The High Watt

3.5
Yet another cool venue in Nashville. One of the things I like noticing is the sheer number of places at which to see a show and how those places change depending on location and/​or artist. There’s no need to have a cookie cutter live show experience in Nashville — which is just another reason to love this city.
The High Watt is part of the Cannery Ballroom ensemble. So, you know where you are and you know what you’re getting. What sets HW aside from its partner/​neighbors… the ceiling seems higher at HW. The layout is a bit more straight forward in that you ascend the stairs, walk past the bar and directly in front of you is the stage. If it sounds simple, it is… and it’s the reason I just can’t quite make it to 4 stars. The venue is very small. This is perfect for an intimate night with a favored artist. This is frustrating for a more raucous show and an attempt to either get anywhere near the bar or situate yourself anywhere other than where you first land. There’s a small seating area to the left but who comes to a rock show to sit? I don’t think HW is the right sort of venue to sit and watch a show and I wouldn’t recommend coming to a see that kind of show here. See above re multitude of different venues for different types of shows/​artists. Plan wisely and know what you’re getting into before coming out. Once you’ve done your homework, I think you’re in good shape for a fun night out at The High Watt.

Loved it! Great BIG sound, high quality sound system, Cool place, reasonable bar prices, what more can you ask for. (FYI) regarding «other» review (s) if you go to a live show to sit down just stay home. SMH… lame.

This is a nice little venue to watch some bands. The sound is great, the bar is small, the price is reasonable, can hold a good crowd.
Why 3 stars? Because they don’t have enough seating. I was very, very, very lucky that someone gave me their stool. Otherwise, I would have left early and not seen the two bands playing.
Shame on them for not having enough seating.
Why can’t it be more like the Bluebird with tables and chairs and waitresses?
Imagine the business they would do, then!!!
But they don’t think that there are ALL different age groups that attend these concerts and some people can’t stand all that long.

Small venue with a cool vibe and views of the city. I’ve never been to a show that was sold out here, most of them have been pretty empty actually. But I love the space, and it definitely has an intimate feel to it. I like that you have to go back through the building and it’s somewhat tucked away and hidden. I’d highly recommend seeing a show here!

We drove down to see Run River North and Lighthouse and the Whaler, and had a fabulous time. The space was sufficiently open for dancing, the stage was conveniently bar-​height, and the sound was excellent.
The bar is conveniently located — you can sit and watch the show from there — and easy to move in and out of. The bar staff was very friendly and attentive. The only thing that would make it better would be a wider beer selection. Sierra Nevada Pale was the sole craft beer option. Other than that, though, it was excellent.

It’s a great venue — for smaller shows. The sound is great here!

Saw Brendan James here a week ago. Loved the atmosphere and would definietly return!

This venue offers a great variety of entertainment from concerts to comedic/​stand-​up shows. The sounds is really great in any room and the space is always cool and comfortable to sit back and enjoy a show. Best part– most shows are either really cheap or FREE!

Don’t discount The High Watt as just another place on the Cannery compound to go ses smaller shows… this little gem is a great venue space to host a fun event too.
I have been to The High Watt more than my fair share and have enjoyed a comedy show and some great music here. I never expected to attend a baby shower in the space and you know what, it was absolutely conducive to hosting one! From the nice little bar and the stage that was perfect to making announcements to the great cozy layout, this is a fantastic little venue for smaller parties or events.
I just love the crew that run the High Watt along with Mercy Lounge and the Cannery Ballroom too.

Great live music in a small setting. This is a very small place and it depends on the band playing as to how the vibe is.

I love the High Watt because it is a intimate space on the 2^nd floor of Mercy. But I mostly love going to the High Watt because I am obsessed with Y2K on Saturdays. The only place to wall out and dance our asses off to insane house music! I would highly suggest tossing back a few (or many) very strong drinks before attending.

I’ve now been to all 3 rooms on Cannary Row. I’ve been very impressed with all of them. I went to the High Watt for a sold out show and was very happy. The room was crowded, but not stuffed. There was room to move and it wasn’t a chore to get to the bathroom. The bar was in a central location and the bartender was attentive and fast. The sound was amazing and there wasn’t a bad place to stand.

