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The Patterson House
Review
About
The Patterson House is an intimate, seated cocktail bar located in the Midtown neighborhood of Nashville. We use the highest-quality ingredients to create both modern and classic cocktails in a controlled environment resulting in an optimal, curated experience for each guest. We have a small food menu ranging from shareable snacks to more hearty options and a few sweet treats to boot. We are a first come, first served establishment but please feel free to contact us about special events, large parties and other exceptions.
Features
CUISINES
American, Bar
Meal types
After-hours, Drinks
PRICE
$$ - $$$
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Full Bar
Gift Cards Available
Live Music
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Does this restaurant have live music
Reserve a table
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 4:00 PM
Sunday
4:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Monday
4:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Tuesday
4:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Wednesday
4:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Thursday
4:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Friday
4:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Saturday
4:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Contribute
4.6
519 reviews
Excellent
382
Very good
91
Average
20
Poor
16
Terrible
10
A. M.
Virginia Beach413 contributions
Jan 2024 • business
Local business friends told my husband about this spot and we met for drinks while in Nashville.
We were the first ones in for the day and were having only drinks at the bar. We met the friendly mixologist and she was a gem. So knowledgable and inventive with drinks!
I don't drink any alcohol so I asked her to make me some nice mocktails and provided her with a few flavors I liked to get us started. My first was a Ginger Grapefruit and she made some sort of really delicious creamy iced drink for me with spice and even had a little ginger candy embellishment on the top. My second drink was a creamy maple syrup and pineapple/citrus delight. SO good. Best mocktails of my life.
My husband had his first black Manhattan and said it was the best Manhattan he's ever had and he loves them and orders them everywhere.
Our friends ordered some specialty whiskey drinks from the menu and then let it be dealer's choice after that and loved their drinks as well.
They have some small bites and burgers on a menu for lite bites but we only had drinks during our visit.
Highly recommend if you are in the area. It's a unique experience, high class speakeasy environment with talented mixologist/bartenders inside.
Written January 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bus_traveler_c
Cincinnati200 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
Visited the Patterson House while in town for a weekend away. I was pretty impressed with the atmosphere as well as the drinks overall. Started with a Modern which led to the bartender looking up the recipe on her phone which, frankly, I appreciated since I've been to more than one cocktail bar where the bartender makes the drink from memory and it's wrong. For my second drink I asked for an interesting riff on a Modern and got a really tasty result. Third drink I went dealer's choice and got something with a name that I can't remember. Maybe a Bitter Dave or a Bitter Tom or something? I can't remember but it was bitter. And good.
The only thing I really didn't like was sitting next to people chowing down on food. To me, a cocktail bar is a cocktail bar and food doesn't really have a place at the bar but I get it and I knew they served food before I showed up so it was fine. Oh, I also didn't like that they borrowed a couple house rules from Milk & Honey for their house rules (sort of tucked away near the hostess stand). But cool. Milk & Honey was amazing. Glad to see some little pieces of it make their way elsewhere.
Overall, nice place. I can't remember exactly what we paid but it seemed like maybe $110-$120 with tax and tip for three rounds of cocktails for two people. By the standard of any reasonably proper cocktail bar that's not at all unreasonable.
Written June 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J E
Fredericksburg11984 contributions
Sep 2023 • family
Came here several months ago and loved it… so I came back twice in weekend recently and this time brought the wife and son, as they both love craft cocktails in a speakeasy setting too.
On this most recent trip we had the pleasure of sitting with Brandy and she did an outstanding job with cocktails, even those not in their current cocktail list. We couldn’t stay very long, as we had dinner plans elsewhere, so we returned a couple of nights later and sat with Matt that night. He was entertaining and talented with his cocktail making too. On this visit we also enjoyed nearly all items on their food menu to nosh on for dinner and they were great!
Can’t stress enough how amazing this place is… Highly Recommend!
Written September 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew G
New Jersey4003 contributions
Nov 2021 • none
On a recent trip to Nashville, we stopped in for drinks at The Patterson House before going to dinner on a Saturday night, and we were very glad to that we did. Everything about the experience was very nice, from the speakeasy vibe to the excellently crafted cocktails. We’d definitely recommend it.
I made a reservation in advance, which wasn’t all that hard to get, but I was glad I made it. When we arrived around 6:00 pm on a Saturday, it was pretty crowded and people were waiting for tables, so having the reservation came in handy. I immediately liked the vibe of the place, which seemed like a cross between a library and a speakeasy. It was dimly lit and cozy.
Once we were seated at one of the booths, our server came over quickly and explained the menu to us. The cocktail menu is rather extensive, and is nicely organized by base spirit, which was helpful and user-friendly. He also told us that within the list for each spirit, the cocktails at the top of the list were going to be the lighter ones, while those at the bottom of the list would be the more alcohol-forward options. This was really helpful information that I probably wouldn’t have realized otherwise.
