Ryman Auditorium
Nashville, TN · Theater
The Ryman does not run a clear bag rule for most shows, so a normal purse or small bag is fine and every bag gets searched at the door. What is banned across the board is oversized bags and backpacks, so leave those at your hotel. Some individual concerts do switch on a clear bag policy, and when that happens the limit is a clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no bigger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, a one-gallon clear freezer bag, or a small clutch. The Ryman also enforces strict camera rules, so a phone or a basic digital, disposable, or 35mm camera is welcome but anything with a detachable, telephoto, or zoom lens is not, and video and audio recording gear is a no. Because the clear bag requirement is set per event, always open your specific show page before you leave to confirm what applies that night. If you keep it to a searched purse or small clutch, skip the backpack, and bring only a simple camera, you will get in without trouble.
Venue details
Need a concert bag for Ryman Auditorium?
Stadium-approved clear bags that meet the policy.
What you can bring
- Small purses and normal-size bags (subject to search)
- Small clutch bags
- Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags up to 12" x 6" x 12" (for shows with a clear bag policy)
- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag such as a Ziploc (clear bag shows)
- Camera and binocular bags
- Digital, disposable, or 35mm cameras when photography is allowed
Not allowed inside
- Oversized bags and backpacks
- Weapons of any kind, including pocket knives, and pepper spray or mace
- Outside food and beverage, cans, bottles, and alcohol
- Cameras with detachable, telephoto, or zoom lenses
- Video cameras, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, and audio recording devices
- Laptops and tablets, laser pens, and posters or signs
There is no published exception spelled out for medical or diaper bags, so if you need to carry medical supplies or baby items, plan to have the bag searched and consider contacting the Ryman box office in advance. Audio recording is only allowed when special permission is granted or when taper tickets are offered for that show.
Upcoming events
Heading to a show at Ryman Auditorium? Here are the next events, with tickets on StubHub and SeatGeek so you can compare before you buy. The bag policy above applies to every one of them.
Browse all upcoming concerts →
No bag that fits? Plan ahead
There is no coat check or bag storage at the Ryman, so do not bring anything you cannot carry in or would need to leave at the door. Anything that fails the bag rules has to go back to your car or hotel.
Common questions
Does it require a clear bag?
Not usually. Most Ryman shows allow a normal purse or small bag, and clear bags are only required for certain events. When a clear bag policy is in effect, bags must be clear and no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, with a one-gallon clear freezer bag or a small clutch also allowed. Check your specific event page to confirm.
Are backpacks allowed?
No. Oversized bags and backpacks are prohibited at all times, and there is no bag check to hold them, so leave them behind.
Can I bring a camera?
You can bring a phone or a basic digital, disposable, or 35mm camera when photography is allowed for that show. Cameras with detachable, telephoto, or zoom lenses, plus video cameras, tripods, and audio recorders, are not permitted.
Is there a bag check or coat check?
No. The Ryman states that no coat check is available and offers no bag storage, so anything not allowed inside must be taken back to your vehicle.
Can I bring outside food or drink?
No. Outside food and beverage, along with cans, bottles, and alcohol, are on the prohibited list.
Getting there
Gates open
The main entrance is on the Fourth Avenue side of the building, a half block north of Broadway between Fourth and Fifth Avenues. All guests pass through a walk-through weapons detection system and bag search on the way in.
Parking
There is no dedicated Ryman lot. The closest self-parking is the Fifth + Broadway garage at 179 Rep. John Lewis Way N, directly across from the venue, with several other downtown public garages within a short walk.
Public transit
The venue sits in the heart of downtown Nashville near Broadway, walkable from most downtown hotels and served by local WeGo bus routes and the downtown transit hub a few blocks away.
Rideshare
Lyft is the Ryman's official rideshare partner. Downtown streets get congested on show nights, so have your driver drop off a block or two away and walk in.
Seating chart
Verified July 2026 against the Ryman Auditorium official policy. Rules can change for one-off events, so check your event page too.