Upscale cocktail bar with a moody mermaid and under the sea vibe. Truly loved the aesthetic. I feel as though this may be more of a reservation place as the woman seemed a little thrown when we walked in, but we were sat almost immediately and she was receptive to requests. Our waitress was extremely attentive the whole experience. My cocktail and my friend's mocktail were both great. The menu had some wonderful options. We did not dabble in the food but it looks like an oyster lovers dream. read more

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We went here based on a recommendation from a bartender at another spot and it did not disappoint. We sat at the bar where the service was attentive. The bartender was able to guide us with some recommendations on drinks. I had a great gin martini and an espresso martini. We ordered some food. The chicken was delicious. So tender and the garlic rolls were amazing. Great low light atmosphere and would definitely suggest stopping by if even just for a drink. read more

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Hands down the coolest bar I have every been to. The ambiance is absolutely incredible - very warm and intimate. We had a A Very Private Affair, Crazeologie, and the Pornstar Martini which were all very good. We also had the "Fresh Bread & Good Butter" as an appetizer which was so fluffy and buttery, very good. We did not order other food as we were headed to another place for dinner afterwards but I look forward to coming back to try more of their food menu! read more

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First, the ambiance was very special. This was our first time coming here, and for some reason we thought it was going to be like a little seafood shack. It was sooo much more! It's a fairly big place with a bar, couches, fireplace with a HUGE beautiful fire, cocktail tables, and cozy booths. Dark, candlelight, this place has a vibe! 5 stars for atmosphere for sure! The service was not great, unfortunately. It was just so slow, every step took FOREVER. We would have gotten dessert but the waitress never came back. I finally stood up, put my jacket on, and stood next to our table, as a hint that we were ready for the check. 3/5 stars for service. Now the food. Do you see those fries?? They are some of the most unique fries I've ever had. Crispy AND chewy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside. Served with bernaise, these alone are worth coming back for! The burger fell flat IMO. My husband liked it better than I did, but it didn't have much flavor. Some might say it needed ketchup, but for me it was more than that. It was a case where it seemed to have all the right ingredients but didn't "pop". It comes out wrapped in paper which is a fun touch, but didn't seem that hot and also was a little soggy, which made me wonder how long it sat before they brought it. We wanted ketchup for the fries too, BTW, but the server never came back to check on us. My husband's NY sour was a little strange. We love different "takes" on classic cocktails, but this one just didn't work. The waitress seemed unsure as to whether they could make this drink, and maybe she was correct. 3.5 stars for cocktails/food. We will definitely come back. My hope is that the burger was just a one-time miss and that next time it will be perfect. We also want to try the smoked fish dip. Such a cool neighborhood spot! read more

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After dining at The Optimist, we climbed the stairs to check out this cocktail lounge. The sultry vibes continued, and the vibes invite you to stay awhile. We didn't do any food. I ordered a mocktail - special made. My friends got cocktails. It took awhile for a server to come by & get our orders, but when I told the host, he got someone to the table immediately. Parking can get full on the streets in this neck of the woods, but you can check if the Optimist valet is also for the bar. Loved: ambiance (welcoming, sultry); mocktail (can't remember what they put in it!) read more

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Love me loup. An immaculate drink menu that you could thumb through for days. A quick walk to a lot of great restaurants in an awesome areas if you want to grab a fun drink with a good vibe before eating. I would get the espresso martini with bourbon - you will not be disappointed. read more

Le Loup - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

The ambiance was superb, as well as the food. We tried oysters for the first time here and the staff was extremely responsive and kind! My only complaint is that our reserved seats were wildly uncomfortable and not made for normal folks. They were obviously meant for aesthetic purposes. If you're two somethin to do somethin...ask for a booth! We'll likely be back to try out their happy hour! read more

Don't know why it's taken me so long to try here! We got an espresso martini, dirty martini, and a bananas foster. The bananas foster was STRONG with the liqueur but still good. I definitely will be back to try their other food! read more

Le Loup - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Had cocktails and snacks here before dinner nearby and everything was amazing! Half dozen oysters were absolutely fire. Also loved the smoked fish dip. To drink, I had the chartreuse swizzle (excellent) and my boyfriend liked the Calcutta cocktail. Great vibe and tons of seating. read more

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Fantastic ambiance. Very elevated casual. Servers were very attentive and were checking on us regularly. Folks at the table ordered the oysters, the tuna tar tar and bananas foster, all were delicious. The cocktails were great and in line with what you would expect at a nice cocktail bar. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Le Loup - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This is a great neighborhood spot. Some of the best cocktails in Nashville. I was introduced to the Vieux Carre from Ryan. It is absolutely wonderful. Not always on the menu but they will make it. The staff is great and the manager is always helpful and great to talk to. read more

