don’t understand that people at the convention center want to eat quickly. We have been waiting for 45 minutes and still don’t have food. How can a restaurant near a convention center not be able to handle crowds. The tables are numbered and they still can’t figure out where the food goes. Skip this place.

This place is in a super convenient location for anyone at a convention, but they have absolutely no clue how to handle a convention crowd. They had one waiter and one bartender for the whole bar at noon on a Thursday.
When I asked the waitress/​bartender what was better — the pulled pork or the Mediterranean sandwich — she said she didn’t know because she only eats the turkey sandwich. The waiter told another girl that he took her food back to the kitchen because she wasn’t in her seat when he brought it out and he thought she had left. It’s like they had zero training at all.
We have been waiting for 45 minutes and still don’t have our food. I would highly recommend going anywhere else around the convention center.

Make this a last resort before a game. If you can find another bar do it. This is my 5^th time being here before a game and the staff is inattentive, slow, don’t like to give up the menus (for some reason). Food is okay. I expect better.

The Good: Proximity to events at The Bridgestone Arena.
The Bad: Ordered a vodka martini and they offered to make one but with no vermouth? Ordered a vodka & tonic instead and it was three parts tonic.
The Rest: if you stick with beer, its a good stop. I didn’t try the food. Staff was friendly.

Silverware and cups are plastic. Service took a long time. And the food… My goodness, the meatloaf burger like imitation meat. I think Oscar Meyer wieners had a better amount of actual beef. It made me loose my faith in America. This is downtown Nashville, TN! WTF?

Visited here while in town on business. I was working next door at the Music City Center so I came here twice while on lunch breaks. The close proximity to my work made this an easy choice, although there are plenty of other options up on Broadway Street. However, time was a factor and this place hit the spot in a pinch, which is all I needed.
The service was pretty good and I have no complaints about anything in particular. The menu is simple and offers standard bar food. Nothing over the top, but I didn’t have anything that was bad either. My first visit I had a burger and it was made well. On my second visit I had a salad which was pretty good, although I think it’s hard to mess up a salad.
The staff was incredibly friendly and they were very appreciative of our business which was nice considering it kind of comes off as a chain establishment. They quickly served any need our party had. I can see the place getting crazy busy during a Predators game, but that was not the case for us.
Altogether we had a decent experience and while it’s not my first choice I would come back for a quick bite to eat if there were no other options.

Sat outside (shady), had Crispin cider, the humus trio, and the vegetable pesto flatbread. All were pretty good! Great love music from «Born Sisters»!!

This is a great spot to go at the last second before a Preds game or an event at Bridgestone. We were running late to a concert and forgot to make reservations so we snuck in here. It is a bit pricey (it IS attached to the arena) but our food was good and the drinks were good so we really can’t complain.

Went in by myself while at NAMM and got myself a seat at the bar. Ordered a glass of wine and wedge salad from totally bored, unsmiling young man. Basically looked through me and wandered off. Salad was fine but service was so strange. The place was almost empty except for two tables but with three male servers they still could not get it together. No one asked if I wanted anything else or if my salad was good. I had to ask for the check and the server took my credit card then forgot all about me. I waited while two servers filled water pitchers and had to ask again for my check. Then he found my credit card laying on the back bar counter and said who was your server? Like I said very bizarre and very rude. They sure know how to make an impression. Not what I expected from Southern hospitality.

Went for lunch with friends while at a conference at Music City Center. We walked in to no hostess and no sign to seat yourself. After looking around for direction, we decided to just sit down. After finding our own seats, we waited 10+ minutes before someone came over to help us. Not great when you’re on a time constraint! The food was decent. I got the cheese, bacon and tomato sandwich. It was pretty good. It’s hard to enjoy your food when you have to ask for napkins and refills on drinks throughout your meal though! I was not impressed with the service! We eventually had to ask another server for our checks because we couldn’t find our server. And he gave us a hard time about getting separate checks when he finally came by to check on us! Not impressed! My advice is to go to the many other restaurants around the Music City Center for better food and service.

