North America·USA·Updated May 3, 2026

Nashville Scams to Avoid in 2026 (USA)

Music City USA is famous for its honky-tonks on Lower Broadway, the Grand Ole Opry, and vibrant nightlife. Surprise fees and fake tickets are common traps for visitors.

Risk Index

5.7

out of 10

Scams

14

documented

High Severity

1

7% of total

5.7

Risk Index

14

Scams

1

High Risk

Nashville has 14 documented tourist scams across 8 categories in our database. Scam activity is rated moderate. The most commonly reported risks are Drink Spiking at Broadway Honky-Tonks, Hidden Bar Tab Entertainment Fee, Unofficial Airport Taxi Hustle.

Editorially reviewed — sources cross-referenced before publishing. How we verify →

Traveler Context

What Travellers Should Know About Scams in Nashville

Nashville has 14 documented tourist-targeted scams in our database, concentrated around street scams (3 reports). The most consistently reported individual pattern is Drink Spiking at Broadway Honky-Tonks — Drink spiking with GHB and other sedatives has been documented at several Lower Broadway venues and rooftop bars in Nashville. Travellers familiar with New York or Tijuana will recognise the broad shape of the risk environment in North America, though the specific local variations in Nashville are what catch first-time visitors out.

Specific documented risk areas include Lower Broadway honky-tonk strip between 1st and 5th Ave South, rooftop bars on 2nd Ave N, and venues near Printer's Alley; Lower Broadway between 1st and 5th Avenues, and Printers Alley between Union Street and Commerce Street in downtown Nashville; Nashville International Airport (BNA) arrivals level and baggage claim in the main terminal on Terminal Dr, before passengers reach the official taxi stand or rideshare zone on the lower level. A separate but related pattern is Hidden Bar Tab Entertainment Fee: Several bars and clubs on Lower Broadway and Printers Alley add a per-person "entertainment fee" or "venue fee" ranging from $10 to $30 per head that does not appear on the menu or the initial tab, only on the final bill presented at the end of the night. The single most effective protection across these patterns: Never accept drinks from strangers, keep your glass in sight at all times, and use a buddy system when drinking on Broadway. If you feel suddenly disoriented after only one or two drinks, seek staff assistance immediately and call 911.

How It Plays OutHigh Risk

Drink Spiking at Broadway Honky-Tonks

Drink spiking with GHB and other sedatives has been documented at several Lower Broadway venues and rooftop bars in Nashville. Victims typically experience rapid incapacitation after a single drink that was either tampered with at the bar or handed to them by a stranger, and incidents have resulted in robbery and assault.

Lower Broadway honky-tonk strip between 1st and 5th Ave South, rooftop bars on 2nd Ave N, and venues near Printer's Alley

How to avoid: Never accept drinks from strangers, keep your glass in sight at all times, and use a buddy system when drinking on Broadway. If you feel suddenly disoriented after only one or two drinks, seek staff assistance immediately and call 911.

This scam type is also documented in New York and Tijuana.

Key Risk Areas

Where These Scams Are Most Active

Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents in Nashville.

Drink Spiking at Broadway Honky-Tonks

Street Scams

Lower Broadway honky-tonk strip between 1st and 5th Ave South, rooftop bars on 2nd Ave N, and venues near Printer's Alley

Hidden Bar Tab Entertainment Fee

Money & ATM Scams

Lower Broadway between 1st and 5th Avenues, and Printers Alley between Union Street and Commerce Street in downtown Nashville

Unofficial Airport Taxi Hustle

Taxi & Transport

Nashville International Airport (BNA) arrivals level and baggage claim in the main terminal on Terminal Dr, before passengers reach the official taxi stand or rideshare zone on the lower level

Fake Event and Show Tickets

Other Scams

Outside the Grand Ole Opry House at 2804 Opryland Dr in Opryland, near Bridgestone Arena at 501 Broadway for CMA Awards, the CMA Fest grounds at Nissan Stadium, and via Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist listings

Fake CMA Fest and Live Event Ticket Sites

Online Scams

Online listings targeting Nashville event-goers; venues include Bridgestone Arena, Nissan Stadium, and Ryman Auditorium

Vacation Rental Fraud During Events

Accommodation Scams

Facebook groups and Craigslist listings for properties near Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville, rentals marketed near Nissan Stadium on E Nesbit St for NFL events, and listings near the Music City Center on Commerce St during CMA Fest in June

These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.

