Tootsie's Orchid Lounge

04/18/2008 Posted by mikecrazy8

After passing an ID check at the door and having already drank a round of beers, I was refused service because the bartender wouldn't accept my (legitimate) out-of-state driver's license. Don't waste your time in this place. Even before the ID incident, the service was lousy, the atmosphere was dark and dull and there were not a lot of beers available. Most of the crowd seemed older (35-plus). Maybe they were trying to send a message about the kind of clients they want by refusing to serve me. That's OK -- we spent our money elsewhere and had a great time. Stop in for a visit, watch a band play for a little while and move on.

04/15/2008 Posted by StuckBetweenStations

Not great. Cool history, but go elsewhere if you're looking for a night out in Nashville. More like an attraction than a bar you should hang out at. Bartenders seem to have great difficulty with out-of-state licences, so bring backup, even if you're over 30. The live music is cool, but there are a host of other, better places to get a drink in walking distance. Pass.

03/09/2008 Posted by Itravel2

We just returned from a "girlfriend getaway" to Nashville March 3-6. Every night we attended some of the other bars, but we always ended up at Tootsie's at the end of the night. Yes - it was crowded - but that was part of the appeal. Yes it is old and dirty, but again - that was part of the appeal. This is a blue jeans bar; don't go dressed up. The bands were excellent upstairs and downstairs every time. We found the crowd to be mostly tourists like ourselves; but everyone was nice to each other. We met quite a few people, even a few locals. If you wanted to dance - you could usually find someone to swing around the floor with (not much room to do so though). Mon-Wed night the beer was $4 and compared to the other bars downtown. We were able to get a beer by going to the end of the bar without too much trouble. The bartenders were fine; I'm not sure how friendly people expect them to be when the place is jam packed and they are working hard to take care of the crowd. They can pop a top off a beer like it's nobody's business. We wish we would have gotten t-shirts from here. This was by far our favorite place to be. Merle Haggard's sister was there one of the nights we were there. You never know who you might see. We're married and in our 30's and had a great time; I would take my husband there. If you don't have a good time here; its your own fault.

Pros: great music, great atmosphere, good downtown location - its a legend!

Cons: bathrooms not so hot - but its a dive bar- what do you expect!

02/19/2008 Posted by pinky869

We went in December for my birthday and it was my first time going. I loved it so much. The upstairs band was great and the back patio was nice. Down stairs was crowded but go in the back door and it's a little less conjested. We went back a few weekends ago and the same lead singer was playing upstairs and he rocked along with the rest of the band. We will be going back again and again. It is a wonderful place for an out -of-towner to get a taste of what Nashville is all about.

Pros: Great music and not your typical club

Cons: crowed

01/24/2008 Posted by KentuckySweetPea

As a Kentuckian who has been going to Tootsie's for over 10 years to party, I can tell everyone out there that the staff IS NOT rude, nor have they ever been to me. I dance on the speakers upstairs, will pass a tip jar for the band, the bouncers are always real friendly (smiles) and one Sunday afternoon about 7 years ago, I got to sit downstairs in the booth by the window with a couple of the performers and had a blast! I have several of the purple sheets handed out every day with autographs, etc. I also have autographs from several sessions players that fill in with the bands. My niece and I went down in October 2006 for the Nashville Star tryouts. She didn't win but she did get up on stage that weekend, upstairs at Tootsies and sang three song with Do Be Damned, whose lead singer was a finalist in the competition. Tootsies rocks! Party on! I'll be down there this weekend and you can bet I'll be at Tootsies! KentuckySweetPea ps I have a book of poetry I have written about Nashville and at least two of the writes in it are about Tootsies. ksp

Pros: Friendly, supercharged atmosphere and fun bands.

Cons: Only one restroom.

01/16/2008 Posted by kennedyland

Rolling in from Minnesota on a road trip through the south -of course that can mean anywhere in the country since I'm from Minnesota - I wandered into Tootsie's on a Sunday morning. Music was playing, the place was friendly, the beer was cold, and I asked myself why on earty I lived in Minnesota. The place has a spell and a magic and I'll be back for a second beer soon.

11/05/2007 Posted by mmnashville

This place is wonderful! Very,very good music. Great place to just hang out and have a few beers. Very popular place.

09/10/2007 Posted by chitownluc

We had a fantastic time. Day time Alicia from MN was friendly and offerred conversation. The music 9/6 & 7 was fun and lively-Thanks Reggie, your invloving Darlene from MN made Tootsies so family like for the tourists. The evening staff lacks cust. service skills-they clearly did not care if we ever had a drink. We could have spent way more money if they were more attentive. Restroom attendants are extrememly professional and appreciated. Loved Tootsie's and will be back.

Pros: great music

Cons: poor service

06/13/2007 Posted by chrisifromok

Okay- so it's crowded- and loud- You're in Nashville- It's supposed to be. We drove 12 hours and found ourselves sitting in there our first day at 10 am.... now once we warmed up and made some friends- we fell in love with the dirty little place!! =) The gals behind the bar weren't as warm and fuzzy as we were- but we just figured they were tired.... What I liked- is they let us get on the bar and shake our groove thang- no one came yellin and screaming and me when I stood on a bar stool from the back to see the band.... We thought the bands were good- some more than others- but we got out of the heat and got to let loose in a place we found to be right up our alley. =)

06/07/2007 Posted by robest

with the rich long term history tootsies has provided, it is a crying shame it has become an rude, nasty, place as barmaids , tenders, bouncers are very rude and downright unfriendly. drinks excessively priced. musice purely is not quality that tootsies has over the years provided. definitely not the same tootsies i was reared with as a younger person and my frequent visits to the great music city and downtown and opry area. shame on tootsies allowing the business to become what it is today. i will not be going back as more renegades there than i want to socialize with. highly not recommended

Pros: past history memorabilia

Cons: dirty, rude, cold feeling, trashy atmosphere, stinks, odor, poor quality music

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