Reviewing the "hater's guide to Nashville"
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The Washington Post recently published a "hater's guide" to Nashville. Our natural instinct was to … hate it, but it turns out the provocative title was a bit misleading.
- It read more like an insider's guide, one that favored local favorites over the so-called "Nash Vegas" nightlife.
Driving the news: The guide steered people toward a history lesson at Jefferson Street Sound Museum, souvenir shopping at Hatch Show Print and "life-changing ribs" at Arnold's Country Kitchen, to name a few gems.
What they're saying: "Anyone can have a good time in Nashville if they're willing to look for it, even if you’re not into country music or a bride-to-be in a sash," The Post's Natalie B. Compton wrote.
- Amen.
Why it matters: The Post was trying to get at a central question we ask a lot around here: Where can we find the soul of the city?
- Faithful readers know we're always listening for the pulse of pedal steel beneath the neon-streaked surface.
- Over and over again, you've helped us get there.
Flashback: We've turned to you for feedback many times in 2022. You've cheered must-have meals and charming coffee shops.
- Often, you single out local business owners for praise by name.
Zoom in: By far the most passionate responses came when we asked about the best ways to introduce Nashville to our bosses.
- Your suggestions seem all the more relevant now.
Marie K. and Julia C. told us to embrace a "quintessential" Nashville origin story at Nelson's Green Brier Distillery.
- Brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson set out to reboot the family business: a distillery originally founded by their great-great-great grandfather.
David M. called the National Museum of African American Music, one of the Post's highlights, "the best museum of its kind."
- "I’ve been three times and each time I discover something new. I always leave with a half dozen new artists to listen to on my playlist."
Kathi B-A. reminded us of a Music City classic: The Time Jumpers' regular Monday night shows at 3rd & Lindsley.
- "It is absolutely the best show in town for quality Nashville entertainment!" Kathi says.
- "The best Western swing you've ever heard is played for a capacity crowd by Nashville's finest studio musicians."
With apologies to The Washington Post, we think the finest guides to Nashville are this newsletter's readers.
- We look forward to another year of exploring our city together in 2023.