Let’s be real: everyone thinks Knoxville is just about college football and mountains. But after dark? This city flips the script. Market Square turns into a playground of local bands and craft beer, while the Old City serves up cocktails that’d make Nashville jealous.
I’ve rounded up the best things to do in Knoxville at night, and forget what you’ve heard about this being just a game day destination. Between the rooftop bars where locals hang out and food spots that’ll make you forget about Memphis BBQ, this city proves Tennessee knows how to party beyond Broadway. No cowboy boots required!
- 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend this ghost tour through downtown Knoxville! They take you to famously haunted spots like the Craighead-Jackson House and Gay Street Bridge, plus your expert guide shares spine-chilling stories of witch trials and local tragedies. The night-time walking tour brings the city’s dark history to life. This ghost tour is a must-do on a Knoxville itinerary in my opinion!
Best Things to Do in Knoxville at Night (2025 Guide)
Are you ready to explore the most unique things to do in Knoxville in the nighttime? As mentioned earlier, there’s a wide range of exciting activities in Knoxville after dark. Keep reading to find where to go in Knoxville at night.
Whatever you’re planning to do once the sun sets, Knoxville, one of the top places to live and visit in Tennessee, can accommodate your needs. Here are all the best things to do in Knoxville at night that you should know about!
1. See live music at The Mill & Mine
The Mill & Mine is honestly way cooler than I expected when I first walked into this converted warehouse downtown. The venue holds 1,200 people and it’s standing room only, which means you’re right there with the energy of whatever band is playing. I’ve caught both indie acts and bigger names here, and the sound system is actually phenomenal.
Tickets range from about $30 to $70 depending on the act, and it’s worth it for the experience. They’ve got an 8,000-square-foot outdoor courtyard when the weather’s nice, plus private suites if you want to splurge. The vibe is intimate even when it’s packed – everyone’s there for the music, not just to be seen.
Will Call opens an hour before doors, and there’s parking under the I-40 overpass just a few minutes walk away. Pro tip: get there early if you want a good spot near the stage since it’s general admission. The venue books everything from metal to indie folk, so check their calendar because there’s always something good coming through.
2. Eat and drink your way through Market Square
Market Square is basically Knoxville’s food playground, and at night it really comes alive. Tupelo Honey is open until 9pm most nights (8pm Sundays) and their cathead biscuits are legitimately amazing – I always end up ordering way too many. Stock & Barrel serves until 10pm weeknights and 11pm weekends, and their bourbon selection is insane.
I’m not gonna lie, the square can get touristy, but the food is actually solid. You’ve got everything from Emilia’s homemade Italian to Brass Pearl for fresh oysters. The atmosphere is pretty lively with outdoor patios and live music floating around from different spots.
Petro’s is this weird Knoxville creation from the 1982 World’s Fair – basically Fritos with chili and toppings. It sounds sketchy but it’s actually good drunk food. If you’re here Wednesday or Saturday from May through November, hit the farmers market during the day. The whole area is walkable and you can easily bar hop between different spots without driving anywhere.
3. Go stargazing at the University of Tennessee Gardens
The University of Tennessee Gardens are free and open from sunrise to sunset every day, but here’s the thing – they’re not officially open at night for stargazing. However, I’ve found that the open lawns and paths make for a decent informal stargazing spot if you’re looking for somewhere relatively dark and peaceful in the city.
The gardens are Tennessee’s official state botanical gardens with tons of native plants and walking trails. During the day they’re beautiful for a stroll, and the Neyland Greenway connects them right to downtown and UT campus. I’ve walked through here plenty of times and it’s genuinely peaceful.
For actual organized stargazing, you’d want to check out places like Pickett State Park about an hour away, which has official International Dark Sky designation. But if you just want a quiet spot in town to look up at the stars with someone, the gardens work fine – just be respectful since it’s technically closed after sunset. The area around the Tennessee River nearby also has some open spaces that work for casual stargazing.
4. Take a dinner cruise on the Tennessee River
Volunteer Princess cruises are pretty awesome for what they are. I was skeptical at first because dinner cruises can be cheesy, but this one actually delivers. Their sunset dinner cruise is the most popular – you get a three-course meal while cruising the Tennessee River with downtown Knoxville views.
