Nightlife in Franklin, TN: Bars, Entertainment, & Late Night Eats
Leiper’s Fork House of Spirits
After an evening spent shopping and dining in downtown Franklin, TN, the night does not have to end when the stores and boutiques close. Franklin’s nightlife is smaller than Nashville’s, but it has its own mix of spots where the evening can continue, from cocktail lounges and wine bars to live music rooms and after-hours dining.
Franklin Nightlife
Nightlife in Franklin may look a little different from what it does in larger cities, and that’s part of its character. Instead of a single entertainment district that stays busy until sunrise, Franklin’s after-dark scene is spread across a small number of well-known bars, music venues, and lounges with extended hours.
Downtown Franklin offers a compact mix of cocktail bars, wine bars, and live music venues that stay open past dinner, especially on weekends. These spots tend to center on drinks, music, and conversation, with some kitchens closing earlier than the bar itself.
For later hours, Cool Springs becomes the focus. This area is home to bars and bar-and-grill spots that stay open past midnight and, in some cases, into the early morning. Many of these locations pair late hours with full food menus, sports viewing, live music, or entertainment like bowling and games.
Overall, nightlife in Franklin is about choosing the right place at the right time. Whether that means cocktails downtown, live music just off Main Street, or a late kitchen and longer hours in Cool Springs, these are the places where you can keep the fun going well after dark.
Downtown Franklin Nightlife: Bars, Restaurants, and Live Music
Within the downtown Franklin area, you will find several bars open late, along with music venues and cocktail lounges that keep the evening going after dinner. These spots are easy to reach on foot from Main Street and nearby side streets, making them ideal for a relaxed late-night crawl without leaving the historic district. From live music to cocktails, downtown Franklin’s nightlife offers some of the most reliable late-night options in the city.
GRAY’S on Main
Set inside a restored Victorian building that once housed the Gray Drug Co., GRAY’S on Main pairs downtown Franklin history with a restaurant, bar, and live music. The space spans multiple floors, with the second-floor bar and music hall hosting performances alongside a cocktail program influenced by late 19th-century drink culture. The evening menu is seasonal and built around Southern flavors, with the majority of ingredients locally grown.
Closing Times: Tue-Thu 9 pm | Fri-Sat 11 pm | Closed Sun-Mon
332 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
JJs Wine Bar
Located on Main St. in a former private residence, downtown Franklin’s first wine bar is a local favorite. The vibe is eclectic, with local art on the walls and jazzy music setting the mood. Their unique wine dispensing machines are a big draw, but they also offer wines by the glass or bottle, premium beers, and a full cocktail bar. Food options are light, including appetizers, salads, small bites, and even dessert.
Closing Times: Tue–Thu 10 pm | Fri–Sat 11 pm | Closed Sun–Mon
206 E Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
O’ Be Joyful
O’ Be Joyful takes its name from vintage American Civil War slang for an intoxicating drink or homemade brew. In downtown Franklin, it’s a casual Main Street bar with a full menu that includes wine, beer, classic cocktails, and signature drinks. For something different, try the shot roulette and let the bartender pick your pour. The food menu sticks to familiar favorites, with items like chicken tenders, street tacos, sandwiches, burgers, and salads.
Closing Times: Sun–Wed 10 pm | Thu–Sat 12 am
328 Main St., Franklin, TN 37064
Amendment XVIII Cocktail Club
Named for the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Amendment XVIII Cocktail Club embraces a Prohibition-era theme with a speakeasy-style setup and a hidden entrance. Guests gain access by using the rear entrance of Mellow Mushroom and flipping the Frankenstein switch to announce their arrival. Inside, the space is designed as a cocktail lounge rather than a traditional bar, with table and lounge seating, low lighting, and a menu focused on craft cocktails. It’s a setting designed for lingering over a drink rather than grabbing a quick round.
Closing Times: Tue–Thu 12 am | Fri–Sat 2 am | Sun 11 pm | Closed Mon
317 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant
Puckett’s is a longtime Franklin favorite with a casual, lived-in atmosphere that feels part restaurant, part music hall. The room is lively, with communal tables, a bustling bar, and a small stage where live music is a regular feature. The full bar includes local and regional draft beers, bottled and canned beer, seltzers, wine, and an extensive whiskey selection. On the food side, the menu highlights Southern comfort classics like burgers and sandwiches alongside Tennessee favorites such as shrimp and grits and Southern fried chicken. It’s not one of the latest-open spots in town, but it remains active into the evening with food, drinks, and live music.
