The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.06/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4 | $$$

This is the beer bar shop in downtown Nashville by a long shop. Tap list included mostly local brews with a selection of some of that larger craft breweries like SN, Green Flash, etc. and some Belgians. TN has pretty thin distribution overall, so the tap list won't jump out at you, but it is still great for what else is around in Nashville.

The place is huge and the vibe isn't the best. Service was very friendly and very knowledgeable.

04-29-2013 15:42:15 | More by TheSevenDuffs

jsprain1

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This is like most other Flying Saucers. They have a good selection spanning most styles. the atmosphere is fairly dark, but has a great deal of seating, even with a few couches around. A few tv's for watching sports, but without a sports bar feel to it. The selection is among the best in Tennessee. Service is friendly, though not all of their staff is up to date on some of their beers and occassionally slow. Generally a good bar and definitely a place your average BA can find a good drink at. Worth a visit.

06-04-2012 21:48:07 | More by jsprain1

Lewmoore

Tennessee

4.45/5  rDev +10.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

This is my home Saucer and I am certainly somewhat partial but I love this place. It is important to note after reading most of the reviews that this Saucer is SMOKE FREE as of 6/1/11! This was a common complaint and they have cleared the air.

This Saucer is fortunate to be located in a historic structure (former baggage building for Union Station train terminal) and has cool architecture. The front "Beer Garden" (an area of picnic tables and couch groupings) has a wall of tall arched windows with stained glass at the top. These windows are on garage doors that are opened for nice weather. There is also a huge grand hall where the bar is located and a separate pool room. There is live music on some weekend nights and a variety of beer specials including a daily "Fire sale" pint for $3.

The servers are, by and large, very friendly and knowledgeable as the training is extensive and intense. The food is a fun take on bar food. I especially like the pretzels (!), the pizzas and, for a non bar food option, the snack plates. This is a selection of nice meats and cheeses paired with apples, almonds, and an olive tapenade. The selection is quite good and always changing based on the season and new breweries. They have a nice stock of proper glassware so that a Chimay, for example, will be served in a Chimay glass. The only limitation seems to be what happens to be distributed in Tennessee.

Parking can be somewhat of a challenge as this is located in downtown Nashville. However, there is a large lot down behind the building for which they validate parking.

If you are in or visiting Nashville, the Flying Saucer is a great place to meet friends and enjoy some fine beers. Also, it is quite convenient if attending a Preds game, concert, or other event at Bridgestone Arena as it is a short three block walk down the hill.

07-25-2011 22:59:59 | More by Lewmoore

leagr

Missouri

3.08/5  rDev -23.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 1.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

This is my home saucer. I'm somewhat partial, but at the same time, I am just as critical. I want this place to be good, and for the most part it is. The "beer garden" is my favorite area, although the "grand hall" and the pool room are nice too. My friends and I have had many parties and many memories here - the staff and atmosphere is a are great for getting people together an celebrating.

The food is pretty good - LOVE the pretzels! My wife really enjoys some of the salads. There is something for everyone. Beer selection is pretty good. I like to say this is where I received my beer education. Selection at the Sauce often depends on breweries distribution areas - but despite some of those restrictions, selection is pretty good.

Although I think the service has gotten a bit better, for the past several years, the service here has sucked.... beyond sucked. I used to patron quite often when I was living in Nashville, and the service was notoriously bad - but I think/hope that is changing.

All in all, this place, loving and hating it, is not a bad place to stop by for a pint.

06-12-2011 20:21:15 | More by leagr

crlova2

Kentucky

4.2/5  rDev +4.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Although I gave this place such high ratings as it deserves there is one MAJOR thing that bugs me.. That major thing being the Cigar and cigarette smoke that almost seems encouraged there. I was in Nashville from out of town and wanted to try a bunch of beers I couldn't get from KY. However after a couple beers I realized I wasn't tasting anything other than smoke and all the beers kinda blended together. Other than that the food was great and the beer selection was awesome. Not to mention the outstanding band that was playing. Definitely recommend this place but just be prepared for a lot of smoke.

05-06-2011 16:54:24 | More by crlova2

TheGordianKnot

Tennessee

3.83/5  rDev -4.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$$

Alright, I figure I have been here enough that I should just go ahead and review it; I have been holding back until now because I have never tried any of the food here...

Anyway, this is my go-to place in Nashville with the #1 reason being it is the best bar within walking distance of my apartment. I like the deals they have on some of the more well known crafts so I can get my girlfriend or buddies to try stuff without breaking the bank if they hate it. I am there every Tuesday for trivia night and they always have a $3 special that is usually a good introductory beer for a BMC drinker, but also one that a craft person can appreciate for the price.

