Downtown Nightlife? (hotel, high school, university)

[Montrell]

I'll be in Nashville in the coming months on work.

I've been to Nashville many times before, but I don't have much knowledge of the downtown area and the nightlife. How is the nightlife in the city and what are some of the better spots? Is it almost entirely country music based? Is the parking situation bad?

Thanks.

[Antioch]

No its not entirely Country Music based, several other options are in the area, from hip-hop, to neo-soul and jazz, to alternative. College age crowds to more mature adult settings. I don't go out much but I know people who do and find it very enjoyable. It is usually losts more going on during the summer months or during the football season, centered aroiund Tennessee State University games, homecomings, classics, etc..
Now parking is one reason I tend to stay out of downtown...

[groovamos]

Is that Westwood as in L.A. ? I think there is plenty of parking downtown. Last year I parked for free on a Saturday night on a street a few blocks south of Broadway, early in the evening but was a little worried about a break-in. I noticed that there are plenty parking garages, some underground. Now so far as the types of music around there, I submit:

1. Kids growing up around there are not programmed to enjoy country music against their will.
2. Lots of tourists come there who are not country fans.
3. Since I was one of those kids in #1 I can assure you Nashville is not just country music. It is just one of many industries there. The difference is that the other industries don't generate celebrities that get so much local and national press. (I played in a popular R & B band in high school days.)
4. Because of #1 & 2 plenty of musicians make an OK living there playing various styles for the tourists and for locals.
5. You can visit the room at the Hermitage Hotel from where Dinah Shore broadcast nationwide and attained fame by fronting a 1940's era big band.