Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria
200 East Jackson Ave.
865-521-0092
Barley's features two different bars with a wide selection of microbrewery beers and ciders. The downstairs bar alone has 40 taps featuring the South's best selection of American craft brewed beers. Free live music is offered most evenings from local, regional and even nationally acclaimed bands. Upstairs, you'll find a second bar alongside pool tables and dartboards.
Downtown Grill & Brewery
424 S. Gay St.
865-633-8111
Voted Knoxville's best brewpub in Metro Pulse's 2004 Best of Knoxville issue, the Downtown Grill & Brewery is perfect for dinner with friends before the show or a drink afterwards. Pool tables, dartboards, and video games reside upstairs in case you need a little entertainment.
Orange Martini Bar
Hilton Hotel
502 W. Church St.
865-523-2300
Appletini, chocolatini, dirty martini . . . whatever your poison, you'll find it here.
Patrick Sullivan's Saloon
100 N. Central St.
865-637-4255
Patrick Sullivan's was founded back in 1888 and is located in Knoxville's Old City. Legend has it that many notorious figures have dined here, including Buffalo Bill Cody and members of Butch Cassidy's gang. Patrick Sullivan's historic charm, full bar, and great food make it a local hot spot.
Preservation Pub
28 Market Square
865-524-2224
Preservation Pub is more that just a great bar. It's a place with a mission. Founded during Market Square's redevelopment period, the Pub started out by giving a portion of all proceeds back to Market Square, to ensure that a sense of community was fostered. On any given day, you'll find a “celebrity” bartender working to raise money for any number of community organizations. It's a place to make some friends, enjoy some great live music, and toss back any drink your heart desires. With over 150 beers from around the world, plus a fine selection of wines and liquors, Preservation Pub can satisfy your craving.
The Pub at Henley Square
Holiday Inn, 525 Henley St.
865-522-2800
Sassy Ann's
820 N. Fourth Ave.
865-525-5839
Knoxville's spot for great blues and jazz music also boasts a great bar. If great music and a beer is what you seek, this is where you'll find it. Sassy Ann's has been rated the 6 th best jazz club in the country.
Urban Bar and Corner Café
109 N. Central Ave.
865-546-2800
20 domestic and import beers are on tap, and several other bottled beers are available. A full bar features a wide selection of wines and liquors. There are pool tables and games in the restaurant's spacious back room. If you get hungry, the menu has plenty of choices that are anything but bar food.
Clubs/Dancing
Tonic/Fiction
125 E. Jackson Ave.
865-522-4656
Open nightly for dining and dance. Every Saturday night, Tonic transforms into "Fiction", Knoxville's premiere dance night with resident host DJ Slink, voted Knoxville's best DJ four years in a row. Step outside and you'll find Knoxville's only French quarter style courtyard and cabana frozen daiquiri bar.
Carousel II
1501 White Ave.
865-522-6966
Great dance music, disco balls and drag shows make up the bill. This is Knoxville's oldest and most established gay bar/dance club, but everyone is welcome here. 18+
Electric Ballroom
1213 Western Ave.
865-525-6724
The Electric Ballroom is a medium-large sized venue. It hosts a number of events from dance parties, traveling music shows, and local shows. Age limitations are usually 18+.
Live Music
Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria
200 East Jackson Ave.
865-521-0092
Featured music here is generally Americana, folk, and rockabilly. Admission is free. Barley's features two different bars with a wide selection of microbrewery beers and ciders. The downstairs bar alone has 40 taps featuring the South's best selection of American craft brewed beers.
Patrick Sullivan's Saloon
100 N. Central St.
865-637-4255
Legend has it that many notorious figures have dined here, including Buffalo Bill Cody and members of Butch Cassidy's gang. Patrick Sullivan's features local and regional live music.
Preservation Pub
28 Market Square
865-524-2224
You'll find all kinds of music here – folk, punk, country, rock, cover bands doing the best songs from the 60's or 80's . . . Preservation Pub has it all. Local, regional and national acts perform nightly. With over 150 beers from around the world, plus a fine selection of wines and liquors, Preservation Pub can satisfy your cravings for both great music and great drinks.
Sassy Ann's 820 N. Fourth Ave.
865-525-5839
Knoxville's spot for great blues and jazz music also boasts a great bar. If great music and a beer is what you seek, this is where you'll find it. Sassy Ann's has been rated the 6 th best jazz club in the country.
Urban Bar and Corner Café
109 N. Central Ave.
865-546-2800
Local and regional acts perform here nightly. 20 domestic and import beers are on tap, and several other bottled beers are available. A full bar features a wide selection of wines and liquors. There are pool tables and games in the restaurant's spacious back room.
The Pilot Light
106 E. Jackson Ave.
865-524-8188
The Pilot Light is downtown Knoxville's indisputable hipster haven. Mostly featuring non-mainstream bands, the venue is known for being more unconventional than some of the other music-houses. According to their website, "The only two genres of music we typically shy away from are contemporary jazz music (unless it is really out of the ordinary or in an experimental style), and rock "jam bands". These types of music have many other outlets in Knoxville where there are regular crowds."
Coffeehouses
11th Street Espresso House Café
1016 Laurel Ave.
865-546-3003 11th Street's eclectic sandwich and dessert menu is nearly eclipsed by their equally eclectic extended-family type clientele. Their gourmet vegetarian sandwiches are complimented by some of the best chicken salad this side of Grainger County. Check out their poetry readings and sip a cup of coffee. Business Hours: Mon-Sat, 11:00 a.m.- midnight; Sun, 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Old City Java
109 S. Central Ave.
865-523-9817 Old City Java's quaint and relaxing atmosphere have made it a favorite hangout in Knoxville for years. Classic art replicas are painted on the walls and ceilings, and vintage couches and lounge chairs invite you to curl up with a cup of coffee or hot tea and a book. It also hosts local and regional live music on a regular basis. Business Hours: Open seven days
