Things don’t get more fun than this 1930s sideshow-inspired gin joint in East Nashville. Tiger Bar’s main focus is on pre-1940s cocktails, presented with a lighthearted and esoteric approach that pay homage to the sideshow spectacle of old America.

Entering Tiger Bar is a fully immersive experience: think homemade Romani Vardo booths inspired by caravan wagons; a bar front designed in line with a classic carnival concession stand, an art deco shaped back bar, and interactive animatronic machines – yes, Zoltar features. Even the toilets are on theme, with the chance for guests to choose their experience. One is a hall of mirrors with an art-deco patterned tile floor; another is adorned with 1920s French cottage sconces and mirror-reversed messages for photo opportunities.

The cocktails are no less extravagant. It’s well known for its Cotton Candy Negroni, Pinhead Float with a homemade circus peanut foam, and Lobster Boy Martini (Vesper-inspired with homemade clarified lobster stock vermouth and served with a lobster tail). Its bestseller is Beneath the Cards, a pear-forward gin cocktail with Fords Gin, yellow Chartreuse, Bartlett Pear, assam tea, homemade lemon super juice, and a pearl-dill foam, served in a chilled coupe glass and garnished with a mini tarot card.

While the bar is mainly focused on gin, other categories do feature such as Cognac, whisky and sparkling wine, while welcome mini Martinis for Tiger Club members (people who embody the bar’s vibe) and nightly Champagne toasts keep the communal experience front of mind.

For those with a slightly less extravagant but no less adventurous desire, there is also a selection of Spanish and British-style gin and tonics (the latter homemade) as well as a lengthy list of pre-1940s classic cocktails. Those choosing alcohol-free will be pleased to hear Tiger Bar also stocks a long list of N/A gin, whiskey, tequila, and aperitifs and all cocktails can be made full-strength, low ABV or no ABV.

Ingredients, where possible, are made in house, like super juices, pickled cocktail onions, flavoured vermouths, whole syrups, foams, garnishes and those fun accompaniments – cotton candy, tiger jack popcorn, you name it.

There is a strong sense of community not just within the Tiger Bar team – career progression for staff is a point of passion – but among the local community and beyond. Clubs and meetings can be hosted in the bar during the day, while tourists and locals can enjoy workshops too. Local artists and acts are celebrated in the bar, and photography and content is sourced from the bar’s community too. 

Tiger Bar also donates gift cards to local charities and organisations, and donations are made annually to the fire department, education system and attendance at city council meetings means that the local hospitality industry has a voice.