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    Peter Kern Library

    4.2 (243 reviews)
    PriceySpeakeasies
    Closed 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

    Peter Kern Library Photos

    Business Info

    PETER KERN LIBRARY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Classy
    Upscale
    Quiet

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    Recommended Reviews - Peter Kern Library

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    Jamie M.

    I found this gem when I was on a business trip and wanted a cozy bar that I could also order food at. This bar is conveniently located within a hotel, but with speakeasy vibes. You can order food from the hotel, which I did--the escargot was unreal. It paired well with my dirty martini. They have a lot of neat specialty cocktails, but can also do all the traditional, too. The bartender kept me company while at the bar and I enjoyed the atmosphere. He's open a few bars in Cary, NC, so it was nice to connect with someone while traveling.

    Mary A.

    A friend recommended this speakeasy so we decided to try it when visiting Knoxville. Entering through the alley with just a red light above the black door added to the charm of visiting a speakeasy. We were pleasantly surprised at the small quaintness of this establishment. The U-shaped booths added to the ambience and made it really nice to enjoy the people you were with, but also the feel of the bar. I ordered a Holly Golightly and my husband ordered an old-fashioned. Both drinks were excellent and very well made. The drinks were $16 each which seemed appropriate for the setting and the quality of craftsmanship that went into making them.

    Bar
    Riya P.

    Super cute speakeasy in Knox! It's completely free and you don't need a code to get in. It's inside the Oliver Hotel! We walked in and were completely engulfed in a nice, dark quiet atmosphere where we could sit and talk for hours. Super cozy and vibey. I don't remember the names of the drinks we ordered but one tasted like a spiked latte/cold brew with cold foam. The taste of espresso was very strong and it was honestly very satisfying. The other drink was a blackberry tequila drink. It tasted more subtle with fruity and herbal notes. Both were solid and service was friendly. Would come again!

    Kylie A.

    Easily such a fun find. You may need to know a secret code or you may not you'll figure it out. Usually there is a wait but it is easily worth the wait. Step away from the typical bar scene and sneak behind doors to find such a perfect speakeasy. Once in side, you'll find yourself immersed in a beautiful and sneaky feeling escape. They have great quality drinks that have something for everyone. Always a good time if you have the patience to wait.

    Michelle N.

    Cool little speakeasy! They had a great variety of cocktails - I wasn't drinking so I tried two mocktails. The paper plane was very good but the NA manhattan lacked complexity. Service was on the slower side. Enjoyed the experience overall.

    Jenn W.

    We visited the Peter Kern Library a couple weeks again on a Friday. We arrived fairly early and went to the back door. FYI - you'll need a code, which my friend had from the bar's Instagram page. Super cool! The speakeasy is pretty small & intimate. It's dark and moody, but feels so luxurious. There's a small bar with 4 or 5 stools. There are also 5 or 6 curved booths, each of which could comfortable seat 5 or maybe 6 people. Our party of 4 ordered drinks, and all were so delicious. We'll definitely visit again!

    Jared W.

    The Peter Kern Library is a great spot for a cocktail before or after dinner. I enjoy the "speakeasy" vibe, in the heart of Downtown Knoxville. From my understanding, they frequently update their menu so you can always try something new each visit.

    The password that evening was in fact, "1903" a nice touch from the staff
    Joseph H.

    During the weekend of the Tennessee vs. Kentucky game (Go Cats!) as part of a guys' trip. We were really excited about the idea of a hidden, exclusive speakeasy vibe, complete with a password and an alleyway entrance, but unfortunately, the experience fell a little short of expectations. As mentioned in previous reviews, if you're impatient, this place might not be for you. (The wait to get inside, did not effect my rating. I appreciate that they do not take reservations and it's on a first come first serve basis). The vibe is definitely one to chill and hang out, but you'll need to embrace the wait. However, the thrill of finding a speakeasy fizzled quickly. Upon arrival in the alley, we were greeted by a sheet of paper directing us to the Oliver Hotel entrance--a letdown for anyone hoping for a secretive backdoor experience. For a moment, we thought it might be a trick to throw off tourists, but nope, that was the actual entrance (at least that day). Inside the Oliver Hotel, the space exudes contemporary elegance, but the line at the "hidden" door also broke any illusion of secrecy, and not being asked for the password further diminished the concept. Once inside, the atmosphere had potential with its dark and moody setting, but the multiple doors leading in and out allowed bright lights to interrupt the ambiance. Our party of four was seated, and while the staff was friendly, they weren't very attentive. Drinks took a little bit to arrive, but by this time, we found that this place lost it's excitement. The cocktails themselves were good but not "knock-your-socks-off" good. We'd hoped to try more, but because the first round took so long and no one came back to check on us mid-drink, we decided to close our tab and move on. My personal opinion, if there is a hefty line waiting to get inside upon arrival, I'd say it's probably not worth the wait. While I appreciated the concept, the execution left us wanting more of that authentic speakeasy charm. It's a cool place to visit if you're patient and curious, but for us, it wasn't the highlight of the trip.

