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Springwater

4.1 (93 reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)

Springwater Photos

Business Info

SPRINGWATER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Live music
Divey
Moderate noise
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Springwater

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The oldest bar in Tennessee!
Alex P.

At times, things that are very real cause discomfort, sadness and a desire for something better. At other times, they bring us the joy of feeling human, of connection to those around us and discovery of what can be buried under the layer of artificial cover. If Springwater is something, then it is real. Although indeed it boasts the title of the oldest bar in Tennessee, it is not a touristic establishment. It is a place where most guests are known by name, they come to tell stories of their days and hear those of others. It's a place that brings people together in a way that is much deeper than any other bar I've visited over the years. It is remarkably genuine. When it comes to food and drink, those are hard to beat. Red's chicken is easily the best Nashville Hot Chicken in town and they bring the food right over. There is a great selection of beers on draft, a couple from Yazoo brewery. Then of course there are the kind people who work here and the stories of prohibition days. If all of that wasn't enough, a local gentleman on the back exit was giving away beautiful plants on the day of the visit. Springwater is a place that needs to be supported, respected for exactly what it is and not change a darn thing. Time for experiments has passed.

Nashville hard cider
Sungani D.

Fun fact: this is the oldest bar in the state of Tennessee. This place is such a nice spot to come and relax. It's right by the park and they have one of the best hot chicken places in the city next door. The service is amazing. You can tell that they really enjoy working here and take pride in being part of the bars history. I definitely recommend popping in if you haven't already. If not for that drinks do it for the history and experience!

right there !
Dave D.

One of my favorites in local pubs! Super friendly staff - Paula and Lola always cheerful and ready to chat. We are usually earlier in the day folks - so my 5* is more about daytime fun -- pool table, a couple dart boards, pinball and video golf - lots to keep you entertained. ** Prices good for nashville ** beer and seltzer selections ** cash only w/atm in bar ** no smoking **lots of free parking ... ** amazing bbq/hot chicken next door at Reds 615 (open Thurs-Sun) that they will deliver to bar. Springwater is really a great local (and oldest surviving bar) in Nashville that is worth a visit!

J B.

So oldest bar in Nashville. It's an experience. Don't look for fancy drinks here. Grab a beer.

The sign says it all  "CASH ONLY"
Laura H.

A hidden treasure in Nashville. Not on the beaten path of Broadway but well worth the trip. This bar holds the title of the oldest bar in TN. It was a trip back in time featuring a jukebox, free pool, pay phone display and the front door with a secret window rumored to have been used during prohibition. I felt like I was in a small town bar with the bartender & the owner striking up a conversation with us! Come here hungry because there's an attached restaurant serving great chicken meals that are delivered to your table in the bar! Old fashioned service here. Plus the BEST PRICES in Nashville -$4 bottle beers. Cash only so come prepared. One of my favorite & most memorable stops on our trip.

MaryPat M.

Great fried chicken from Reds. Buy at the window and they will bring to you in the bar. Cash only. Great low prices. Live music. No need to go to Broadway

a display of various types of beer

A must visit! Bartender was fantastic. She told us all abouthe history of this place. Cash only so be prepared but worth the stop.

Negotiating who hits up the ATM.
Joe S.

Authentic, local beer bar (oldest in TN) that's full of character. CASH ONLY. Note the stage in the back - the Black Keys sure did, among others who performed, shot recording video, etc there. Live music regularly. It's no frills for certain, so don't bring any. I know the locals would prefer that.

Laurie V.

We wanted a dive. We got a dive. Beer was cheap. Cash only. $5 cover for the bands that were there. We came as one band finished their set. Next band sucked, but we played darts and laughed at ourselves instead. Iconic music venue in Nashville. Although we didn't hit it on the best night for music, if you are lucky, you might be there when it does. Attracts some pretty awesome musicians. See? http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/premiere-the-black-keys-invade-iconic-dive-bar-on-little-black-submarine-20120904 Cool spot. I'd totally come back here again. Gritty, smoky, and dodgy. Dig it.

They do have food...here's the menu!
Alyssa R.

Beer Food Music Built on top of a spring, what else do you want? 1896 built at the same time as the Parthenon! Password no longer required ;)

Katy B.

One of my favorite dives in Nashville. Don't expect anything fancy, but it's a great place to grab a Shiner and people watch or interact with some local flavor. If you get hungry, head through the back door and find Buford, he'll hook you up with a solid burger and tots on a paper plate. It'll hit the spot. Springwater isn't for everyone, but if you want a slightly gritty, authentic Nashville experience, you will love it. You won't find many bachelorette parties or groups of tourists here. As the oldest bar in Tennessee, this place is iconic. Taylor Swift did a Coke commercial on their stage and the Black Keys filmed a music video here. I would say this is one of the top 10 dive bars in America.

Jay G.

We were driving down the street after a night of hitting a few of Nashville's drinking spots and stumbled upon Springwater. It was the sweet sounds of what I thought was a bag of alley cats being pushed through a wood chipper but it was actually a 'speed metal band' that compelled me to stop by and check it out. After paying the $5 cover and getting my diet pepsi from a vending machine, that stole my change, I was told that this place used to be a speakeasy back in the prohibition days. I'm sure it was much nicer back then too because today it looks like a broken down truck stop hooker, complete with low rent tattoos, cigarette burns and knockoff body fragrances. For this place to work the band has to be good. The first one was lousy noisy fast and untalented. The second band was good, out of Ohio, Lo Pan- i think, giant lead singer-500lbs size. These guys sounded good. Talented too. They have practiced together and it shows. A really motley crowd inside. Old hippie types, really young girls, old hags, metal heads, a quasi yuppie or two and even an old professor looking dude rocking a blazer and an ascot. (?!) A few of the girls were cute too. These aren't your Dooney and Bourke chicks. You'll see them at brunch tomorrow. Tonight its the metal girls' night. Its unfortunate that there were only one or two girls i'd consider 'cute'. The others were old thread bare nicotine laced shells of female carbon based life forms. For a good field trip off the beaten path, poke your nose in here for a while and check out the scene. Well worth it..

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If you need to read a review to decide whether to visit the Springwater, you're going to miss the point anyway.

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“Taylor Swift did a Coke commercial on their stage and the Black Keys filmed a music video here.”

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Springwater - divebars - Updated October 2026

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