Hello Knoxville! It’s been a while since we went #offthetipsypath in our own back yard, so let’s take a trip across the Tennessee River and we’ll show you what’s happening in South Knoxville!
Once upon a time, the area across the river from Downtown Knoxville was popular enough that Island Home had its own trolley stop! Fast forward to today, and the Old Sevier area is bustling once again. With more residents, growth also is bringing more places to eat and drink, especially along the Sevier Avenue corridor and surrounding neighborhoods.
For as long as we can remember, “nightlife” in South Knoxville along the river ended when the restaurants (and more recently the breweries) closed. Now there’s a game changer called Fly By Night. This 70’s themed lounge one of the first true cocktail bars along Sevier Ave, and they’re open late (as in past midnight most nights). They even have a Thursday night dance party til midnight! Oh, and their cocktails are fantastic. Ever tried a Sarsaparilla Old Fashioned? It will change your life, we promise. This one is brought to you by the same folks who have Tern Club on Gay Street downtown. Break out the bell bottoms and check them out!
There’s no shortage of good food options along Sevier Avenue these days. Redbud Kitchen has amazing food and some really creative cocktails (The SoKno Sunset…) and a generous happy hour. The Landing House may look like an old house on Sevier, but it’s serving up some excellent Asian dishes, along with craft cocktails, beer and wine. They also have a great patio with covered seating (in what used to likely be the front yard).
If you’re looking to enjoy a drink outdoors (or in) Southside Garage was originally billed as a food truck park, but now they have resident food trucks. More importantly, they have beer, wine and cocktails to go with it! The cocktails are surprisingly good (since it’s a food truck park) with rotating draft cocktails that include Old Fashioned, Bourbon Punch, and a variety of flavors for a Moscow Mule.
If tequila and Margaritas are your style, SoKno Taco Cantina has been around longer than most places in the “new South” Knoxville. Their patio area is a great place to sip on something iced and enjoy your evening.
Which brings us to the newest attraction in the neighborhood – 71 South. Located in an old Baptist church, this restaurant (which is also just down the street from SoKno Taco) gets the award for most creative use of an old space! They make a great Old Fashioned along with other cocktails. An added bonus… Crafty Bastard Brewery just opened up their South Knox location in the same building!
Speaking of beer, South Knoxville is home to three other amazing breweries, all within walking distance on Sevier Avenue. Alliance Brewing was the first to take up shop here and they are still going strong! Printshop Beer Company is in a cool space – you guessed it, an old print shop! They have a wide variety of brews made right in the old building along the river. Hi-Wire Brewing is a local outpost for the Asheville-based brewery. They have a huge space for fun things like life-size billiards and silent discos and a rooftop patio. Their beer selection is spot on as well, although they may not get as creative as some.
And if you just want to try lots of great local beers (and cocktails) at one place and enjoy a view along the river, Trailhead Beer Market is a cool spot! They have live music and other events on a regular basis, along with a great patio.
A few footnotes – we’re always looking for recommendations and new spots - Nauti K’s Riverside Bar and Grill opened in August 2023 in the former (and very scenic) Sweet P’s along Maryville Pike. We’re hearing good things, so we’ll have to visit and share what we find!
And RIP to one of the best menus for a variety of Old Fashioneds around – Simpl on Sevier closed in early summer 2023 after a good run. The owners plan to reopen as a breakfast and lunch concept along the river later this year. We’ll be sure to visit them in their new home!
Tipsy Pick: Fly By Night
We’re glad to be back in Knoxville – stay tuned for more: North? West? It’s all #offthetipsypath with us!