    Lindsay H.

    I could have sworn that I wrote a review for this fun and unique spot. Whoops! This speakeasy is quietly lingering in the depths of the Oliver Hotel, accessed by the nearby alley (look for the red light). I have been here a few times now and twice, there was was an employee "guarding" the door, asking for the password, accessed via their social media. This past time, my visiting friend and I were a bit bummed to have no password required and let ourselves in through the door. Takes away a tad of the mystique and experience, but still a fun spot! Usually, they have seated me and my party, but since it was a weekday evening and not busy, they had us seat ourselves. In the past, we have had to share a seating area with strangers during busy times, but my friend and I had a large, cushy seating area to ourselves this time. I always love the cozy space in dark, rich colors, and the unique, old-timey decor. There is some slightly creepy artwork (if you've been there...you know what I'm talking about. haha!) that gives it creepy, haunted library vibes. The bartenders are like mad scientists who put together magical literary-themed concoctions. Such unique ingredients that it surely takes quite an effort to perfect them. This is the saving grace with the hefty pricetag. Totally worth it for the experience alone. Note that the space is small, no probably not a place to go with a large group or loud friends, but perfect for intimate groups or date night.

    Menu
    Katy C.

    I had Peter Kern Library on my list so I was happy when my friend Lindsay suggested we grab a drink there post-event. The unmarked door is hidden in an alley, but we didn't have to give anyone the password and just opened the door. We were told to take a seat anywhere in the cozy spot. The decor is definitely library/literary themed, which was fun. The menu is very unique and I was excited at the different options. I was immediately drawn to the Rick Deckard: gin, lemon, dijon mustard, maple-vanilla syrup. A few others sounded really good too, so I asked the bartender for a recommendation (while also spinning Lindsay's decision maker wheel, genius). He told me the Rick Deckard was really good, so I went for it! It was definitely one of the more unique drinks I've had. The dijon mustard wasn't overpowering and it actually worked well in the drink. I do love dijon mustard though. I was impressed and would definitely visit again in the future. This type of elevated cocktail experience is so fun for a special night out and I'm sure their menu changes frequently.

    Tab
    Ann V.

    Super cute bar, very modern and can be loud. The staff was welcoming and friendly. The drinks were amazing. First time coming here. The menu changes often but are able to make drinks from previous menus. The theme always changes. It's inside the Oliver's hotel. On their social media they give you hints to get the passcode (we didn't need it) or you can go to the hotel lobby and get it from there. The drinks were amazing. I highly recommend this place.

    Erin C.

    Very fun atmosphere!! The drinks are inspired and the vibe is very relaxed and chill. The prices are very fair for the drink. All the employees were very nice. I read a lot of reviews about the harsh dress code. We were nervous as we were not dressed "appropriately" according to the dress code, but we had no issues with this and the other people there were also not. We went in the early evening though, so I'm not sure if that's the difference. I had a great time and I would recommend!

    Megan P.

    Pretty tame on a Tuesday around 7. I parked in the Market St Garage, it's right next door. Find the monthly password (a four digit #) on their Facebook at the end of the post. KNOCK on the door with the red light, there is no bell. You have 90 minutes and food comes from the hotel restaurant. As I came in, a party of 8 was trying to assemble. I could overhear the bartenders complaining. It's just a small spot to seat 8 (they were hanging off), and they all wanted food (no table room), and they were loud. They also ordered dumb drinks. So, don't bring your party of 8, ok? The booths fit no more than 6 comfortably. Drinks didn't take long and were good. Prices were pretty standard for a high end cocktail bar although some might complain because it's Knoxville. But I know my cocktails and these were good. No baseball caps, dress like you're leaving your house because they enforce it (more places should). I'm so tired of yoga pants, sweat pants and flip flops.

    The best mixologist I have literally ever whitnessed

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    2 years ago

    Great cocktails and cool ambiance at this tucked away college town speakeasy. A great spot for cocktail fans visiting Knoxville.

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    Ask the Community - Peter Kern Library

    Can you make reservations for a large party months in advance?

    They don't take reservations, and your party can only spend 90 minutes there.

    What are the hours?

