Had a fantastic time. The cocktails we're fantastic and the atmosphere was exceptional. Both Hannah and Josh made the experience memorable. Would recommend!!! read more

Beutiful interior, and the delicious drinks. I love this bar but the music can be a little loud for the scene. The alley is a little sketchy so be sure to walk around the block from the garage to the Union Ave side. read more

Found this place purely by Yelp reviews as an out-of-town visitor and I was intrigued by the Speakeasy atmosphere. The sliding white door is easy enough to find in the lobby of the Oliver Hotel, right on Market Square (when we were there, there was a velvet rope and someone checking IDs which kind of gave it away). The ambiance is super cool though--dark wood everywhere and leather couches. Seems like it would get hot, noisy and crowded later in the night with such a small space but we were there right after dinner and easily snagged a seat. read more

In town for business for one night and had a fabulous cocktail. Great menu and the bartenders were willing to create interesting off the menu solutions. Highly recommend as a pre or post dinner stop. Well worth the effort !!! read more

THE only place for a true cocktail. Real bartenders and amazing drinks. Being a speakeasy helps with the atmosphere and it is a show to watch them put this culinary delight together. Once you have their Old Fashion- you will never order it anywhere else. Love this place. read more

Very cute place. The menu isn't too big and has some fun selections. They had a good amount of sweet and less sweet cocktails which was nice. And a few with mezcal which I'm a sucker for. They also had nice absinthe selection. It's pretty small, which makes it cozy but not good for big groups. It's in a good location so it's a nice place to go get drinks after or before having dinner. read more

One of the Coolest places I have ever been! Traditional Speak Easy ! Their menu was unique and the bartenders are true artist! I feel in love with the Grendel which is a light lime flavor and I LOVE lime! If you like a Moscow mule you will love the Grendel ! Go Here!!! read more

Peter Kern Library - The Grendel!! - Speakeasies Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

It's tiny. No food menu to speak of so eat a bite before going. You will need the food because these are quality drinks. The Aviation and Old Fashion were our drinks tonight. Anything off the bar menu will be a memorable drink. Great bar to spend a few hours on a cold night. read more

Peter Kern Library - Aviation next to the bar menu. - Speakeasies Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

The worst experience ever. Great drinks. Great service but wow, 2 drink limit unless you order food. But hey the food will take an hour and until the food shows up, you can't have another drink un read more

This place place tried to hard to be hip and interesting. I like that speakeasy secretive thing they where going for but it's kinda a gimmick. I feel like they get caught up too much on presentation and not enough focus on the cocktails. read more

Peter Kern Library is my favorite bar in the entire world. The bar is tucked away behind a sliding door in the Oliver Hotel. The bar resembles a library, with awesome lounge sofas, and a dark, cozy ambience. It is the perfect place to go on a date, or for a drink to start off the night. The place gets pretty crowded on the weekend, so if you want to relax try to go during the week to get a sofa all to yourself. Each cocktail is designed based on a classic novel, and the menu come in an encyclopedia!!! My favorite drink the the siren and the windmill. Please try it if you haven't already. read more

Small cozy speakeasy with a really great old fashioned. These bartenders know their craft.

Feel a little like a broken record but it's really unfortunate that I tried this place for the first time a day before leaving Tennessee to head back to Georgia. I have never experienced a speakeasy and even though we went on a Monday, because the place is on the smaller side, it was packed. I'm sure this place is hardly ever empty. I wanted to try every single thing on their menu but after two drinks, I was ready to head home after an extremely long and eventful day. I had the Madame Bovary and it was what dreams are made of. The second one was not nearly as good but still smooth and delicious. The waitresses (and the bartenders) know their stuff. I wish more places understood that tasting alcohol in drinks is not a good thing. The inside of this place made my heart happy and the fact that the menus are inside books made my bookish heart grow, as well. Highly, highly recommend anyone traveling through Knoxville, please check this place out. It is worth every penny you will pay for your drinks. read more

