Songwriter Showcase at Commodore Grille
Every night of the week, the Commodore Grille inside the Holiday Inn on West End Avenue hosts songwriter rounds from 6-10 PM, followed by open mic opportunities starting at 10 PM. This nightly programming has made the Commodore a Nashville institution—a place where out-of-towners and locals alike can experience authentic songwriter performances seven days a week.
The Vibe: The Commodore has been showcasing Nashville songwriters since the 1980s, making it one of the city's longest-running songwriter venues. Located inside a hotel provides unique advantages—convenient for tourists, easily accessible from West End Avenue, and family-friendly with breakfast buffet and dinner service surrounding the music programming.
The room operates as both full-service restaurant and music venue. American cuisine ranges from burgers and sandwiches to steaks, with a full bar offering specialty cocktails and local drafts. The layout includes tables for dining, a bar area for drinks, and performance space where songwriters sit in rounds telling stories and trading songs.
Unlike some listening rooms with strict silence policies, the Commodore balances music appreciation with restaurant atmosphere. Conversation is permitted but kept respectful during performances. This makes it accessible for families with children, groups celebrating occasions, and anyone seeking a less formal Nashville music experience.
The Monday night programming features jazz, while Tuesday showcases special musician nights with touring professionals jamming together. Wednesday through Sunday focus on songwriter rounds featuring both scheduled performers and the 10 PM open mic.
Performances: The nightly songwriter showcases (6-10 PM) feature scheduled performers booked in advance—contact the venue or performing hosts to inquire about securing a slot. These rounds typically include 3-4 songwriters sitting together, trading songs and stories about how they were written and who recorded them.
At 10 PM nightly, the showcase transitions to open mic format where "anyone can play and sing." This provides opportunities for walk-in performers to showcase material in front of an engaged audience. Sign up when you arrive, and the hosts will work you into the rotation.
All ages are welcome, and admission is free—the business model relies on food and drink sales, which creates accessible entry for music lovers while ensuring the venue sustains itself financially. The breakfast buffet (6:30 AM weekdays, 7 AM weekends) has become legendary among hotel guests and locals alike, making the Commodore a true all-day music and dining destination.
For songwriters, the Commodore offers consistent weekly opportunities to perform original material. The nightly programming means you're not limited to a single weekly slot—if you build relationship with hosts, you can potentially book multiple appearances. The tourist-heavy audience provides fresh ears for material, while the hotel setting attracts music industry professionals staying nearby.
The Commodore represents "accessible Nashville"—not exclusive or intimidating, but genuine and welcoming. It's where families on vacation discover the songwriting community, where business travelers stumble into world-class original music, and where local songwriters maintain regular performing opportunities without the competitive pressures of more exclusive venues.