Closing Times: Mon–Thu 9 pm | Fri–Sat 10 pm | Sun 9 pm
120 4th Ave S, Franklin, TN 37064
Stable Reserve
Stable Reserve Spirits is a Franklin distillery tasting room and cocktail bar focused on house-made bourbon, rye whiskey, gin, vodka, and coffee liqueur. The downtown space is comfortable, with table and bar seating, upholstered chairs, and shelves lined with bottles and branded goods. The bar program highlights Stable Reserve spirits through bourbon and whiskey cocktails, plus gin and vodka drinks, and coffee-forward options like espresso-style cocktails. Guests can also buy bottles to take home, including core releases and occasional limited selections. Food stays simple and pairing-friendly, with charcuterie boards designed to complement the spirits.
Closing Times: Sun–6 pm | Mon–Thu 9 pm | Fri–Sat 11 pm
412 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
Leiper’s Fork House of Spirits
Leiper’s Fork House of Spirits is the downtown Franklin tasting room and bar connected to Leiper’s Fork Distillery, offering a place to explore the distillery’s spirits without leaving Main Street. The space is elegant, with low lighting and an upscale lounge feel, with live entertainment on the schedule on select nights. The drink menu highlights Leiper’s Fork Distillery pours and flights, plus house spirits like vodka and gin, seasonally rotating craft cocktails, and local and imported draft beers. Food is offered through lunch and dinner, with a menu that mixes shareable starters and Southern-leaning mains such as smoked chicken gumbo and blackened mahi tacos, plus desserts like banana pudding with bourbon caramel.
Closing Times: Tue–Sun 11 am–11 pm | Closed Mon
341 1st Ave S, Franklin, TN 37064
Kimbro’s Pickin’ Parlor
Kimbro’s Pickin’ Parlor, located in a historic house just off Main Street, is one of downtown Franklin’s favorite live music venues. The space is set up around the stage, with seating and standing room, and the shows feature a mix of local musicians, regional acts, and touring performers. In addition to wine and cocktails, the bar offers 30 imported and domestic beer options, including drafts from local brewers. The kitchen, serving burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas, closes at 11, but corn dogs are available until close.
Closing Times: Daily 1 am
214 S Margin St, Franklin, TN 37064
The Pond
Located just outside the Main Street area in downtown Franklin, The Pond is known for live entertainment, karaoke nights, pool tables, and a dive-bar setup that draws a crowd later in the evening. The menu focuses on beer and cocktails, and the kitchen is always open, serving traditional bar food including burgers, fries, and more.
Closing Times: Daily 3 am
595 Hillsboro Rd #321, Franklin, TN 37064
The Franklin Theatre
The Franklin Theatre is one of downtown Franklin’s best after-dark anchors, especially on nights when the schedule includes a later showtime. This historic venue hosts a rotating calendar of concerts, comedy, special events, and midnight movies, and it’s not unusual to see performances or movie screenings that start later in the evening. If you want a late-night option that isn’t centered on a bar, The Franklin Theatre events can turn the end of the night into the main event.
419 Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
Nightlife in Cool Springs, Franklin, TN: Bars and Dining
For more bars open late in Franklin, TN, Cool Springs has several Nightlife spots with longer hours, full menus, and late-night crowds. For visitors staying nearby or anyone looking to extend the evening without heading into Nashville, these Cool Springs bars are great picks when the plan is one more stop, especially on weekends.
The Tin Roof 2
The Tin Roof 2 is a late-night destination offering trivia, bingo, and karaoke nights during the week, with live music and DJs on the weekend. The space is lively, with a large bar, standing space near the stage, and tables and booths around the room. The food menu is a highlight here, offering the expected bar food as well as tacos, quesadillas, grilled wraps, and even dessert.
