📸🦋❤️🔥🍒🥘🎯
Not that I am complaining though, the past two years have been fun whirlwinds of a weekend. It seems everyone and their mothers (or brothers, in this case) flock to the Music City for a weekend of drinking and debauchery. There’s not really much that’s formal about formal. This was my second year going to Nashville with my boyfriend, though some of the other girlfriends have changed, I will be sad when this season of college youth comes to an end.
My boyfriend is a member of Phi Delta Theta at Purdue University and the past two years they have celebrated their formal in Nashville. This year, we started the journey from Purdue’s campus to Nashville Friday morning, taking about five hours to drive there. Usually, we travel in a caravan of sorts, dozens of frat boys and their dates single file flying down the interstate passing miles and miles of cornfields. At last, we arrive to see the skyline of Nashville and check into the hotel. We’ve been lucky the past two years, both hotels have been within walking distance to Broadway, Nashville’s main street with all of their iconic bars.
After unpacking and settling ourselves (and of course changing from our travel clothes into something much more appropriate for the Nashville country crowds) we regrouped and made our way to Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint. We discovered this spot last year and it has been one of the highlights of our trips. They have a really neat outdoor concept with lots of seating, games, and live music. And of course, really good barbecue.
After a couple of beers at Martin’s, it was time to hit the bars on Broadway. Many famous country musicians have opened up multi-level bars here and the street is filled with loud music and bright lights. Personally, I love any sort of live music even if the bars are a bit crowded. I do wish there was a destination like Nashville but for rock and metal artists instead of country. I’m not a huge fan of country music, but when in Nashville I do appreciate the vibes it gives.
We made it back to the hotel fairly early in the evening in preparation for a long day ahead. The hotel had a good breakfast lineup in the morning so we started there before hitting the hot tub to relax while everyone else started to wake up. After everyone had been rallied, we set out for our first stop, Bakersfield Tacos. These were some of the most beautiful tacos I have ever seen and while I was told the margaritas tasted equally as amazing, I will just have to take their word for it. I can tolerate being surrounded by country music for a weekend but I cannot tolerate the taste of tequila.
The bars on Broadway offer more than just drinks and good times. The sights off the rooftop balconies offer great views of the skyline and a chance to bask in the sun during a chilly Nashville spring afternoon. Unfortunately, we couldn’t enjoy for too long because soon we had to depart for the main event.
Last year’s formal took place at the iconic Acme Feed and Seed venue on the corner of Broadway and the Cumberland River, this year’s location blew that one out of the water. We set out upon a sunset river cruise through the streets of downtown Nashville. It was gorgeous, with captivating views of the water and even better food. I’m not really sure how to describe what kind of event formal is. It’s not like a school dance or party, but it’s not just a dinner either. We did eat some good food, grits, biscuits, and more barbeque. And because it was a boat full of frat boys, we had to have the Purdue semi-final basketball game against Alabama on in the corner. Good thing we won otherwise we probably would have capsized!
Leave a comment