Exit / In

Cool little club with lots of history. And no air conditioner.

What a little gem on Church street. Plenty of nearby options for pre game (or after party). The venue has great sound quality, friendly bar tenders, and most importantly, some fabulous acts in a the best music venue-​dive in town. I saw Cee Lo here — he had two great openers and the crowd was super friendly to a gal flying solo. I would definitely come back to catch one of the many recognizable bands who come through here, and I can’t wait to catch a discovery act they find.

Great variety of sushi that’s always fresh and reasonably priced. It’s a small place so get there a bit early and expect a bit of a wait. Cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. Loved the ninza roll.

This venue is a joke. No fun was had by anyone in our group. Security was constantly harassing us at every turn. First we were rudely harassed that our «stamps weren’t dark enough, go get your ID checked at the front again». A friend had a drink in her purse and got thrown out of the bar. What a waste of time! If you have a huge (throwing someone out) problem with outside drinks… make a point to ask people to throw them away at the door when you see it or give a damn warning! Jeez, what harsh and unnecessary drama on their part! I’ve lived in the Nashville area all my life and I’ve never ever seen security with that big of a power trip, I’ve certainly NEVER experienced a venue throwing someone out for simply bringing in an outside drink. The owner needs to get a serious grip on their security personnel. Bouncers should not be allowed to grab women and jerk them out the door, she was not acting out of line and tried to apologize. They treated her like she had a weapon or was trying to start a fight. I don’t see how a girl with an outside drink is really worth a scene of drama! I encourage everyone (that wants to actually enjoy their night) to avoid this venue. Plenty of FRIENDLY establishments in Nashville, so don’t waste your time!

Great place to see a show we sage plain white tees and beta play and it was awesome. Jessica the bartender made everything easy and fun. Good prices too!

Exit/​in is the closest and coolest venue in Nashville. It’s quaint and small so seeing an artist that close with the sound quality is an amazing experience. If you have a chance to see an artist here, it is a must see venue!

Yes! My favorite venue! They constantly bring in great acts ranging from just about every genre and popularity. I’ve seen some wonderful shows here, some of the best being Mac DeMarco, Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks, and Slow Magic.
It is an intimate venue with a lot of history and chill atmosphere. They have a small balcony and even a smoking area just outside by the stage that you can use to escape a hot and heavy crowd.
If you’re in Nashville, your Music City experience is not complete until a visit to the Exit/​In.

Basic medium size venue. There is an upstairs in the back that you can look out from. It is especially helpful, when realizing you are going to shows that are inhabited with mostly under 21 year olds who want to mosh at the slight hint of volume, it doesn’t even matter if the music is moshable. They offer an outside patio for smokers, especially helpful since once you come in the venue you can’t come back out. The bar is standard and has a spending minimum of 10 $ when using your card. Sound is ok, but once you are near the front that usually goes out the window.

Bands/​performers:
Security and staff was kind of weird and a bit rude. I was doing merch for a well known band and they made it complicated for the band members to get back stage. Make sure to bring your contract, they misplaced out & it was a bit complicated to get our buyouts before they found the contract. Also make sure to do sound check because things got complicated when request where made to have the musicians sound like the band wanted to.

Love this venue, my favorite band Paper Route only plays this venue when they are in town, which makes it great. Very nice small place which makes shows much more intimate. Really enjoy this place and wouldn’t miss a show here for the world.

Great setting for live music. Long long list of stars that have been through on the wall! Better than expected beer selection.

Very simple yet awesome venue. There’s been a ton of shows I’ve wanted to see here and not been able to make. I saw William Elliot Whitmore on ⁴⁄₈ and had an amazing time. Staff was friendly and attentive, even when we were unaware it is cash only (should have thought ahead!). The show itself was wonderful and the crowd wasn’t horrible. I will definitely be back to see a show here!

I had my 3^rd horrible experience at Exit in last night and I’m never going back. My boyfriend and I both brought 20 bucks cash to see his best friends band play. We brought 5 dollars for the cover and enough to get 2 beers each. We basically wanted to have low key night and not spend much. We were having a great time and walked up to the bar to get our second round of beers. He ordered a miller light and the bartender opened the beer and put it in front him so he started to pull out the money to pay. At that point the bartender said, «it’s a 10 dollar minimum». My boyfriend politely said, «no thanks then, I’m good.» Then it got ugly quick. The bartender proceeded to tell him that he had to buy the beer and reach the 10 dollar minimum or he would be kicked out immediately. He refused to buy the beer and then we were surrounded by three bouncers to «enforce» kicking us out of the bar. I asked the bartender why he couldn’t just ice the beer for a few minutes and sell it to someone else and he said, «No one drinks Miller Light»?!? The whole thing was ridiculous and poorly managed. If I was the owner I would fire everyone on staff and start over. There are too many other great venues in town to put up with this type of treatment as a paying customer. The entitlement and rudeness of the staff seems to be encouraged. I remember going to Exit In back in the day and liking the staff, maybe there is new management? Either way, I will not be back.

