Old City
Brick warehouses turned breweries, bourbon bars, and the kind of late-night pizza that forgives questionable decisions. Old City packs Knoxville's densest concentration of cocktail rooms, live music, and walkable date geometry into a few blocks north of Jackson Avenue. Pretty Place and Boyd's Jig and Reel anchor the drinks-first crowd; Barley's keeps the loud-and-cheap option alive. The tradeoff: weekend nights skew bachelorette-loud and parking gets ugly fast, so arrive early or Lyft in. Strong opener for first dates who want energy without the strip-mall sameness of Cumberland Avenue, and a short walk to quieter Gay Street if the vibe sours.
Old City by the numbers
Median individual income in Old City is about $31.3k.
● Verified · Census ACS 5-yr, 2019–2023The median renter in Old City pays about $1,500 a month.
● Verified · Census ACS 5-yr, 2019–2023
Local date spots
20 spots across Old City
- Old CityDrinks
Clancy's Tavern & Whiskey House
Irish pub$$$$★ 4.4 · 1,223Good for groupsWheelchair access- Find it
- 602 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.4★ from 1,223 Google reviews
- Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Clancy's Tavern & Whiskey House.
Your share$13Their share$13Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- Mon3 PM to 2 AM
- Tue3 PM to 2 AM
- Wed3 PM to 2 AM
- Thu11 AM to 2 AM
- Fri11 AM to 3 AM
- Sat11 AM to 3 AM
- Sun11 AM to 12 AM
- Parking
- Paid parking garage
- Dining
- Takeout · Dine-in
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- College students · Groups · Tourists
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityDining
Lonesome Dove Knoxville
Fine dining restaurant$$$$★ 4.4 · 1,082Outdoor seatingGood for groups- Find it
- 100 N Central St, Knoxville, TN 37902
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.4★ from 1,082 Google reviews
- Split the bill
$$$$ · top-end is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Lonesome Dove Knoxville.
Your share$80Their share$80Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- Mon5 to 10 PM
- Tue5 to 10 PM
- Wed5 to 10 PM
- Thu5 to 10 PM
- Fri11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 to 11 PM
- Sat11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 to 11 PM
- SunClosed
- Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Dining
- Outdoor seating · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- Groups · Tourists
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityDining
Kefi
Greek restaurant$$$$★ 4.6 · 1,029Good for groupsWheelchair access- Find it
- 120 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.6★ from 1,029 Google reviews
- Split the bill
$$$ · a splurge is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Kefi.
Your share$45Their share$45Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- Mon4 to 10 PM
- Tue4 to 10 PM
- Wed4 to 10 PM
- Thu4 to 10 PM
- Fri4 PM to 1 AM
- Sat4 PM to 1 AM
- Sun4 to 10 PM
- Parking
- Free parking lot
- Dining
- Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- Groups · Tourists
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityDrinks
Suttree's High Gravity Tavern
Bar$$$$★ 4.5 · 966Outdoor seatingLGBTQ+ friendly- Find it
- 409 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.5★ from 966 Google reviews
- Split the bill
$$ · mid-range is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Suttree's High Gravity Tavern.
Your share$25Their share$25Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- Mon4 PM to 12 AM
- Tue4 PM to 12 AM
- Wed4 PM to 12 AM
- Thu4 PM to 12 AM
- Fri4 PM to 12 AM
- Sat4 PM to 12 AM
- Sun4 PM to 12 AM
- Parking
- Paid parking garage
- Dining
- Outdoor seating · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- Groups · LGBTQ+ friendly · Tourists
- Pets
- Dogs allowed
- Contact
- CallMaps
- Old CityDining
Oliver Royale
Restaurant$$$$★ 4.5 · 909Outdoor seatingLGBTQ+ friendly- Find it
- 5 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.5★ from 909 Google reviews
- Split the bill
$$$ · a splurge is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Oliver Royale.
Your share$45Their share$45Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- Mon4 to 10 PM
- Tue4 to 10 PM
- Wed4 to 10 PM
- Thu4 to 10 PM
- Fri10 AM to 2 PM, 4 to 10 PM
- Sat9 AM to 2 PM, 4 to 10 PM
- Sun9 AM to 2 PM, 4 to 10 PM
- Parking
- Free parking garage
- Dining
- Outdoor seating · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- Family-friendly · Groups · LGBTQ+ friendly
- Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityDining
J.C. Holdway
Restaurant$$$$★ 4.7 · 872Outdoor seatingLGBTQ+ friendly- Find it
- 501 Union Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.7★ from 872 Google reviews
- Split the bill
$$$ · a splurge is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at J.C. Holdway.
