Nashville’s Speakeasy Secrets: True Crime Tasting Pub Crawl

Nashville’s darker side comes alive in three speakeasies, where stories of Prohibition, murder, gangsters, and bad decisions accompany your drinks. Guides such as Ryan, Reece, Ryne, Savannah, and Mark bring plenty of personality to the walk, with strong storytelling and local bar tips.

I like the mix of Printer’s Alley history and real drink choices at each stop. I also like the small-group feel reported on several departures, since it gives you room to ask questions rather than simply follow a script. The main drawback is clear: the $54 price does not include alcohol, and the extra cost of the VIP package can add up.

Key points at a glance

• Three speakeasy stops: You receive guided access to three bars, with two stops sometimes arranged as private spaces.
• True crime with local history: Expect stories of Prohibition, gangsters, murder, and Nashville’s less polished past.
• Drinks cost extra: Whiskey flights, cocktails, bourbon drinks, and other options are purchased separately at each location.
• Dress code matters: Wear business casual clothing. Men need a collared shirt and closed-toe shoes.
• Good guides make the difference: Ryan, Reece, Ryne, Savannah, and Mark have all led engaging, story-driven departures.
• Rain or shine: Bring an umbrella, and arrive prepared to walk between stops.

Three speakeasies and Nashville after dark

This tour is built around a simple idea: Nashville has more to offer than honky-tonks and Broadway crowds. Over about two hours to 150 minutes, you walk through central Nashville and stop at three speakeasies or historic bars.

The route can vary with the option booked, so you should not expect one fixed set of rooms every night. That is useful to know before you arrive. The appeal is not checking off a single famous bar. It is seeing how different places tell the city’s past through their setting, drinks, and stories.

Printer’s Alley is an important part of the experience. It sits just off the main Broadway action, and it is easy to miss if you spend your entire evening among the larger music venues. The alley’s connection to nightlife and old Nashville gives the tour a fitting backdrop, especially when the guide explains how drinking and entertainment once operated under stricter rules.

The walking distance makes this feel more like a pub crawl than a seated lecture. You move from one place to another, hear stories outdoors or on the way, then settle in for the next bar. Wear shoes you can comfortably walk in, and do not count on the tour being entirely indoors.

The first stop sets the drinking pace

One reported route begins at The Fedora, a bar that works well as a meeting place and first introduction to the night. Another itinerary description places the first stop at a bourbon-focused bar with several kinds of slushes.

That combination tells you what to expect from the drink side of the evening. You may find classic whiskey pours, flights, cocktails, or playful bourbon drinks rather than one standard sample handed to everyone. The choices and prices belong to each bar, so check the menu before ordering if you are watching your spending.

This first stop is also where the guide establishes the mood. The better guides do more than list dates and names. Ryan has been praised for keeping a group entertained in freezing weather, while Mark has been described as a lively character who helped make the opening bar part of the experience.

You do not need to be a whiskey expert. The guide can point you toward suitable choices, but the tour does not require you to drink. Remember, though, that alcohol is not included in the ticket. If you expect a tasting with all pours covered, the standard package may not match what you have in mind.

A hotel room with a different kind of atmosphere

The second stop on one route is a high-end hotel, where the group may have its own room. That changes the pace. Instead of a noisy bar floor, you might get a calmer setting for conversation and another round of local history.

This is one reason the experience can feel more varied than a basic bar crawl. Each stop has its own character, and the guide connects the surroundings to Nashville’s past rather than treating every bar as interchangeable.

The private-room arrangement is not guaranteed on every route, but some departures have included two private locations out of the three stops. That can be a real plus for groups who want to hear the stories clearly.

The tradeoff is that the atmosphere may not always match the Prohibition-era theme perfectly. One piece of direct feedback wished that every location felt more tied to the period. That is a fair expectation to manage. The tour focuses on Nashville’s past, but not every room is a preserved 1920s setting.

The final speakeasy brings the theme together

The third stop is described as a more traditional hidden speakeasy, with strong cocktails and local mixology. This is often the point where the evening’s theme feels most complete: a less obvious entrance, a more intimate setting, and a drink designed with more care than a standard high-volume bar pour.

Your guide can suggest what to order at each location. Reece, in particular, has been praised for giving practical cocktail recommendations along with the history of each stop. That advice matters because the drink menus and prices change from place to place, and a recommendation can save you from ordering blindly.

Do not expect a complimentary shot at every stop. Some people may assume that a tasting tour includes small pours in the ticket price, but this one does not. You pay the $54 admission for the guided experience, then purchase your own beverages. A VIP all-inclusive cocktail option is available for an additional fee, though the total cost will be higher.

If you enjoy trying several drinks, budget for the bar purchases before you book. If you prefer one drink or none at all, the tour can still work because the stories and access to the venues are central to the experience.

The guides carry the evening

The strongest part of this tour is the guide’s delivery. The route itself is useful, but three bars alone do not make a memorable evening. The guide has to connect Nashville’s Prohibition past with the people, crimes, and places involved.

Ryan has been praised for handling cold weather with humor and energy. Reece has been described as passionate, engaging, and strong on local history. Ryne has earned praise for storytelling, cocktail advice, and making the whole group feel included.

Savannah brings a friendly, informative style, and she has helped groups discover parts of Nashville they might otherwise skip, including Printer’s Alley. Mark has been described as both informative and entertaining, with a talent for making historical material feel less like a classroom lesson.

