A Nashville Native’s Guide to SHRM Talent in The Music City

Coming to SHRM Talent Nashville? Let our locals guide you to the best hot chicken & honky tonks!

What? You’ve never had Nashville hot chicken or frequented a honky tonk? If you’re attending next week’s SHRM Talent Conference and Convention, then you’re about to have the experience of a lifetime! Pack your cowboy boots and hat (Don’t have those? No worries, you can get them when you arrive; we have plenty), and use this guide to get out of the Gaylord Opryland Resort and visit the real Music City.

Nashville Neighborhoods

Before our SHRM Talent Nashville visitors can seek out the best food and live music, they need to get a handle on our neighborhoods. Nashville is divided into very distinct neighborhoods, each with its own culture and identity. IQTalent Partners is headquartered in Downtown Nashville, also called “Lower Broad,” home of honky tonks and bachelorette parties. It’s the central hub of the city and has more live music and line dancing than you can throw a gigantic belt buckle at. But, there’s so much more to Music City than downtown. If you want to feel like a local, take a visit to some of our alternative neighborhoods.

East Nashville

Sometimes called East Nasty, East Nashville is located adjacent to Nissan Stadium on the east side of the Cumberland River. This part of the city recently has been revitalized and is home to hipsters, musicians, and artists. The food, like the locals, is unique and eclectic. Bonus: If you’re an HGTV fan, you’ll recognize many properties from “Nashville Flipped”, along with houses featured on episodes of “Property Brothers” and “Flip or Flop.”

Germantown

On the north side of Music City lies Germantown, a chic neighborhood that maintains its old world charm with original Victorian buildings and restored warehouses that have been converted into boutiques, salons, and restaurants. The sidewalks are brick and the atmosphere is charming. Germantown is home to the Nashville Farmers’ Market, which features local farm produce as well as various global eateries established by Nashville’s robust immigrant community.

12 South

Just south of downtown, the 12 South neighborhood is (surprisingly) centered around 12th Avenue South. One of Nashville’s most iconic murals, “I Believe in Nashville” is located in 12 South just across from upscale dining, designer boutiques, vintage music stores, and locally owned coffee shops. 12 South is a walkable residential neighborhood with a few bed and breakfasts and plenty of local pubs.

The Gulch

Located between Downtown Nashville and iconic Music Row, The Gulch neighborhood was once an industrial space near the train tracks that has undergone a recent revitalization. Today, The Gulch offers trendy nightspots, luxury condominium high rises, and plenty of great food and live music.

IQTalent Partners Foodie Faves

The team at IQTalent Partners are more than just great recruiters, sourcers, consultants, and talent acquisition experts. We are musicians, artists, writers, and most importantly, expert food critics. We have some of the most experienced foodies in Nashville working at our headquarters, and we’ve collected some of their culinary choices here!

Nashville Hot Chicken (Don’t leave town without trying some!)

• Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
• Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish
• Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack

BBQ

• Edley’s
• Peg Leg Porker

Pizza

• Slim & Husky’s

James Beard Award Nominees

• Henrietta Red
• Saint Stephen
• Folk
• City House
• 404 Kitchen

Casual Dining

• Urban Grub
• Saint Anejo

Cocktails

• Patterson House

Honky Tonks (What is a Honky Tonk exactly? A place with really loud live music, sticky floors, and draft beers)

• Tootsies
• The Stage
• Acme Feed & Seed

Still don’t think you have quite enough Nashville native information? Come visit us at our booth at the SHRM Talent Expo, and then join us for free drinks at our headquarters downtown on 4th Avenue North for Honky Tonk Happy Hour on Tuesday night, April 9th before heading out to visit Music City!