Belcourt Theatre

Tucked behind the original Hillsboro Village strip is a rare artistic gem, the Belcourt Theatre, an independent, nonprofit movie theater. Walk past the movie posters and around the side of the building to reach the entrance. There is a historical marker to the left of the main doors. 

The Belcourt has been a mainstay of Hillsboro Village culture since it was founded in 1925 as the Hillsboro Theatre. Its original purpose was to show silent films, and at the time it was built, it was the largest stage in Nashville. Founder Joseph Lightman was born in Hungary and emigrated to Nashville at just 16 years old. His ingenuity and innovation with founding the Belcourt was ahead of its time—he was undoubtedly a pioneer of Nashville’s modern, creative spirit. (Inother words, Lightman was a Nashville hipster before it was cool.) His son, M.A. Lightman, who co-founded the Belcourt, went on to open several movie theaters across the South. 

From 1934-1936, the Belcourt was home to the Grand Ole Opry, where country artists played intimate shows to sold-out crowds. In 1937, it was renamed Nashville Community Playhouse and opened up to community productions, theatre, and film. In 1966, it was renamed the Belcourt Cinema, and returned to its original purpose as a movie theater. In the late 1990s, the Belcourt closed, but after a vocal “Save the Belcourt” campaign, it re-opened as a nonprofit, offering not only movie screenings but also community education, stage performances, and other arts programming. In 2016, it went through its first large-scale renovation in 50 years, giving it a fresh new look with the electric, artistic energy of its early days still intact.

Across the street from the Belcourt Theatre, you’ll spot the Instagram-worthy Hillsboro Village Dragon Mural. Created in 1995 by artists David Glick and Adam Randolph, this work is inspired by the Pedro Silva "Sea Serpent" sculpture in nearby Fannie Mae Dees Park. Students from Eakin Elementary (next to Fannie Mae Dees Park) assisted Glick and Randolph with painting the mural. In 2015, the mural was given a new coat of paint, courtesy of local muralist Andee Rudloff, who was again assisted by many local children.

After seeing the theatre and mural, return to 21st Avenue, turn LEFT, and walk along the left side of the street as you pass Pancake Pantry and continue exploring Hillsboro Village.

Another neighborhood staple not far from the Belcourt is the Pancake Pantry—don’t be surprised if you see a line of hungry patrons snaking around the corner of 21st and Belcourt Ave. Founded in 1961, the Pancake Pantry is an iconic landmark restaurant in Hillsboro Village. Robert S. Baldwin, its original proprietor, was affectionately nicknamed “the Mayor of Nashville” by neighborhood patrons. It has remained in its original location since its founding and was owned by the Baldwin family until 2017, when they sold the restaurant to Crosby Keltner. 

Continue North on 21st Avenue until you reach Wedgewood Avenue. Cross over Wedgewood Avenue. Your next stop begins with the Vanderbilt University sign on the corner of 21st and Wedgewood. Begin listening as you walk, and look to your right to see the Vanderbilt hospital complex.