    Thursday 5PM-12AM Friday 5PM-1AM Saturday 4PM-1AM… Read more

    Do you need a code to get in or do you just enter through the alley way?

    Just enter through the alley. Or the Oliver lobby,

    View All 5 Questions

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    4.2(51 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    The Vault was our second stop on our cocktail hop night, and I'm so glad we found it!…read more First off, the interior is chef's kiss. The dark, glamorous aesthetic is stunning--perfect for date night or for impressing out-of-town guests. I loved the gold accents, layered textures, and thoughtful lighting. Everything worked together beautifully. We chose to sit at the bar to watch the mixologists work their magic. They were incredibly helpful in guiding us toward drinks that matched our preferences. I absolutely loved my cocktail--even if I can't recall the name--because it delivered the spicy kick they promised. We also ordered several shareable plates, all of which were delicious. We tried the Carnitas Tamales (shredded pork, ancho mole, fresh corn, masa, cilantro, yuzu arbequina oil), the Vegetable Empanadas (house-made pastry, wilted kale, roasted sweet potato, Oaxaca and cotija cheese, black bean purée, and adobo & chile-lime aioli), and a salad. I'd happily order any of them again. I did find myself wishing for a bit more heat, but I've learned that's hard to come by in Tennessee. At least the staff gave us a heads-up that the spice level is toned down. I'm already looking forward to coming back and exploring more of the menu. The vibe is fantastic--and while they have a nice outdoor space, the interior is so eye-catching I'm not sure I'd want to sit anywhere else.

    Cool atmosphere it's an underground speakeasy type of deal and had a cool list of cocktails…read more My cocktail was pretty good I wouldn't get it again but I liked it and the banana and gin was fun and new. Tapas were good the carrots were by far the best roasted perfectly and the sauce was so flavorful. The crab dip was good but typical same with mushroom truffle pizza. The empanadas were good but a little dry I was glad they had sauce. Would go again and get the carrots and new items!

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    A bottle vault.

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    Point B - Mushroom Bruschetta

    Point B

    4.1(157 reviews)
    9.7 mi
    $$

    Was here a couple of weeks ago for brunch on a Sunday. The…read moreservice was great and the food was fantastic! Our server, I think she said her name was Kailyn, was very friendly and took good care of us. She was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. We had the brunch board and was really good. Will definitely be back here for brunch!

    Beautiful restaurant and trendy atmosphere, but the food was one of the most disappointing dining…read moreexperiences we've had in a long time. We're not expecting ultra-authentic Mexican food everywhere, but if you can't even get close, maybe don't put tacos on the menu because this felt genuinely insulting. We ordered the "small" taco board that we were told would feed 2-3 people, and it came with bland shredded chicken that tasted boiled, plus carrots, sugar snap peas, mushrooms, and corn scattered across the board like stir-fry vegetables. It also included the smallest portion of steak with chimichurri (Argentinian not Mexican), bland green salsa, terrible store-bought tasting red salsa, and "homemade" tortillas. There was almost no seasoning or flavor in any of it. The photo attached is just the chicken portion of the board because honestly the rest wasn't even worth photographing. The $15 guacamole was also extremely underwhelming for the price -- tiny portion of chips, one tiny lime wedge, and we were brought salt so we could finish seasoning it ourselves. Service was okay, but overall spending around $75 for two beers, guacamole, and food we barely wanted to finish was frustrating. Sadly, the ambiance and decor were the best part of the experience. Safe to say we will not be coming back.

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    Oliver Royale - Seasonal Dinner Dish at Oliver Royale in Knoxville, TN

    Oliver Royale

    4.1(341 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    Good food and friendly staff. Got the Mediterranean salad and the Redfin blackened dinner…read more Overall the flavors were fantastic.

    My husband had eaten here previously and told me it was simply "okay," but I had been drooling over…read morethe menu and requested it for my birthday meal. The ambiance is lovely. Both upscale yet inviting. Note that it does feel a bit like European dining where the tables and fellow diners are very close to you and the tables are small and cozy. You hear all of their convos as well, for better or worse. :-) We ordered the scallop appetizer and for our meal, we both got the short rib pappardelle pasta and a side of the brussel sprouts to share. Our server was very kind but our orders took a very long time to come out, from drinks to the food itself. In fact, our brussels came out at the same time as the check. I will say that she recognized this issue without us saying anything and even removed the brussels from the bill preemptively. The food was delicious-especially the main course. The bolognese sauce was creamy and had a slight kick and the short rib was tender and tasty. Another odd thing is that we ordered the same exact dish but one plate visibly had almost twice the amount of food than the other, which is an odd choice if you know they are going to the same table. Other than the few service quirks, it was a wonderful experience and the food and drinks were delicious. We will be back at some point.