Your share$45Their share$45Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- MonClosed
- Tue5 to 9 PM
- Wed5 to 9 PM
- Thu5 to 9 PM
- Fri5 to 10 PM
- Sat5 to 10 PM
- SunClosed
- Parking
- Free parking garage
- Dining
- Outdoor seating · Onsite services · Dine-in
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- Family-friendly · Groups · LGBTQ+ friendly
- Pets
- Dogs allowed
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityDining
Fiori Bar & Kitchen
Restaurant$$$$★ 4.8 · 751Outdoor seatingLGBTQ+ friendly- Find it
- 111 E Jackson Ave #103, Knoxville, TN 37915
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.8★ from 751 Google reviews
- Split the bill
$$$ · a splurge is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Fiori Bar & Kitchen.
Your share$45Their share$45Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- MonClosed
- Tue5 to 10 PM
- Wed5 to 10 PM
- Thu5 to 10 PM
- Fri4 PM to 12 AM
- Sat4 PM to 12 AM
- SunClosed
- Parking
- Free parking lot
- Dining
- Outdoor seating · Takeout · Dine-in
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- Family-friendly · Groups · LGBTQ+ friendly
- Pets
- Dogs allowed
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityCafés
Cruze Farm Ice Cream - East Knoxville
Ice cream shop★ 4.8 · 736Good for groupsWheelchair access- Find it
- 2721 Asbury Rd, Knoxville, TN 37914
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.8★ from 736 Google reviews
- Split the bill
Price tier unlisted — plug in what you expect to spend at Cruze Farm Ice Cream - East Knoxville.
Your share$25Their share$25Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- Mon11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Tue11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Wed11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Thu11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Fri11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
- Sat11 AM to 5 PM
- Sun11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Parking
- Free parking lot
- Dining
- Drive-through · In-store pickup · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- Family-friendly · Groups
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityDrinks
Peter Kern Library
Bar$$$$★ 4.5 · 628LGBTQ+ friendlyWheelchair access- Find it
- 407 Union Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.5★ from 628 Google reviews
- Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Peter Kern Library.
Your share$13Their share$13Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- Mon5 PM to 12 AM
- Tue5 PM to 12 AM
- Wed5 PM to 12 AM
- Thu5 PM to 12 AM
- Fri5 PM to 1 AM
- Sat5 PM to 1 AM
- Sun5 PM to 1 AM
- Parking
- Free parking garage
- Dining
- Dine-in
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly · Tourists · Transgender safespace
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityDrinks
Alchemy Lounge and Cigar
Bar$$$$★ 4.9 · 454Good for groupsWheelchair access- Find it
- 119 S Central St, Knoxville, TN 37902
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.9★ from 454 Google reviews
- Split the bill
$$ · mid-range is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Alchemy Lounge and Cigar.
Your share$25Their share$25Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- MonClosed
- Tue5 to 11 PM
- Wed5 to 11 PM
- Thu5 to 11 PM
- Fri2 PM to 1 AM
- Sat2 PM to 1 AM
- Sun2 to 9 PM
- Parking
- Free street parking
- Dining
- Onsite services · Dine-in
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- Groups · Tourists
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityDrinks
The Brass Pearl
Oyster bar restaurant$$$$★ 4.8 · 435Outdoor seatingGood for groups- Find it
- 24 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.8★ from 435 Google reviews
- Split the bill
$$ · mid-range is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at The Brass Pearl.
Your share$25Their share$25Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- MonClosed
- Tue11 AM to 10 PM
- Wed11 AM to 10 PM
- Thu11 AM to 10 PM
- Fri11 AM to 10 PM
- Sat11 AM to 10 PM
- Sun11 AM to 9 PM
- Parking
- Paid parking garage
- Dining
- Outdoor seating · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- Groups · Tourists
- Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityDining
Lilou Brasserie
French restaurant$$$$★ 4.3 · 306Outdoor seatingLGBTQ+ friendly- Find it
- 428 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.3★ from 306 Google reviews
- Split the bill
$$$ · a splurge is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Lilou Brasserie.
Your share$45Their share$45Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- Mon8 AM to 1 PM, 4 to 11 PM
- Tue8 AM to 1 PM, 4 to 11 PM
- Wed8 AM to 1 PM, 4 to 11 PM
- Thu8 AM to 1 PM, 4 to 11 PM
- Fri8 AM to 1 PM, 4 PM to 12 AM
- Sat10 AM to 2 PM, 4 PM to 12 AM
- Sun10 AM to 2 PM, 4 to 11 PM
- Parking
- Free parking garage
- Dining
- Outdoor seating · Onsite services · Dine-in
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- Family-friendly · Groups · LGBTQ+ friendly
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityDining
Alice in Appalachia
Gift shop★ 4.6 · 229Wheelchair access- Find it
- 413 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.6★ from 229 Google reviews
- Split the bill
Price tier unlisted — plug in what you expect to spend at Alice in Appalachia.