I also appreciated that the bar was totally willing to make an interesting mocktail for my mom who didn’t want to drink. The drink they came up with for her was every bit as good as the alcoholic drinks the rest of us had. We ultimately tried 6 or 7 cocktails from the main menu, and virtually all of them were really excellent. I think there was only one we didn’t like. The drinks were just really creative and inventive, and it’s clear that The Patterson House views making cocktails as a true craft.
The only thing that could have been slightly better about our experience was the service. Our server was really nice, but he didn’t come over for a long time after we got our first round of drinks. We were totally finished those for a while before he came by and we were able to order a second round. We had some time constraints, so we really had to rush through the second round of drinks. If he had simply checked on us one time a bit sooner, the whole pacing would have been fine.
Overall, we really enjoyed The Patterson House and would recommend it highly. If you are looking for interesting craft cocktails in a cool speakeasy environment, this bar is a great place to check out.
Written November 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MThree2011
Boston41 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
We had 7 people and we had to make a deposit for the reservation and it was never deducted from the check and the waiter said it would be refunded. Their phone number doesn't let you leave a message as the voicemail is not set up. I have Direct messaged on Instagram as well as email with no response.
They had lots of whiskey and bourbon but they waiter knew NOTHING about the selections and didn't even say let me get someone else to help you. They serve small plates which were tasty.
Written June 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rufusTfirefly2016
Pasadena19 contributions
Jan 2023 • couples
A fun speakeasy vibe to this cocktail bar ( with small bites ). No reservations so be prepared to wait a while - we waited thirty minutes but went around the corner to the Virgin Hotel for a cocktail to pass the time ( a nifty suggestion from the person at The Patterson ).
Cocktails were mixed with care and attention, presented smartly and smoothly. The room is dominated by a central bar with seats all the way around, and the edges of the room has small tables and a booth or two, everything is dimly lit and cozy. Would recommend to any one visiting Nashville.
Written January 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stork90
Mount Juliet1398 contributions
Mar 2021 • none
I had received an email informing me of their brunch, and definitely wanted to try Brian Baxter's take on this. He's the chef at The Catbird Seat upstairs, and we love his unique and imaginative takes on dishes.
I started with a Campari and OJ, fresh squeezed and oh so good. My husband is a carnivore, and so got the wings, N'duja deviled eggs, and roasted oysters. He let me sample each of them, and they were all quite delicious. I had the 62 degree poached eggs on a great bed of super crispy hash browns, but didn't much care for the pimento cheese sauce (just personal preference). The yeast doughnuts were glazed with, and filled with hazelnut, coffee and chocolate mixtures that were sinful.
Reservations are available (not sure if required), and the bar was nearly empty when we were there before noon on a Sunday. Service was really friendly, and food came out quickly.
Written March 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley E
Columbus65 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
This place came highly recommended by a friend, so I was very excited to know they would still be open when we were in town, despite all the COVID restrictions. We made a reservation online and they do a great job of sending just enough reminders without being annoying about it. We weren't sure what to expect when we realized it was a little house on a corner, but as soon as we walked in and were greeted warmly by the hostess, we knew we were in the right place. I really loved the little waiting area with the bookshelves and welcoming seating. I loved the ambiance immediately, and after walking through the curtain to the bar and dining area, I knew I was going to love it. Our waiter (Duncan, I think?) was attentive and knowledgable about their menu and beyond. While we were perusing the menu, he brought over two glasses of champagne as we told him we were celebrating job promotions.
We were able to generally narrow in on what we might like to drink, so we told him what we typically lean towards and he made fantastic recommendations. I had a Paper Champion per his recommendation and it was amazing. I could taste all the flavors and just really enjoyed that cocktail. For my second drink, I had the Bavarian Old Fashioned, which I also loved. I would have a hard time telling you which I preferred over the other as they were both that good. My friend had The Buck Stops Here and (I think) the Friendly Persuasion and enjoyed both as well, but I think she would lean more towards the first drink if she was picking again.
I wish we had padded in more time between this hidden gem and our next destination, because I would've really liked to have spent more time soaking this place in and maybe trying a plate of food as that also sounded amazing. Well done, Patterson House. I will be back.