Tennessee Riverboat Company runs the Star of Knoxville, an authentic paddlewheel that holds 200 people. The main deck is enclosed and climate-controlled, so you can cruise year-round. I’ve done both companies and they’re pretty similar – good food, decent drinks, nice views of the city from the water.
The cruises are usually 90 minutes to 2 hours, and honestly, it’s a solid date night or family activity. People rave about seeing Neyland Stadium from the water, especially during football season. Prices vary by cruise type but expect to pay around $40-60 per person for dinner cruises. Both companies get great reviews and the staff really knows how to make it feel special. Just book ahead because they fill up, especially on weekends.
5. Go night ziplining at Navitat Canopy Adventures
Navitat at Night is actually magical – they light up the course with twinkling lights and you’re literally ziplining under the stars. It costs $65.95 for the night experience versus $54.95 for daytime, and the extra money is worth it for how cool it looks after dark.
The course is located at Ijams Nature Center just outside downtown, with 6 different adventure trails ranging from easy to extreme. I went expecting just ziplines, but it’s actually more ropes course than ziplining – bridges, swings, nets, climbing challenges. You get 2 hours of adventure time after a safety briefing.
They’re open 10am-6:30pm weekdays, until 8pm on weekends, and the night tours vary by season. I’d recommend booking in advance because you have to reserve night tours at least 2 hours ahead. The whole experience is safe – you’re connected to safety lines the entire time – and the guides are really good about helping you through any challenges. It’s definitely more adventure course than just ziplining, so come ready to actually work for it.
6. Party at Scruffy City Hall’s rooftop bar
Scruffy City Hall is basically Market Square’s party headquarters with three levels and multiple rooftops. The cover is usually $5 Thursday through Saturday, but it’s worth it for the amount of space you get access to. The rooftop has custom wrought iron tables with planter boxes and overlooks the whole square.
They’re open 5pm-1am weekdays, until 3am on weekends, and each floor has a different vibe. I usually start downstairs for drinks then head up to the roof when it gets busy. They open the rooftop if it’s over 55 degrees Monday through Thursday, and pretty much always on weekends if the weather’s decent.
The whole building is owned by the same people who run Preservation Pub, so you’re basically getting access to this whole Scruffy City complex of bars. They’re constantly building new crystal-themed venues and rooftop amazements – it’s like this ongoing art project that happens to serve really good drinks. The crowd is a mix of locals and visitors, and everyone’s pretty friendly. Just pace yourself because three floors of bars can add up quickly.
7. Visit the Knoxville Museum of Art after hours
I’ll be honest – The Knoxville Museum of Art looks incredible lit up at night with its glass facade reflecting the city lights, but their regular hours don’t actually extend into the evening for casual visits. They typically close by 5pm most days.
However, they do host special evening events throughout the year – artist talks, exhibition openings, performances – that are worth checking their calendar for. The museum focuses on contemporary art that tells stories about regional history and culture, and when they do have evening events, it’s a pretty sophisticated crowd.
The building itself is gorgeous architecture and the grounds make for a nice evening stroll even when the museum is closed. If you’re downtown and walking around World’s Fair Park area at night, it’s worth swinging by just to see how cool the building looks illuminated.
For actual nighttime art experiences, you’re better off hitting Market Square where places like Preservation Pub and Scruffy City Hall have rotating art installations and a more nightlife-focused scene. But if you’re into legitimate contemporary art and catch one of their evening events, it’s definitely a more refined way to spend a Knoxville night.
8. Take night walks at Ijams Nature Center
Ijams Nature Center is a peaceful escape from downtown chaos, especially at night. They do host nighttime events like guided stargazing walks and outdoor movie nights, but you need to check their calendar because these aren’t regular occurrences.
The moonlit trails are actually pretty magical when they’re officially open for night events. I’ve been to a few of their astronomy programs and they’re legit – real experts talking about constellations and nocturnal wildlife. The nature center has this network of trails along the Tennessee River that feel way more remote than they actually are.
The tricky thing is that Ijams typically closes at sunset for regular visits, so you can’t just show up at night for a casual walk. But this is also where Navitat zipline course is located, so if you do the night ziplining experience, you’re essentially getting access to the nature center after hours anyway.
When they do have night programming, it’s usually seasonal stuff like night photography workshops or full moon hikes. I’d definitely recommend following their social media or checking their website because the special night events they host are genuinely cool and not touristy at all.