Safety Checklist

Quick Safety Tips for Nashville

Key precautions based on the most frequently reported scams here.

  • Never accept drinks from strangers, keep your glass in sight at all times, and use a buddy system when drinking on Broadway. If you feel suddenly disoriented after only one or two drinks, seek staff assistance immediately and call 911.
  • Ask explicitly before ordering whether the venue charges a cover fee or entertainment surcharge in addition to the menu prices. Request an itemised tab before paying. If an unexpected charge appears, ask for a manager and insist on written documentation of the fee policy before settling.
  • Use only designated taxi stands at BNA or request your Uber/Lyft through the app and verify the driver name, photo, and license plate before entering the vehicle. Never accept unsolicited ride offers inside the terminal.
  • Purchase tickets only from the official venue box office or established platforms such as Ticketmaster or AXS with buyer guarantees. Avoid cash ticket transactions with strangers at or near the venue.
  • Buy tickets exclusively through official venue box offices or verified platforms like Ticketmaster and AXS. Avoid third-party sites found via Google ads or social media posts — always navigate directly to the official event website.

FAQ

Nashville Safety — Frequently Asked Questions

What scams target tourists in Nashville?
The most frequently reported tourist scams in Nashville are Drink Spiking at Broadway Honky-Tonks, Hidden Bar Tab Entertainment Fee, Unofficial Airport Taxi Hustle, with 1 classified as high severity. Most scams operate near transit hubs, tourist attractions, and busy markets. Reviewing each type before you arrive significantly reduces your risk of being targeted. Similar patterns are also documented in New York and Tijuana.
Are taxis safe in Nashville?
Taxis in Nashville carry documented risk for tourists — 2 transport-related scams are on record. Use only designated taxi stands at BNA or request your Uber/Lyft through the app and verify the driver name, photo, and license plate before entering the vehicle. Never accept unsolicited ride offers inside the terminal. Where available, verified ride-hailing apps (Uber, Grab, or local equivalents) are generally safer than street taxis.
Is Nashville safe at night for tourists?
Music City USA is famous for its honky-tonks on Lower Broadway, the Grand Ole Opry, and vibrant nightlife. Surprise fees and fake tickets are common traps for visitors. 1 of the 14 documented scams here are rated high severity. After dark, extra caution is advised near Lower Broadway honky-tonk strip between 1st and 5th Ave South, rooftop bars on 2nd Ave N, and venues near Printer's Alley. Use app-based transport at night and avoid unsolicited approaches from strangers.
Which areas of Nashville should tourists be most careful in?
Documented scam activity in Nashville is concentrated in high-traffic tourist zones. Based on reported incidents: Lower Broadway honky-tonk strip between 1st and 5th Ave South, rooftop bars on 2nd Ave N, and venues near Printer's Alley (Drink Spiking at Broadway Honky-Tonks); Lower Broadway between 1st and 5th Avenues, and Printers Alley between Union Street and Commerce Street in downtown Nashville (Hidden Bar Tab Entertainment Fee); Nashville International Airport (BNA) arrivals level and baggage claim in the main terminal on Terminal Dr, before passengers reach the official taxi stand or rideshare zone on the lower level (Unofficial Airport Taxi Hustle). These areas are safe to visit — knowing the common setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How can I avoid being scammed in Nashville?
The best protection against scams in Nashville is preparation — knowing the specific tactics used here before you arrive. Key precautions: Use only designated taxi stands at BNA or request your Uber/Lyft through the app and verify the driver name, photo, and license plate before entering the vehicle. Never accept unsolicited ride offers inside the terminal. Always confirm prices before agreeing to any service, use official or app-based transport, and slow down if anyone creates urgency or distraction — that is almost always the setup.

Nashville · USA · North America

Open in Maps →

Region

More destinations in North America

New York

USA

24 scams

Tijuana

Mexico

21 scams

Cozumel

Mexico

21 scams

Mexico City

Mexico

19 scams

Kona

USA

17 scams

North America safety guide →All scams in USA →

Experienced a scam here?

Help fellow travelers by reporting it.

Report a Scam

Editorial note: Scam warnings for Nashville are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →