Nashville Gay Neighborhood Guide

The city of Nashville is famous worldwide for many things. The main claim to fame for Music City is that it’s home to the largest country music scene and recording industry on earth! It’s also home to landmarks like the Grand Ole Opry, plus amazing bars and restaurants and a lively culture and nightlife. Nashville may be a popular tourist destination, but there are also plenty of people who call this southern city home. 

Despite stereotypes often mentioned about the South, Nashville is known as a warm and inviting place for members of the LGBTQ+ community. The city boasts several great gay-friendly neighborhoods to explore if you’re looking for a fresh start by moving to Nashville.

A Brief History of Nashville 

James Robertson and John Donelson founded Nashville in 1779. In 1806, Nashville was officially incorporated as a Tennessee city, and in 1843, it became the state’s capital. Nashville played a vital role in the Civil War and, after WWII, provided industrial jobs for US citizens returning from the war. 

Key Figures and Fun Facts 

Nashville is the largest city in Tennessee, with over 1.2 million people living in the metropolitan and greater Nashville area. It’s conveniently located only 180 miles from Louisville, Kentucky, and 210 miles from Atlanta, Georgia.

With its fun atmosphere and proximity to other major cities, Nashville has received an influx of new residents in recent years, increasing its population by over 20,000 in the past two years. 

There’s a lot to love about Nashville, so here are some fun facts about your potential new home: 

• The first fully licensed commercial FM radio station in the nation launched in Nashville in 1941.

• Nashville is the home of “Nashville Hot Chicken.”

• The city features a full-scale replica of the Parthenon.

• Music City played a huge role in the Civil Rights Movement, particularly in the process of desegregating lunch counters.

• As the official home of country music, many famous musicians, both in the country genre and beyond, call Nashville home.

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Nashville is also a very diverse city: its current racial makeup is around 34% Hispanic, 32% White, 27% Black, and 7% other people of color. In fact, it’s set to be a majority minority city by 2040, meaning that everyone is welcome here. 

Nashville’s LGBTQ Community 

Nashville is one of many US cities with a deep LGBTQ+ history. Here are some key moments: 

• 1952: Nashville’s first gay bar, The Jungle, opened.

• 1978: Nashville hosted its first Pride Festival. 

• 1980: The first lesbian bar in Nashville, The Women’s Room, opened. 

• 1989: Tennessee criminalized “homosexual acts,” including jail time as a punishment.

• 1996: The case of Campbell v. Sundquist concluded with a unanimous decision that the “Homosexual Acts” law was unconstitutional.

• 2015: Same-sex marriage was declared legal in the US, giving LGBTQ+ couples in Nashville the right to marry.

• 2018: The Jungle and Juanitas received historical markers as the city’s first gay bars.

According to the Municipal Equality Index (MEI) from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, Nashville received a score of 77 out of 100 in 2023. With around 52,000 LGBTQ+ people living in the city, Nashville offers a more welcoming atmosphere than many other areas of the state. 

Similar to a lot of other cities around the country, Nashville doesn’t have any specific anti-discrimination laws for only LGBT individuals. Nashville does have a “statement of non-discrimination,” which states that there will be no discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, race, age, etc. 

Adding to its status as an LGBT-friendly city, Nashville is home to several organizations dedicated to helping and supporting the LGBTQ+ community:

• Oasis Center: The mission of Oasis Center is to help queer youth in Middle Tennessee transition into a happy and healthy adulthood via programs and services to help them reach their full potential. 

• Tennessee Pride Chamber: This organization helps advance common interests, economic growth, and equality for the LGBTQ+ population of Tennessee. 

• PFLAG Nashville: The country’s largest organization dedicated to helping gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals, PFLAG operates a chapter in Nashville dedicated to educating, supporting, and advocating for LGBTQ+ individuals and their loved ones. 

Nashville also features several gay-friendly neighborhoods, plus lots of gay-owned businesses and events that support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

LGBTQ-Owned Businesses

LGBTQ+ individuals have owned businesses for as long as anyone else—but Nashville was the first Southern city to recognize LGBTQ+ businesses and the contributions they make to the city. This was a huge step in making Nashville more LGBTQ-friendly.

Since the city made this historic move, more and more LGBTQ-owned businesses have been popping up around the city.

One of the best parts of Nashville is the incredible food: there are more restaurants here than you can possibly hope to try in a lifetime! Many of them are LGBTQ-owned, ensuring that locals and tourists alike will feel safe. A few of Nashville’s LGBT-owned businesses include:

• Suzy Wong’s House of Yum 

• The Turnip Truck 

• Play Dance Bar

• D’Andrews Bakery and Cafe

• The Lipstick Lounge 

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Top Gay Neighborhoods in Nashville

As one of the most LGTBQ-friendly cities in the South, Nashville features several notable gay-friendly neighborhoods perfect for queer folks interested in relocating to Music City. Each neighborhood brings its own unique charm, so whether you’re looking for somewhere more lively and artistic or laid back and relaxed, there’s a place for you in Nashville.