It is very dimly lit and the front room has a nice lounge feel to it that seems pretty chill. I always go to the main bar room and grab a table. The selection is decent, but a lot of the beer there is for the masses. The good stuff I would say is much more limited than you would think. And the really good stuff is pretty expensive (ie La Folie- $25) that I wouldn't pay the prices on a bar trip. You will definitely find your typical german, belgian, and european beers there and the American craft is kind of sporadic. Some of the typical stuff around here I think they should have, they don't...

My biggest complaint is the service. It seems like the servers are knowledgeable on what they have, but thats it- they know jack shit about beer. They think every Wit is like Hoegaarden or every stout is like Guinness. Also, almost every time I have been there, I ask for something the server says alright, then comes back and says they are out! That just drives me nuts for some reason (especially when what I asked for is on special, like last night... shouldn't the server know when they are out of one of their specials?!) Anyway, its nothing to merit them a terrible score for, its just an annoyance sometimes.... Oh, also- they put a lemon on my Hefeweizen!!!

I would recommend this place to almost anyone. They have a decent selection and if you are willing to pay a lot, they have a GREAT selection. I like the ambiance and trivia night is awesome. I haven't had their food, but my friends have and said it was decent for bar food (they got nachos w/ queso and loaded fried)...

04-06-2011 18:03:01 | More by TheGordianKnot

SaCkErZ9

Florida

4.08/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

I broke away from the group I was with one afternoon after the meeting ended a little early. I wanted to get away from the Braodway and 4th St crowd so I sauntered down to 11th ST. This is about the 8th different Saucer I have been in. They are all unique in their own way and this one was unique as well.

I actually like that this place is off the grid a bit. That touristy stuff is nice but it is also nice to get away. Of course, the inside was adorned with saucers. I wasnte really into the smoking indoors thing. That was a big turn-off. I guess I am just used to all smoking being outside.

Beer selection was phenomenal as always. I just wanted to wet my whistle so I got a Prima Pils. Other selections were broad and all-encompassing.

I still like the Mojo a little more than here, but the Flying Saucer always holds its own with selection, no matter what city they are in.

04-02-2011 16:21:32 | More by SaCkErZ9

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev -1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Stopped by for lunch with my girlfriend after doing some touristy stuff around the music city.

The place has a cool vibe to it like it was part of a train station. There is a narrow but long lounge area that has couches and coffee tables on one side and picnic tables. We ordered a flight with Flying Dog Old Scratch, Yazoo Hefe, Terrapin Rye Pale, Highland Kashmir IPA and a Youns Double Chocolate Stout. The vibe was pretty relaxed at this time.

Service was good and selection was deceant but not excellent.

02-19-2011 18:39:45 | More by JoEBoBpr

sommersb

Tennessee

4.33/5  rDev +7.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 3 | $$

I've been to the Saucer in Nashville a couple of times. I've only hung out in the main room because of watching sports and smoking cigars. I like the fact you can smoke a cigar -- they have some for sale or you can bring your own. Our waitress has always brought us a cigar ashtray when smoking.

The beer selection is quite phenomenal with a nicely segmented menu of the beer choices, plus additions put up on a chalk board. Beers on tap I've had include those from Spaten, Young's, Belhaven and Victory. Besides those on tap they have more in bottles. Quality has been good. Glassware is so-so; they seem to favor the shaker pint which I'm not too fond of.

The service has always been friendly and attentive. I've had food there once and it was OK. Some of the prices seemed a little high, but they also have special nights where beer is on sale, so I think it averages out.

Overall a very cool place to hang out and drink from a wide selection of beers. Definitely recommended

02-12-2011 06:07:52 | More by sommersb

Dogbrick

Ohio

4.06/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Flying Saucer is located in a pretty building between Broadway and Demonbreun next to the Visual Arts center. We walked from our hotel but it looked like they had a small parking lot and there appeared to be a garage as well.

The inside is essentially one big room with the bar running along the back wall, and long tables taking up most of the remainder of the seating. There is a big chalkboard behind the bar listing what beers are available. As with other locations, there are saucers displayed prominently for club members.

As with other locations, this Flying Saucer has a pretty robust beer menu. There are around 70 taps, and unlike Broadway Brewhouse a good portion of them are microbrews. Brewers like Sweetwater, Terrapin, Highland, Yazoo, Starr Hill and many other area brewers are represented. Various flights are available as well.

Service was good on our visit. The bartender was helpful in choosing beers for our flights and knew his stuff.

We did not try any food on our visit.

Overall this is a good spot to hit that is somewhat removed from the masses of tourists closer to the main drag downtown.

11-21-2010 05:08:37 | More by Dogbrick