Twenty-seven floors above downtown Nashville, there’s a bar where the Cumberland River, the Music City skyline, and Nissan Stadium all show up in the same photo. That’s L27 Rooftop Lounge, and it’s become one of the most talked-about — and most Instagrammed — rooftop bars in the city. But it’s also one of the most misunderstood, because “rooftop lounge” and “hotel pool bar” mean different things to different visitors, and L27 is honestly both.
Here’s what you actually need to know before you go: L27 Rooftop Lounge is the 27th-floor bar and restaurant atop The Westin Nashville, open to the public daily, known for skyline views, craft cocktails, and a small glass-walled dipping pool that’s more photogenic than swimmable unless you’re staying at the hotel or book a cabana.
Where L27 Rooftop Lounge Is and How to Get There
L27 sits atop The Westin Nashville at 807 Clark Place, in the Gulch/SoBro area of downtown, just a short walk from Broadway, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and Nissan Stadium across the river. You take the hotel elevators up to the 27th floor, and there’s a smaller staircase from there up to a quieter 28th-floor overflow lounge with its own couches and views.
Parking at the Westin is valet only, running around $14 for the first two hours — worth knowing if you’re driving in rather than walking from Broadway or taking a rideshare, which is what most locals recommend given downtown Nashville’s weekend traffic.
Hours, Reservations, and What to Expect
L27 is open seven days a week:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday–Thursday | 10:00 AM – Midnight |
| Friday–Saturday | 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
It’s open to all ages during the day, but the bar area shifts to 21-and-up in the evenings. Reservations are encouraged, especially for weekend nights, but walk-ins are accommodated when there’s space — the venue holds tables for a set two-hour window per reservation, with about a 15-minute grace period for late arrivals.
If you’re coming for a big group, L27 handles private events for parties of 25 or more, but that’s arranged directly with the venue rather than through standard reservation platforms.
Quick takeaway: Come earlier in the afternoon on a weekday if you want a relaxed, less crowded experience. Weekend evenings, especially around big events like CMA Fest, get busy fast and service can slow down.
Dress Code: What You Can (and Can’t) Wear
L27 keeps a “neat casual” or smart-casual dress code, and it’s enforced more strictly after 5 PM. In practice, that means:
- Long pants for gentlemen (no flip-flops, no baseball caps)
- No overly casual gym wear or beachwear once evening service starts
- Daytime and poolside is more relaxed, especially for hotel guests using the pool
If you’re planning a “dress-up” night out — a bachelorette party, an anniversary, a birthday — this is the kind of place people intentionally dress for, and you’ll notice most guests do.
The Pool: What People Get Wrong
This is probably the single most common point of confusion about L27, so it’s worth being direct: the rooftop pool is a small, glass-enclosed dipping pool, not a resort-style swimming pool. It looks stunning from the street below and in photos, and the view from inside it is genuinely striking, but several regular visitors describe it as more of a shallow wading pool than a place to actually swim laps.
Access works differently depending on who you are:
- Hotel guests typically have standing access to the pool deck.
- Non-hotel guests need to book a cabana or day pass in advance through the hotel’s reservation platform to use the pool area.
- Cabana rentals for the rooftop cocktail-pool experience carry a food-and-beverage minimum — historically around $500 for evening blocks and higher for daytime blocks, with cabanas seating up to about 10 people and a two-hour time limit per reservation.
If swimming is your main goal, set expectations accordingly — most people visit L27 for the view, drinks, and atmosphere, with the pool as a backdrop rather than the main event.
Food and Drink at L27
The menu leans Southern-inspired with some Asian-fusion touches, built around shareable plates and a solid cocktail list rather than a heavy sit-down dinner. Expect things like:
- Lobster rolls and crispy calamari
- A signature burger (sometimes called the Steak Knife Burger or L27 Burger)
- Salads built around seasonal produce — beets, quinoa, grilled halloumi
- Craft cocktails, wine, and a full bar
No outside food or drink is permitted at any point, which is standard for a hotel rooftop venue but catches some first-time visitors off guard.
Quick takeaway: L27 functions as a full bar and restaurant, not just a drinks-only lounge — you can genuinely go for dinner here, not just a nightcap.
READ MORE: The Best Tuesday Happy Hours in Nashville (2026 Guide)
What the Design Looks Like
L27 went through a notable renovation, with the interior and poolside terrace reimagined by Louisa Pierce and Emily Ward of the design firm Pierce & Ward. The result is a multi-level space with:
- A sunlit outdoor terrace with daybeds, loungers, and permanent cabanas
- A cozy, velvet-and-leather indoor lounge for cooler nights or quieter conversation
- Mosaic tile flooring that ties the indoor and outdoor spaces together visually
- The quieter 28th-floor lounge accessible by an interior stairwell
L27 originally opened on November 1, 2016, and remains one of Nashville’s highest rooftop lounges by elevation.
Is L27 Rooftop Lounge Worth It? The Honest Take
L27 earns consistently strong reviews — it holds a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Tripadvisor — and the recurring praise centers on the view and the staff, with several reviewers calling out specific bartenders and servers by name for going out of their way to make a night special.
The recurring criticism is just as consistent: the venue can get crowded and loud during peak weekend hours or big events, and service occasionally slows down when that happens. A few reviewers have described slower or less attentive service on busy nights, particularly around cabana reservations with food-and-beverage minimums, where expectations for personal attention run higher.
Realistically: if you go on a weekday afternoon or early evening, you’ll likely have a great, relaxed experience. If you go on a Friday or Saturday night during a major Nashville event, expect a livelier, more crowded scene — which some people want, and others don’t.
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FAQ
Is L27 Rooftop Lounge open to the public, or only hotel guests?
It’s open to the public daily. You don’t need to be a Westin Nashville guest to visit the bar and lounge, though pool access for non-guests requires booking a cabana or day pass in advance.
What is the dress code at L27?
Smart casual, described by the venue as “neat casual.” Gentlemen are asked to wear long pants, and flip-flops and baseball caps aren’t permitted, especially after 5 PM.
Can I swim in the L27 rooftop pool without a hotel room?
Yes, but you’ll need to book a cabana or day pass through the hotel’s reservation system in advance. Walk-up pool access generally isn’t available to non-hotel guests.
How much does a cabana cost at L27?
Cabana reservations carry a food-and-beverage minimum rather than a flat rental fee, historically in the range of $500 for evening blocks, with higher minimums for daytime blocks. Cabanas typically seat up to around 10 people with a two-hour time limit.
Do I need a reservation to get a table at L27?
Reservations are encouraged, particularly on weekends, but walk-ins are welcome when space allows. Reservations hold a table for a two-hour window.
Where can I park for L27 Rooftop Lounge?
Parking is valet-only through The Westin Nashville, at roughly $14 for the first two hours. Many visitors instead walk or rideshare in from Broadway or other downtown areas.
Is L27 good for a special occasion?
Yes — it’s a popular choice for birthdays, anniversaries, and bachelorette parties, especially for a “dress-up” night, thanks to the skyline views and upscale atmosphere. Groups of 25+ can arrange private events directly with the venue.
What’s the best time of day to visit L27?
Late afternoon into early evening for sunset views, ideally on a weekday if you want a quieter, less crowded experience. Weekend nights and major event weekends draw the biggest crowds.
