Knoxville Night Clubs

Knoxville Night Clubs include an amazing variety of opportunities for you to get out and get your party on.

You can click here to promote your favorite Knoxville night spot, or take a gander at our list of local favorites below.

Downtown Knoxville Night Clubs

Enjoy a good micro-brew beer? The Downtown Grill and Brewery at 424 Gay Street (the main street through downtown) is usually crowded with other people who also enjoy company and beer. There's occasionally a local band or singer-songwriter playing too -- usually for no cover.

Less than a block away at 428 Gay Street is Sapphire, a modern bar and restaurant specializing in martinis (I'm not necessarily a martini fan, but theirs are excellent) and an urban-sophisticate ambiance.

The Bistro at the Bijou is also on Gay Street, towards the Tennessee River. It's a good spot to visit if you enjoy history, charm and a more mellow atmosphere. The Bijou is the oldest theatre in Tennessee still in operation. It has served Presidents, and the Bistro has a famous painting (in Knoxville, anyway) of a naked lady.

If you plan ahead, you might catch a show at the Bijou after enjoying a good drink with a Black and Blue Burger at the Bistro.

Preservation Pub on Market Square Mall (at the intersection of Market and Wall--just a block off Gay) has good beer, original music -- including an open mic on Tuesday evenings -- a cozy atmosphere, and a patio facing Market Square's performance stage.

Macleod's, also on Market Square, has a selection of micro-brews and offers karaoke on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Old City Knoxville Night Clubs

Manhattan's has two bars, live music, and good food. It also happens to have the dubious honor of being the venue in Knoxville that has given me the most opportunities to play my music (thanks, Sean!).

Patrick Sullivan's is just across the street in one of Old City's most historic (and storied) buildings. Unique atmostphere, plenty of spirits, live music on the 3rd floor, and good food abound.

The Pilot Light, 106 E Jackson Avenue, is a great Knoxville club for underground rock-n-roll, with a fine selection of PBR beer. Open Wed - Sun, with free films many Sunday nights. Don't dress up.

Old City Java, 109 S Central Avenue, is the oldest running coffee shop in Knoxville--and some say the best. Live music here also. If a cup of joe, tea, hot chocolate is more of interest to you than a mug of beer, this is your spot.

Blue Cat's, 125 E Jackson Avenue, is where national acts that aren't quite big enough to fill an arena or the Tennessee Theatre (or don't want to) will often stop to play.

Barley's is a nice spot for music, pizza, pool & one of the best selections of beer in town. Local musician Robinella has a regular gig here on most Sunday nights; they make for a wonderful evening with friends or without.

Knoxville Cigar Company, 118 S Central Street, is your spot if you're looking for company and a good stogie. Offering cigar parties and a wide variety of quality cigars.

Knoxville Night Clubs
Cumberland Avenue/UT Campus

Old College Inn, 2204 Cumberland Avenue, has been around since way back in the day. It's a favorite hangout on game days, and worth a stop any other time as well.

The Carousel, one block off Cumberland at the corner of 15th and White, is the oldest gay bar in Knoxville. 3 levels, lots of dancing and club music.

North Knoxville Night Clubs

Sassy Ann's, 820 N 4th Avenue, is by far the best blues joint in town. Located in an old Victorian house, 3 stories, great live blues music, open Wednesday through Saturday.

The Corner Lounge, 842 N Central, is a small joint with lots of character; a long-standing favorite of locals. It's not a dress-up kind of place, but has great live music, and was mentioned several times in Knoxville author Cormac McCarthy's literary classic, Suttree.

Do you have a favorite Knoxville hot spot? Tell us about it below!

Ready to share your review with the scene? Here's the form to do it!

West Knoxville Night Clubs

Toddy's Back Door Tavern, 4951 Kingston Pike, is another small local Knoxville Night Club favorite. Located above a liquor store, it's famous for drunken horse shoe throwing, and was the first place in Knoxville where I bought a beer legally.

Baker Peter's Jazz Club, 9000 Kingston Pike, is--many would argue--the best live jazz of all Knoxville night clubs. Located in an historic mansion, if you're looking for a classy night on the West town with good live jazz, martinis, and food, this is your spot.

The Spot, 6915 Kingston Pike, is a good live music Knoxville club that caters mostly to the younger crowd. Great outdoor patio for spring through fall music.

Michael's, 7049 Kingston Pike, is the premier meat market in Knoxville. Hey, every town has a few, and Michael's has long been the reigning champ around here. I got kicked out when I was under-age for trying to order a beer during my brother's bachelor party.

Cotton Eyed Joe's, 11220 Outlet Road, is dubbed "America's #1 Country Dance Bar." This place is absolutely huge, and if you like country music, it's a must-stop for you.

Return to Things to Do in Knoxville from Knoxville Night Clubs

Return to Knoxville Business from Knoxville Night Clubs