Where to go Line Dancing Around Williamson County, Tennessee
It’s 2025 and line dancing is having a revival. While the popular group dance never quite went out of style, a recent mainstream resurgence of country and Americana music has piqued interests around the U.S. Even the internet has taken notice, with social media platforms and big time media publications declaring it a new favorite pastime for people of all ages and demographics. It seems everyone and their mother is buying cowboy boots and Western wear; what better way to break them in then taking them for a spin around your local dance hall?
While the dance form may be having a modern moment, it is by no means a new wave. In fact, line dancing is so old that its exact origins are widely debated. Is the dance form influenced by English Country Dancing (Contra) or Native American culture? Does it stem from Caribbean dance halls or Eastern European folk traditions? Most likely, line dancing is a blend of it all. This being said, by the time it gained traction in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries, line dancing was decidedly Western, a dance form fit for cowboys and outlaws. And while these roots still run deep in line dancing culture, with some of the most popular line dance songs being “Cotton-Eyed Joe,” “Watermelon Crawl,” and “Boot-Scootin’ Boogie,” the style isn’t exclusively for country music fans and Honky-Tonk bars. In fact, some of the most widely known line dances have made repeat appearances at virtually every wedding reception or school dance in the last couple of decades; That’s right, “The Electric Slide,” “Cupid Shuffle,” “Cha-Cha Slide,” and even “The Macarena” are considered line dances. Regardless of music style or the specificities of origin, line dancing is an undeniably fun way you can indulge in the art of dance without being put on the spot or worrying about stepping on your partner’s toes.
Though worldwide, line dancing is most popular in the American South and West. In 2014, the city of Durham North Carolina was dubbed the “line dancing capital of America.” Other popular spots include Texas, Montana, and the Midwest. Here in Middle Tennessee, we’re front runners in the dance style, with tourists flocking to our neighboring Nashville to immerse themselves in urban cowboy culture, complete with its neon lights, country music, and a fair amount of boot scootin’. So, if you’re looking to slip on your finest cowboy boots and learn some new moves, you’re in the right place. Below are some of the best places to go line dancing within a short distance of Williamson County, Tennessee:
Get Down On Broadway
Downtown Nashville is the place to be for country-themed tourism, so naturally it’s the place to be for line dancing. While all of the Honky Tonks down on Broadway are great spots for drinks, dancing, and live music, There are a few specific bars that regularly offer line dancing lessons and events, complete with wide open floors and top-notch instructors.
Old Red is a Honky-Tonk bar that bears the name of country music star Blake Shelton. It’s been a Broadway destination since 2018, and has a rooftop with a view, The Lookout, voted the best in Nashville by fans. Ole Red has all the Nashville staples: live music, cold beer, and great food. If you’re really looking to up your line dancing skills, the bar offers lessons every Friday and Saturday afternoons, with time slot options from 3:30 -4 p.m. or 4:30-5 p.m. The 30-minute sessions are held in The Hall, a private space on the bar’s 3rd floor. Accompanied by professional instructors, you have the chance to learn a fun routine during the exclusive group lesson, which will cost you $25 per person, plus fees. After class is over you have the chance to show off your fancy new moves on Ole Red’s Main Stage. Your lesson ticket also comes with a souvenir mason jar cup, to commemorate a great night and your killer moves.
Category 10 is the Nashville bar that belongs to platinum recording artist Luke Combs. Category 10 replaced the Wildhorse Saloon, a line dancing bar that closed in 2024, as the premier spot for downtown line dancing. Located just a turn off of Broadway on 2nd Avenue, this spot is one of Nashville’s newest Honkey-Tonks and has the largest dance floor in the city. Hurricane Hall, the area of the bar located just beyond the front doors, is where the dancing happens. Equipped with a huge, state-of-the-art stage and sound system, Hurricane Hall is a phenomenal place to catch a show. Above the dance floor is a breathtaking light show, glittering lights in a patterned sequence like that of a hurricane or a twister. Category 10 provides free line dancing lessons and practice throughout the day on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The lessons are staggered throughout the day, but the dancing happens all night long!
Stompin’ Grounds on Broadway is a dance instruction company that was created in 2017 by Tessa and Dustin Sturm, dancers who met and fell in love line dancing and two-stepping in Hollywood, California. They moved to Nashville together to get back to their Southern roots, and set out to build a line dancing community in Music City. Stompin’ Grounds leads line dancing at 3 different locations on Broadway: Bootleggers Inn, Whiskey Bent Saloon, and Show Pony. Their most popular package is an hour long course, where you learn 1 beginner level and 1 advanced line dance. These classes are $41 per person, and include a video to take home with you. Stompin’ Groups also offers exclusive, private dance lessons for parties and Texas Two-Step lessons for couples. When they’re not teaching line dancing, the Sturm’s are busy shooting cinematic videos and portrait photography for weddings, events, and music videos, through their second company, Southern Pictures.
Beyond Broadway
Nashville Palace is a famous spot for music and dance, and has been hosting live shows and events since 1977. Located in the same area as the Grand Ole Opry, the Nashville Palace offers the quintessential Music City experience outside of Broadway. Made for “Boots & Beats,” the venue is the perfect spot for dancers of all genres and skill levels, from line dancing to salsa. Through various events, the Nashville Palace provides professional instruction and fun for all, whether you’ve been dancing your whole life or have two left feet. Line dancing lessons are hosted by outside vendor Standard Western on Tuesday nights and require a small cover fee (usually between $5-$15, depending on the lesson). Line dancing nights are Fridays and Saturdays. More than a tourist attraction, the Nashville Palace is a place where Nashville’s dance culture thrives, with vibrant showcases and competitions that keep the spirit alive.
