Bridgestone Arena

Bridgestone Arena is the home of the Nashville Predators hockey team. It also hosts a number of sporting events and concerts. It seats 20,000 and everyone from Garth Brooks to Paul McCartney to Elton John to Taylor Swift and New Kids on the Block have performed here. It opened in 1996 and has had several names. It was first named The Nashville Arena, although some Nashvillians called it “The Bubba Dome.” Then it was the Gaylord Entertainment Center and the Sommet Center. It became the Bridgestone Arena in 2010 when naming rights were obtained from the Bridgestone Americas, a tire and rubber company headquartered in Nashville.

Over 13 million people have bought tickets to a game or show here, which makes it the number five in the United States and number fifteen in the world for ticket sales. In 2006, it became the venue for the annual Country Music Association Awards.

Now, continue walking up Fifth Avenue South until you reach Broadway. Turn RIGHT but stay on the right- hand side of the street. Look across the street, and you’ll see Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. It’s easy to spot—it’s purple. We will talk about Tootsie’s and Robert’s from across the street. It will be loud, so find the best spot you can to listen to our next stop. Headphones might improve your experience.