This was my husband and I's first date and we go back for date night fairly often. This atmosphere was the most romantic and intimate date idea! This is honestly my favorite spot in Knoxville. The menu is awesome. Also, many don't know that it's a pretty legit coffee shop during the day, too. read more

It's always a great time at PKL! Stopped by last night and had to wait a few minutes to get in, as it is a small venue and it was Saturday night. We are lucky to have such a fun and unique bar in Knoxville. Come prepared to pay premium prices for premium cocktails, but this place is definitely a must see when visiting Knoxville. Their Old Fashioned is the best around. read more

This is a pretty cool Speakeasy tucked between two buildings and an alley. It's so well hidden that it's only betrayed by its red light. When someone brings you here, you really feel like you've discovered something on your own. Of the bars I have been to, the atmosphere here is by far the most unique. There's an entire wall of books in the fireplace and the seats feel almost like couches. The novelty of this establishment however wears off after the first time going. Eventually you'll get tired of paying for the expensive drinks. That being said, it's a downtown Knoxville must-see, and I bring all my out-of-town guests. read more

The staff and drinks are incredible. I highly recommend this place to everybody. The whole experience was so much fun!

We loved this experience . Sarah was an amazing bartender and explained all the history and did great displaying how the drinks were made. If u don't care about price this is the best bar in knoxville read more

This bar is amazing! Off the hidden path and Sarah the bartender was one of the best bartenders I have ever had. She made the experience well worth every dollar. Thank you Sarah!! read more

This bar. THIS BAR. I'd heard about it from friends and made a point to go while home over the holidays, and when I got there, it was very worth the anticipation. This place could have been made to my specifications. The music was soft, the lights were low, the fireplace was lit, and the cocktails were literary. The menus, which are divided into American Lit, English Lit, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, and European Lit - with a section for beers, wines, and traditional cocktails - are tucked into old encyclopedias. I had an Atticus Finch, and my cohorts got an Old-Fashioned, a Tituba, and a Holden Caulfield respectively. The Atticus Finch could have been made perfectly for my tastes. It was gin, St. Germain, lemon juice, and muddled ginger, mint, and cucumber, with a long cucumber peel garnish. It was green and just perfectly sweet and had real bits of mint and ginger drifting about. I could not stop raving about it. I must admit that it delights me that a drink I so loved was the namesake of a character I so loved, but I'm that kind of nerd. The Old-Fashioned was an Old-Fashioned, though the Luxardo cherry was a nice touch. The Tituba was a pretty standard dark and stormy clone, although made with fresh lime juice. The Holden Caulfield was the other unexpected standout - I had passed on it because I don't like Fireball vodka, but it had been mixed with a delicate touch that left just a tingle of cinnamon on the lips. The only complaint I might have is that the service was slow. I expected some delay for complicated cocktails, but that's why we only had one round - it took over a half-hour just to get the first one. read more