Downtown Nashville

Downtown is the heart of the city—and it’s also the heart of country music. This vibrant neighborhood is known for its blend of modern and historic flair. Broadway and Church Street run through, where you’ll find lots of bar hopping, live events, honky tonks, and live music. Stand on any street corner, and you’ll hear musicians twanging their guitars; buskers are everywhere here, so it’s no wonder that it’s called the Music City. 

The neighborhood's diversity is one of the reasons it’s among the most LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhoods in Nashville. Downtown features many LGBTQ+-friendly bars, restaurants, and other businesses; you’ll never run out of spots to enjoy drinks and dancing on a weekend. Tribe is a great spot known for its drag shows and exciting atmosphere, while Play is a club where you can dance the night away. 

But this isn’t just a place to bar hop and party. It’s also home to the acclaimed Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, plus several beautiful art galleries like The Rymer Gallery and Tinney Contemporary.

You can also catch live performances at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, then go to dinner at one of its restaurant partners, like Corner Pub or Frothy Monkey. 

The main LGBTQ+ event in the area is the annual Nashville Pride Parade and Festival. Even though Pride is just once a year, you’ll find a lot of smaller events and LGBTQ+ mixers at local bars throughout the year.

East Nashville

If you prefer to be in an up-and-coming neighborhood, East Nashville might be the best option for you. Over the years, this neighborhood has transformed from a quiet suburban area to a more lively hot spot only five miles from Downtown. East Nashville’s main selling points are its historic homes, indie businesses, and thriving arts and music scene. 

Not to mention, this part of town is also home to a strong LGBT community. Some of the most famous gay spots are in East Nashville, like The Lipstick Lounge, a famous lesbian bar, and The 5 Spot. The Lipstick Lounge is a popular spot for karaoke, live music, and meeting new people.

East Nashville is also filled to the brim with artists and art galleries. Spend the day exploring the Red Arrow Gallery and the Art and Invention Gallery to see what East Nashville has to offer, or check out the famous Tomato Art Fest in August. If you’re a fan of live music, the Basement East is a popular live music venue to check out in East Nashville.

Throughout this artsy neighborhood, you’re sure to encounter an accepting attitude toward the queer community. Regular events include drag shows, dance parties, and mixers.

Green Hills 

Green Hills isn’t as obviously gay-friendly as East and Downtown Nashville, but it’s still an LGBTQ+-friendly place to live. It’s a more quiet and sophisticated area of town, most known for its shopping destinations, upscale homes, and peaceful residential streets. This neighborhood balances suburban serenity with fun and entertainment. 

Country music fans will all recognize the famous Bluebird Cafe, which calls Green Hills home. This historic venue hosts intimate performances with country stars and artists from many other genres. Emmy Squared is another iconic restaurant located in the Green Hills district, renowned for its amazing Detroit-style pizza and Le Big Matt Burger.

Nashville Pride is a major event that’s easy to access from Green Hills. While it doesn’t host any large queer events or festivals, Green Hills is home to many smaller gay-friendly events like farmer’s markets, community festivals, and more.

Belmont-Hillsboro

The Belmont-Hillsboro neighborhood is located right near Belmont University and about two miles from Centennial Park. Like Green Hills, Belmont-Hillsboro is a historic neighborhood where you can escape the hustle and bustle of Music City while still having easy access to Downtown and other lively areas. 

Belmont-Hillsboro boasts a rich history, as seen through its well-preserved architecture and beautiful parks. Residents enjoy spending time at Centennial Park, which features a huge life-size replica of the Greek Parthenon. 

This neighborhood is also home to the Belmont University Leu Art Gallery, which features artwork from national and local artists and hosts several cultural events throughout the year.

Highlights of Moving to Nashville 

There are many reasons why you’ll be glad you chose to move to Music City. From its great bars to its country music scene, accepting atmosphere, and lively community, Nashville is a fun and exciting place to plant your roots. Working with a specialty mortgage broker like Pride Lending can help you determine when the best time to buy a house in Nashville is for you. 

Besides its favorable housing market, Nashville also offers a high quality of life. The quality of life index rating gives Nashville a 176/240, which is considered quite high. Those interested in raising a family will appreciate that Nashville schools have outperformed the national average in pandemic recovery, ensuring your kids will get a well-rounded and competitive education. 

Weather 

Overall, Nashville has some of the best weather in the country. Living here, you’ll get to experience all four seasons: warm summers, crisp falls, cool winters, and beautiful springs. While Nashville sometimes gets snow in the winter, you won’t experience nearly as much as in the northern states.

