We were looking for a tiki bar in Knoxville, and this is what came up. It feels like it has some of the trappings of some of the metropolis tiki bars I've been to but in a smaller scale (that likely didn't require hundreds of thousands of dollars in building renovations). Drinks are heavily poured and true to their tiki origins, service is friendly, and the place feels really relaxing. PROS: -Good selection of drinks! Tiki drinks tend to be approachable to most people with their juice-forward design. They're also just pretty. Most of the drinks here run on the sweeter side, but there were a few drinks that looked like they'd run spirit-forward. I can't confirm as we didn't order them, but it gives people in your party some options. -Drinks are well-poured. If you're driving yourself, even one full cocktail is probably going to be pushing it. Definitely don't order some of their "Limit of...." cocktails in that case. But it's nice to get my money's worth. They taste very approachable, but they're heavily poured. -Every drink was nice to look at. They do a great job with garnishing; it was neat to watch as the server tends to garnish the drinks while the bartender makes the drink itself. We didn't receive any drinks in tiki mugs, but I also didn't see if they had tiki mugs either. -It's really nice to see that they attribute their recipes to where/when/who originally made the recipe. Most tiki drink recipes are "classic" recipes at this point, but it's really cool to see that they specifically listed out the 1930's bar that made the original drink recipe. -A good mocktail selection! While most of the mocktails kinda felt like "mixed juice concoctions", the fact that they had a whole page, had them reasonably priced, and still garnished them as if they were full cocktails was a nice surprise. As a DD, it felt like I was still having a great time and part of the social experience. -They have outdoor seating in front (I think?) and in back of the restaurant. It was too hot for that, but quite a few people were happily seated out there. That seems helpful as the restaurant itself doesn't have a ton of space. Expanding outdoors lets them seat a whole lot more people. -An extremely inebriated individual popped in, and while the bar turned them down for drinks, they handed them some water and let them use the restroom. They were extremely polite to someone who wasn't a "customer", and that was really nice to see. -Two individual unisex bathrooms. One of them has cute bird sounds that play while you're in there, and that was a really surprising touch. Both have free information and supplies for things adults may be doing after visiting here. CONS: -I wouldn't say this bar gives me "tiki bar" decor. They definitely serve tiki-style drinks, but the decor feels more "I love plants and leaves" than tiki. I still liked it...it's just not what I'm used to compared to most tiki bars. -Parking is a gigantic pain in the butt. We circled the area for a good 15 minutes to try to find a spot that wasn't in an extremely expensive parking lot. We ended up finding a street spot, but those max out at 2 hours. Plan at least a drink's price just to park to get into Tern Club. (Not the location's fault, but definitely be aware before you agree to meet up here.) read more

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Okay, this place is quirky and it might not be for everybody but I thought it was fantastic. This is a modern take on the tiki bar. Lots of bamboo and tiki drinks think all sorts of different kinds of rum zombies, my ties, etc. Staff is very knowledgeable about what they're pouring. The only caveat I would give is that they make their drinks very strong and if you're not careful you're going to get a big buzz from these babies. While the cocktails might seem a little pricey, you're getting a lot for your money nice heavy pores of alcohol House made mixers and shrubs, knowledgeable staff and a really great atmosphere. When there's nice weather they have a small patio so you can sit outside and people watch which is great on the 100 block of gay Street you're always with you some interesting stuff there and you can watch the sunset and enjoy your drink. Like I said, this isn't for everybody but you should at least try it once read more

This was a cute tropical themed bar across from our airbnb for the weekend. We were the last guests of the night and the service we received was awesome. Unfortunately we came too late to try the bites, but we were given a yummy snack mix to enjoy with our drinks. I'd definitely visit this place again when in Knoxville. read more

Tern Club - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Super cute little cocktail bar; great for a date night or a night out with friends. The menu is extensive, but exclusively cocktails - no food, and no beer/wine from what we could tell. But - the cocktails are FANTASTIC. We went with a small group of friends, and tried a number of drinks. They were all fantastic, and our server was so incredibly helpful narrowing down what we wanted to order. read more

This is one of my favorite cocktail locations in the city. They are creative and put a lot of thought into their offerings. What always separates a bar for me is the professionalism and skill of the bartender. They like to experiment and the options are unique. The most popular drinks on most menus are too sweet for me and overly disguise the spirit. I was able to describe my preferences and he was provided me a drink that I thoroughly enjoyed. They have some outdoor seating out back, a small bar and cozy seating great for sipping a drink and talking with friends. My favorite is the table in the window overlooking S Gay street. It allows for conversation and offers a quaint spot with its own character. read more

