Upstairs from the Cannery Ballroom, the Mercy Lounge hosts slightly smaller crowds with big variety its Monday 8 off 8th writer's nights are a top spot to catch solid local musicians of all stylistic stripes playing quick, appetite-whetting three-song sets for free. It's a well-appointed room that sounds far better than its bigger downstairs neighbor, and its deck and back room (bonus: pool tables) offers respite from sets you're hating. It's a great room for catching stuff that's engagingly loud and engagingly tender -- local heroes The Features regularly kill there, but the gorgeously timid Cat Power sounded beautiful too.

See more: Nashville/Davidson County restaurants, Downtown/Gulch restaurants, Nashville/Davidson County bars, Downtown/Gulch bars