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We stopped by after dinner downstairs so it was quite late. There was only a few people at the bar so it was nice. I had a chartreuse swizzle which I love seeing on a menu, and we had the banana foster. Everything was good and the bartender friendly. We'd come again. read more

Incredible ambiance, average drinks. I believe their martinis were all pre batched. The espresso martini wasn't very good. If I go back I'd like to try the lychee martini. Our server, Harrison, was great! They brought out celebratory beignets and champagne for my friends birthday which was such a nice touch! It's a great spot for a date or girls night. Next time I might just stick to wine. read more

Le Loup - Cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Service, service, service! From the moment we entered, the service was impeccable. The ambiance and decor are chic. The food menu is limited, but everything we tried was delicious. They bake their own bread, and they're pretty darn good at it! We enjoyed the garlic bread, and my husband devoured the ham and cheese sandwich on homemade sesame bread. The portions were generous, and we left with plans to return soon and often! read more

Le Loup has become one of my new favorite spots to start the weekend! We had a wonderful server who walked us through the menu of fun drinks and yummy hors d'oeuvres. I love the sea theme in here and the moody lighting. I recommend ubering here and trying out the Optimist downstairs! read more

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Great date night stop! Moody vibe/ lighting, with couches. Wish they had more food options, the burger was so good, the potatoes/ thicker fries were too greasy for me. read more

The "sea creatures" were delicious! Oysters, shrimp ceviche, and beignets were all too notch. We loved the decor and lighting throughout the space and the warm fireplace. The bartenders and staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. The real star of the show here was the cocktails. read more

Le Loup - Outside - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

One of my favorite bars in Nashville! Cozy atmosphere on the second floor of the Optimist restaurant. Drinks have always been good - espresso and lychee martinis are my favs! Service can be slow when they're busy but that's ok! read more

Fantastic cocktail bar in Germantown! Somewhat hidden but what a gem. With a Prohibition-style cocktail menu that goes on for days (in the best way!) their oysters are some kind of the best in the city! Ambiance is almost like an elevated bar on the pier, and honestly I thought if I looked out the window I'd see ships porting. Alas, we're in a landlocked state but don't let that stop you from trying this wonderful bar. Stop in before dinner at The Optimist or O-ku and you'll have a wonderful night! read more

Le Loup - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Came here for a girls night. The atmosphere was really nice. It's a nice, intimate place, great for date night or hang out with friends. The menu has shareable bites on it. We ordered the oysters, fish dip, and banana foster. They have plenty of drink options to chose and even mocktails for the non drinkers. Since I' doing a dry January, I had one of the mocktails and it was delicious, the have about 4 options to choose from. I will definitely be back to try some of their drinks, maybe for a date night. read more

Le Loup - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

The food was really good! I enjoyed the Oysters and Maryland Crab Cake. I'm giving them 3 stars because we didn't have the most welcoming experience. Our waiter took our drink order and then didn't come back until after we asked someone for our waiter. He checked on every table around us multiple times and didn't acknowledge us anymore. As the only people of color in the spot it was so unwelcoming! Afterwards he walked up to the table like we were bothering him to request that he come back to our table to take our food order. Lol He also was at the door when we walked in and didn't sit us, told us to wait and just walked off and went to tables, someone else came to sit us after watching us just stand there. Definitely won't return but again nice little night spot. read more

My gal pal wanted to catch up so I suggested Le Loup because it looked like a place we could catch up over nice cocktails and light bites. I couldn't have picked a better spot. Le Loup is located on the second floor of The Optimist. The entrance is actually up the stairs inside The Optimist but you can also access it by outside stairs but then you're entering the back corner and will need to go across the restaurant to get checked in. It says no reservations on the website but then we were asked if we had a reservation!? There is no opening seating. Bar seats are also reserved for reservations. I learned that when we came to put our name down. They suggest going downstairs to the Optimist to have a drink while you wait which is what we did. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait too long. We were seated at a two top with a round table and super comfort oversized chairs. We ordered the smoked fish dip, tots, and bananas fosters. I really liked the smoke fish dip. It has celery and trout roe served with Club crackers. The tots were special. It comes with about 8 oversized tots. They pour raclette over them when they serve them to you with some cornichons. It was a bit too cheesy for me but for cheese lovers, this dish is for you. For dessert, there is only one option: bananas foster. There is a bananas foster station where they are made to order. It has bananas sautéed with rum, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and punch cordia over vanilla bean ice cream. My friend absolutely loved it while I really enjoyed the ice cream. Service is great. This is upscale and for light snacks and drinks. They have U-shaped booths that are best for groups of 4 then a round tables best for 2-4 people. Then they have a church pew and two extra large chairs that could entertain a group of 6 or 8. The bar is where the action is but the chairs didn't look as comfortable. Looking forward to coming back and trying out the rest of the menu. read more