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    Wedding at Oliver Royale in Knoxville, TN

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    Harvest - French toast with just the right amount of Nutella!

    Harvest

    4.0(132 reviews)
    4.3 mi

    Here we go. Multi-trip vet here…read more Inside is tight but nice and gives you a semi-casual / semi-fancy vibe in the room. The live music that is there when we have to listen is a really nice touch. Parking is limited right around the building itself, but there is plenty behind it - just keep driving a few more feet, and you'll see it. The service has been generally great, but our last trip was a bit of a miss - I suppose the difference between brunch/lunch and dinner service. I believe part of the reason was that our 2.5 YO kiddo was ruining the vibe for couples (and the staff as well). If you don't want kids there, then say so. And even if you didn't say it with your words, your actions did. Part of this showed up when we were trying to get a high chair for what felt like 5 minutes - I could see i,t and they went to seat others and had us wait...which created squirming and an unhappy kiddo. After this point, all of the ordering we tried to do in this same sitting was met with a mostly poor attitude and delays from not coming over. The food was delayed and was cold. Again, not going to fight for it and have to wait longer with a little with us. We've not been back since this, and I'm unsure we will try again with a kid. Now that this is out of the way, the dinner experience is night and day different - great service, food, and drinks with little to no issues. So, TL;DR - dinner experience 5/5, lunch/brunch experience 3/5, taking the average of 4 for a 4/5.

    Everything at Harvest is done beautifully! It's been a few weeks since my visit there, but I can…read morehonestly say I can still remember the quality in everything from Service, to Food, to ambience. Our server did an incredible job with recommendations, menu descriptions, and ensuring we were taken care of throughout our dining experience. I had a group of business associates with me, and everyone was very pleased with their meals and specialty drinks. Just as we were leaving, they were beginning live music, which if that is something you like, it is not too overwhelmingly loud, so that was highly appreciated! If you have not yet, given them a try, definitely add them to your list!

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    The Danny McGrew band

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    Todays special soft shell crab !

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    Space Bar - Knoxville

    Space Bar - Knoxville

    4.6(56 reviews)
    10.8 mi

    A quirky, fun place to go for drinks and light bar fare, especially with a group. You don't have to…read morebe a fan of sci fi/space things, but it helps. It's in a weird, kind of out-of-the- way shopping center, next to a movie theater that's been turned into one of those odd evangelical worship centers (I wouldn't say "church"). That adds to the appeal I think. The staff are friendly and fun, which is what you'd expect in this kind of place. Some of the customers were cosplaying the night we were there, which again added to the fun atmosphere. Even the backlit menus are fun! We had 2 of their most popular cocktails: the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster (named for Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) and the Turing Test. The former comes with a buzz button, which is a seed that makes your mouth tingle. They tell you to take a drink, then chew the buzz button, then take another drink. I found the initial taste of the drink sort of one note. But after the buzz button, when I took another drink, I could taste the many layers of ingredients they use in this drink. It was definitely better. The Turing Test was supposed to have a walnut-ish taste. It was good, but the walnut ingredients were pretty low key. We had a huge lunch the day we went here, so we ordered some of their light bar fare as dinner. The Orbital Cheese was surprisingly good: crunchy parmesan pesto crostini bread that was wonderful on its own, but also really good with the melted feta cheese and tomato dipping sauce. The Rack of Rhynark included bacon, sausage, a few roasted potatoes and a (bland) slaw sort of thing made with radishes or cabbage or something along those lines. This dish was okay -- the bacon being the best thing about it. You don't really come here for the food though anyway, it's the weird drinks and the atmosphere. It's worth a visit!

    Best themed bar I've been to! Perfect sci-fi theming with aliens from Mars Attacks!, Darth Vader,…read moreAlien's Facehuggers, and more famous creatures. Neon lighting is everywhere, and the EXCELLENT service are all trained to verbally communicate as if you're in a space lounge. You're greeted at the front door with a funny line like, "Hello Captain, are you ready to greet your crew?" Then smoke surrounds you as the room "air locks", then a host brings you into the bar. The immersion is so fun! Most surprising were the menus, which you open and they glow in illuminated light... very futuristic. The drinks we ordered were absinthe specials, which were served in creative and smoky ways. Note: these were strong drinks :P I saw food at other tables and the pizza looked great. All in all, this bar is so immersive and I can't wait to return!

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    Space Bar - Knoxville - Entrance

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    Peter Kern Library - speakeasies - Updated May 2026

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