You Should Think Twice Before Throwing Your Bachelorette Party In Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee, has long had a reputation for its lively country music scene, bustling Lower Broadway street, and all-around vibrant atmosphere, but it has also earned a less-than-melodious reputation over the years. Nashville has become synonymous with bachelorette party tourism — with an estimated 13,000 parties per year, and that popularity has created some friction with locals. Rowdy brides-to-be and their entourages seemingly take over the streets, one pink fuzzy cowboy hat and cowboy boot at a time. So, before you book that Nashville "Miss to Mrs." bachelorette party, you may want to think twice.

Before bachelorettes who have booked their last hurrahs in Nashville get their belt buckles in a twist, try stepping into the shoes (or cowboy boots) of a local for a moment. After all, some locals say the bachelorette crowds parade themselves on the city's streets at all hours of the day and night. Entrepreneur Bryan Clayton initially moved to Nashville and touted the city for its hospitality, food, and affordability. In a Business Insider article, he mentioned that 2015 was when he first started to notice the drunken brigade of bachelorettes making their way onto the streets of Nashville. "At first, it was fun to see," Clayton stated, "but year after year, the parties became bigger and wilder." 

Bachelorette parties brandishing phallic-shaped novelty props and shouting songs into the microphones on stage are just a smidge of what to expect while out on the town. In a r/nashville Reddit thread, one visiting tourist stated that Nashville is becoming a "bachelorette hell," and when they asked if the chaos on the streets was a common occurrence, one local had a blunt response. "Becoming? It's been this way for several years now sadly," which is a sentiment that was backed up by many others.

Nashville bachelorette parties, as much of a thorn in locals' sides as they may be, aren't going anywhere anytime soon. That's especially true when factoring in their contribution to the city's economy, cementing why Nashville will probably always rank as one of the top trending bachelorette party destinations. The price of throwing your bachelorette party in "Bachville" can roughly cost anywhere from $500-$2,500 for only two to three nights. After factoring in the costs for accommodation, nightlife, food, and drinks, your wallet might be crying the honky tonk blues come Monday morning.

Apart from the high-priced bachelorette party buses with gaggles of drunken besties cruising down the street, Nashville has a lot to offer guests. Its legendary music scene and country stars boast some vibrant bars to visit. Miranda Lambert's Nashville bar is a four-level Tex-Mex escape on Broadway, while the Dolly Parton bar is a picture-perfect pink paradise — to match the fuzzy pink cowboy hat aesthetic, no doubt. The bachelorette boom may have changed how some locals view the city, but it hasn't erased what made Music City a destination in the first place. Bryan Clayton stated that as much as he's upset that Nashville has become a go-to destination for bachelorette parties, he still claims that Nashville is "the best city in the world" if you're looking for a weekend getaway. Just maybe not for the bachelorette debauchery. 

So, should you cancel your Nashville bachelorette party? Not necessarily. But with the crowds, rising costs, and growing frustration among locals, it may be worth considering another way to experience what Nashville has to offer. Foodies can even discover the restaurant that sparked the original hot chicken craze. Venturing beyond the party buses and packed honky-tonks is the best way to see that Nashville is more than its outrageous and over-the-top bachelorette parties.