Sometimes you just want to unwind with something to drink and a bit of live music. The good news? Sevierville has plenty of options to catch a great local band. The bad news? Chances are good you won’t be able to fit them all in on your trip. You’ll find a few of our favorite spots here, all local favorites that offer great food and drinks as well as regularly-scheduled live music. Of course, check each venue’s schedule before you go to make sure the tunes are going to be rolling when you arrive!
1. Bluffs Grill and Tap
Bluffs tops many of Sevierville’s best-of lists, simply because they do so many things very well. Drop in at Bluffs and expect excellent food, a well-tended bar, outdoor patio seating, live music weekly, live DJ evenings and trivia nights, and TV’s to catch the latest sports action. Somehow, they manage to do it all with style and excellent customer service. At the time of this writing, Bluffs sets aside Tuesdays and Thursdays for karaoke, live music after 10pm on Wednesdays, and a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights. If you’re hungry, you’re likely to be pleasantly surprised by the food, as well; the fish tacos and burgers consistently earn rave reviews.
2. The Listening Room
This venue exists to give singer-songwriters a chance. They serve up two live shows a night, and all songs are performed by the writers themselves. The brick-wall aesthetic is decked up with simple but effective lighting and a great laid-back atmosphere; you might find yourself coming back again and again to check out some more local talent. The food and drinks are great, too; the fried pickles are hard to beat, and they have a decent selection of draft beers on tap, as well.
3. Gatlinburg Brewing Company
This is the place to go if you’re looking for a polished (but not posh) gastropub with house-brewed craft beers, excellent menu offerings, and live music to boot. Their brick oven pizzas and wings are hard to beat, and they typically feature a live local band on the weekends. If you’re going for the music, check their Instagram or call ahead to confirm the entertainment schedule. They don’t always post upcoming events online. The Gatlinburg Brewing Company does serve their full menu until 2 a.m., so if you’re looking for a late-night meal, you can’t go wrong here.
4. The Iron Boar Saloon
A favorite among motorcyclists, the Iron Boar rocks a part grunge, part mountain lodge aesthetic. Expect excellent food, whether you order chips and queso or a cheeseburger. There isn’t much of a dance floor here, but there is live music on the weekends, and visitors come back again and again for the great atmosphere. The barkeeps consistently earn excellent reviews; they’re experienced, friendly, and on top of their game every night.
5. Ole Smoky Barrelhouse
Come for the moonshine, stay for the live music! Ole Smoky offers tastings of their local Tennessee whiskey at their distillery. They also serve up a full menu and an array of live music each week. Don’t be fooled by the touristy trimmings; this place is a favorite among locals as well as visitors to the Gatlinburg/Sevierville area, simply because they do moonshine (and food, and live music) really, really well.
Of course, these are just a few of your options in Sevierville; you’ll find plenty of other local bars that offer live tunes, but schedules can vary widely. If you’re set on enjoying some live music, double-check the schedule by calling ahead or checking the venue’s social media to make sure they’re still a go for the evening. Some of these locations are smaller local favorites, so schedules can change at the drop of a hat.
Looking for other options? Check out upcoming concerts in the area–and just grab a bite to eat at one of Sevierville’s most highly-rated restaurants instead. No matter what you choose, chances are good you’ll find a new local favorite.
