Plan a Bachelor(ette) Weekend in Knoxville

If you live in Tennessee, you might think of Nashville and Memphis as top spots for bachelor and bachelorette parties. But have you ever thought about Knoxville? If you're looking for a more laid-back experience, Knoxville might be the right fit for you! Read below on what guys and girls can do in Knoxville.

Where to Stay

Oliver Hotel

Located next to Market Square (and an Urban Outfitters), this hotel oozes charm and sophistication. The decor is warm and rustic with wood end tables, plush pillows with animals on them and cream headboards and comforters.

Eat

Phoenix Pharmacy

The Phoenix Pharmacy is a full functioning pharmacy and fountain shop. If you have a sweet tooth, you have to stop here! The Classic Brownie Sundae and Banana Split will send you to Cloud Nine.

The French Market Creperie

For a memorable breakfast, dine at the French Market Crêperie. Get a croissant, Nutella crêpe, or omelet to start the day. They have outdoor bistro seating so you can enjoy the morning on this quaint street with your coffee, breakfast and best girl or guy friends.

Bistro at the Bijou

This place has a good brunch and is also open for lunch and dinner. Make a reservation for dinner which includes live jazz music.

Tupelo Honey

Tupelo Honey is home to some of the best food and is open for breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner. Try the biscuit and buttermilk fried chicken.

Emilia

Great Italian cuisine can be found at Emilia's. In Market Square, enjoy a glass of wine and their house-made pasta.

SoKno Taco Cantina

Get your taco fix in SoKno in South Knoxville (hence the name). This is a great spot to sit outside and enjoy all the tacos you can eat!

South Coast Pizza

You'll find some of the best pizza in Knoxville at South Coast. This place has the coolest, most laid-back vibe and the pizza and wings are amazing. It's close to the Tennessee River and Suttree Landing Park so stop by and refuel after hiking or kayaking.

Lonesome Dove

For a nice dinner, head to Old City to Lonesome Dove. The restaurant has urban western cuisine with meats like duck, rabbit, and rattlesnake, plus the decor is cool.

Pete's Coffee Shop

Time for breakfast? Walk to Pete's! Whether you're nursing a hangover after a day on the Knoxville Ale Trail or just need fuel for a day outdoors, Pete's has you covered.

Downtown Grill & Brewery

Located on Gay Street, the Downtown Grill and Brewery has a beautiful copper bar with several good craft beers. It has a relaxed vibe and comfort foods.

Elkmont Exchange

The first thing you notice about Elkmont Exchange is their amazing exterior.  Every inch of this place is beautiful and a true work of art. The food and drinks are great, too! Try the Cuban Panini and a cider. Perfect for lunch!

Drinks

Peter Kern Library

Make your way to the lobby and enter through a sliding door (the hotel staff can direct you) to get to the Peter Kern Library. This speakeasy is accessible through the hotel as well as through the alley next to the hotel for a true off-the-grid bar experience. The Peter Kern Library will take you back to 1920's prohibition, so pull out your flapper outfits and try the Holly Golightly cocktail.

Old City Wine Bar

A cool area of Knoxville is Old City. There are a lot of great places to eat and drink. Old City Wine Bar is one of them! Stop in for a glass of their sangria, more than 48 glasses of wine and 150 bottles on their extensive menu.

Oliver Royale

Located in Market Square, Oliver Royale has breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner but the most buzz is around their drinks. They have contemporary classics, wine, and cocktails with a cool atmosphere to enjoy. If you can, try to sit on their outdoor patio.

Sapphire

Another great place to enjoy a cocktail is Sapphire. The decor and vibe are so moody and glamorous, it’ll remind you of something out of an F. Scott Fitzgerald book. If you're feeling extra glitzy, they have a $350 Martini!

Pretentious Beer Company

One of the coolest places in Old City is Pretentious Beer. Everything there from the glasses to the barstools is handcrafted. The company started out as a glassmaking shop, where they make different glasses for different beers. You can check out their demonstrations where they’ll make glasses in front of you. They started brewing beer and took over the space next door with their varieties of craft brews. But, after a batch of beer is gone, they make something completely new. The names are unique, just like their beer and the glasses they’re served in. Try the "Chris Hemsworth Has Dreamy Eyes" beer for a laugh and tasty choice. Hang out and play ping pong with the guys in the back of the tasting room.

Suttree's High Gravity Tavern 

Another stop on Gay Street is Suttree's. You can grab a beer and head to the game room where you'll find pinball, Foosball, and Mr. Pac Man. You’ll feel like a kid and be able to drink at the same time.

Boyd's Jig & Reel 

Another Old City find, Jig & Reel has more than 800 whiskeys available! The owners have been buying all the malts available to them and have pretty much any scotch, bourbon or Irish liquor you can imagine.

What To Do

If you and your party are more laid back and want to have a lovely experience and enjoy each other's company, below are some fun ideas Knoxville offers:  

Volunteer Princess

The Volunteer Princess is a yacht that has public cruises and private events on their beautiful space. Grab your best gals (the guys can come, too) and enjoy a sunset cruise with food and drinks. The most popular cruise is the Sunset Dinner Cruise, boarding beginning at 6 p.m. and sailing until 8:30 p.m. The two-hour cruise includes a three-course meal.  You can select add-ons to your experience to make it even more memorable including bottle of champagne, guaranteed window table, and a souvenir photo with frame. Private tables are provided for everyone. Private cruises are also available.

Spa Visage

What bachelorette party doesn't want a spa day?! Spa Visage is in downtown Knoxville and has the most beautiful facilities. The spa has services like massages, facials, nail care and more. If you call and mention you're having a bachelorette party, they can try to accommodate you.

Frank's Barbershop

Guys like to be pampered sometimes, too, and Frank's Barbershop gets that. Get a root beer in an ice cold mug and enjoy a facial, hand detail, haircut or shave. The other guys in your party can wait their turn while playing pool in the lobby or watching the game on one of the many TV's. It's a great spot to relax and hang out!

Tennessee Theatre

While you're in town, check to see if there are any shows at the Tennessee Theatre. They have bands, Broadway shows and movie nights. It's also cool to take a tour and hear the history behind this historic building.

Shopping in Market Square

Market Square and Gay Street are the most popular spots in Knoxville. A lot of the good food and shopping is here and it's all walkable.  While downtown, ride the trolley. The Knoxville Trolley is free and you can hop on atdifferent parts of the city you want to see. 

Navitat

Knoxville is known for their amazing parks and outdoor spaces; Navitat doesn't disappoint. Spend some time in the trees with zip lines, tunnels, bridges and much more. There are different levels to choose from and the view is remarkable.

Ijams Nature Center

If you're at Navitat, add some time to experience everything Ijams has to offer like hiking, biking and paddling. You can rent any gear you need from paddle boards to climbing equipment so you can explore Ijams’ more than 300 acres with ease.

Maple Hall

The trendy spot on Gay Street is the perfect spot for the competitive group as you pick up a game of bowling. There are 11 lanes and they have food, drinks, and music. They also have a private area with two lanes for bachelor/ette parties.

Bike Around Knoxville

Knoxville is such a walkable city and you can also take the trolley or Uber/Lyft. But a new option is to bike! Download the app Pace and find a designated bike on a rack near you. It's $1.50 for 30 minutes and you can keep the bike for up to 24 hours. It's a great way to see the city!

These are just some of the activities and dining options Knoxville offers its visitors and locals. Of course, all of the options aren't specifically for guys and girls. Feel free to mix and match the activities to make everyone in your wedding party have a great time.