This past June, I found myself headed to Nashville for a 24-hour layover. The moment I dropped down in Music City, I knew we would be up to nothing but good old-fashioned city-hopping trouble. From a mix of cowboy hats, micro mini jean shorts, to all types of band t-shirts, I thought, “Well, I’m totally overdressed!” I was sporting a light blazer and jeans. A far cry from rugged Levi’s and honky-tonk swagger. But overdressed or not, Nashville was ready for us, and we were more than prepared for the ride.
Quickly jumping in an Uber, I headed straight to our hotel, The Fairlane Hotel by Oliver. Pulling up to the front, the hotel doesn’t look like your typical hotel, but that’s what’s so charming about it! Once a bank built in the early 1970s, the building still boasts its original mid-century modern bones (think terrazzo floors, brass accents, and bold geometric lines). Stepping into the lobby felt like stepping into a stylish time capsule, where retro sophistication meets Nashville cool.
With clocks overhead of the front desk showcasing the times of LA, NYC, and London time zones, it was clear this was an international hotel, if anything. The southern hospitality shone right through when receptionists greeted us and then kindly offered us a beer, water, or glass of bubbles.
When I walked into the hotel room, I instantly saw a small tag that said “Pull me for fun!” on one of the cabinets. In good old curious Chrissy fashion, I pulled on the tab to find a drawer filled with champagne, wine, and water.
After freshening up, I decided to explore the hotel on my own to see what it had to offer. From a cute little gym, a reading nook tucked away on the 3rd floor, to a mid-century modern cafe and bar located in the lobby next to the entrance. After a good 30 minutes of exploring, I headed back up to my room to get ready for an evening of Nashville trouble.
Caught in the middle of Country Music Week (totally unplanned), I header to the lobby to start the night off with a glass of bubbles, complimentary from the hotel, and plan our next steps. A text message from my sister, Adele Newton, a radio jockey in Kitchener-Waterloo and a music lover herself, told me to head to the L27 Rooftop Lounge, where we found ourselves in an Emo Cowgirl-themed country music setting. Megan Moroney, the rising country star renowned for her heartfelt lyrics and fresh take on traditional country, is the inspiration behind this immersive pop-up experience, which celebrates her bold style and Southern roots. While the vibe wasn’t entirely my style, it felt more like a mix of tacky pop music references than pure Emo, I enjoyed a branded cocktail, took in the stunning views from the hotel patio, and soon found ourselves heading back to the hotel for dinner.
Headed up the elevator to Modern Love (The Fairlane Hotel’s on-site restaurant formerly known as Ellington’s), I stepped into a space with approachable sophistication, soft lighting, and the hum of early evening conversation.
Modern Love presents two distinct personalities. By day, it transforms into “Early Bird,” offering inventive fare like milk bread breakfast sandwiches, a full-service coffee bar, and locally sourced teas. The menu continues through lunch with classic, on-the-go options, seamlessly transitioning into the evening experience. As the sun sets, “Night Owl” takes over with daily happy hour specials, and the lobby buzzes with guests drifting in to drink, dine, and unwind.
After dinner and a small debate on the current political landscape over cocktails (a very us thing to do, mixing politics with good drinks), we asked our server about the best places for live music. Being a jazz and soul music junkie myself, she directed us to the legendary Printers Alley, an electric strip tucked away like a secret, where the sound of brass and blues spills onto the street.
We landed at Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar, a legendary spot renowned for some of the best blues you can find, and now we understand why. The energy was infectious, the crowd alive, and the band? Absolutely on fire. Gritty blues riffs, powerhouse vocals, and that signature Southern soul. It felt like a little taste of New Orleans right in Nashville, and the kind of place that grabs you by the waist, gets you moving, and doesn’t let go.
After taking in the neon lights, the music, and the vibes of Printer’s Alley, I jumped in a rickshaw headed for the main drag, Broadway. It was easy to see why everyone calls this place “Nash-Vegas,” with wall-to-wall honky-tonks, rooftop bars pumping out country anthems, and bachelorette parties spilling into the streets like it’s a never-ending Saturday night. Our game plan? Hit as many spots as we could before calling it a night. From classic country joints like Robert’s Western World and Legends Corner to The Stage on Broadway, we stumbled into every kind of sound, from twangy country and gritty rock ‘n’ roll to unexpected after-hours vibes like Nirvana blasting through the speakers from wall to wall. Pure chaos, authentically Nashville.
Nashville has the most low-key dress code I’ve ever seen in a city. From ripped-up jeans to cowboy boots and hats, anything goes. Next time I visit, I’ll for sure need to check my style meter. I’ll be taking a page out of Jessica Simpson’s playbook, strapping on some country boots and micro mini jean shorts, topped off with either a cowboy hat or a baseball cap. It’s a welcome vacation from my East Coast urban style, which leans more towards New York than Nashville. After dancing and then stubbing out at each venue, I decided to take my tired Canadian butt back to the hotel to call it a night.
What did I think of my 24 hours in Nashville?
It was loud, it was lively, it was everything I didn’t know I needed in a layover. Nashville has a way of grabbing you by the hand and pulling you into its rhythm and lifestyle, whether it’s sipping bubbles at check-in, debating politics over dinner, or losing yourself in the hum of a guitar solo somewhere down Printer’s Alley. In just one day, I got a taste of its soul, its sass, and its Southern charm. Nashville isn’t just a city, it’s a feeling, it’s a way of life. And for 24 hours, I was all in.
Written by Chrissy Newton. Chrissyis a PR professional and the founder of VOCAB Communications. She currently appears on The Discovery Channel and Max and hosts the Rebelliously Curious podcast, which can be found on YouTube and on all audio podcast streaming platforms. Follow her on X: @ChrissyNewton, Instagram:
*header Photo by Kelly from Pexels
Nadia Elkharadly
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