Canvas

Canvas is a long-running LGBTQ+ bar in East Nashville, known for cocktails, karaoke, DJs, dancing and regular live entertainment.

The bar originally opened on Church Street in 2011 before moving to East Nashville in 2022. The current space has a patio and a more polished look, while keeping the relaxed, slightly offbeat character that made Canvas popular in the first place.

The crowd is mixed, with gay men, lesbians, trans and non-binary people, as well as plenty of allies. It’s less scene-specific than some of Nashville’s other gay bars, so it works well if you want a sociable night out without the full-on club atmosphere of Play.

Karaoke remains a big part of the weekly line-up, alongside DJs, drag events, live music and community nights. Canvas is also known for cocktails made with fresh juices and better-than-average bar food.

Founder Darek Tanner, who died in 2024, created Canvas as an inclusive space for Nashville’s LGBTQ+ community. The bar continues that legacy today.