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

The fun tips off today in Nashville as thousands of fans descend upon Bridgestone Arena for the 2025 SEC Tournament. KSR will have plenty of boots on the ground to cover all the fun, both inside the arena and on Broadway (Broad-Oweh?).

Kentucky hasn’t won an SEC Tournament game in Nashville since 2019; no one is more eager for that streak to snap than business owners on Broadway. Although the SEC has gotten MUCH stronger in recent years, no one takes over Nashville like the Big Blue Nation. Wise bar owners are flying their Kentucky flags in hopes the Cats go on a run. With St. Patrick’s Day coming up on Monday, there will also be plenty of green-clad partiers. 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, as well as 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, Radish), 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, Shake Shack) 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, Harper’s, Druise & Darr, Etch, Husk, Bricktop’s

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

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.

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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), Noko (East Nashville), The Optimist (Germantown), Iggy’s (WeHo)

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), Tennessee Brew Works (SoBro), New Heights

• 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 Wednesday if you come down early or the weekend if the Cats lose early.

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.

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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.

UPDATE: Beer and wine are now being sold to the general public at Bridgestone Arena, a change from years past. Previously, alcohol was only available in premium areas or suites.

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 morning: KSR and the KSR Preshow at Tin Roof Broadway

Tin Roof Broadway, 316 Broadway

The annual big SEC Tournament show will take place Thursday morning at Tin Roof Broadway. Doors will open at 7 a.m. CT so fans can claim their spots in time for the KSR Preshow (8 a.m. CT/9 a.m. ET). It is always one of the craziest shows of the year, so get there early so you can be a part of it.

Kentucky super fan and country music artist JD Shelburne will also be performing at Tin Roof Broadway on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. CT and Friday from 10-2 p.m. CT.

Thursday afternoon: UK Alumni Association Pregame Party

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

The UK Alumni Association is hosting an SEC Tournament Pregame Party and Pep Rally at 3 p.m. CT 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 Brunk, 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 buffet and UK giveaways while supplies last. You can register for the pregame party and pre-order books here. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Greater Nashville UK Alumni Club scholarship fund.

Fans looking for a place to watch the tournament games with fellow Wildcats in Nashville are invited to Beyond the Edge (112 S 11th St., Nashville, TN 37206), which will serve as the official UK Game Watch Party Headquarters. Beyond the Edge is located in East Nashville, just a quick Uber/Lyft ride from downtown. They’ve got plenty of specials planned.

Thursday afternoon: Alice Blue Gown concert

Tin Roof Broadway, 316 Broadway

What better way to pregame Kentucky’s first game than an Alice Blue Gown concert? Shannon the Dude’s band will perform at Tin Roof Broadway from 4:30-8:30 p.m. CT. Ryan Lemond is set to make an appearance before the KSR Pregame Show. Speaking of…

Thursday’s pregame show (6 p.m. CT/7 p.m. ET) will not be at Tin Roof, instead taking place at a to-be-determined location downtown. It will not be open to the public unless you spot them wherever they end up.

Friday’s morning show and other pregame shows: TBD

The locations for Friday’s morning show and any other pregame shows are still TBD. Follow @KSRTHESHOW on Twitter/X for any updates on shows in Nashville.

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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 Koby Brea threes or Amari Williams assists, do it before you hit the state line. As always, if you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537).