When historic Nashville is brought up in conversation, Printer’s Alley almost always is a contender.
Printer’s Alley is a famous alley in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, between Third and Fourth Avenues. The street stretches from Union Street to Commerce Street. From Union to Church Street is the portion known as the nightclub district and dates back to the 1940’s.
In the 20th century Printer’s Alley flourished within in a thriving printing industry. The alley was home to thirteen publishers, two large papers, and ten print shops.
Printer’s Alley eventually became a nightclub and entertainment district. During this period in hitory the sale of alcohol was illegal in Nashville. Most of the restaurants and clubs sold liquor anyways and proclaimed most of it was “brown-bagged,” brought in by customers. Law enforcement normally looked the other way until alcohol was legalized in 1968.
There are currently two live band bars, two karaoke bars, a soccer bar, and one adult entertainment bar. Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar, the Fiddle and Steel Guitar Bar, Lonnie’s Western Room, Ms. Kellis, Fleet Street Pub, and The Brass Stables are all found in Printer’s Alley today. Printer’s Aley has been under some stress in recent years with many businesses moving out and rumors of a hotel being built. Still to this day though Printer’s Alley remains a pivotal district in the city of Nashville