Closing Times: Daily 1 am
9135 Carothers Pkwy #100, Franklin, TN 37067
Fozzy’s Bar & Grill
Fozzy’s Bar & Grill is a full-service bar where the TVs are a central feature, and the space is set up for both bar seating and groups at tables. The bar features signature cocktails, craft beer, wine, and creative shots. Known for elevated bar food, Fozzy’s serves up burgers, tacos, flatbreads, and shareable appetizers, making it a great choice if you are looking for some late-night snacks with your drinks.
Closing Times: Sun–Wed 12 am | Thu 1 am | Fri–Sat 2 am
600A Frazier Dr #135, Franklin, TN 37067
King’s Dining & Entertainment
With bowling, billiards, and big screens, King’s Dining & Entertainment has everything you need for a fun late-night outing. The bar serves cocktails, draft beer, wine, and seltzers, as well as non-alcoholic milkshakes that are perfect for sharing. Beyond the sweet treat, food options are plenty, with sharables, pizza, burgers, wings, and more. Adjacent to King’s is Whiskey Room Live, a 150-seat venue that hosts ticketed live music shows and other scheduled performances, with a full bar inside the venue as well.
Closing Times: Mon–Thu 11 pm | Fri–Sat 12 am | Sun 10 pm
1910 Galleria Blvd, Suite 120, Franklin, TN 37067
Brewhouse South
Brewhouse South is a sports bar that combines beer on tap with pizza and late-night hours. TVs throughout the space make it a common pick for games, and the seating works well for groups who want to stay put for a while. The bar offers a large selection of draft beers, including seasonal brews, as well as bottled and canned beers, and an extensive liquor menu. The food menu includes fried baskets, salads, soups, burgers, and pizza from the Sauced Pizza Kitchen, available until 1 am.
Closing Times: Daily 3 am
855 Galleria Blvd, Franklin, TN 37067
Tony’s Eat & Drink
Tony’s Eat & Drink is a neighborhood-style bar where you’ll find a jukebox, TVs, and a lively, open layout perfect for socializing. The bar features beer, wine, and a craft cocktail menu that includes a large selection of flavored Long Island teas and other specialty drinks. The late-night food menu offers hearty bar foods like wings, mozzarella sticks, corn dogs, and even cinnamon donuts for those with a sweet tooth.
Closing Times: Daily 1 am
1000 Meridian Blvd #100, Franklin, TN 37067
Drake’s Cool Springs
Drake’s Cool Springs is an eatery and bar with a broad beer selection and a full menu that draws both diners and people coming in specifically for drinks later in the evening. The space includes standard bar seating plus tables for groups. In addition to 20 craft beers on tap, Drake’s offers a creative cocktail selection and a menu that goes beyond the typical bar food, with BLT tots, sushi, and fried pickles offered alongside more expected items like burgers and sandwiches.
Closing Times:Hours: Sun–Thu 12 am | Fri–Sat 1 am
553 Cool Springs Blvd, Franklin, TN 37067
Dolan’s Bar & Grill
Dolan’s Bar & Grill is a neighborhood watering hole built around sports viewing and traditional pub food. Inside, the space centers on the bar, but you will also find pool tables, darts, and a few arcade-style games. Although proud of its dive bar vibe, Dolan’s elevates the experience with attentive service, generous pours, and house-made pizza for late-night snacking. Dolan’s also stands out for its hours, since it stays open well into the early morning, making it a frequent last-stop option in Cool Springs.
Closing Times: Daily 3 am
4140 Carothers Pkwy #2, Franklin, TN 37067
Explore More in Franklin, Tennessee
Nightlife in Franklin offers more than cocktails. Live Music in Franklin and Williamson County, TN: Beyond the Big Stages highlights intimate venues and local performances happening throughout the area. For a more interactive night out, Let’s Play! Where to Enjoy Trivia, Karaoke, and More in Franklin and Williamson County, TN points to places to test your knowledge, grab a mic, or join a game night.
For evenings with a story behind them, Best Ghost Tours in Downtown Franklin: Exploring Tennessee’s Haunted Past highlights guided walks through the city’s historic streets after dark. And if your interest leans toward a different kind of spirit, Best Whiskey Bars, Distilleries & Events Near Franklin, TN rounds up places to sip, tour, and learn more about Tennessee whiskey close to home.
