Candice S.
Nashville is booming right now! And with that growth comes more hotspots, nightlife, and things to do. If you’re looking for something different, memorable, and a bit laid-back to do while you’re visiting the downtown area, Vinyl Vault in Nashville is it!
Vinyl Vault is Nashville’s newest “hidden” speakeasy-style bar located inside an old bank vault at the back right corner of Mel’s Drive-In, on 2nd Avenue.
Vinyl Vault Bar, A Vibe In A Bank Vault
When you arrive at Mel’s Drive-In, all you need to do is let your host/hostess know that you are there for Vinyl Vault Bar. They’ll direct you to the back, you’ll have a quick ID check, and in you go!
You’ll enter through a beautifully restored Black bank vault door with a mirrored logo. Once inside, you’ll travel down a brief entry corridor into the first of 3 multi-use areas of the bar. Here, you will find a standing bar, DJ space, a dance floor, and a smaller vault that’s been converted into a modern but retro-styled photo booth. This is such a nice touch!
Each room in the venue is curated to showcase its own personality, but they all come together into one cohesive vibe. This place is so artsy, laid-back, and very Nashville!
On to the Food And Drinks!
What I experienced during their soft opening/preview night were 2 bar areas located at each end of the venue. This setup seemed to keep people happy and allowed drinks to flow quickly. Two bars also made it convenient to get what you wanted, when you wanted, as the night went on, and the crowd began to grow.
The bartenders and staff were all pretty chill and accommodating.
Tip ✨ : If you’re not into social drinking but you love a good mocktail, feel free to ask the bartender to whip you up something nice. I noticed that they were very cool about that when asked.
My drink of the night, a Jam Master Jay, which consists of 400 Conejos Mezcal, Vanilla, Honey, Lemon, and Pineapple. It was delicious!
The light bites were SOOO good. My favorites were the truffle fries and the jalapeño hush puppies (which were not on the menu for the night, btw). But I hope they made the final cut to become a new staple.
Add this place to your Nashville bucket list. Both Vinyl Vault and Mel’s Drive-In are definitely worth a visit.
The only regret I had of the night was that I didn’t get a chance to try out the meatballs. I guess I was having too much fun.
Until next time… Keep reinventing life + light over 40, One Brave Yes at a time!