Turn Their Heads is the largest country dance academy in the US, housed in a 4500 square foot complex equipped with 3 dance studios. The studio is located 8-minutes away from Broadway, and is sure to get you ready to take your dancing downtown. Instructors teaches popular line dances, two-step routines, and swing dancing. They offer a fun and vibrant, low-pressure atmosphere perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in the world of country dancing. Coaches at Turn Their Heads are friendly, helpful, and experienced in teaching effectively and with flair. Most notably, this company caters to line dancing beginners. The studio is also BYOB friendly, if you want to save a bit of money on beverages at your next social event. Alongside public and private dancing lessons, instructors are also willing to come to your home, event, or Airbnb upon request.
Traveling Classes
A lot of line dancing companies in the Nashville area are mobile, bringing lessons to various event venues or right to your doorstep. Booking private lessons is a great way to celebrate any occasion, from bachelorette parties to corporate events, and everything in between! Here are some specific line dancing companies to consider for your next event:
New Boots Line Dancing has been teaching premier, private lessons since 2016. The company offers private pop-up studio lessons, offsite private lessons, and large parties and events. Alongside Nashville areas, New Boots can also travel to Franklin and Brentwood for your line dancing needs! Prices vary depending on lesson type. All lesson types are accompanied by friendly instructors and curated playlists to fit your party needs.
Neon Cowgirls offers private dance parties and lessons, with the help of top-notch choreographers who have worked alongside some of the most famous pop-stars of our time. Alongside classic country dances, they also teach pop and hip hop. Classes can be held at your home, Airbnb, or at an event venue of your choosing. If none of these options work for you, they are happy to have you at their a host studio, Nashville’s Millennium Dance Company.
Urban Cowboy Entertainment offers an unforgettable line dancing experience, from private lessons to one-of-a-kind events. Alongside off-site or in-studio private lessons, the company also offers Broadway excursion packages for corporate events, party bar-hops, and public dance lessons. Their tours are pretty affordable, at $75/person for 2-hours of downtown fun. Whatever route you choose, Urban Cowboy Entertainment knows where to go and how to have a good time, boot-scooting all the way down Broadway.
Standard Western strives to bring good, wholesome, and active fun to participants who want to learn country dancing techniques. Alongside hosting events at well-known haunts like the Nashville Palace and Tin Roof Bar, Standard Western offers private group lessons, 1 on 1 coaching, production choreography, and more. The company is owned and operated by George Blick, a six time champion in the World Line Dance Championships.
Columbia
If Nashville doesn’t strike your fancy, you can head to Columbia, Tennessee, a top-rated small town about 40 minutes South of Downtown Franklin. The city is full of historic and Southern charm, and a couple of great places where you can break in your boots.
The Mule House is Columbia’s premier event venue, hosting concerts, weddings, and special events. They regularly host Country Dance Nights, with recognizable vendors such as Nashville’s Urban Cowboy Entertainment group. Tickets for events at the Mule House are available at the door, or online. New shows are added weekly, so make sure to check out their calendar for updates or to inquire about private event booking.
The Boondox is a large and family-friendly venue in Columbia, regularly hosting live music, karaoke, dancing, pool tournaments, and more. Line dancing lessons at The Boondox are open to the public and free on Thursday nights from 6-9 p.m. Other dance events include Music City Swing Dancing every other Friday, with lessons from 6-7 p.m. and dancing from 7-10 p.m.
Williamson County
If you aren’t looking to venture out of the county for line dancing lessons, the John P. Holt Brentwood Library hosts free line dancing classes on a regular basis, usually once a month. The library class is taught by instructor Amy Bauman, who teaches participants 2 beginner-level dances that can be performed to a variety of pop and country songs. Cowboy hats and boots are optional, and all are welcome!
You have the opportunity to hone your dancing skills at Champion Ballroom Center in Franklin’s Cool Springs area. Champion Ballroom Center offers private lessons, group classes, and practice parties, where you can enjoy refreshments and gather together with other social dancers. While not exclusively a place to line dance, the ballroom center teaches a variety of dances for couples, from waltz and salsa to country two-step. This is a great spot for couples, whether you’re looking to perfect a routine for your wedding, or simply looking for a exciting date night idea. Introductory specials are very affordable, with 3 lessons for $30 or 4 for $40.
Whether you take your country moves down to Broadway or stick to Nashville’s surrounding areas, you’re probably going to be in the market for a cowboy hat and a good pair of boots. There are great places in Franklin and Brentwood, where you can find high-quality and custom Western wear so you can live out your cowboy dreams, and look good doing it.
Trying Something New
When looking for fun things to do on a night out, it is so easy to fall into our same old routines. No matter your age or expertise, learning new, novel skills is a great way to stay engaged with your community and keep life interesting. On top of that, learning to dance is an excellent way to stay active and have a good time with friends and family. Don’t let the fear of looking ridiculous stop you from taking line dancing for a whirl—that’s half the fun! Especially if you’ve lived here in Middle Tennessee your whole life, going line dancing at least once is a must. When it comes down to it, line dancing is a celebration of Southern heritage and the places we call home. The dance form is a fun, charming way to tap into our country roots, spend quality time together, and practice a new skill. What are you waiting for? Grab your friends, pull on your boots, and scuff up these dance floors within a short distance of Williamson County!
