Spring & Summer Cocktails in Downtown Knoxville
Sip easy on a Downtown Knoxville rooftop, patio, or in a swanky lounge—there's a seasonal craft cocktail for everyone! From fun and tropical to floral, fruity, bright and crisp, cool off with a refreshing cocktail.
PostModern Spirits
PostModern's craft cocktails are some of the best in town. Try the Creating Summer with Giniferous Gin, lemon and strawberry, and bonfire bitters (so unique), or maybe the Pineapple Express with vanilla vodka, chamomile liqueur, aloe, and simple syrup. Combine a craft cocktail with a sunny day on their fabulous patio, and you've got yourself a 10/10!
Bernadette's Crystal Gardens
The collection of cocktails at Bernadette's is just as vibrant as the inside of the crystal-filled bar. Most are fresh, juice-based cocktails featuring all the colors of the rainbow with floral and fruit accents. Their signature, the Amethyst, is a gin-based cocktail with fresh grapefruit topped with torched rosemary. Other favorites include the Garnet with whiskey, pomegranate, and honey crisp apple and the Moonstone, a creamy blend of rum and blue flower blossoms.
Tern Club
Stop by Knoxville's oasis for tropical cocktails for a list of cocktails so long—and so delicious—we can't name them all here. Tern Club's Steal My Sunshine will whisk you away with an herbal and bright medley of turmeric, ginger, lime, prosecco and toasted coconut. For a no proof cocktail, try the Cardamom Lemonade or the Pluto. Sit on their patio for a perfect way to end your day.
Five Thirty Lounge
Five Thirty Lounge has an abundance of easy-sipping cocktails. Take in views of Downtown Knoxville with a Knox City in hand, made of apple whiskey, sweet amber Vermouth, and herbal honey bitters. The Honey Suckle ;is also a refreshing drink with whiskey, lemon juice, and a blueberry-honey reduction. And lastly, the Pinky Up is made with green tea-infused rum, brûlée’d pineapple, coconut, pineapple juice and lime. You're going to love this rooftop!
Kefi
Order a cocktail flight from Kefi to taste a selection of their famous craft cocktails. In the mood for rich + comforting? Try the Fig Smash with bourbon, fig, and tamarind soda. Fresh + lively? The Crocus 75 with gin, apricot brandy, lemon juice, saffron simple, and a splash of champagne. Bright + confident? The Guava Margarita!
Fat Tuesday
Fat Tuesday's entourage of frozen daiquiri flavors will make any day taste like vacay. Opt for a classic strawberry daiquiri, mango, peach bellini, or piña colada, while sipping on the Gay Street patio. They just dropped two new flavors: 190 Octane Green Apple and 190 Octane Cherry!
Maple Hall
Maple Hall's bartenders have mixed up beautiful, delicious mocktails. Try the super unique Mood Ring Lemonade with butterfly pea tree blossom syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water. The Lavender Spritz is also perfect for a spring or summer day. Whether bowling at Maple Hall or enjoying the back patio at Maple Room...all we can say is "One more please!"
Pretentious Beer Co
Does a beer slushy qualify as a cocktail? We say yes! Pretentious Beer is keeping our thirst quenched on their rocking patio with adult Beer Slushies with flavors of coconut, strawberry, blueberries, and more. Made with their boozy craft beer, these are PERFECT for warm days!
Oliver Royale
Oliver Royale's mixologists create a complete menu of fresh, seasonal cocktails at the start of each season—and we can't wait to try Spring 2022's menu. Pull up a seat on their charming patio and try The Marvelous Mrs. Basil with PostModern's Giniferous gin, pineapple-infused green chartreuse, lemon, ginger liqueur, basil, and egg white.
Peter Kern Library
Peter Kern Library was voted your favorite place to get a cocktail in our Instagram Cocktail Battle. Opt for the classic Holly GoLightly, the longest running resident of their menu. Made with house infused strawberry-raspberry vodka and fresh lime juice, lavender liqueur, house-made strawberry bitters and Prosecco, she's crisp, tart, and refreshing.
Brother Wolf
With a cocktail menu that includes 11 variations of the Negroni, several Spritzes and our summer favorite: an icy Sgroppino, you have to head to Brother Wolf! The Sgroppino is a refreshing Italian cocktail that starts with a scoop of lemon sorbet, then topped with prosecco, lemon gin, and lemon zest for a tart kick. Enjoy on their gorgeous patio in the Old City!
Knox Whiskey Works
When the forecast is sunny and 80° (Who are we kidding? Regardless of the weather!), head to Knox Whiskey Works. They just dropped their summer cocktails, like Strawberry Lemonade and PJ's Whiskeyrita. Anndddd a new cocktail flight with 4 mini summer-inspired cocktails!
Radius Rooftop Lounge
Radius Rooftop Lounge is a gorgeous place for gorgeous cocktails. New cocktails are added to their menu so often, you'll want to come back every weekend! Right now, we're loving the Eternal Sunshine with tequila, blood orange, jalapeño, and agave. But, we can't wait to try all 14 flavors of their frozen daquiris! Interesting flavors include yuzu, passion fruit, and ginger.
Café 4
We love Café 4's patio for so many reasons, including the fact that we can order our very own punchbowls! This summer, grab your friends and enjoy the Main Squeeze punchbowl with gin, blood orange liqueur, blood orange juice, elderflower, lemon juice, and basil simple. And if you stop by for brunch, order the Creamsicle Mimosa and thank us later.
The Vault
Get below Knoxville's surface to visit a swanky cocktail lounge reminiscent of old Hollywood. We recommend taking a trip around the world with The Vault's amazingly curated selection of gin and tonics with herbal, fruity, refreshing and light options. Start with the Castle and Key London Dry Gin & Fever Tree Indian Tonic: a classic gin infused with juniper and a thoughtful selection of seven herbs and botanicals. They also have several delicious mocktails.
Southern Grit
Everything is "just peachy" over at Southern Grit! True to their name, they serve up comforting fare from the south—even the cocktails. Order up the Just Peachy with peach vodka, lemonade, and tea for a refreshing twist on the Arnold Palmer. Or try the Blush & Bashful, a pretty-in-pink cocktail with lemon vodka, raspberry liqueur, and lemonade. Both pair well with a side of fried green tomatoes!
It's Patio Season.
Enjoy the outdoors at over 60 Downtown patios and rooftops. Perfect weather and outdoor dining options for whatever you're in the mood for.