This is a really good college bar. But you've got to understand that's that what this is: a college bar. It'll get busy and crowded during a UTK game but it's an amazing atmosphere if you're looking for a good place to party. For $11 you can get a huge helping of boneless wings. Mac n cheese bites are also really good! For drinks, I'd suggest the Tennessee Dream. It tastes like a creamsicle! read more

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Cool beans is a great college bar. The weekends get crazy, especially after game days but that's kind of the whole point. The drink specials are great and cheap just don't come with the expectation of getting a table and a chill conversation because this place gets LOUD and PACKED unless you come on a weekday around 5. read more

Cool Beans Bar and Grill - American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

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Food is amazing. Everything is priced well. We love coming here for the drink specials!

typical bar food, some things are average and some are super good. All of the sides are wonderful and the cheese bings are a personal favorite. The food is very fresh considering this is a college bar. Overall good spot for cheap food and drinks and a good spot to meet friends. read more

I've been to cool beans several times. My expectations were met, but never exceeded. Drink prices are cheap, but the atmosphere and staff leave a bit to be desired. During a game of pool, I unknowingly set my drink on the ledge of the table, before I could take my shot, a bouncer approached me and told me that I would be kicked out if I didn't move it with a hostile tone. This was an honest mistake but I obliged. This bar is filled with freshly 21 year olds or super seniors. This doesn't make for the best environment. There is not much to do, aside from two pool tables, dart boards, and a Photo Booth, all of which are always occupied. Cool beans is worth going there to say you've been there, but not worth multiple visits. Many better options in Knoxville. The hype is what keeps cool beans in business. read more

Cool Beans Bar and Grill - Tequila soda - American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

This was only the 3rd time we visited this college bar. Every time we visit the security guys out front are very polite. The bar tenders are always friendly and get to every customer quickly. Again this is a college dive bar and the mens room was clean as any other bar in town. This time we got food and my grilled chicken sandwich was huge and delicious. If you're in the area for sure stop by. read more

Cool Beans Bar and Grill - two people at the bar - American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Some of the best food and drinks near UTK. Service is incredible and drinks are hard to bear. Been coming here for years and will continue to! read more

Cool Beans Bar and Grill - Nachos! - American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Drove from Lexington for the weekend with my girlfriend who just turned 21 3 weeks ago. Walked miles to this bar just to have a good time, got there and the bouncer told her to "check her privledge" (balding bouncer with patchy red beard and goblin-like face). After pleading my case, his plus-sized goon side kick proceeded to ask me to leave after I was admitted entry. However, my 21 year old girlfriend was denied. We drove hours and walked miles just to go here, and were told to leave for no reason. I assume this bar has been busted for letting underage people in before, considering the bouncer told me he "can't risk it" and that it's "his judgement" when I asked if he thought it was fake. Giving it back to her also gave away the fact that he knew he made a mistake. Awful place, awful bar, do not go here. read more

Cool Beans Bar and Grill - Bouncer should be ashamed. - American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Cool beans was my favorite place to go until they completely disrespected me. I turned around in the line for 2 second and the bouncer thought I cut line. I tried to explain to him that I didn't cut, but he was not having it When I told him again that I was just trying to help my friend WHO WAS BEING HARASSED IN THE LINE, he proceeded to throw my phone into the bushes. I love Cool Beans but cannot believe the disrespect that I received while trying to enter the bar. I would recommend any other bar but this one as the staff are clearly not trained to respect human beings. read more

FUCK THIS PLACE they petty asf and racist we was denied entry because they THOUGHT we was skipping the line. We DIDNT skip the line and nobody had a problem with us getting in except for them! They are liars and only choose who they want to let in! Do not go here you may be singled out and denied entry for no reason what so ever ! No matter how long you wait ! read more

I came to this bar with my group of girl friends (ages 22-25). We ordered food, many drinks, and were very respectful for the first THREE hours we were there. At about 9 pm an employee came around to check our IDs again which would normally be no problem, makes sense on a college campus, but as my friends are all well over the drinking age, the fact that a bartender went out of his way after 3 hours to remove my friend is unacceptable. He was rude, intimidating, and did not give her a second to explain she is well over the legal drinking age. Never should underage children be allowed in the bar, but if you're going to be strict on IDs, at least know what you're looking at. read more

Cool Beans Bar and Grill - two hands making a sign - American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

The music was pure shit in my opinion. The whole club stood around talking instead of dancing. If they invest in an actual DJ instead of letting people pick music through a digital jukebox ut would be soo much better. My friends and I were trying to put on modern day rap hits but they would PURPOSELY skip our songs every time. For example, Sexyy Red, Drake, etc. . 0/10 honestly. read more

