Downtown Breakdown

OutCentral Community Center

It's a hub of activity for the GLBTQIF community offering a variety of game nights, movie nights, workshops and other special events each week. The first of its kind in Nashville, the center also offers meeting space where groups can meet and collaborate to build strong relationships within the community. 1709 Church St., Nashville, 37203. Visit outcentral.org to see what they have in store during Pride Week!

Shopping

OutLoud

Located at 1703 Church St. in the heart of Nashville’s GLBT entertainment row, OutLoud! bookstore is a great place to shop and relax. OutLoud! is a combination book, music and gift store. What better way to unwind after a busy day of Pride partying in the park then with a GLBT book or video? Check out their selection at outloudonline.com.

The Great Escape

The Great Escape is a little store nestled in the heart of Nashville off Broadway. This store has a little bit of everything for the pop culture junkie. Looking for a rare Madonna bootleg? Trying to find that “Watchman” comic #5 to complete your collection? The Great Escape will be your new favorite place to shop. You can find everything here from movie posters, vinyl records, rare comics and CD bootlegs to vintage toys. Let your inner pop-culture geek have a field day at 1925 Broadway. thegreatescapeonline.com.

Tourist Attractions

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts 

Located in Downtown Nashville and features many concurrent exhibits. During Pride week
there’s Chihuly at The Frist, an amazing exhibit of the glassmaker’s art, and The Golden Age of Couture, fashion from Paris and London 1947-1957 (this one’s really popular, so be prepared to wait a bit before getting in). The adult entrance fee is normally $7 but the galleries are free on June 20 with a special coupon in the June edition of O&AN. The Frist is located at 919 Broadway. fristcenter.org

The Rymer Gallery

Open Tuesday through Saturday (11 a.m. - 6 p.m.), the Rymer Gallery is the largest contemporary gallery in the heart of Nashville’s arts district. Continuing the legacy endowed by The Betty Rymer Gallery at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the gallery supports the best of what the contemporary art world has to offer. During Pride, Southern Organic, works by Michael Brown, Jonathan Ferrara and Erin Anfinson, is featured. The Rymer Gallery is located at 233 Fifth Avenue North. therymergallery.com

Nashville Ghost Tours

Want a reason to cuddle up next to your partner? Nashville Ghost Tours will have you hearing that “bump” in the night. They have four tours led by period-dressed guides: Downtown Nashville, Haunted Taverns, Cemetery and Carriage Rides. The downtown tour takes you on a 90-minute journey led by lantern light to the most historically haunted areas. The Tavern and Cemetery tours take you to targeted locales of eerie and supernatural lore. The Carriage Ride consists of an hour-long trip complete with tales of Confederate ghosts and hauntings. Reservations required. Call 615-884-3999 for more info. nashvilleghosttours.com.

Entertainment

Belcourt Theatre

The Belcourt Theatre is a lasting symbol of the tradition of the neighborhood theatre. This is no multi-plex. The theatre showcases some of the best films of decades past, as well as new independent features and live music. Their concession stand consists of your typical movie fare (popcorn and soda) but also includes a fully stocked bar. How could you have a better moviegoing experience than to sit in a historical theatre, sipping your favorite liquor or beer, while enjoying a classic film? The Belcourt is located at 2102 Belcourt Avenue. belcourt.org


Lodging

Millennium Maxwell House

As the official host hotel for Nashville Pride’s 2010 festival, the Millennium Maxwell House is offering a $99 per night rate for standard guest rooms, which includes complimentary internet, or $119 for the Club Level room which offers complimentary internet, breakfast buffet, alcoholic beverage and on-demand movie rental. This Pride rate is available year round, and $2 of every room night is donated back to Nashville Pride.

The hotel also is offering complimentary shuttle service to and from Riverfront Park, the Church Street area and anywhere within a five-mile radius on festival day, as well as a free round-trip airport shuttle.

Visitors staying during the festival weekend, June 18-20, also will receive a Pride Festival welcome amenity from the hotel. For more information or to book a room, call (866) 866-8086, and ask for the Nashville Pride rate (the code is NPRIDE), or click here.

The Hotel Preston

Heading into Nashville for Pride and need a place to stay? Your Pride oasis awaits at the Hotel Preston. Located just outside of downtown, they offer a “Gaycation” package which features all the things you will need to round off your stay in Nashville. You will enjoy pink champagne in the Pink Slip Lounge where local artists will keep you entertained. When it's time to head to bed, a romance gift set will be waiting. You must be 21 to enjoy this special package. The Hotel Preston is located at 733 Briley Parkway. Give them a call at 877-361-5500. hotelpreston.com

Hotel Indigo

If you are wanting to stay downtown for Pride, then book your room at one of two Hotel Indigo locations. The Music Row hotel is at 1719 West End Ave, a 10-minute walk to Church Street, the heart of gay Nashville. But with all the amenities, you may never want to leave. There are two eateries, The Golden Bean (a casual coffeehouse) and Phi-Bar (a gourmet bistro) and a fully equipped gym. The downtown site is at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Union Street. Call 1-877-8-Indigo to make your reservation. hotelindigo.,com

Doubletree Hotel-Nashville Downtown

Just up the hill — literally – from the Nashville Pride Festival, the Doubletree has long been a hotel of choice for out-of-town visitors as well as locals looking for an affordable weekend getaway. Call (615) 244-8200 for specials and rates, or visit them online at doubletree1.Hilton.com.