Went here for a cocktail and snack and was not disappointed!! My bartenders Chloe and Hatti were complete angels! I like the patio area and the overall ambiance is very nice. read more

Very cute place, unique drinks served up in interesting displays. The bar area is nice with a cool retro vibe. We were welcomed by nice staff, engaging bartender and fun crowd. This is a neat place to spend an evening out with friends or part of a date night. read more

Aloha! What a random, but much-appreciated Tiki Bar oasis directly off the busy section of Gay Street. You almost feel like you're in a different city. With tropical decor and hues and cocktails that closely follow traditional tiki recipes, this is a fun stop! We loved how incredibly warm, welcoming, and friendly the staff is. There is such an inclusive and low-key vibe to this bar, which would be great for a casual gathering or hangout. The drinks are tasty and shockingly affordable. There is a small seating area out in front, cozy seating inside surrounded by geo prints and grass green paint. The most fun is definitely the back patio, with its brightly colored furniture and lights strung overhead. It is a deceptively large area and we appreciated the water coolers both inside and out for customers to help themselves to. I highly recommend the Bubble Buddy drink, which is nice and refreshing on a warm day. Extra bonus-they use biodegradable straws. read more

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Staff was great! Prices for great! We order one of the seasonal holiday drinks it was good, strong for my taste. I order the You Go Go Coco, it was good not as fruity as I was hoping. I was definitely in the mood for something more creamy and sweet! We will have to visit again and order more of the menu. read more

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Fun local tiki bar with a cool vibe. The drink menu is full of classic cocktails from bygone eras & no one can complain about the size & strength, as they are generous in all categories. We sat out back in a patio surrounded by plants & the vintage furniture was arranged in intimate little groupings We had a terrific time. read more

I LOVE the vibe here. Decor is right up my alley. Staff is great, friendly and skilled! I love stoping for a snack and NA cocktails. NA Non- alcoholic Zero Proof read more

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What a fun spot to grab a cocktail! My husband and I finally tried this place last night and had a wonderful time. Our bartender was really friendly and offered great drink suggestions. We ordered the "Gods Will Be Gods" and the "Cobra's Fang." Both were great! We sat at the patio area outside and it felt great even though it was almost 90 degrees outside. I will definitely return! read more

I love this place! I came here a few years ago while in Knox for the first time and was obsessed! I just visited again and had to stop in this bar again! The vibes are amazing. We went on the Saturday night before Halloween and the whole place was decked out. All of the servers and staff were dressed as clowns which was kinda freaky, but super fun! It was loud and dark so I didn't catch our servers name, but he was awesome! He was great at making suggestions. I ended up getting the Painkiller. It was delicious. The coconut aftertaste was my favorite part about it. Will be back again!!! read more

Tern Club - Painkiller - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Walking into Tern Club feels like you're walking out of Knoxville, TN. Inside, you'll feel planted somewhere tropical alongside their lush beverage options. Their menu boasts bursts of fresh, citrus flavors and house-made cream of coconut or crème de cocoa. Tern Club also doesn't skimp on the alcohol. Their variety of rums, whiskey, and flavored liquors perfectly compliment the fresh spices they employ. You certainly won't find drinks like these elsewhere in Knoxville. Tern Club is a novelty and worth a try when you want to change things up. However, the complex flavors aren't for everyone's palette. Finally, if testing out Tern Club, know the drinks range from $8-$16 and there is limited street parking for busy evening times. Overall, the drinks and atmosphere are unique, upper-midrange in price, and service is prompt. read more

Tern Club - Painkiller - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Great little tiki bar! Outstanding cocktails and friendly, knowledgeable staff. Menu changes often so always something new to try.