Written August 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stork90
Mount Juliet1398 contributions
Dec 2020 • none
We actually went here, planning on eating dinner, as well as enjoying their awesome cocktails. The food menu is very limited, but we were thrilled with the dishes we ordered, and quickly inhaled them. Loaded tots were gloriously crispy and topped with a not too spicy horseradish aioli and delicious pieces of bacon. I usually avoid broccoli, but their fried broccoli had me fighting my husband for a few more tastes of those pillowy bites. There was some kind of lemony dressing on them that made them finger-licking. The wings had a unique sauce that we wouldn't describe as "white" that was n the menu, but rather a slightly sweet, spicy crunchy goodness that had us drooling. The chicken pot pie came out last, as they had warned us that it took 20 minutes to cook - no problem! Delicious flaky crust over a somewhat thin sauce with classic ingredients.
Our cocktails were very unique, but we were able to choose ones that appealed to us because of the nicely specific ingredient list beneath the names. They were all very delicious. The bartender was nice enough to give us the recipe of our favorite one - The Jackal. There appeared to be only one waitress (limitations due to COVID?), and at times, service was pretty slow, but overall, we were very happy with our entire evening. The atmosphere is perfect for an intimate gathering.
I may be one of the few that are glad that they have reservations now. Before COVID, you just had to show up, either at opening hour, so you could get a seat without waiting, or wait a ridiculous amount of time, standing around on a busy street corner.
Written December 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The-Lap-of-Luxury
Cleveland1064 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
We made reservations for a Sunday evening and were glad we did. The place was pretty busy when we arrived at 9pm. Brooklyn took care of us and she was AWESOME! So sweet, always smiling (even when we accidentally blew out our candle twice!!) and attentive. The menu is very diverse and creative with quite a few ingredients we had never heard of. Brooklyn was patient and helped guide us through it. We each ended up with cocktails we really liked. The atmosphere was very sophisticated... low lights and dark tones. It was a relaxing way to finish our busy day in Nashville. We will definitely visit again next time we're in town!
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Libby C
Columbia80 contributions
Jun 2020 • none
My boyfriend and I stopped here for a quick drink before eating at the Catbird Seat downstairs. I had two drinks, and the staff were happy to whip up something tasty and nonalcoholic for my boyfriend. The two drinks I had were recommended to me by our waiter, and they were both totally delicious but also completely original and nothing that I had had before.
In addition, I mentioned offhand to our server that I was going on a Mezcal tour in the near future. He immediately volunteered to prep me for my tour by letting me taste some of their various Mescals. Really above and beyond the call of duty. I highly recommend this place to anyone.
Written June 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fireengcapt515
5 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Stumbled upon this place while visiting Nashville with some friends for an evening out on the town. When we first arrived we didn't think we were even at the right place because the exterior was so subdued. It is very obscure and you don't even realize there is an entrance to the bar, which is really what you should expect since they are mimicking the Speak Easy of days gone by. Once inside you truly get the feel of stepping back in time. There is a small waiting area that is dimly lit and very quaint with some comfy couches. Once invited to go inside the curtain parts and you are escorted into a large room with seating on the side at small tables or possibly at the bar. You can order specially crafted cocktails, which you can watch the bartenders artfully create all the while listening to some great music playing at the perfect volume to allow for conversation with friends. There are some offerings for appetizers and few entrees. We had the fried pork skins and a Cuban sandwich to share and both were great. When you are ready to leave the waitress brings you your check to you inside an old hardback book, which keeps in line with what you might expect for secrecy in a location such as this. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and have recommended this location to many friends. We will definitely make this a stop regularly as we are in town.
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark R
66 contributions
Apr 2022 • couples
I’ve been before but first time with my wife. I’d given it a high billing beforehand so was worried I’d over sold it. Thankfully I hadn’t and she loved it too. We hadn’t booked but managed to get two seats at the bar which to be honest we’d prefer as it’s great to see the bar persons working. Amazing server Matt was able not just to work from the menu but also provide others based on our favourite spirit (pisco for me and gin for my wife).
Written April 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy L
Waco85 contributions
Jul 2022 • family
A real speakeasy bar! Behind the velvet curtain was a dimly lit bar with a large assortment of bottles and a bartender with great knowledge of her craft. I’m sorry I don’t remember her name but she’s from Texarkana Texas and just amazing to watch her !! The expansive menu was fun to read and make selections. The meat and cheese board was delicious as well as the loaded tator tots. We had vodka, bourbon and amaretto sour drinks. Enjoyed the company and conversation of other guests at the bar. Just a fun place to visit and walking distance from our Graduate hotel.
Written July 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lance1713
51 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
From the moment you walk in, the Patterson House is probably like to nowhere you’ve ever been! The entry process is a little quirky but hang in there.
The bar is phenomenal and I recommend sitting there instead of one of the booths. It has the most complex and comprehensive drink list I have ever seen. And, the bartender we had was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and passionate about his work. Be sure the watch the meticulous nature of how each cocktail is created!
Chill out, be patient, and you will be rewarded with one (or more) of the best cocktail s and drinking experiences you’ve ever had in your life!
Written June 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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