Skull’s Rainbow Room looks like just another basement bar in Printers Alley, but the second the live jazz kicks in and a martini lands in front of you, the night shifts into something legendary.
Word spread as locals raved about perfectly cooked steaks, rich seafood, and late-night shows; soon, visitors started hunting down this hidden room, turning it into one of Nashville’s most buzzed-about reservations. 🎺✨
Everyone’s Going Crazy Over The Classics
Skull’s didn’t become a Nashville legend by accident.
Opened in 1948 in the basement of the historic Southern Turf Building, Skull’s Rainbow Room grew from an old-school supper club into one of the most celebrated dining and entertainment experiences in Music City, drawing guests eager to taste a piece of Nashville history.
Its home at 222 Printers Alley means anyone exploring guides to downtown Nashville nightlife inevitably stumbles across this room that blends dinner, jazz, and cabaret, then rushes to lock in a reservation before the prime slots vanish. 💃
After a long closure, the revived Skull’s quickly reclaimed its reputation, even being highlighted as a “Top 5 Trending Restaurant in Nashville” on some review sites, which poured even more fuel on the hype among food-focused travelers.
Curious visitors scrolling through Skull’s Rainbow Room page and the photo-packed socials see the same story repeated: fantastic live music, packed rooms, and plates that turn an evening into an event.
Part of the pull is the promise of award-winning food, beer, wine and cocktails, and live jazz music nightly, with world-class burlesque heating up the late-night crowd on weekends.
Weekend burlesque shows, described as “the show Nashville has been talking about for 50 years,” keep the room buzzing until after midnight and solidify Skull’s as a must-see part of Printers Alley’s entertainment legacy.
On social media, posts like this Instagram feature highlight how the spot blends “Nashville’s past” with an award-winning menu, handcrafted cocktails, and live jazz every night, turning it into a bucket-list stop for visitors chasing a moody, grown-up night out. 🍸\
Travelers who normally focus on Broadway honky-tonks end up adding a detour here after reading glowing comments in Nashville visitor groups praising Skull’s as “amazing,” with “delicious” food, “awesome” staff, and “great” entertainment that’s all tucked just off the main tourist drag.
Food Highlights
- Lamb Rack / Lamb Chops: Many diners online rave about the lamb rack and lamb chops, calling them tender, juicy, and beautifully cooked, often with a crisp exterior and rosy center.
Guests describe the lamb as a must-try main, especially for those who want something rich and special while the band swings just a few feet away. 🐑
- Prime Rib Empanada: This dish earns shout-outs as a standout starter, praised for its rich filling and impressive flavor from a surprisingly compact kitchen, which gets the recommendation of many satisfied guests as a starter dish for sharing.
- Diver Scallops: Diners frequently highlight the diver scallops as a favorite seafood entrée, noting perfectly cooked scallops and sauces that lift the dish beyond the ordinary.
It’s a smart pick for anyone who wants something elegant and flavorful that still lets them stay light enough to enjoy dessert and another round of drinks.
- Filet Mignon: Regulars and first-timers alike mention the filet mignon as the centerpiece steak, the “big night out” choice, noting its buttery texture and classic presentation, even as they warn that premium cuts here command premium prices.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Skull’s Rainbow Room leans heavily into old-school jazz club energy: leather booths, rock walls, a tin ceiling, and a stage that fills up fast as the night goes on.
Guests often say it feels like stepping into a speakeasy or back in time, with live jazz so good it’s compared to “recording studio quality” and a room that’s described as the “coolest evening” of an entire Nashville trip.
The room’s late-night burlesque brings a sultry, adults-only sparkle, with shows often standing room only and a cover charge that doesn’t deter the crowds eager to experience a piece of ongoing local legend.
By the time you step back onto the alley, the combination of music, history, and dimly lit drama makes the outside world feel strangely flat in comparison. 🎶
Bottom Line
Skull’s Rainbow Room delivers live jazz, burlesque, and elevated dishes in a historic basement where nightlife history is still being written.
Drop by the room to experience firsthand the legendary atmosphere, rich mains, attentive service, and a true only-in-Nashville night that lingers long after the last note fades.
Address:
222 Printers Alley, Nashville, TN 37201
📞 (615) 810-9631
🕔 Open daily, Mon-Sat, 5 PM-2 AM, Sun, 10 AM–2 PM, 5 PM–2 AM