Since my college days are behind me, I've slowly stopped going downtown except for the occasional Farmer's Market. Recently my brother asked us to double date and show us their favorite spots, and Tern Club was high on the list. As soon as we walked in, I loved it. The atmosphere was fun but chill, brightly decorated with plants and vintage artwork, and it didn't hurt that there was women-empowerment pamphlets on our table letting us know a percentage of our bill would be donated to charity. I'm pregnant, so while my brother and husband got The Zombie (a combination cocktail strong enough to earn a limit one per person), I enjoyed a mock tail that was so refreshing and just as pretty! The waitstaff was attentive and kind, and our bill came between the pages of an old paperback book... I'm telling you, I love this place. read more

Tern Club - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Tern club is super cute!!! We decided to check this place out last night. We couldn't get parking closer bc of the pride parade but I feel like on a weekend you would still have to park 1-2 blocks away. It's a small tiki bar right next to harvest and it is decorated very cute! The atmosphere is super fun and their drinks are amazing!!! and soooo strong. I got one of the big bowls to split which was very good, and then the un poco loco which tasted amazing! Their mai tais are really strong. One thing I would say is do not order their food. It was my fault for not reading what it was carefully, but the portions were very very tiny for the price. But their drinks are absolutely amazing and I will be back. read more

Mulitas were delicious & drinks were fantastic and served within 3 minutes of ordering. Service was great with a great indoor vibe with a few spots outside. Would highly recommend if looking for a good drink & quick bite in Knoxville. read more

We looooove tern club.The tiki themed bar really goes all out with their vintage tiki decor & even hands you the check in an old book. The waiters are always friendly and just the right amount of attentive The drinks here are fun and creative without going overboard (which I am seeing more frequently these days). I love this place and what makes it even better is there baller happy hour that's from open to 6pm Sunday through Thursday. read more

Tern Club - Limelight & Wind up Bird - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Really cute bar and different from anything else in Knoxville! I enjoyed the drinks and the atmosphere was cool. My only complaint is that it's a bit small so at times I felt a little cramped. Other than that it was amazing! read more

Tern Club - Blue Hawaii & an off- menu gin drink! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

"Chewy, we're home". Tiny little bar, big ol' good times. Honestly, it's really feels like a bar you can get comfortable in, kinda like a home. High quality mixology, affordable prices and service like they want you here. Join my tall, furry friend and meet me at Tern Club. A club you'll want to join. read more

Love! The vibe with the plants and decor reminds me of Golden Girls Miami with a sprinkle of spa entrance. I wanted to order as many drinks because of their presentation, preparation and flavor, oh and the unique glasses they come in. Top notch service and food. Love it all. read more

Tern Club - Ceiling - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Incredible ambiance and drinks! Staff was friendly and the prompt service was pleasantly unexpected give how busy the place was! Highly recommend 10/10 read more

Tern Club - Mai Tai - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Great service, the bartender was very attentive and kind. The ambiance was chill and relaxed, not really the kind of bar you dance at but definitely a welcoming queer space. I got the wind up bird cocktail and it was delicious. Awesome spot read more

Tern Club - Wind up bird cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Cute spot, bright decor, friendly service. interesting cocktails in theory but the balance just felt off. All the flavors were there but just in the wrong proportion? Would go back and try another read more

Tern club offers some of the best cocktails (and vibes) in downtown Knoxville. They have a great selection of tiki drinks and no matter how many times you come here, or order the same drink, you'll always want to take a picture of it. The drinks taste good AND look good. The large outdoor patio is super cute and the interior is even better, though small. I think what I love most about this place is that it's different. How many bars have you been to in Knoxville that have an industrial look with the same metal barstools? And I get it, that look is affordable and easy to clean and it works for a lot of places. But personally, I really appreciate the effort that went into creating a space that feels warm, inviting, and frankly, like it's not in Knoxville. This is the first bar I want to take my friends or family to the next time they're able to visit. read more

Tern Club - Peppermint trail special: Rum Rum Rudolph (Dec. 2020) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Such a cute atmosphere and cute beachy drinks. Was the perfect way to end our night before heading home. read more

Tern Club - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

You can't know from the name, but this is a Polynesian rum bar. Fantastic, authentic Tiki cocktails, made the way they were supposed to be made over the past 70 years. A departure from all of the traditional craft cocktail bars. Wonderful, knowledgeable hosts with a passion for the Tiki heritage. Don't miss the flaming 4-person volcano drink...wow! read more

Want to stay in Knoxville but feel like you flew to the big city for the night? Visit this place! It is a fun twist and unique experience for a cocktail bar in Knoxville. The drinks are great and the owners are so kind! It is ideal for groups of 5 or less. They also have a few food items on the menu for snacking. No matter your flavor pallet preference, you are sure to find something you enjoy on the menu! read more

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Drinks are ok but the service is terribly slow. They 'forgot' about our 2nd round of drink orders and didn't say anything about it until 20 minutes after. It was a slow Sunday night. Unfortunate experience from a place that has potential. Quality drinks, lackluster service. read more