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This place was an absolute blast. There was a little hiccup with the bananas foster and they handled it so well. They went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of. read more

I can't say enough about Le Loup. It is the most stunning bar I've ever set foot in. It's tucked away yet spacious, playful yet intimate. The perfect date night spot. Now the food and drinks. 100% worth every penny spent. The oysters are the best around. I highly recommend doing a sampler of each type they offer, including the broiled oyster. Their smoked fish dip is to die for: they pair it with the perfect accoutrements. The broiled prawns were massive and delicious; I wish I was wealthy enough to eat them all night long. My husband was obsessed with the recommended beef tartare. Le Loup has quickly become our favorite spot for date night. read more

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Sexy ambiance to pair with a wide array of seductive cocktails. Bartenders were friendly and attentive. I ordered a few cocktails, which all were delightful but one amongst them stood out... Pousse Café-- green chartreuse, blue curaçao, licor 43, calpico, campari, aquavit served with a cup of coffee to enhance each individual layer of flavor, I sipped slowly to take each one in. read more

Le Loup - Pousse Café-- green chartreuse, blue curaçao, licor 43, calpico, campari, aquavit - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

We are long-time fans of this chef/owner's main restaurant downstairs, The Optimist, and now we are fans of his cozy upstairs bar as well. I had flagged on the reservation that we were celebrating our anniversary, but imagine our surprise when the chef, Anna, brought to us a treat of small cream-puff-like pastries, filled with mornay sauce and prosciutto, and she told us that it was being served on a green plate in observance of our 35th anniversary because, I now know, emerald is the gift for that year. Who knew? We'll, Anna sure did! Apparently, the host overheard us telling fellow guests how long we had been married and decided to quickly personalize our evening and make it very special. The service overall was remarkable, Nashville-frienfly. The small bites, -- and they are small here, the focus seems to be on artisanal cocktails -- are seafood-centric and delicious. We highly recommend the duck fat tater tots, which were neatly stacked on end like tiny oak barrels, and they came with a dipping sauce of crème fraîche and colorful roe. The smoked oysters were wonderful, we wish there had been more than two, and the ceviche was very limey and delicious, served/juxtaposed with crispy, airy rice-flour wafers....similar in texture to fried pork rinds. My wife had a cocktail that included, cleverly, tequila and (I think) Campari, which was delicious, not too sweet. I chose a traditional martini infused with a pickled onion but wasn't a big fan of it. It was well done, but there was an overpowering spice, I think it might have been allspice, that distracted from the experience. There are several other cocktails I would have liked to try, and I will do so next time, because we definitely will be returning. Shoutouts to the chef, Anna, the host whose name I did not catch, and our server Harrison. Thanks all for a wonderful evening. One suggestion for improvement: the setting is clubby and dark and interesting but y'all should uplight those murals because they're lost in the dark. Also....we do miss the free valet parking that used to be omnipresent in Nashville back in the day. Valet costs $16 and the street parking is limited. Next time we will take a Lyft. read more

Ryan the bartender was the best! He served up the best lychee and espresso martini! He also took the extra time to make sure that the bar was clean and super hygienic. read more

Le Loup - Lychee martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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If you're looking for a cozy lounge vibe, delicious cocktails and small bites look no further! This spot is dimly lit, intimate and has some really cool under the sea vibes. It's on the second floor above the Optimist. I can't remember exactly how many, but I think they have around 50 different cocktails to choose from. I loved their version of the lychee martini so much that I ordered it twice. We also tried the old fashioned, bumble bee, and my dinner with Andre. All the cocktails were so creative and well crafted with balanced flavors. In terms of oysters, there were 5 different raw oysters to choose from and a broiled one. Oysters come with mignonette and horseradish. I thought the oysters were fresh and tasty but it would be nice if they expanded their selection a little bit more. Smoked fish dip - this was creamy, fresh and delicious! It's garnished with celery, cucumber, radish, and trout roe and served with crackers. We couldn't get enough of this dip. Steak tartare - comes with the egg yolk still intact on a shell, I thought this was a really cool idea. It also comes with clams on the tartare. The tartare was delicate and buttery. Halfway through our meal our entire party noticed a very strong pungent smell. We then realized it was the raclette tots that a table across the restaurant had ordered. Raclette is really delicious by the way, but the smell is very off putting. Bathrooms do not have any light (I spent like 5 minutes trying to find a light switch). Instead, they are candle lit which matches the ambiance of the restaurant, but just be prepared to use the bathroom in the dark. This spot is definitely worth checking out! It is on the pricier side but the food, drinks and vibes are awesome. I don't think you can make reservations but we went around 5:30 on a Saturday and got a table right away. read more

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Upstairs cocktail bar at the optimist with a cool atmosphere. Cocktails are great and lots of seating options as well as a spot with a fireplace when it's cold. read more

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Great spot - super-nice bartenders and some of the best oysters I've had in Nashville. I'll be going back for sure!

