Need-to-Know: KSR at the SEC Tournament in Nashville

This week, the Big Blue Nation will descend upon Nashville with hopes of seeing Kentucky return to its rightful place atop the Southeastern Conference. With a potentially special team hitting its stride at just the right time, the Cats have a good chance to win their first SEC Tournament since 2018. Nashville bar and restaurant owners will be cheering them on.

The SEC Tournament returned to Music City last year after a one-year detour to Tampa, but because of another early exit, Kentucky fans (and the bars that love them) were robbed of a full weekend. This year, Broadway is ready to be BBN’s playground, with wise bar owners already flying their Kentucky flags. St. Patrick’s Day is Sunday, so green-clad partiers will also be out in force. If you’re among them, prepare for the chaos. Downtown Nashville is a caricature of its former self and the surrounding city continues to boom in size and price. Just one block of Broadway may leave you weary, but if the Cats are rolling, there’s no place you’d rather be.

Here is what you need to know about KSR’s setup this week and a few tips and recommendations from yours truly. (The city is growing too fast for flowcharts!)

DOWNTOWN

Assembly Food Hall: Of all the changes downtown, this is one the locals actually like. Assembly Food Hall is a massive food court with local eateries (Prince’s Hot Chicken, The Pharmacy, Thai Esane), several bars, and a giant rooftop. It’s part of the 5th & Broadway shopping complex right across from Bridgestone. This is something downtown desperately needed and a great option if you don’t have a reservation somewhere, want a quick bite, or you’re with a big group. There are also several standalone restaurants on the outside of the complex (Eddie V’s, Boqueria, Blanco Cantina, Twelve-Thirty Club, Hattie B’s, Slim & Husky’s) and Sixty Vines, a wine and tapas bar, on the roof.

Nice Dinner (Good luck if you haven’t made a reservation on OpenTable or Resy): Bourbon Steak, Yolan, Jeff Ruby’s, Carne Mare (Gulch), Druise & Darr, Etch, Husk

Good breakfast/brunch: Liberty Common, Hampton Social, Pancake Pantry (there’s one downtown now), Biscuit Love (Gulch), Milk & Honey (Gulch)

Cheap eats: You can never go wrong with the Recession Special at Robert’s, a fried bologna sandwich, chips, a Moon Pie, and a PBR for just $6.

NEARBY NEIGHBORHOODS

Downtown Nashville can be a lot. If you need a break from the madness and/or want to check out the real Nashville, hop in an Uber or Lyft and head to one of the great neighborhoods just outside downtown. East Nashville, Germantown, 12 South, and WeHo are all a short drive from Broadway and include tons of great restaurants and bars. For a fun Saturday night, pick a restaurant and a nearby brewery and enjoy yourself.

Nice dinner: Butcher & Bee (East Nashville), Lockeland Table (East Nashville), Margot (East Nashville), The Optimist (Germantown), Iggy’s (WeHo), Locust (12 South)

Casual dinner: Five Points Pizza (East Nashville, West Nashville), BarTaco (East Nashville, 12 South), Edley’s (East Nashville, 12 South), Joyland (East Nashville), Dicey’s Tavern (WeHo), Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint (Germantown, Edgehill)

Good breakfast/brunch: Snooze (East Nashville), Butter Milk Ranch (12 South), Cafe Roze (East Nashville), Hearts (East Nashville, 12 South)

Best breweries: Smith & Lentz (East Nashville), Bearded Iris (Germantown, West Nashville), Monday Night Brewing Co. (Germantown), Southern Grist (East Nashville, Nations), Fait La Force (WeHo)

• If you’re a beer nerd, check out the Music City Brew Hop, a trolley that goes to all the good breweries in town. Could be a great option for Thursday if you come down early or Saturday or Sunday if the Cats somehow lose on Friday.

If you have any questions on where to eat, drink, or hang out, please feel free to reach out to me on Twitter (@MrsTylerKSR) or on KSBoard, where we’ll be sharing recommendations all week.

Join the KSR Club! With a KSR membership, you get access to bonus content and KSBoard, KSR’s message board, to chat with fellow Cats fans and get exclusive scoop.

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PARKING, ARENA POLICIES

If you’re looking for a good place to park, the garage at the Nashville Public Library (151 6th Ave. N) is typically the cheapest downtown, at $10 on weekends and nights (5 p.m. to 5 a.m.) and $15 for special events. That will probably fill up quickly, so do yourself a favor and download these apps/bookmark these sites: Parking.com, SpotHero, ParkWhiz. They show you all the cheapest garages/lots near Bridgestone Arena and allow you to prebook a spot. If you don’t want to worry about parking or driving, Uber/Lyft is the way to go, but beware of surge pricing.

This has been the case for many years now, but if you’re going to the game, keep the SEC’s Clear Bag Policy in mind.

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EVENTS

Thursday night: Alice Blue Gown concert

Tin Roof Broadway, 316 Broadway

Shannon the Dude’s band Alice Blue Gown will tip the festivities off Thursday night at Tin Roof Broadway. They’ll be on the second floor starting at 5:30 p.m. CT and playing through 9 p.m.

JD Shelburne will also be performing at Tin Roof Broadway on Thursday starting at 11 a.m. CT. A Common Wealth Band, featuring former Cat Bobby Perry, will be playing at Tin Roof on Friday at 2 p.m. CT.

Friday Morning: KSR Preshow and Main Show

Tin Roof Broadway, 316 Broadway

This is one of the biggest shows of the year, and the only one with a confirmed location as of now. If you’re coming, get there EARLY, as we’re expecting a huge crowd. The Preshow will begin from Tin Roof at 8 a.m. CT, followed by the main show.

The location of the pregame and postgame show(s) is to be determined, so stay tuned to the site and Matt’s Twitter account for updates. You can also spot the gang at DraftKings Sports & Social (2nd Avenue) throughout the weekend.

Friday Morning: UK Alumni Association/Greater Nashville UK Alumni Club Pregame Party

Assembly Foot Hall Skydeck (3rd Floor), 5055 Broadway

At the same time as KSR, the UK Alumni Association/Greater Nashville UK Alumni Club is hosting its pregame party on the Skydeck (3rd floor) of Assembly Food Hall across from Bridgestone Arena. There will be live music and appearances by Jack “Goose” Givens, Doug Brunch, and Tom Leach, who will be signing books during the event.

The cost to attend is $25 per person in advance or $30 at the door, with free admission for children 12 and under. There will be a breakfast buffet and UK giveaways while supplies last. Cash bars will also be available. Exclusive “Kentucky in Nashville” t-shirts will be available for purchase for $20. You can register for the pregame party and pre-order your shirts here. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Greater Nashville UK Alumni Club scholarship fund.

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Important Sports Gambling Note

Want to wager on the games? Mobile sports gambling is legal in Tennessee, but, unlike in Kentucky, player props for college sports are not. So, if you want to bet on the over for Antonio Reeves points or Reed Sheppard assists, do it before you hit the state line. As always, if you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537).