Bars & Nightclubs

Arrow Nashville

If it’s men of the hot’n sweaty variety you’re after, then drop in at Arrow, where the sizzling cast of entertainers will keep your hormone levels at the appropriate levels. During Pride weekend, adult star Ricky Sinz will be joining the Men of Arrow both onstage and at the club’s Pride booth on Saturday at Riverfront Park. He’ll be onstage both June 18 and 19. Admission is $20, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Nashville Pride. For information on the club’s alcohol and other policies, visit www.ArrowNashville.com.

The Lipstick Lounge

The Lipstick Lounge is famous throughout the south as the bar to visit when in Nashville. Lesbian-owned and founded in 2002, the “Lounge” is a popular nightspot for all walks of life. The friendly staff, events and daily food and drink specials make Lipstick a home away from home to anyone who enters. With a mix of live music, karaoke, and pure hip-hop dance music, every traveler is sure to find something to enjoy at this bar. The Lipstick Lounge is located at 1400 Woodland Street. thelipsticklounge.com

Play Dance Bar

If you're in a dancing mood after the day's festivities have come to a close, you won't want to miss out on Play Dance Bar. Nationally known as one of the hottest places to shake your groove thing, Play offers a massive dance floor, constant laser lightshow and multi-level bar. And let's not forget the Playmates. The bar's ever-entertaining cast of drag queens take the stage in the show bar each night Wednesday through Sunday at 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. Play is located at 1519 Church Street. playdancebar.com

Tribe Nashville

Located just next door to Play is its sister bar, Tribe. A big-city type video bar, Tribe offers up a variety of top-notch drinks in a sophisticated setting. Tribe is located at 1517 Church St. tribenashville.com

Blue Gene’s

Want a casual evening with one of the best jukeboxes around? Then stroll back down Church Street to 1715 and step into Blue Gene’s. This neighborhood-style bar is a meeting place for the locals, and out of-towners quickly find themselves at home here as well. bluegenes37203.com.

Vibe Nightclub

Still need some more Church Street? Next door to Blue Gene's is Vibe NIghtclub, one of Nashville's most fun dance and entertainment destinations. Open Saturday evenings from 9 p.m., shows usually begin around 11 p.m. 1713 Church St.

The Stirrup

From the ashes of the legendary Chute came The Stirrup ... at least the name, and the bartenders/owners Mikey and Timmy. Neighbors meet up here to have a drink and catch up, and it's become the home bar for the Conductors L/L club and the Middle Tennessee Bear Alliance, and just about every sports team in town has been known to show up on the patio for a keg or two from time to time. 1529 4th Ave. South, stirrupnashville.com


Dining

Suzy Wong’s House of Yum

Located right next door to Tribe on Church Street, Suzy’s has become one of the hottest meal tickets in town. Chef Arnold Myint (a contender on this season’s “Top Chef”) named the joint after the popular 195’s novel, The World of Suzie Wong, the story of a beautiful Asian “lady of the evening” falling in love with an American diplomat (played by William Holden in the camp classic 1960 movie.) Get ready for, in Myint’s words “a brothel of epicurean delights.” suzywongsnashville.com.

Marche Artisan Foods

Marche Artisan foods is a European-style cafe and marketplace rolled into one. You can dine on the savory dishes from their menu for brunch, lunch and dinner throughout the day or be adventurous and buy the trimmings necessary to create your own menu. You can call in special orders for the raw ingredients to make your own international cuisine at 615-262-1111. The cafe offers wine and changes up its menu from month-to-month so you can find something to new to enjoy every few weeks. Marche is located at 1000 Main Street in East Nashville. marcheartisanfoods.com

Nuvo Burrito

On any given day, there is a place where you can get a “Margarito," watch the “Nuvo Network” and relax with friends while enjoying a freshly prepared “90210 Ques-Idea.” Where, you ask? Right in East Nashville’s Five Points neighborhood, at new hotspot Nuvo Burrito. The American-style burrito and quesadilla menu is only second in popularity to the “Glee” parties every week. 1000 Main St., Nashville, 37206. nuvoburrito.com.

Las Fiestas Charras

If you're looking for a gay-friendly Mexican restaurant to enjoy good food and good times at, look no further. Las Fiestas Charras, which has been open for a few months at 3935 Gallatin Pike in Inglewood, offers a comfortable atmosphere, great service and good food (and yes, you can get your copy of Out & About there). (615) 227-2374.

Mad Donna’s

Across the street from the Lipstick Lounge sits Mad Donna’s, another East Side favorite. From burgers to more upscale fare, this neighborhood restaurant can suit just about any taste. And for more fun, head upstairs for Drag Bingo and other weekly activities. 1313 Woodland St., Nashville 38203. maddonnas.com
 

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

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Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

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