We were here during the NRA extreme rush and the servers held their cool, well done.
Regardless of the rush, the food plated was well delivered, the chicken breast sandwich was tender and tasty. Server forgot a few drink orders but to be expected when they were in the weeds so bad.
I will go back when not such a madhouse.

The food is terrible. We ordered the Turkey hot sandwich and the bead was so hard we couldn’t even easy it. The waiter took it off our bill so we ordered a hamburger and the chicken sliders. We wanted the burger cooked medium and we were told they cook then all the same way… Well done. I would not recommend.

The wife and I ate here on Valentine’s Day before the Preds game. Giving this place one star based solely on the beer selection. The food, other than the BBQ sauce on the nachos, was less than desirable at best. I am of all people not a food snob and enjoy good bar food. My issue is when I order Pulled Pork Nachos and tell you leave off the jalapeños, it does not mean bring me a plate of nachos with some pork, BBQ sauce and squirt bottle sour cream. Where were the rest of the ingredients listed on «Your» menu? The smoked bacon and tomato panini would really be enhanced were it not served on a pressed hotdog bun and the bacon smothered beyond taste with whatever cheeses you had laying around. The meat mangini flatbread tasted of nothing other than a red pepper infused marinara sace. I can assure you we won’t be back for the food but may take in a good beer.

If you’re a food snob do not come here (you jerk). If you’re looking for really good bar food come here. The meatloaf burger is good. It’s just really good bar food. Had the wings one time they are good. Good appetizers selection too. And it’s quick for lunch. What else is there too say about bar food. Dumbass people writing long ass reviews about bar food. Jackasses. Lol have fun kids.

Decided to give them another try more based on convenience than anything because we were heading to the Preds game.
Service was still lacking in personality but they were much more attentive. I feel like I really shouldn’t even be updating this yet because all they had to worry about was the inside area, not the two additional outside areas (too cold!) so of course service would be better.
Anyhow, they get one more star because we got the wings and they were delicious. The Chef happened to come out so we got the low-​down on the fact that they brine the wings for 24-​hours and then smoke them. They are definitely worth overlooking all of the other flaws this place has.
Music is still terribly loud for such a small place but I AM getting older every day.

Pretzels tasted like they had just been thawed and chili was too salty to eat. Food was so bad it made us forget about the setting and the festive atmosphere. Go there to drink, not to eat.

Pretty good food. I enjoyed the new flatbread, and my husband enjoyed the bacon meatloaf burger. Potato chips need some work. All in all, pretty good. Wish they had more options on the menu.

Three stars for OK if you’re looking for a beer bar with very limited selection of liquor. The kind of liquor a for girls that want an fruity vodka or guys who go to a game and want to pound shots of tequila or for folks who like JD or George Dickel. If you want a better selection of liquors, it’s 2 stars.
We stopped in around 10:00 last night. There was a concert at The Bridgestone that hadn’t ended so the place was almost empty. That set me off a bit, considering the location. We sat at the bar. One tender was a pleasant enough young woman but the other one was downright unfriendly. Problem was they looked enough alike (Nashville blonde in a black tank) and we had the nerve to ask a couple questions of NB#2.
I had a beer, hubby had a couple. I also had a shot of Jameson with a pickleback, that was new to me. NB#1 suggested it, it was fun.
Location is perfect. This could be a fun bar, it just seems like it has no vibe.

This place is so cool. The food is a bizillion times better then the food inside. Al is the guy in charge and he is such and awesome dude. He explained that they were only running with a tornado oven so nothing is actually fried! That’s awesome. I love sports, but all the greasy food is getting on my nerves! He also mentioned that they will be bringing in more beer selections, which is impressive since they already have about 40…
I knocked 1 star off because it is a bit cramped, but I’m sure when the patio opens, and the space is available all will be right in the world!
For hockey fans, they even have access to Canadian hockey broadcasts. This is where I’ll be when the Preds play out of town!

Great new spot at Bridgestone Arena. Perfect for a pre-​game beer and meal or lunch during the week! Meatloaf sandwich is amazing! Great beer selection, great service and a pleasant atmosphere. Can’t wait for the patio to open!