Who says the community gathering place is dead? Just look at the Jackalope patio on a sunny spring afternoon. Named for a mythical antlered rabbit, this convivial microbrewery (pints from $5) in the heart of the Brewery District was the brainchild of two 'lady brewers,' Bailey Spaulding and Robyn Virball, and it counts as Tennessee's first female-founded brewery.
Sip the extra-punched Fennario India Pale Ale, the excellent Indian-tea-laced Chaiwalker Brown Ale or the most popular ale: Bearwalker Maple Brown (a brown ale conditioned with 100% Vermont Maple Syrup). Make friends at the communal table and play Jenga on the patio. Brewery tours ($7) are available, and a calendar of fun community-focused events are frequented by locals.