Living 

The LGBTQ+ scene in Nashville is thriving. Throughout the area, you’ll find spaces where you can be yourself, meet like-minded people, and have a great time. 

Events

Every June, Downtown Nashville hosts the Nashville Pride Parade, which draws a massive crowd from all around the region. Legendary Drag Queen Bingo is another amazing event you won’t miss in East Nashville, held at the Lipstick Lounge and hosted by famous drag queen Raquel Redd. 

If you want even more events involving some of the best drag queens in the city, be sure to look into drag brunch at Suzy Wong’s House of Yum. 

Arts and Culture

If you’re a fan of arts and culture, Nashville has a lot to offer. Home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, fans of country music performers will be in heaven when they arrive in Nashville. 

At the Hall of Fame, you can learn about how country music has shaped the city’s culture, and at the Opry, you can witness some of the most amazing live music performances in the world. Be sure to take a backstage tour, where you can see the oversized numbered guitar picks embedded in each dressing room door. 

Parks and Recreation 

For the athletic and outdoorsy, check out Centennial Park. This park offers opportunities for biking, walking, and running, plus places to sit and enjoy a good book or a picnic. 

Starting over in a new city can be scary, especially if you don’t know anyone. But Hot Mess Sports is a great way to immerse yourself in the LGBTQ+ community and have some fun at the same time. This sports collective features everything from sand volleyball to bowling to kickball and other team sports for members of the LGBT community.

Nightlife

There are dozens of forms of entertainment in Nashville, and the nightlife is what draws most people. You’ll find gay bars, dance clubs, dive bars, and places where performance spaces.

A few of some hotspots for Nashville nightlife include:

• The Lipstick Lounge 

• The Stage on Broadway 

• Play Dance Bar 

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Nashville’s Housing Market

Before moving to Nashville, it’s a good idea to get a better understanding of what the housing market looks like. 

Homeownership 

The median house price in Nashville is relatively affordable at $485,000. Depending on where in the city you choose to live, buying a home is generally cheaper than renting. Some great Nashville mortgage lenders, like the ones at Pride Lending, can help you find home loans if you’re looking for a house.

If you were to buy a house for the median house price in Nashville with 10% down, your monthly mortgage payment would likely be around $3,664. This will vary depending on the cost of your home, how much you put down, and other factors. 

Thankfully, the Nashville area and Tennessee as a whole has a number of down payment assistance programs that are meant to lighten the loan. This includes the NeighborhoodLIFT program of Nashville, which can provide up to $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to buyers. The Housing Fund, available throughout Tennessee, may be able to provide you with up to $35,000 toward your home, as long as you provide at least 1% of the purchase price toward the property and work with an FHA-approved vendor.

Your loan officer at Pride Lending will hunt down other down payment assistance programs you may be eligible for, including statewide and national options, in order to ensure that you can achieve your homeownership dreams. We’ll also match you to the right loan programs for your needs, such as FHA loans for those with less-than-perfect credit. 

When it comes to education in Nashville, K-12 schools have a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, with around 80,000 students total. This indicates that Nashville has a strong education system, giving ample attention to each student. There are also plenty of institutions for higher learning in or close to Nashville, like Vanderbilt University and Belmont University. 

Investing in Real Estate 

Nashville is an excellent choice for property investment. As a major tourist destination with over 14 million visitors annually, more people are investing in properties to rent through Airbnb or other rental sites for passive income.

In Downtown Nashville alone, the estimated annual revenue for a rental property is anywhere from $50,000 to well over $90,000 per year. It all varies based on the size of your property, the cost per night, amenities, and location. Most rental property owners see a 65% occupancy rate in Nashville. There’s a peak in tourism in

June during Pride Month as well as in the fall when the weather becomes more comfortable, so both seasons can be profitable for renting out your Nashville property to visitors. 

If you’re investing in a second home vs. investment property, Nashville is a great place to spend part of the year, especially if you’re a fan of music.

Make Nashville Your New Home With Pride Lending

Whether you’re looking to make Nashville your new home or searching for a place to buy your next investment property, Pride Lending is your perfect ally. We’ll help you secure a mortgage rate that suits your lifestyle so you can step into the next chapter of your life. 

Our team consists of allies and members of marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals, who are all committed to serving those who have been traditionally underserved by mortgage companies. We assist people from all walks of life, leveraging our experience in the mortgage industry for your benefit.

You can rely on us to help you find the right options for your needs and walk you through the entire process, ensuring that you are prepared for the exciting journey toward homeownership. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we help the LGBTQ+ community build wealth through investments. You can easily reach us at Andrew@pridelending.com or 727-591-7909.