Such a cool bar with a beach vibe. They only have around 4 food items on the menu and their focus is definitely on making an awesome drink. It is a fun little spot to sit with friends and have pre dinner drinks or relax. I'll definitely be back to try some of the super cool drinks that take you away to a tropical place! read more

Tern Club - The Black Magic. So tasty - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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We love Tern Club BUT the drinks can be subpar if not made by the real bartenders. On a busy night there are people making cocktails who obviously do not follow recipes. We've had wonderful cocktails until a Friday night when the drinks were much too sweet. Recipes matter. read more

We stopped in here for drinks before heading to dinner one evening, and woah is this little spot unique! A very 50s/60s tropical Havana vibe. The decor is perfect for setting the mood, and the craft cocktails are so fun. They aren't all sugary sweet, they have a variety of unique flavors and vary from sweet to bitter to sour and each are served with character. We spent an hour and a half there and had 2 drinks each and split a third. The hotel nacional was our favorite. The drinks can be pricey, but are worth it! Not full of fillers. Would definitely stop in here again! With so many drinks to choose from, you could come back again and again and not get the same drink twice. They also have a limited food menu, and we didn't eat here, but would be interested to try the food as well as it smelled delicious in there! read more

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Wonderful bar! Good atmosphere, great selection of spirits, phenomenal service! Much thanks to my bartenders :-) read more

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Every once in a while you come across a cocktail bar that is so fun, so chic, and so unexpected that it changes everything. Half-tiki bar, half-cocktail lounge, Tern Club did that for me on my recent visit, and I find myself wanting to plan my next trip to Knoxville as soon as possible simply to visit this spot again. We visited on a recent Sunday evening, and felt immediately at home surrounded by this spot's lavishly decorated interior and quaint but well-curated collection of retro tchotchkes and knick-knacks. Their humorous and expertly assembled menu reads like a book- a really, really good book. I went with the Melonaire Matchmaker, a watermelon tequila punch with a kick, whereas she had the Blue Hotel, this spot's take on the classic pornstar martini. Whereas mine was great, hers was the main attraction- a light turquoise, passionfruit and vanilla blend that tasted as creamy as it looked, and served elegantly with a sidecar of Prosecco. It is one of the best drinks I've tasted all year and literally beats any tiki drink I've had in New York, Atlanta, or dare I say, Honolulu. Tiki bars seem a dime a dozen nowadays, but Tern Club is an entirely unexpected Knoxville treat, and worth a trip all on its own. read more

I was so impressed by Tern club. First - they're bartenders are artisans in the way they make the drinks. Every cocktail looks picture perfect and taste delicious. I was also so glad to see they had draft beers on tap. I was there on a Saturday night - it was packed. Pretty much standing room only. The place is pretty small, so it doesn't take that many people to pack it. Cool place - I don't think there's anything quite like it in Knoxville. read more

Fantastic service. Fabulous cocktails. So fun. Hard to decide what to get! Will def be back. read more

Tern Club - A good Painkiller is hard to find. Love this place! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

This place is very chill and relaxed! A very dark scene sort of like cheesecake factory but a great one for couples, friends or yourself! The food menu is limited to none currently due to the covid 19 situation but the drinks will not upset! Try something new each time and explore yourself. read more

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Best quality cocktails in Knoxville. Prices are on par for drinks on a menu anywhere downtown, but made fresh to perfection. I've been several times now and everything was perfect and as good as when the owner made the drinks for me. It is small and can be crowded, but service was fast and excellent even at their busiest. I am a Tiki drink expert (seriously, I have lectured around the world) and their drinks are spot on. As good as anywhere I've been. And I know they can make you any non-Tiki classic you want very well also. read more

Tern Club - Owner/bartender swizzling. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

The craft cocktail scene here in Knoxville is still somewhat on the rise. Not enough people are talking about it, due to how big craft beer is getting. Not that there's anything wrong with craft beer. Lord knows I imbibe more than a fair share. Places like the Peter Kern Library, Oliver Royale, PostModern Spirits, Central Depot, and Tern Club are each doing their own take on elegant cocktails, and boy is it welcome. Tern Club is a wonderful new addition to the craft cocktail scene, adding the specialization of tiki drinks to our fair city. They've come out of the gates swinging. Their menu bats 1.000, their staff is talented and on point, and their decor is inviting. They've even got a strong list of delectable, non-alcoholic drinks, and a limited, albeit quality, food list. The drinks are strong, and I'm happy that they have to option to put some food on your belly. read more