The Best Espresso Martinis in Nashville

Espresso martinis have been the “it” drink of the last couple of years, and there are no shortage of places around town to find one. I’m no coffee connoisseur, so I polled my Instagram followers, and these are the ones they voted on (as well as a few not mentioned, if you want to venture out on your own!) Places in bold received multiple votes!

Of course, as with any list on the Tip Jar, menus are subject to change, so please contact the restaurant before you go.

Recommended:

12South

The Butter Milk Ranch – Everyone’s favorite breakfast/lunch restaurant has three boozy coffee options! Just be sure to go at an off-time or get on the wait list early! BMR is popular for a reason.

Downtown

Cafe Intermezzo – a European cafe; charming, but they don’t take reservations, so remember that at peak times!

Church & Union – upscale but not stuffy – make sure you look up!

Jeff Ruby’s – enhance your steak dinner with a classic espresso martini

Pinewood Social – they serve Crema coffee, so you know it’ll be good. Not listed on the menu, but I feel confident they serve this regularly (still, check first).

The Twelve Thirty Club – Even for a non-coffee drinker like me, this one is delicious.

Sinatra – a swanky experience for a swanky cocktail

Skulls Rainbow Room – one of the most celebrated (and haunted!) bars in Nashville. At time of publication, there is no espresso martini on the menu although it was recommended, so it may be seasonal.

The Standard – old school vibes for a classy night out. Their espresso martini is not on the menu, so double check before heading out.

Standard Proof – a whiskey version

Donelson

TennFold – a casual brewery with a full food menu so great for the whole family. Yet, someone said their espresso martini was “the BEST I have EVER had!”

East Nash

Cafe Roze – cozy and romantic, but also great for brunch with the girls

Bay 6 – I think it’s safe to say this is probably the only iteration with YooHoo – and we love them for it.

The Fox Bar and Cocktail Club – One of the most celebrated bars in Nashville with a speak-easy feel

Golden Pony – a chill hang with tons of parking

Jane’s Hideaway – excellent cocktails, excellent music, excellent vibes

Love and Exile – a frozen version; I’ve never had something at Love and Exile I didn’t love.

Pearl Diver – One of my friends describes her decorative aesthetic as “jungle chic”, and I can’t think of a better description for Pearl Diver’s tropical vibe.

Sid Gold’s – piano bar karaoke, sing alongs, and a cold brew twist on the espresso martini

Germantown

Barrel Proof – one of my favorite bars; their version is on-tap and made with Elegy coffee. And, they have a $10 burger and fries combo!

Germantown Cafe – classy and classic. AND on happy hour for $5.00!!

Le Loup – a cozy and elegant cocktail and oyster bar above the Optimist; no online menu, but they have an extensive cocktail menu, so I feel confident this is a solid recommendation

Pelato – also serves a frozen version! One of the most frequently recommended on this list!

Green Hills

Santo – Mediterranean restaurant that makes theirs with tequila!

The Gulch

L.A. Jackson – If you can handle the tourists, L.A. Jackson at the top of the Thompson Hotel offers a delicious espresso martini, also available in large format.

Marsh House – it’s the same hotel as LA Jackson, so it would make sense that they would also have a great tini

Pullman Standard – this 1920s-era bar deserves more attention; everything is great.

Midtown

The Electric Jane – Electric Jane is currently closed, but I left it on the list since it was recommended and comes with a cannoli! Here’s to hoping they reopen soon.

Land of a Thousand Hills Edgehill – part coffee shop, part craft cocktail bar, their version is on tap and you would never know it wasn’t shaken right then.

Old Glory – a hidden entrance in Edgehill

North Nash

Grandpa Bar – part coffee shop, part bar, Grandpa offers FIVE espresso martini varieties. Warm, friendly, delicious (with house made syrups), Grandpa Bar is a locals fave.

1865 Club – speakeasy that feels like you’re in an elegant cafe. It’s a vibe.

Sylvan Park

Lola – Theirs is combined with their delicious house made chai for a tasty twist.

Wedgewood-Houston

Americano Lounge – Another coffee shop turned bar, Americano Lounge has at least four coffee-based libations to suit your palate.

Dicey’s – not a permanent fixture but the frozen comes recommended if you can get it.

Killjoy – if you want the fun without the hangover, Nashville’s only zero-proof bottle store carries an NA version!

Good Times – this one was recommended, but I don’t see it on their menu. So, proceed with caution.

Multiple Locations:

Common Ground – Berry Hill and Sylvan Park; both feature flavored varieties and large format!

Suburbs:

Calabria – Mt. Juliet; affordable drinks and the most delicious garlic knots I’ve ever had.

Stable Reserve – Franklin; made with a bourbon cream liqueur

Others:

These are ones not mentioned by my followers, but likely worth trying out!

12 South

Urban Grub – The 12South staple offers an espresso martini regularly, but features 2 additional coffee cocktails on their brunch menu.

Downtown

Hampton Social – a Grey Goose version, also available in large format

The River House – upscale with a dress code

Germantown

Geist – Geist’s vibe fits a bougie drink. While I suspect that many place’s espresso martinis are actually cold brew cocktails, Geist’s definitely is, so keep that in mind if you’re a purist.

Marathon Village

Greenbrier Distillery – One of my favorite brunches, and they make the liquor on site, so that’s a pretty good sign…

Midtown

Henley – using Honest Coffee Roasters espresso, Henley’s option is currently only on the brunch menu, so give them a call first if you’re wanting to try it another time.

Hi-Fi Clyde’s – pairs well with the hangover-cure brunch menu (but it’s actually really good)

Tavern – Nashville’s favorite brunch is back, serving an espresso martini with a citrus twist

White Limozeen – If ever a restaurant was designed specifically for Instagram, it’s White Limozeen at the top of the Graduate hotel.

The Gulch

Two Hands – their version has a “banana bread” spin with oat milk and crème de banane

A little extra: park in the Prima Garage and Two Hands will give you a code for up to 2.5 hours free parking.

Mockingbird – made with Frothy Monkey cold brew

Wedgewood Houston

Earnest Bar and Hideaway – The restaurant pays homage to Ernest Hemingway and seems to only offer their version at brunch. Hemingway himself would surely approve of some day drinking.

Multiple Locations:

Snooze – the Gulch and East; one of the few chain restaurants I really crave. It’s so good!

---

Did I miss any? Nashville menus are always changing, so if you find one that’s not on my list, please let me know! And if you have any reviews of the above – good or bad – leave a comment so we can all learn from your wisdom!

XO,
SB

P.S. If you like to pair your boozy coffee with a great brunch, check out my list of the best Nashville brunches (right now!)