Do not go here. The bouncer will card you, and deny entry even if you are of legal age. And, insult you if he believes you are under age. He bases entry on his judgement. The management does seem to care. read more

I thought I've been to some dive-y, hole in the wall places before but Cool Beans takes the cake....and still gets four stars. I came across it today while driving through Knoxville in search of something to eat. I really need to make a mental note not to stop by college towns in the summertime since everything appears to be closed. There were a few cars in the parking lot and when I walked in, total darkness but open and operating. I wasn't sure if they had food or not since it seemed like there were some townies there drinking but when I got a menu I saw there was a special on Sundays of $.35 wings and a cheeseburger and fries for only $2.99. SCORE! This made me nostalgic for my college days since I miss those prices but the best part was that the place is dog friendly so my pooch and I sat on the patio. The bartender brought out a water bowl for him and soon enough my burger and fries was out and piping hot. Thats what I'm talking about! $2.99 for a burger and fries-you just cannot beat a deal like this. We had the whole patio to ourselves and it was pretty spacious, I imagine a good place to do some day drinking. By looking at the prices of their food, they gotta have good drink specials! Penny pitchers? Possibly..... Hole in the wall places with cheap food, friendly staff that are puppy friendly are the best! read more

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fuck this place. been going here every day every weekend and they nicer me out for "paying other girls" when i was with my guy friends the entire night.... talk about a fucking power trip for the homophobic read more

I have never been asked to leave an establishment for having my service dog with me. The owner came up to me, said it was too crazy, though I had a nice space out of foot traffic, and said we couldn't be there. I showed him her ID - he didn't care. I told him that his request was against the law - he didn't care. Claimed it was too much liability. Guess he'll find out the hard way. read more

Total college dive bar off of UT's campus. A group of friends and I were in town and we were looking for this type of scene and found it on Yelp! They've got a beer pong table, photo booth, pool tables, and cigarette machines (because those are apparently a thing In Tennessee). Touch tunes plays anything you want and the drinks were cheap. Great college bar and had a blast. read more

Ignore the college kids griping about bouncers and getting carded.... The strip used to have 30 plus bars when I was at UT...now it's down to a handful.... This is my go to bar during UT football games. Indoor and outdoor areas are passable depending on weather, mood, etc.... Have never noticed bathroom lines.... I guess Calhouns on the river is "the" bar around UT games from the blimp shots on TV but locals in the know just stumble into this joint to watch the game if they don't have tickets or not going for whatever reason. There is generally shade around...you can still tailgate outside across the street and just walk on in to watch the game and buy a few beers to patronize the place. TV's good.... Guess would recommend Saloon 16 (the Peyton bar in the Graduate hotel) as my 2nd choice....definitely get the UT game experience there and closer to the stadium... Another edge to these bars is its closer to west Knoxville.... Calhouns is generally a mess and place to avoid around football games from a locals perspective.... Chiayo & Jai Dee Thai for good asian food in a college environment....Alladin's cafe for a legit Gyro to soak up a days worth of beer...all on the strip and close also... read more

Bartender was an asshole. Accidentally left my ID, only wanted to order water. Forced me to leave bc I didn't have an ID (told him I was okay with this, just needed to call an Uber). He told me I couldn't wait in the bar for my Uber, had to wait on the sidewalk. When I said (because I am woman) "I am not waiting on your sidewalk at risk of getting raped" he said "I don't care you cannot be in here without an ID." Although I respect the rules of a bar, i am appalled that he said he "did not care" when I expressed my fear of being taken/raped. All he had to do was sit with me at the bar until my ride arrived. Follow your bar rules, but also make sure you customers and potential customers feel safe and respected. read more

Good food, decent drink prices, darts, pool tables, patio, touch tunes, and lots of good people. I've been to this bar most every weekend of college and always enjoyed the double LITs. One star is missing because the line to get in is irritating. I'd recommend this bar as a great place to be for football games, trivia, and silent disco. read more

Came here twice, once for my little bros 21st and again for his graduation. Its a fun college bar and its has bar room games with a modern juke box. The first time I came in the bar tenders loaded the juke box with their money so all it played were their songs. They wouldn't even refund our money. When the complained the bar staff had a huge attitude about it. The second time was ok and it was graduation weekend. The place get packed quick and the drink prices are super awesome. I live in DC so anything is better than DC prices. read more

