SCI Convention Nashville 2027: Where to Stay and What to Do
Friday evening presents an interesting dilemma. Safari Club International has an auction scheduled for 7:30 PM on January 22. Just across downtown, Chris Janson is performing at the Ryman Auditorium at 8 PM.
If both appeal to you, there's a decision to make before you even arrive in Nashville.
The Safari Club Convention 2027 runs January 20–23 at Music City Center, bringing hunting enthusiasts, conservationists, exhibitors, and outdoor professionals together for four days.
Between exhibitions, seminars, auctions, and industry gatherings, finding time to experience Nashville takes a little coordination.
For attendees who want a comfortable place to return between commitments, The Countrypolitan Nashville offers boutique accommodations near Printer's Alley, with on-site dining and regular live music.
Here's how to organize your stay, get around downtown, and enjoy Nashville without overcrowding your convention schedule.
Safari Club Convention 2027: Dates, Location, and Registration
The SCI Convention Nashville 2027 takes place Wednesday, January 20, through Saturday, January 23.
All four days are centered at Music City Center, Nashville's downtown convention venue.
Detail | Information |
Event | Safari Club International Annual Convention |
Dates | January 20–23, 2027 |
Location | Music City Center |
Address | 201 Rep. John Lewis Way South, Nashville, TN |
Registration | |
Seminars | Full 2027 schedule forthcoming |
Hotel blocks |
Safari Club International brings together exhibitors, outfitters, conservation organizations, and outdoor industry professionals.
Attendees can explore equipment and destinations, meet industry representatives, and participate in educational programming.
The convention also features auctions throughout the week, including daytime and evening sessions.
SCI's published 2027 auction calendar currently includes evening auctions on January 20, 21, 22, and 23.
The Friday and Saturday evening auctions are scheduled for 7:30 PM. That creates a potential conflict for anyone hoping to attend a concert on either night.
The full seminar schedule is still forthcoming. Finalize evening reservations after identifying the sessions and convention functions you don't want to miss.
Where to Stay for the SCI Convention in Nashville
A hotel near Music City Center can make mornings easier. But the distance to the convention entrance is only one part of choosing where to stay.
A four-day trip also means deciding where you'll eat, whether you'll need to work from your room, and what you'll do when your schedule opens up.
The Countrypolitan: A Downtown Base With Its Own Character
The Countrypolitan sits at 315 Union Street, at the corner of Printer's Alley, in a neighborhood closely connected to Nashville's music history.
Inside, the hotel has a warm, music-inspired atmosphere rather than the feel of a large convention property.
Its boutique rooms and suites include workspaces and mini-refrigerators, useful for attendees balancing business and leisure.
The hotel also has a 24-hour fitness center, on-site restaurant and bar, and guest services.
For a convention stay, the practical details are worth comparing alongside the nightly rate.
The property's published fees currently include a $25 nightly amenity fee and valet parking at $60 per night, with a higher charge for oversized vehicles. The amenity fee includes a daily restaurant credit and Wi-Fi.
Check the complete rate and cancellation terms for your January dates, particularly if your organization will reimburse expenses.
What distinguishes The Countrypolitan is how easily guests can shift from a working day into Nashville's entertainment district.
Printer's Alley is nearby, along with restaurants, music venues, and the historic streets surrounding Broadway.
You can spend the day at the convention and return to a neighborhood that feels distinctly Nashville.
Official Convention Hotels or an Independent Booking?
Safari Club International publishes its participating hotel blocks through the convention website.
Those arrangements are useful for attendees seeking an official SCI room rate or accommodations arranged through the event organizer.
The Countrypolitan isn't currently listed in SCI's official hotel block. It can be booked independently, but no SCI-specific rate, partnership, or convention shuttle has been confirmed.
If your priority is the shortest possible journey to the exhibition floor, compare properties in the official block.
If you're interested in a downtown stay that also works for dinner, music, and sightseeing, The Countrypolitan is worth considering.
Getting From The Countrypolitan to Music City Center
Walking is a practical option for many attendees staying at The Countrypolitan.
From Union Street, head south through downtown toward Broadway and Music City Center. The venue's main entrance is at 201 Rep. John Lewis Way South.
Allow roughly 15–20 minutes on foot, depending on your route, pace, and the entrance used.
The route passes through central Nashville, with restaurants and entertainment venues along the surrounding streets.
January weather is the main consideration. Nashville can have cold mornings, rain, and occasional icy conditions.
If walking isn't suitable, taxis and rideshares provide an alternative.
For attendees driving themselves, Music City Center operates a covered parking garage with approximately 1,800 spaces at 701 Demonbreun Street.
The venue's parking and accessibility information includes garage entrances, accessible spaces, and pickup arrangements.