Your share$25Their share$25Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- Mon10 AM to 6 PM
- Tue10 AM to 6 PM
- Wed10 AM to 6 PM
- Thu10 AM to 9 PM
- Fri10 AM to 10 PM
- Sat10 AM to 10 PM
- Sun10 AM to 6 PM
- Parking
- Free parking lot
- Dining
- Onsite services
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Contact
- SiteMaps
- Old CityActivity
Beck Cultural Exchange Center
Museum★ 4.8 · 218Wheelchair access- Find it
- 1927 Dandridge Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.8★ from 218 Google reviews
- Split the bill
Price tier unlisted — plug in what you expect to spend at Beck Cultural Exchange Center.
Your share$25Their share$25Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- MonClosed
- Tue10 AM to 3 PM
- Wed10 AM to 3 PM
- Thu10 AM to 3 PM
- Fri10 AM to 3 PM
- Sat10 AM to 3 PM
- SunClosed
- Parking
- Free parking lot
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityActivity
Historic Ramsey House
Historical place museum★ 4.7 · 210LGBTQ+ friendly- Find it
- 2614 Thorngrove Pike, Knoxville, TN 37914
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.7★ from 210 Google reviews
- Split the bill
Price tier unlisted — plug in what you expect to spend at Historic Ramsey House.
Your share$25Their share$25Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- MonClosed
- TueClosed
- WedClosed
- Thu10 AM to 4 PM
- Fri10 AM to 4 PM
- Sat10 AM to 4 PM
- SunClosed
- Dining
- Onsite services
- Crowd
- Family-friendly · LGBTQ+ friendly · Transgender safespace
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityActivity
Mabry-Hazen House
Museum★ 4.7 · 188Wheelchair access- Find it
- 1711 Dandridge Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.7★ from 188 Google reviews
- Split the bill
Price tier unlisted — plug in what you expect to spend at Mabry-Hazen House.
Your share$25Their share$25Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- MonClosed
- Tue1 to 4 PM
- Wed11 AM to 5 PM
- Thu1 to 4 PM
- Fri11 AM to 4 PM
- SatClosed
- SunClosed
- Parking
- Free parking lot
- Dining
- Onsite services
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityDrinks
Brother Wolf
Cocktail bar$$$$★ 4.4 · 161Outdoor seatingGood for groups- Find it
- 108 W Jackson Ave #1, Knoxville, TN 37902
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.4★ from 161 Google reviews
- Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Brother Wolf.
Your share$13Their share$13Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- Mon4 PM to 1 AM
- Tue4 PM to 1 AM
- Wed4 PM to 1 AM
- Thu4 PM to 1 AM
- Fri4 PM to 3 AM
- Sat4 PM to 3 AM
- Sun4 PM to 1 AM
- Parking
- Free street parking
- Dining
- Outdoor seating · Dine-in
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- Groups
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityDrinks
Fly by Night
Cocktail bar$$$$★ 4.7 · 135Outdoor seatingGood for groups- Find it
- 906 Sevier Ave #126, Knoxville, TN 37920
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.7★ from 135 Google reviews
- Split the bill
$$ · mid-range is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Fly by Night.
Your share$25Their share$25Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- MonClosed
- Tue4 PM to 12 AM
- Wed4 PM to 12 AM
- Thu4 PM to 1 AM
- Fri4 PM to 1 AM
- Sat4 PM to 1 AM
- Sun2 PM to 12 AM
- Parking
- Free parking lot
- Dining
- Outdoor seating · Dine-in
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Crowd
- Groups · Tourists
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityCafés
Tesoro Gelato
Ice cream shop★ 4.6 · 107Wheelchair access- Find it
- 111 N Central St, Knoxville, TN 37902
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.6★ from 107 Google reviews
- Split the bill
Price tier unlisted — plug in what you expect to spend at Tesoro Gelato.
Your share$25Their share$25Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- MonClosed
- TueClosed
- Wed4 to 9 PM
- Thu4 to 10 PM
- Fri2 to 10 PM
- Sat12 to 6 PM
- Sun2 to 9 PM
- Parking
- Free parking lot
- Dining
- Onsite services · Takeout
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
- Contact
- CallSiteMaps
- Old CityDrinks
Cowboy Cantina
Bar$$$$★ 4.9 · 36Outdoor seatingGood for groups- Find it
- 110 S Central St, Knoxville, TN 37902
- Get there
- TransitDriveWalk
- Crowd read
- 4.9★ from 36 Google reviews
- Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Cowboy Cantina.
Your share$13Their share$13Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
- Hours
- MonClosed
- TueClosed
- Wed6 PM to 12 AM
- Thu6 PM to 12 AM
- Fri6 PM to 2 AM
- Sat12 PM to 2 AM
- Sun12 to 6 PM
- Dining
- Outdoor seating
- Crowd
- Groups
- Pets
- Dogs allowed
- Contact
- SiteMaps