Rocco
The best bars in Knoxville, Tennessee, are something you can’t miss.
The Marble City is famous for its proximity to nature, a trendy downtown, and thriving sports culture, and the bar scene is one of my favorite parts.
I visit Knoxville often and have an updated list of where to find a brew.
In this article, I’ll share everything from bars, speakeasies, and breweries that feature light cocktails, local drinks, and innovative mixes.
Knoxville has a great bar culture and cuisine to match, so plan your visit with me today.
Check out my list of the best bars in Knoxville, Tennessee, below!
Peter Kern Library
407 Union Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 521-0050
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Peter Kern Library is a speakeasy bar in downtown Knoxville. It’s upscale and sophisticated but has a welcoming feel.
The bar borders Charles Krutch Park and sits in the Oliver Hotel.
I like to visit this hopping spot and order a Snow Queen cocktail with cinnamon, cream, and amontillado sherry.
Preservation Pub
28 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 524-2224
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Preservation Pub is a no-frills bar in downtown Knoxville. It has a cozy, dimly-lit interior and features live music and pub food.
Visit this two-story bar with a garden deck and sample veggie pizzas, chicken nachos, and sliders with your beer.
Also, I like to order a discount domestic beer bucket for a group.
Bearden Beer Market
4524 Old Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 851-8922
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Bearden Beer Market is in the Old Kingston Pike neighborhood in southwestern Knoxville.
It’s a beer shop with an open seating area, ideal for a casual afternoon with pals.
The market is the best place to go for specialty beer.
Check out the Peach Party cider, Belgian white ale, and Dracula’s Revenge sour raspberry beer.
Pour Taproom: Knoxville
207 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 337-5726
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Don’t miss Pour Taproom, a laid-back bar in the heart of Old City.
It has a spacious interior and a deck for sunny days, and you can order from a list of rotating taps.
Grab some friends and line up at the self-serve taps for drinks like beer, sparkling wine, and mead.
Suttree’s High Gravity Tavern
409 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 934-3814
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Visit Suttree’s High Gravity Tavern, an eclectic bar downtown.
It’s near many top downtown sights, like the Strong Alley Graffiti Gallery, Market Square, and Charles Krutch Park.
The place has 32 rotating taps, so you’ll never get bored. Check out their whiskey, and don’t miss the ramen and pork bun menu.
Alliance Brewing Co
1130 Sevier Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920
Phone: (865) 247-5355
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Alliance Brewing Co is on the south bank of the Tennessee River, down the street from Suttree Landing Park.
It’s a dog-friendly brewery with an open taproom and patio seating.
Everything at Alliance is brewed in-house, from the Scotch ales to the Cubano coffee browns.
If you get hungry, check out the nearby food trucks.
Tern Club
135 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 312-5530
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Tern Club, off Gay St and W Vine Ave, is a cocktail bar featuring tropical drinks.
It has an upbeat vibe and is ideal for a midafternoon pick-me-up while sightseeing.
I usually go for a Bubble Buddy, a light beverage with lemon and cardamom.
Or, try a passion fruit non-alcoholic Pluto.
Abridged Beer Company (Brewpub)
100 Lockett Rd, Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 200-8059
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The Abridged Beer Company is a brewpub in east Knoxville. The place has an upbeat vibe and is in a converted 1950s-era auto garage.
Grab a table in the outdoor seating area and settle in with a hearty loaded burger.
I recommend trying the Simone aged blonde sour or a hard kombucha.
Stock & Barrel
35 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 766-2075
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I never visit Knoxville without stopping by Stock & Barrel, a stylish bar in the heart of downtown.
It’s a cozy place that focuses on burgers and bourbon drinks.
Consider an Angel’s Envy bourbon or a Peerless Rye, and pair your drink with a locally sourced bison and mushroom burger.
Balter Beerworks
100 Broadway SW, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 999-5015
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Balter Beerworks is a taproom north of downtown, just off the N Broadway highway.
The place is casual and has an extensive American and Mexican food menu.
Drinks range from light vodkas to intense, fiery IPAs.
I like to get an Underwood Rose, an Oregon wine, with a plate of beef sliders.
Myrtle’s Chicken and Beer
13 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 851-8833
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Visit Myrtle’s Chicken and Beer in Market Square for authentic Southern comfort.
It’s within walking distance of many top sights, like Charles Krutch Park and the Tennessee Theater.
This laid-back place specializes in Southern-fried chicken, craft beers, and tequilas.
Try a Simply Peach cocktail with orange juice and hints of basil.
Calhoun’s On The River
400 Neyland Dr, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 673-3355
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Calhoun’s On The River is a craft beer place with barbeque and homestyle sides.
It’s relaxed, casual, and ideal for a late-night outing after a long day of touring the city.
I recommend the Smoky Mt Beer. Check out the hickory smoked chicken with a side of fried green tomatoes.
Downtown Grill & Brewery
424 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 633-8111
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Downtown Grill & Brewery is a bar and grill on the corner of S Gay and Union.
It has a globally-inspired menu and in-house brewed beer.
Order a New World Porter, a rich, malty drink, or try a dark-roasted State Street Stout.
I like to visit on Sundays for jazz and a brunch menu.
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
1 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 522-0004
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Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar is in the center of downtown Knoxville, bordering Charles Krutch Park.
It’s a southern restaurant with a great craft beer list and creative cocktails.
I like the Bee’s Knees drink, a gin mix with lemon and honey. Also, try the Blueberry Lavender mimosa with a brunch egg bowl.
Open Chord Stage
8502 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 281-5874
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Open Chord Stage is in Kingston Pike, a few minutes west of Knoxville. It’s a live music venue with concerts almost every night and a full bar.
Visit Open Chord Stage and try my favorite drink, the glittery purple Hendrix vodka.
Check out their 12 rotating taps if you’re more of a beer person.
Hexagon Brewing Company
1002 Dutch Valley Dr #101, Knoxville, TN 37918
Phone: (865) 888-5138
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Stop by Hexagon Brewing Company in north Knoxville while in the city.
It’s a local Tennessee brewery with a taproom that’s open daily.
Book a tour or relax at the laid-back taproom and sample brews alongside live music.
I recommend a spiced cider or a blue Krishna wheat beer.
Kaizen
127 S Central St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 409-4444
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Kaizen is an Asian bar that features draft beer and Asian fusion food.
The spot is in Old City Knoxville, near First Creek, and has a laid-back feel.
Grab a spot on the covered patio and order a Diskin Day Dream cider, a bubbly strawberry rose, or a canned Thai lager.
Final Thoughts
It’s worth it to check out the best bars in Knoxville, Tennessee, whether you find yourself in the city for work or pleasure.
Grab your friends or go on a solo tour of the quiet speakeasies, riverfront bars, and eclectic taverns.
If you enjoyed this article, share it with friends, and don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Best Bars in Knoxville, Tennessee
- Peter Kern Library
- Preservation Pub
- Bearden Beer Market
- Pour Taproom: Knoxville
- Suttree’s High Gravity Tavern
- Alliance Brewing Co
- Tern Club
- Abridged Beer Company (Brewpub)
- Stock & Barrel
- Balter Beerworks
- Myrtle’s Chicken and Beer
- Calhoun’s On The River
- Downtown Grill & Brewery
- Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
- Open Chord Stage
- Hexagon Brewing Company
- Kaizen
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