9. Drink at Preservation Pub’s three-story bar
Preservation Pub is open 3pm-3am Monday through Friday, and noon-3am on weekends – basically they’re always open when you need them to be. Cover is $3 Sunday through Tuesday, $5 Wednesday through Saturday, which is honestly a steal for what you get access to.
The first floor is the “Smokeasy” where smoking is allowed, second floor is non-smoking with a speakeasy vibe, and the rooftop is Knoxville’s longest-running rooftop bar. I usually start on the second floor because the atmosphere is more chill, then head up to the roof later. The rooftop has swamp coolers that actually keep the cigarette smoke away, which is nice.
They have live music literally every night. Over 200 artists per month including local bands, touring acts, comedians, and trivia nights. The crowd is this perfect mix of friendly locals and people discovering the place for the first time. Their slogan is “Welcome… You’re in Good Company” and that’s actually accurate. Food is typical pub grub but solid, and the drink selection is extensive. It’s the kind of place where I go for one drink and end up staying until closing.
10. See shows at the historic Bijou Theatre
The Bijou Theatre is one of Knoxville’s oldest venues and the acoustics are phenomenal. I’ve seen everything from indie bands to classical concerts here, and every show feels intimate even though it’s a proper theater. The vintage lobby and architecture make you feel like you’re part of some long-running Knoxville tradition.
They book stand-up comedy, theatrical plays, classical concerts, and indie bands – basically whatever’s interesting and fits the venue. The seating is actual theater seats, not standing room, so it’s more comfortable than typical music venues. I’d check their website for upcoming shows because their booking is pretty eclectic.
There’s a cozy bar in the lobby where you can grab drinks before shows, and the whole pre-show scene has this anticipation buzz. Tickets vary wildly based on what’s playing, but it’s generally more affordable than you’d expect for the quality of the venue.
The Bijou is right downtown, so you can easily grab dinner somewhere on Market Square before a show. It’s definitely one of those places that makes Knoxville feel more cultured than people give it credit for. Just book ahead because the intimate size means popular shows sell out quickly.
11. Enjoy modern Southern food at J.C. Holdway
Situated in the heart of downtown Knoxville, J.C. Holdway, led by James Beard Award-winning chef Joseph Lenn, is where Southern ingredients meet elevated technique. The dining room is sleek but relaxed, making it just right for visitors in their 30s and 40s looking for something exceptional yet approachable.
I tasted the scallion hushpuppies with trout roe on a weekday, and the flavor paired with local beer was unforgettable. The menu changes with season, but standout dishes include the wood-fired pork chop glazed with sorghum and heirloom grits with house-made pickled vegetables. Every plate highlights Appalachian ingredients with a refined twist.
Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend dining. Most evenings begin service at 5 PM, with service until 9 PM or later on Fridays and Saturdays. Expect to spend around $60–$80 per person with drinks.
While you’re in the area, grab a nightcap at nearby Balter Beerworks, offering local craft brews in Market Square, or head over to Preservation Pub for its multi-level rooftop bar and live music just a short walk away. Combine J.C. Holdway with one of these spots and you have the ultimate Knoxville night out: elevated Southern food, local nightlife, and great company.
12. Play arcade games and drink at Token Game Tavern
Token Game Tavern is all ages until 11pm, then becomes 21+ after that. They’re open 4pm-11pm weekdays, 2pm-1am Friday, noon-1am Saturday, and noon-11pm Sunday. I love this place because it’s not trying to be cool…it’s just genuinely fun.
They’ve got six pinball machines, thirteen arcade games, three table games including Donkey Kong, plus pool and skee-ball. The food menu has everything from artisan sandwiches to tacos to flatbreads, and the carnitas nachos and potato latkes are actually really good. Full bar with craft beers, fresh-squeezed cocktails, and even slushies.
They also have modern game consoles like PS4 scattered around that you can play for free, plus board games and Dungeons & Dragons nights. Monday nights they do this dice-rolling thing where you roll to pick your drink, which is pretty fun.
The crowd is a mix of gamers, couples on dates, and groups of friends just hanging out. The retro decor with sci-fi posters makes you feel like you’re back in the ’80s. It’s located in West Knoxville, so not downtown, but totally worth the drive if you want something different than the typical bar scene.
