Nashville’s Revelry Tours offers an immersive journey into the city’s scandalous past. Guests explore the notorious Red Light District and The Men’s Quarter, uncovering tales of bordellos and speakeasies. Guided by a storyteller, they learn about the vibrant yet tumultuous history marked by love, murder, and indulgence. This cocktail-fueled adventure provides a unique glimpse into Nashville’s darker side, visiting iconic historical sites. What secrets might these walls hold?
Key Points
- This two-hour cocktail-fueled tour explores Nashville’s darker history, focusing on the former Red Light District and The Men’s Quarter.
- The tour covers historical sites like Bobby Hotel, Printers Alley, and the tragic story of Stringbean and Estelle at the CMT/Ryman Auditorium.
- The mid-1800s Red Light District was a hub of scandalous activity, including bordellos, saloons, and gambling halls, with common occurrences of fights, shootouts, and murders.
- The Men’s Quarter offered exclusive gentlemen’s clubs and opulent parlors, featuring cigar lounges, billiards, and the discreet company of courtesans.
- The tour begins at the Standard Proof Tasting Room and concludes with the story of Stringbean and Estelle, providing a unique glimpse into Nashville’s risqué underworld.
Tour Overview
The Revelry Tours Nashville Bordellos, Burlesque, and Blood Tour offers a two-hour exploration of Nashville’s darker history through a cocktail-fueled journey.
Dive into Nashville’s seedy past with a two-hour cocktail-fueled tour of bordellos, burlesque, and blood.
Priced from €32.06 per person, the English-language tour is wheelchair accessible and has a flexible cancellation policy. Guests can reserve their spot with no upfront payment.
The tour visits historical sites like The Men’s Quarter, the Red Light District, and Printers Alley, with stops at the Standard Proof Tasting Room, Bobby Hotel, and Dream Nashville.
An experienced guide provides insights while participants experience the city’s past indulgences.
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Exploring Nashville’s Darker History
Whereas the Revelry Tours Nashville Bordellos, Burlesque, and Blood Tour allows participants to uncover Nashville’s darker past through a cocktail-infused excursion, the two-hour experience transports visitors to the city’s former Red Light District and The Men’s Quarter.
Guests explore historical sites like the Bobby Hotel, which once housed the infamous mid-1800s brothels, and the Printers Alley, where publishing businesses contrasted with nighttime revelry.
The tour also delves into the tragic story of Stringbean and Estelle at the CMT/Ryman Auditorium.
With an experienced guide leading the way, the tour offers a unique glimpse into Nashville’s risqué underworld.
Scandals of the Red Light District
Though the mid-1800s Red Light District in Nashville was a hub of scandalous activity, it also served as a bustling commercial center. Bordellos, saloons, and gambling halls thrived along the winding alleys.
Prostitutes openly solicited patrons, while madams orchestrated illicit liaisons. Fights, shootouts, and even murders were common occurrences.
Yet, the district remained an integral part of the city’s economy, providing employment and entertainment to residents and visitors alike.
Despite its seedy underbelly, the Red Light District was a testament to the complex realities of urban life in the 19th century American South.
The Indulgent History of The Mens Quarter
While the mid-1800s Red Light District in Nashville was notorious for its bordellos and saloons, the area known as The Mens Quarter offered a different kind of indulgence. Here, wealthy patrons could enjoy exclusive gentlemen’s clubs, opulent parlors, and illicit diversions.
| Establishment | Highlights | Services |
| — | — | — |
| Gentlemen’s Club | Cigar lounge, billiards, cognac | Exclusive membership, private entertainment |
| Parlor House | Lavish decor, live music, champagne | Discreet company of courtesans |
| Speakeasy | Clandestine entrance, craft cocktails, jazz | Illicit thrills in a hidden oasis |
The Mens Quarter catered to the elite, providing a sophisticated, hidden world of luxury and vice.
More Great Tours NearbyContrasting Daytime and Nighttime in Printers Alley
Printers Alley provides a stark contrast between its daytime and nighttime personas. By day, it’s home to publishing companies and professional offices.
But as night falls, the alley transforms into a hub of revelry and indulgence. Visitors can explore the historic establishments that once catered to the city’s more illicit activities.
Bars, nightclubs, and cabarets now occupy the spaces where bordellos and speakeasies once thrived. The tour explores this duality, shedding light on the alley’s colorful past and how it’s evolved over time to become a unique Nashville destination.
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The Tragic Tale of Stringbean & Estelle
Why does the tour take visitors to the CMT/Ryman Auditorium to learn about the tragic tale of Stringbean and Estelle?
Country music legend David "Stringbean" Akeman and his wife Estelle were brutally murdered at their rural Tennessee home in 1973. The couple had just returned from a performance at the Grand Ole Opry when two intruders shot and killed them.
The chilling incident sent shockwaves through the Nashville music community. On the tour, guests learn about the lives and untimely deaths of this beloved country duo, a sobering contrast to the revelry and indulgence explored earlier in the tour.
Highlights of the Tour Itinerary
The tour’s itinerary takes guests on an immersive journey through Nashville’s darker past, exploring the city’s infamous bordellos, burlesque theaters, and crime scenes.
Visitors start at the Standard Proof Tasting Room, where they’ll hear tales of love and murder.
Next, they head to the Bobby Hotel to experience the mid-1800s Red Light District.
The tour then ventures to Dream Nashville, uncovering the indulgent history of The Men’s Quarter.
Finally, they contrast the daytime publishing world of Printers Alley with its nighttime revelry before learning about the tragic story of Stringbean and Estelle at the CMT/Ryman Auditorium.
What’s Included and Customer Feedback
The tour includes an experienced, knowledgeable guide who leads visitors through the historical sites and establishments.
Guests gain entry into bars and other venues, though drinks aren’t included. According to reviews, the guide’s expertise and the unique locations visited are highlights of the tour.
One reviewer praised Nestor’s insights, while another noted the tour provided a fascinating look into Nashville’s darker past.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Tour Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
The tour appears safe for solo female travelers. It’s led by experienced guides, takes place in public venues, and has no reports of safety issues. However, visitors should always exercise normal precautions when exploring any city’s nightlife areas.
Can the Tour Be Customized for Private Groups?
Yes, the tour can be customized for private groups. Revelry Tours offers the flexibility to accommodate private bookings and tailor the experience to the group’s specific interests and preferences. This allows for a more personalized and exclusive tour.
How Much Alcohol Is Typically Consumed During the Tour?
The amount of alcohol consumed during the tour varies. While stops at bars are included, the tour is focused on the historical and cultural aspects rather than heavy drinking. Guests are responsible for purchasing their own drinks at the venues.
Are There Any Age Restrictions for Participants?
The tour has no age restrictions, but participants must be 21 or older to enter and consume alcohol at the bars and establishments visited. Children are welcome on the tour, but they won’t be able to participate in the drinking aspects.
Can the Tour Be Done in Other Cities Besides Nashville?
The tour is focused on Nashville’s history and cannot be done in other cities. Revelry Tours does not offer this specific tour in locations outside of Nashville.
The Sum Up
The Revelry Tours Nashville Bordellos, Burlesque, and Blood Tour offers a captivating exploration of the city’s scandalous past. Guests uncover tales of love, murder, and indulgence as they visit iconic historical sites in the notorious Red Light District and The Men’s Quarter. This cocktail-fueled adventure provides a unique glimpse into Nashville’s darker side, leaving participants with a deeper understanding of the city’s vibrant yet tumultuous history.
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