Day 18. Atlanta – Nashville: Martin’s Bar-B-Que. Acme Feed & Seed. [Nashville Downtown Hostel]
Leaving my Airbnb place at 9 am by Uber with a well-dressed and helpful driver to Greyhound bus station ($6.07 excluding tips), I got to Nashville ($23.50) at around half past 2 pm, terribly delayed.
BBQ
Since the diner I wanted to eat at the most, Arnold’s Country Kitchen, closes at 3 pm, I went to Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint for lunch. The most vivid impression I had of the place was that all the employees were very friendly, and seemed to be genuinely happy to greet customers.
I ordered 2 lbs dry spare ribs ($15.99 excluding taxes & tips) with a Devil’s Backbone (Vienna lager from Roseland, VA; $6.00 excluding tips). The seasonings on the ribs were awesome, giving off a very rich taste. My sides were mac & cheese and fresh cut French fries. Both were good, too. However, 2 lbs really are too much and I should have just gotten 1.5 lbs. In the end, I didn’t finish them all, but the BBQ ribs were no doubt wonderful to the tastebuds.
I also got an e-mail stating that my Airbnb booking on January 12th was cancelled by the host, so I had to look up some other place to stay. It certainly came as a shock.
Check In
Checking into Nashville Downtown Hostel a little after 5 pm, I got the room named Dolly Parton. Since I got to choose my own bed once reaching the room, I got the only lower bunk left. The occupancy wasn’t high, as the 8-bed room was only about half full.
Nashville Broadway consists of numerous Honky Tonks (country music bars) with colourful and bright neon signs. The music flowing from the venues was too hard to ignore, so after settling in my room, I had to experience a bit of early nightlife.
Going to one of the closest places, Acme Feed & Seed, it has 4 stories, and I was on the 1st floor at 6 pm, waiting for the show at 7 pm. I ordered a Captain Spice ($10.00 excluding tips). Unfortunately, one of the ingredients, ginger syrup, wasn’t my thing, so I didn’t really like it. Still, I finished it before the live music show, so I got a mojito ($9.00? excluding tips) after that. And it wasn’t my favourite cocktail either. I have yet to discover what I like.
Captain Spice (Est: 2018 at Acme Feed & Seed by Melinda Chanthachack: Captain Morgan rum, lime, ginger syrup, apple cider). 
Mojito.
Then the band was up. Some of the audience were really fans, as they knew the lyrics to the songs. Or maybe the band was just doing covers, I could never know. Anyway, it was fun with the blaring music and random people dancing from time to time. I left sometime after 8 pm, feeling drunk, and walked back to the hostel.
Summary
It was only the first day in Nashville, and I could already feel the excitement and energy the city radiates. While not sure if I would be up for more alcohol the next day, there is no doubt that Nashville awaits my exploration.