Honestly, had a great time and enjoyed the environment. However, the male bar tender is by far one of the rudest, disrespectful, lazy man I have ever met. Clearly is miserable with his job and life but that is not our issue. He was rude the second we walked in, one of the people I was with lost her ID there and when we called he refused to look and claim it wasn't even there when the other bar tender had it. He was heavier set with gauges and a beard for reference. I honestly want him fired, I have never hated a worker more. I personally used to serve and bar tend so I always give at least a 25% tip, and I refused to even tip him. Overall extremely disappointed with him, I cannot stress that enough. read more

Cool Beans Bar and Grill is located on Lake Ave near the Cumberland Strip just off Campus. The Bean is the last college neighborhood bar and has been serving the area since 2000. Cool Beans is a Knoxville staple and has been voted one of America's 40 best college bars in 2015. The Bean is a great bar and primarily caters to collegiate crowd and is the go to stop on gameday. On Saturdays in the Fall all are welcome at Cool Beans. Cool Beans has darts, pool and the classic adult arcade games (Golden Tee, Photo Hunt, ect). Cheap beers and a late night bar menu Cool Beans is one of the last good watering holes in Knoxville. read more

Was invited to "cool beans" by friends of ours. It is a very busy bar. The crowd is young, mainly college students with a few older people in the mix. Had a great time. Loved the atmosphere. Long line getting into this bar. Go early-- read more

Do not go here. This place is trash. I have been here for 4 years and it has gone down BAD

Cool Beans is a specimen. Though one of the best bars on campus location wise, the people there are anything but college kids. It seems like I walked into a rest stop off of I-65. The service is abysmal, and like other bars near campus, the staff looks irate to even be here. Poor beer selection and if it weren't for the pool tables and trivia nights I don't know if they'd have a customer under 30. read more

College bar with several pool tables, cornhole and video games. Very slow on a summer Thursday Bingo night. Yes bingo.

Great place to be on the weekends. This is the go to spot before, after and during Tennessee Football games. It is also the best spot on the strip on any given night. If you are looking for good food, definitely go for the chicken sandwich as it's monstrous and delicious. 5 Stars just because i've never had a bad time at this place. read more

Still standing and fun after years of being gone. Thanks for all the hospitality and all your shirts, unfortunately I only brought one home out of 4 I was planning on. Great prices, good beer selection, chill and relaxed atmosphere, college hang out without the underage or just barley or age all over. good fries when you need some substance. read more

This place was my favorite college spot. I still love to come to bean when I come to town. Cool beans is exactly what I picture when I think of a college bar. Long live the bean! read more

Cool Beans Bar and Grill - American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Unprofessional bouncers!!! I am over 21 but was told my ID was fake/the photo wasn't me and I was lying. Such a rude experience that i honestly don't know if I'll ever go back. Sad because I have previously enjoyed this bar. If this rude bouncer sticks around though, I won't be back. read more

Good bar and atmosphere with really good drink prices. I prefer market square of old city but def my favorite bar close to campus.

Cool place but rude staff, also you walk away from your drink for two seconds and they throw away even though it's not busy at all and there's even a number sign on your table waiting for food which took extremely long. Sorry I don't wanna take my whiskey to the bathroom, happen three times within an hour ridiculous read more

Giving this 5 stars because they have real darts and cheap drinks. I've also come to really enjoy the staff there. Compared to all of the other bars on the strip, in my opinion this is the best one. read more

Standard college hangout, decent outdoor seating..Loud, noisy and crowded during the weekends!

For $2 beers why go elsewhere. I love the atmopshere at Cool Beans. It's young, fun, and they have all the sports and fun you could ever want and/or need from a bar. I am a regular and will continue to enjoy and build amazing memories with friends at Cool Beans. read more

This is very much a bar that doesn't try to hide that fact from you so face that before you go in. Pool, darts, beer pong, great jukebox, fooseball, basketball and hunting games are all waiting for you. Pretty decent beer and mixed specials through the week and it's one of the (maybe 2?) places left to smoke in. The trivia on tuesday is fun and raunchy like it should be so stop out for it. They also have some surprisingly good queso and chips, but they allow you to bring in outside food so it's up to you. Go here if you want a fun hang out, but as always be warned on the weekend because it's right near campus. read more

OK, Cool Beans is a great college kid hangout, but did you know it's a great place for lunch as well? They have daily lunch specials - a great alternative to fast food or overpriced chain restaurants. Usually it's $5 for a meal incl soft drink or tea. They have great burgers, sandwiches, and more. If you work or live anywhere downtown, or in the UT/Fort Sanders area, give this place a try for lunch! read more

It's the quintessential college bar. Good deals on beer and plenty of specials most night. Not the biggest place but they give you plenty of bar games and it never seems too crowded. read more

Food was okay. Staff was distracted. The bar is incredibly smoky even though there is a patio. But not a bad dive bar.