Best Revitalization in Nashville 2026: The Arcade
It was a long time coming — but 2026 was the year at least one promise came true. The Arcade welcomed new tenants to its two-story, glass-ceilinged, open-air market. Julia Jaksic’s Bar Roza, an outpost of Urban Cowboy, Buddy’s Tiny Tonk, and art crawls have given birth to a nighttime Arcade renaissance. Clothing shops, bagels, Frankies pizza and ice cream bring in folks during the day. The businesses are a mix of locally owned spots and chain outposts, and they attract both locals and tourists looking for a downtown experience that’s more than what Broadway has to offer. It’s new energy and new infrastructure that respects the 124-year-old landmark’s integrity.
Past Best of Nashville wins: In our Writers’ Choice, The Arcade has also been named Best Old Nashville Gallery Revival (2024).