There is no confirmed SCI shuttle service between The Countrypolitan and the convention center, so plan your transportation independently.
Where to Eat After a Day at Music City Center
Dinner can become another networking opportunity, or it can be the first genuinely unstructured part of your day.
Downtown Nashville has suitable options for both.
An Easy Dinner at The Countrypolitan Bar & Kitchen
The Countrypolitan's Bar & Kitchen serves elevated Southern dishes, desserts, and specialty cocktails in a setting inspired by Nashville's musical heritage.
It's a convenient choice when you've spent the day meeting exhibitors and would prefer dinner without another reservation across town.
The hotel's published regular dinner hours are 4:30–11 PM Sunday through Thursday and 4:30 PM–midnight Friday and Saturday.
Confirm the kitchen's final ordering time, especially if you're attending an SCI evening auction.
You can also arrange a relaxed meal with colleagues before heading out to a concert or another downtown venue.
Puckett's for Southern Comfort Food
500 Church Street
Puckett's is a casual downtown restaurant known for barbecue, Southern comfort food, and live music.
Its menu and laid-back dining room make it suitable for an informal meal rather than a formal business dinner.
The restaurant's regular hours extend until 10 PM Sunday through Thursday and 11 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Puckett's also offers private dining for groups, although availability should be arranged in advance.
Etch for a Business Dinner
303 Demonbreun Street
For a more polished setting, Etch serves globally influenced cuisine from chef Deb Paquette.
The restaurant has a chef's bar, main dining room, and private dining options.
Smaller parties can reserve online, while groups of seven or more should contact the restaurant directly. Larger bookings may require a prix fixe menu.
Its group dining and reservation arrangements include cancellation policies and deposit requirements.
The Southern Steak & Oyster for Steak and Seafood
150 3rd Avenue South
The Southern Steak & Oyster specializes in wood-fired steaks, seafood, and Southern-inspired dishes.
Dinner service runs from 5–9 PM Sunday through Thursday and 5–10 PM Friday and Saturday.
It's a good option for colleagues who want a substantial sit-down dinner after the convention.
The restaurant accepts reservations, with separate arrangements for larger parties.
If you're staying several nights, Nashville's downtown restaurant scene includes plenty of choices for less formal lunches and dinners between scheduled events.
Where to Hear Live Music During the SCI Convention
The Safari Club Convention 2027 coincides with several worthwhile performances, including concerts at the Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry.
There's also live music closer to The Countrypolitan, where an evening doesn't have to revolve around a ticketed show.
A Night of Music at The Countrypolitan
The hotel's regular nightly live music gives guests an option that doesn't require traveling to another venue.
Local musicians perform in its restaurant and lounge, where guests can settle in with dinner or a cocktail.
It's particularly convenient after a demanding day when you'd still like to hear live music but don't want to commit to a separate concert.
The hotel's January performance calendar and regular music programming provide the relevant information once the January 20–23 lineup is announced.
The specific performers for those dates have not yet been confirmed.
Chris Janson at the Ryman: January 22
Friday, January 22 | 8 PM
Country singer Chris Janson performs at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Friday evening.
His combination of country, rock, and Americana makes this an attractive option for attendees who enjoy energetic live performances.
The Ryman is in downtown Nashville, making it easier to combine the show with dinner nearby.
However, SCI's Friday evening auction is also scheduled for 7:30 PM.
You'll need to choose which event takes priority rather than assuming both can fit into the same evening.
Tickets are available through the official Chris Janson Ryman event.
Peter Rowan and Sam Grisman Project: January 23
Saturday, January 23 | 8 PM
Saturday brings another interesting performance to the Ryman.
Peter Rowan joins the Sam Grisman Project for an evening celebrating the acoustic roots of the Grateful Dead and the music of Old & In The Way.
The announced guests include Margo Price, Tim O'Brien, Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams, Stuart Duncan, and Bryan Sutton.
For listeners who appreciate bluegrass, folk, and accomplished instrumental performances, this is a distinctive Nashville concert.
The Ryman's January 23 performance begins at 8 PM.
SCI also has a Saturday evening auction scheduled, so consider your convention commitments before purchasing tickets.
Grand Ole Opry Performances: January 22–23
The Grand Ole Opry has performances scheduled for Friday and Saturday at 7 PM.
An Opry evening features multiple artists rather than one headline performer, allowing audiences to hear different styles of country music during the same show.
The Opry House is outside downtown, at 600 Opry Mills Drive. You'll need separate transportation from Music City Center or The Countrypolitan.
Friday and Saturday's official Opry calendar lists the performances, with individual artist lineups subject to announcement.
Discover Printer's Alley After Dark
You don't need to buy another concert ticket to hear Nashville musicians.