I am writing this review about the bartender that is currently running bar a long haired fellow that had me kicked out over the 10 dollar minimum I had no idea about.
It started with me ordering a Miller Lite to drink. I know crappy beer selection but it’s what I wanted. He opened the the beer and set it down on the bar then asked if I wanted to start a tab. I was just going to run the card because I had been paying cash for my last 2 beers and was only staying another 30 minutes or so. He asked for my card then said there is a 10 dollar minimum for all cards so I said no thanks I’ll pass I don’t have any cash. This is when it hit the fan and the bartender insisted that I had to pay for the beer that I just order or I had to leave. He said there is an ATM in the corner you can get cash and pay for your beer so I said no. I am not going to pull cash out of the ATM because of the premium service fee that will be applied. I worked previously for years Bartending and waiting tables and any time I ever ran into someone not being able to pay I sat it aside and sold it to someone else within a reasonable amount of time of course. The bartender at Exit In told me no one in the whole bar is drinking Miller Lite. Bare in mind there are 150 people there at least. I have visited this venue on and off for the past 10 or 15 years with no issue until now. I believe the staff needs to be reviewed by management. My luck if I would have asked for the manager it would have been the Bartender. I can’t say that I will never be back because I know so many musicians in Nashville but I will only go there against my will at this point. It was extremely unnecessary to have 3 security guards escort me out of a dive bar like Exit In over a 5 dollar beer. It was embarrassing mainly because money really is not the issue here it was the principle that they never told me before handing off the beer. Thanks for reading.

This is without apology a very basic music venue. The size is perfect — big enough for a crowd to generate a lot of energy, small enough for everyone to feel up close and personal. Big enough bar to keep the drinks flowing. Perfect spot to resurrect the college experience with the White Animals.
Pro tip: I’m reliably informed that they not only offer the finest selection of Hot Pockets in Tennessee, but selections also include White Castle sliders. I did not validate this myself, your mileage may vary, offer good while supplies last.
From the band list overt the bar — would to have seen the Hoodoo Gurus here. Doh!

Exit/​In is a great venue! I have attended a variety of shows from a packed out house to a half full performance. It’s dark, musty, and a great experience. If hanging on the stage isn’t your preference, hit up the balcony upstairs. I can also usually hang toward the back and still maintain my personal space without issue.
They have a good selection of beers and spirits and there is a $ 10.00 minimum to use a card. Well drinks are $ 5.00 so grab yourself two for the show and you are set.
Shows vary in prices but are always affordable. Yeah, parking can be slightly tricky at times, but it has never been impossible for me. A good amount of side street parking and even if you have to walk, it really isn’t bad at all.
If you are looking for that in between venue for rising and mostly-​known bands before they get really big, this is your spot!

The Exit/​In is probably my new favorite small venue in town. One, they traditionally start on time. That is huge. HUGE! Especially if you are watching a band on a Tuesday night. It’s also smoke-​free and the bathrooms are clean. I haven’t been in when it’s been packed but so far I have had plenty of space to enjoy the show. The stage is high enough that anyone can see, even shorties like me. Also the décor is pretty rad. I love the sign above the bar with all the artists who have graced their stage.
So far I have seen Classixx and Run the Jewels (El-​P and Killer Mike) at Exit/​In. Two different crowds, both an equally pleasing experience. I should also mention that the artists head to the back after their show to sell merch. Both artists were incredibly friendly and posed for photos with their fans. This definitely adds to the charm of Exit/​In. Overall it’s a solid venue!

You’ve just gotta love a place like this. And that people «get» it. It’s authentic as hell, just a good bar with great sound. We saw GPN here on Halloween night a few years back and, as others have mentioned, the crowd is a blast at this place. GPN dressed up as some old country stars and did a few tributes which were well received. EXIT/​IN isn’t fancy, isn’t expensive, and isn’t really touristy although if you dig live music and happened into this place on a trip I doubt you would be disappointed. It’s a little out of the way and not smashed in between other bars, parking isn’t great, but despite the dark and somewhat sinister vibe, you just know it’s safe. There’s only one reason to come here and it’s for the music. They take it seriously and get it right. So for that, and the love the locals have for the place, 4 stars.

Saw the Airborne Toxic Event here and the venue was awesome. I showed up an hour early and stood 2 feet from the center stage, so its kind of hard not to love a place for that. This venue is really small compared to other places I have been, so you’ll have a great view no matter where you are I feel.
Definitely coming back here next time a great band like TATE shows up.

I’ve been here MANY times since 2000 and the venue is pretty good. Always has great bands come through. From legends to nobodies just starting to make a name.
Cons: the staff has become increasingly rude over the years. Shitty beer selection.