James K. Polk Theatre

The James K. Polk Theatre is Nashville's performing arts home for the big stuff - Broadway touring shows, ballet, opera, and concerts that belong on a proper stage rather than a honky-tonk. Named after the 11th President of the United States (a Tennessee native - your history lesson for the day), the Polk has been anchoring the downtown Nashville cultural scene for decades and isn't stopping anytime soon.

At about 2,500 seats, the Polk is the largest of the TPAC theaters, and the room delivers. Ornate without being fussy, acoustically designed to handle musical theater and concert performances with equal competence, and diverse enough in its programming to book Bianca Del Rio one week and the Nashville Ballet the next. If something notable is happening on a big stage in Nashville that isn't a Lower Broadway honky-tonk, there's a good chance it's happening here.

The TPAC complex sits right downtown near the State Capitol. Etch on Demonbreun is Chef Deb Paquette's flagship and it's incredible for a pre-show dinner - the tuna two ways is a must-order. Pinewood Social on Division is a more casual option with bowling and craft cocktails if you've got a group. And of course, Lower Broadway is right there waiting for you after the final curtain. The Polk Theatre is where Nashville goes when it wants to dress up a little. Browse what's playing on Evil Tickets.