You cannot select your guide when booking, so the tone may differ from one departure to another. That is normal for a live tour. The consistent theme is that the guides are expected to tell stories, answer questions, and help you choose drinks rather than simply lead you from door to door.

Small groups improve this format. A compact group makes it easier to discuss the history, hear the guide in a bar setting, and ask for recommendations. Group size is not fixed in the supplied details, so you should not assume every departure will be intimate.

True crime stories, with the right expectations

The crime angle is not an afterthought. The tour includes tales of murder, gangsters, and tragic figures connected to Nashville’s darker nightlife. If you enjoy true crime podcasts or old city scandals, this gives the evening a stronger focus than a standard cocktail walk.

The storytelling also helps explain why Prohibition history matters. The period was not only about alcohol being banned. It shaped nightlife, encouraged secret bars, created opportunities for organized crime, and changed how people used urban spaces.

Still, this is a social walking tour, not a forensic investigation. The stories are part of a lively night out, and the tone may include humor and audience interaction. I would choose it for atmosphere and local stories, not for a scholarly account of every crime.

The subject matter may not suit everyone. The tour is not appropriate for pregnant people or anyone under 21. It also involves walking between venues and spending time in bars, so it is best for adults who enjoy nightlife and can keep pace with the group.

What the $54 ticket really covers

At $54 per person, the tour sits above the price of a simple self-guided bar visit. You are paying for access to three venues, a live guide, local context, and a planned evening that would take effort to arrange on your own.

The value depends heavily on your drinking plans. If you buy a cocktail or whiskey flight at every stop, your final bill will be much higher than the advertised ticket price. If you want an all-inclusive experience, compare the standard rate with the extra-cost VIP option before booking.

I see the best value for someone who wants both drinks and stories. You could visit bars alone, but you would miss the explanations about Nashville’s Prohibition past and the guide’s suggestions about what to order.

The price feels less attractive if you are mainly looking for included tastings. The listing clearly excludes alcoholic beverages, and gratuity is also separate. Plan to tip the guide for strong service, especially since the guide shapes much of the experience.

Dress for a Nashville night out

The dress code is stricter than on many casual pub crawls. Business casual clothing is required. Men need a collared shirt and closed-toe shoes, and athletic gear or cargo shorts are not allowed.

This rule may feel fussy if you are coming straight from a daytime sightseeing trip. It also reflects the fact that one stop may be a higher-end hotel or a more polished cocktail venue. Pack a suitable outfit if this tour is part of a weekend in Nashville.

The walk runs rain or shine, so bring an umbrella when the forecast looks uncertain. Meeting points can change based on the option booked, so check the exact starting location before setting out. The tour is offered in English.

Wheelchair users should not book this experience, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant people. Those restrictions, along with the walking and bar settings, are important planning details rather than small footnotes.

When this tour works best

I would recommend this outing to:

• Adults who enjoy true crime and city history
• Couples and friend groups looking for an evening beyond Broadway
• Whiskey drinkers who want help choosing flights or cocktails
• First-time Nashville visitors curious about Printer’s Alley
• People who prefer a guide-led night rather than making their own bar plan

It is less suitable for anyone seeking a quiet historical walk, a fully included tasting, or a casual outfit. It is also not a good choice if you want to avoid alcohol-centered venues, even though you do not have to order a drink.

Weather can affect the mood. A cold or wet night means more time between venues in uncomfortable conditions, though Ryan’s ability to keep a group entertained in freezing weather is a good reminder that a lively guide helps.

The tour also depends on venue access. A private event or conference can close a planned location, as happened on one departure when several stops were unavailable. The tour continued with historical information and replacement locations, but that kind of change can disappoint if you have your heart set on a particular bar.

Should you book Nashville Speakeasy Secrets?

Book this tour if you want a guided night of crime stories, Prohibition history, and cocktails in places you might not find on your own. The guides are the main attraction, and the combination of Printer’s Alley, three bar stops, and local drink advice gives you a useful introduction to a less obvious side of Nashville.

Before booking, add the likely drink costs to the $54 ticket and decide if the VIP option makes sense for you. Wear the required clothing, bring an umbrella, and keep an open mind about the exact route.

I would choose it for a first Nashville visit or a return trip when you want something beyond live music. I would skip it if included alcohol is essential or if you need wheelchair access. For the right audience, it is a lively, story-focused way to spend an evening.

FAQ

How long does the Nashville Speakeasy Secrets tour last?

The tour lasts between two hours and 150 minutes. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $54 per person. Alcoholic drinks and gratuity are not included.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. You purchase cocktails, whiskey flights, or other alcoholic drinks separately at each location. An all-inclusive VIP cocktail option is available for an additional cost.

How many speakeasies will I visit?

The tour provides guided access to three speakeasies or historic bars. The exact venues and meeting point may vary by the option booked.

Do I need to be 21 to join?

Yes. Every customer must show government-issued photographic identification proving they are at least 21 years old.

What should I wear?

Business casual clothing is required. Men must wear a collared shirt and closed-toe shoes. Athletic gear and cargo shorts are not permitted.

Is the tour held indoors?

The stops are at bars and speakeasies, but you walk between locations. The tour operates rain or shine, so bring an umbrella when needed.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.