Thoroughly enjoyed this little gem. We were only there for a few hours but took in four different performers. No admission fees this night. Decent little bar as well. Not a lot of seating but it didn’t matter all that much. Bathroom had a silhouetted guy on the door indicating it was a male bathroom. Although obvious to me, it apparently wasn’t to others. Got a good laugh watching two different blonde chicks truck right in to presumably use the urinals. I digress. The High Watt was a great way to spend a few hours with some fairly talented folks. I recommend it as a worthy little music venue.

Awesome new stage at Mercy. Tons of local bands play here and they have a Y2K dance party every Saturday. The shows here are always either really cheap or totally free.
Check it out!

Love this venue. It is good place to go see a local band at. Drinks are a little high because it is part of Mercy lounge. Sometimes you have to pay for parking. it is a good place to vibe with people or similar music taste and there are good autistics. I am not a fan of this place though when there is a D. J, and smoke machine and lots of people like there was this past weekend. To small a space to do that in. Get to hot and crazy with way to many people. This is a good venue for a medium size show.

Killer bass, well placed stage, sweet bathroom doors and a small intimate feel. My new favorite venue in the Nash! If someone asks you to go to a show, or Y2K, at the High Watt your answer is always yes. #baller

Great new Nashville venue that features reasonably priced great shows with mostly new and up&coming artists. It’s inside Cannery Ballroom so it’s great sound, atmosphere and easy to view while having a drink or visiting with friends. Will definitely be attending many more shows here!

I’m loving the Hi Watt! It’s great to see a new venue that caters the real up-​and-​comers in the current new music wave. The room has a great, rustic factory vibe with brick walls and wood beams. The stage is super-​easy to see, even from extreme angles. Plus, the bartenders are friendly and the drink prices aren’t as hard on the wallet as one would expect. I can’t wait to see more shows here!

Ah… Finally…a NICE room in Nashville for all the up and coming bands that can’t quite fill a Mercy Lounge size room yet!!! This room immediately became my new favorite venue in Nashville. (Spoiler Alert — No obstructed sight lines to be found here!)
First of all, if you are wondering. «Where the Hell is the High Watt? It says Mercy Lounge… but is it in Mercy or is it underneath or behind or???» Well here’s your answer: The High Watt is a brand new (EFFIN AWESOME) venue inside of Cannery Row. To get to the room, you simply enter the doors as if going to Mercy Lounge. The polite, as always, door guy will then tell you to go LEFT, pass the service elevator and then right up the stairs to the second floor. And there you will find the rad new room Nashville will come to love and know as The High Watt Stage at Mercy Lounge. To be honest I think it would be LESS confusing if they just took out the whole Mercy Lounge name and just market it as The HIgh Watt — the newest venue on Cannery Row… but since it hasn’t been marketed or promoted at all yet… I’m sure they are just figuring that all out right now.
Now about the room… The ceilings are VERY tall! Gone are the days of cramming into a smelly, claustrophobic and dark old room just to catch your favorite off the beaten path band. The walls are mostly the brick and windows that lovers of Cannery Row are used to, but there is an added industrial element that isn’t showcased in the other rooms that really sets it apart. The interior walls that were added are all painted a LUX shade of blue and the mens and womens bathrooms have black and white portraits painted on what looks like a type of frosted glass. Very cool. There is a nice wooden bar to the right that’s fully stocked and hosted by your favorite Mercy Lounge bartender.
Their is a raised area with 4 or 5 bar height tables left of the stage that lead to the Green Room door. The Green Room is like a mini house built in, left of the stage. Cozy enough with a couch and big enough to fit all 9 of the flock known as Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds — plus a few extra. The band mentioned that the sound guy went above and beyond… taking his time to get the sound just right. (Which is not a common thing might I add)
Ive already been 3 times and I have to say, I can’t wait to go to a show here that is PACKED! Check it out… and take a friend.