Lovely cocktails and oysters. Staff is well dressed and attentive. Low lighting and light back ground music fill the room. read more

Le Loup - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Drove all the way up from Atlanta to try this place. Highly disappointed. Was there for 50 minutes and only saw my server once. My martini glass was filthy. My martini was supposed to be a martini with a twist with some blue cheese olives on the side. Pretty sure it was shaken with olives because it was salty. not supposed to be the case. Had to waive down someone to pick up the check and ended up being the host which was a very nice guy but why is my host checking us out? Period read more

The drinks were amazing!! Francesca was our waitress and she was so bubbly and sweet. Definitely a new Nashville fave!!

We arrived at 5pm on a Saturday and there was essentially no one here. The space is large and well decorated with a fun nautical theme with sea greens and blues. The seating is cozy and there are options for booths, tables, lounge chairs, or bar. We sat in a booth. The cocktail menu is so beautiful and extensive! We loved looking through it and deciding what to order. I went with the lychee Martini to start which was delicious and my girlfriends loved it too. I then had the trident which was well crafted. We had the snapper crudo which was good. I wasn't obsessed with it (slightly bland?). I really wanted to ham on their other menu items but my friends weren't keen on eating before their dinner reservations. I was eyeing the oysters, the fish dip and the bananas foster. Will be returning. read more

Le Loup - Lychee martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Fantastic! I was already a fan of The Optimist but I think I prefer this even more. We sat at the bar and the bartenders were great, sharing their favorites and offering suggestions. The Gibson martini should not be missed - the onion brine is made in house! Top notch bar food - oysters, tater tots with raclette and foie gras butter with toast points, everything we tried exceeded expectations. I can't wait to return! read more

Le Loup - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

SUMMARY. Tucked right above Optimist in Germantown. Incredibly swanky feel with killer old fashioneds. Decadent, cushioned seats give an added elegance to the ambience. Highly recommend. RESERVATION. I tried making a reservation, but they wouldn't oblige, so: first come, first served. Come early--it's popular and gets crowded quick. You can also try coming right after the happy hour rush, which is what I recommend. AMBIENCE. Ambience is perfect. It's dimly lit with nice furniture and intimate seating. It's lively enough to not be boring, yet quiet enough to still engage in conversation. Very cozy lounge vibe, as mentioned in another review. Perfect date spot. LOCATION. Located at the northeast portion of Germantown next to the river. Walking distance to Bearded Iris and just a few blocks from other great Germantown establishments such as Rolf and Daughters and Butchertown Hall. I've always found street parking here, but it sometimes takes a few minutes. QUALITY. Quality is superlative. Some of the best old fashioneds I've had in Nashville. Up there with Hemingway's, Patterson House, and Fox Bar. SERVICE. Service was great. Never waited long once seated. VALUE. It's expensive, but you get what you pay for. I expect to pay a lot at high-end cocktail bars, so as long as the prices aren't exorbitant, I'm not disappointed. I felt prices were right in-line with my expectations for a place of this caliber: expensive, but well worth it. TAKEAWAYS. Germantown cocktail lounge with cozy, elegant vibes and a great selection of old fashioneds. Do your best to come during a lull (after happy hour, for example), as seating is FCFS, and there are no reservations. I'm sure I'll be back! Happily, Clayton Cohn read more

3.5 Francesca and Anna Marie were amazingly attentive and friendly. The cocktails here are top notch and the small but delightful menu is fresh and delicious. Great Ambiance for the wife and I to enjoy a nice louge atmosphere. The only thing they are lacking is entertainment, aside from the banana Fosters station. A bit of atmosphere could put this place over the hump to 5 stars. read more

Very cool spot with excellent and friendly staff. There are enough drinks to paralyze you with choice, but you are guaranteed to find something you like. This will be on my list to return to frequently. read more

So, I want to first start this off by saying we love the Optimist and it is our favorite restaurant in Nashville. We had dinner at the optimist for the 4th time since moving here there the other night and we thought " let's go up to Le Loup for a drink after". When we got there the hostess looked annoyed we were there and was like have a drink downstairs at the optimist and we will call you in 45 mins when your table is ready. We were like we just ate there and shouldn't it be the other way around? This is your drink place! They need to get that figured it... we walked down to OK-U we're they were as sweet as can be and didn't mind we wanted to sit at the bar and have a drink before heading home. Le Loup needs figure out what it wants to be and cater to ppl that spend hundreds of dollars downstairs, and not use optimist as a waiting room. read more

It was a nice place to grab drinks. Great for date night. They had a DJ playing extremely loud music when we went which was out of character. I'd be interested in going back to see if that was a one-off event. read more