Near The Countrypolitan, historic Printer's Alley has long been associated with jazz clubs, intimate performances, and nightlife.
The narrow passage has a different character from Lower Broadway, where larger honky-tonks draw crowds throughout the evening.
Skull's Rainbow Room is one of the area's established venues, known for jazz, dining, and supper-club entertainment.
A walk through Printer's Alley's historic entertainment district offers a chance to explore a neighborhood that developed its musical reputation long before today's Nashville tourism boom.
Individual venues may require reservations, charge admission, or have age restrictions. Confirm their January schedules before making firm plans.
For guests returning after an evening function, the hotel is already in the neighborhood. That makes it possible to enjoy a quieter final stop without arranging another ride across town.
What to Do in Nashville if You Have an Extra Afternoon
Not every SCI attendee will have time for sightseeing during the convention.
But accompanying partners, early arrivals, and anyone staying through Sunday can explore several of Nashville's major attractions.
Country Music Hall of Fame and National Museum of African American Music
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum brings Nashville's recording history to life through stage costumes, instruments, photographs, and archival recordings.
Nearby, the National Museum of African American Music explores the influence of African American musicians across gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop.
Both are indoor attractions, making them appealing during January's colder weather.
For travelers interested in more cultural experiences, Nashville's downtown museums and exhibitions include art and Tennessee history as well.
The Ryman and Downtown Sightseeing
A Ryman Auditorium tour is another option for visitors who appreciate music history but can't attend an evening concert.
Tours are scheduled separately from performances and may have restrictions on event days.
On a clear afternoon, you can also explore the Cumberland River waterfront or walk across the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge for skyline views.
For a shorter outing, the streets around Printer's Alley provide a convenient alternative before dinner.
Plan Your January Convention Trip Around Your Commitments
For a four-day convention, arrival and departure dates can make a substantial difference.
Tuesday, January 19: Arrive in Nashville, check into your hotel, and become familiar with the route to Music City Center. A relaxed dinner is a good way to begin the trip.
January 20–23: Keep convention sessions, exhibitor meetings, and auctions as the main commitments. Reserve outside entertainment only after accounting for SCI's evening schedule.
Sunday, January 24: Consider a later departure if you intend to attend Saturday's evening activities. Breakfast or a museum visit can fit into the morning if your travel arrangements allow.
At The Countrypolitan, regular check-in begins at 3 PM, and checkout is at 11 AM.
Guests can also compare the hotel's currently available accommodation offers, although standard hotel packages shouldn't be confused with SCI convention rates.
Make The Countrypolitan Your Nashville Address
Four days of meetings and exhibitions call for somewhere comfortable to return to.
The Countrypolitan gives convention guests a downtown base with private workspaces in the rooms, a restaurant downstairs, and regular live music close to home.
Its Union Street address also places you within reach of Nashville's historic entertainment district, with Music City Center accessible from downtown.
For attendees traveling with partners, that location allows each person to organize a different day without committing to the same convention schedule.
Explore rooms and suites at The Countrypolitan and compare rates for January 19–24, 2027, or whichever dates suit your plans.
Before booking, take another look at your evening commitments. Friday's auction and Ryman concert are scheduled almost simultaneously, and Saturday brings another similar choice. The convention might determine your daytime calendar, but the evenings are where you'll decide what kind of Nashville trip this becomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Safari Club Convention in 2027?
The Safari Club Convention 2027 takes place January 20–23 at Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The event includes exhibitions, seminars, auctions, and other scheduled activities.
Where is the SCI Convention held in Nashville?
The event takes place at Music City Center, 201 Rep. John Lewis Way South, Nashville, TN 37203.
Where should I stay for the SCI Convention?
Downtown hotels are convenient for Music City Center. The Countrypolitan offers independent accommodation near Printer's Alley, with rooms and suites, on-site dining, and regular live music. It's not currently listed as an official SCI hotel-block property.
How far is The Countrypolitan from Music City Center?
Allow roughly 15–20 minutes to walk between The Countrypolitan and Music City Center, depending on the route and conditions. Taxis and rideshares are available for those who prefer not to walk.
Does The Countrypolitan have an SCI convention rate?
No SCI-specific rate has been confirmed, and the hotel isn't listed in the organizer's current official block. Guests can compare The Countrypolitan's independently available room rates for their January stay.
What is happening in Nashville during the convention?
Chris Janson performs at the Ryman on January 22. Peter Rowan and the Sam Grisman Project perform January 23. The Grand Ole Opry has shows on both evenings, and downtown music venues offer additional entertainment.
Should I arrive before the convention starts?
Arriving Tuesday, January 19, gives you time to check in and prepare for the opening day. Staying through Sunday, January 24, can also be useful if you're attending Saturday evening activities.
