Could Have Been A Cowboy: Mechanical Bull Riding

This content is taken from the upcoming book Nashville Local’s Guide for Visitors and Newbies, which you can support on Kickstarter by clicking the link above. This article may contain affiliate links, which compensate me a bit for my time at no extra cost to you.

Looking for a wild ride in Music City? Downtown Nashville isn’t just about country tunes and honky-tonk vibes—it’s also home to some of the rowdiest mechanical bulls around! Whether you’re a first-timer looking to test your balance or a seasoned pro aiming for an eight-second glory, there’s no shortage of bars ready to throw you into the action. With flashing neon lights, cheering crowds, and the undeniable thrill of hanging on for dear life, mechanical bull riding here is as much about the spectacle as the challenge. Ready to saddle up and prove you’ve got what it takes? Let’s dive into the best spots to take the ride of a lifetime! 🤠🐂

The Experience

Bull riding is pure chaos strapped to an eight-second time limit. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like, let me tell you—mechanical bulls are a tame version, but they’ll still give you a taste of what it feels like to have your brain rattled like a dice roll in a high-stakes poker game, the feeling of having a skull full of scrambled eggs. A real bull is an unpredictable force of nature, weighing as much as your car, bucking with the kind of violent power that makes your entire body feel like it’s been thrown into a blender.

Of course, there’s risk—even with a mechanical bull. You’ll have to sign a waiver, promising not to hold the bar responsible if you walk away with a bruised ego (or worse). Fortunately, serious injuries are rare since the operators generally keep the ride at a reasonable speed. Still, gripping that little rope instead of being strapped in means that even at half-speed, the force is more than enough to send you flying onto the padded landing zone.

NOTE: Every rider must be an adult and sign a waiver. Liability concerns mean no one under 18 can ride, even with parental permission.

Speaking from experience, the riders in Nashville usually fall into one of two categories:

• Bachelorette party attendees, who often get the slow ride—cheered on to make it as flirty and dramatic as possible.
• Men trying to impress said bachelorette party attendees, who get the faster ride. And the bigger the ego, the quicker they crash onto the padding.

Either way, it’s all in good fun—until you realize that, for a moment, you got a glimpse into the raw thrill of bull riding without actually risking your life in the dirt.

Where to Go?

Like usual, I will start with a map of the various places with mechanical bulls.

1. PBR Nashville, in Nashville Live on 2nd Ave N. This bar is focused on the Professional Bull Riders organization, or PBR, and you may get to see some great riders here on occasion – NOTE: Like celebrities, your not very likely to see people like Dalton Kassel, Brady Fielder, or John Crimber in the joint, unless there is an event. The vibe screams rodeo, so it is a nice choice. All ages up until 9 PM. One thing I liked going here is they use a grip handle to ride, which is more like riding a real bull.
2. Nashville Underground on Lower Broad has 2 mechanical bulls, so is a great option if it is a busy night and you want a ride. All ages until 9 PM.
3. Whiskey River, next to Nashville Underground, has a mechanical bull as well. The venue is all ages until 9 PM, although the dance hall is always 21+.
4. Tequila Cowboy is nestled between Luke’s 32 Bridge and Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar. Have not visited yet, but the pictures show a grip handle, similar to PBR Nashville.
5. JBJs has a mechanical bull upstairs. Also has the grip instead of the rope.
6. Wild Beaver is a karaoke club on the corner of Commerce and 3rd and has a mechanical bull opposite the bar. This is 21+ all the time.
7. Over in Music City, Nashville Palace has a mechanical bull on Saturdays. Front room is all ages, but the back room is 21+ all the time.

In addition, the Green Light Bar at 833 Hawkins – across I-40/65 from downtown and near 8th Ave S – has branded itself as best and cheapest mechanical bull ride in Nashville. This bar will also store your luggage for free if you buy drinks.

Peace and Grace,