Needs better door staff. My husband and I were celebrating our third anniversary on Saturday and decided to go out on the town. New to the Knoxville area, we hunted out what we thought were unique, high-er class establishments to have a night out. When we arrived at the speakeasy, we noted a slight disappointment at the lack of a speakeasy-style entrance (doors were wide open, bouncer inside), but that did not sway our excitement. Walking in, there were two meatheads speaking to the bouncer, who he promptly let in and spoke buddy-buddy with. Then, Mr. Bouncer-man looked at us and said, "uhhh, we just filled up." Serious??? I felt like someone just stole my ice cream! Granted, maybe the place did genuinely fill up. Maybe there wasn't a seat left in the house. Maybe it was full before he let in 600 pounds of man and he was just too chicken to say anything to THEM. But, he should have had the knowledge, and/or skill to have a little sense about him and put it a little more nicely and not like such a total db. He could have said, "there aren't any seats left right now, but if you wait a few minutes someone may leave," or "just a few minutes folks, we just reached capacity." There are dozens of more appropriate variations that wouldn't have made my husband and I feel like a-holes for trying to go there. I seriously walked away saying..."Did we just get rejected from a Knoxville bar?" Whaaaa?????? I mean, we're good looking people, we were dressed nice, and although we're in our early thirties now, we don't look old or uncool. In fact, we've been called out of long lines at some of the hottest clubs in the country to go in ahead of other velvet-rope lackeys; NYC, Vegas, you name it. I mean, it being a speakeasy and all did not give THIS guy the right to treat us badly. Come on. They need to get him off his high horse and back down to Knoxville. Anyway, so the hubs and I attempted to salvage the rest of our evening but ended up sitting around like a couple of lumps. I was busy thinking, geez, do we look old, have I let myself go, am I some loser that he felt he could or should talk to like that? And my husband, while he won't admit it, seemed equally and uncharacteristically quiet. We perfunctorily swilled two cocktails at Latitude 35 and then called the night a bust. So, I would like to thank this "speakeasy" and their db doorman for ruining our anniversary. So thanks...for nothing. read more

AMAZING!!!! Best drinks ever in Knoxville. I get the Holden Caulfield. The Matilda is good so is the artful dodger, the Moscow mule is also really good! read more

Really cool speakeasy in downtown Knoxville! We got in right away and shared a seating area with some other people. The Holly Golightly was an amazing drink...right up my alley! Service is somewhat slow, but worth the wait for the amazing drinks and cool atmosphere. read more

With the small space I can see why it might at times be difficult to get a spot here. Was here early on a Thursday evening and loved it. Had the Pennywise cocktail and sampled many others. Will certainly recommend and revisit! Next time I will definitely get The Artful Dodger because it was like drinking candy. read more

Wish I could leave 0 stars. We came in and were kicked out when two members from our party were drinking only water. They said one member of our group was too intoxicated and had to leave. Clearly they wanted to bring in another party with more drinkers and more money. Pathetic read more

Best secret bar in Knoxville! Drinks were amazing. Love the atmosphere and the menu! In the Oliver Hotel has a speakeasy vibe. Feels like you are stepping back in time. read more

Excellent atmosphere and drink variety. The bartender was friendly and very knowledgeable. Definitely will return.

The drinks were great! We had a short wait, but it was ok. I was surprised at how casual people were dressed. Our server was very attentive. I would definitely go back, but probably in jeans. read more

This place was so much fun! You may have to wait a bit to get in. It's tiny inside, but very comfortable. Our drinks were delicious - enough sweet, enough sour, enough booze. They were really well made craft cocktails. The staff were friendly and the clientele were great. read more

I have been here multiple times and I always enjoy the crafted cocktails. The absinthe is my favorite of my boyfriend's. The atmosphere is always great whether it is morning or night. read more

This place has a great atmosphere. It took us a while to figure out it was within the hotel but it was worth it. Prices are more than usually but they are well worth the extra money. The benches are very comfortable to sit at as well. read more

Best mixed drinks and bartenders in Knoxville by far!!! Low key speakeasy with a friendly environment.

There are good things and bad about this bar. The location is cool: You stroll through the hotel lobby and open an unmarked door and there you are. Or you can sneak in from the alley. Either way. The service is very nice and they have drinks here you won't easily find elsewhere in Knoxville. Nicely prepared and presented, too. But the prices are pretty high and the seating makes it hard to have a conversation. This would be a great place to bring a date: You can show off your good taste and you have a perfect excuse to sit close together, maybe even sneak in a smooch in the dark. Not that I'd know about that, being married and all... read more

Great spot! Gotta stop here for a craft cocktail. Hidden in the alley, so use your best detective skills to find it.

This place is so cool. It's a speakeasy. You literally have to walk down an alley and walk into a door that has absolutely no signage. You know it's open, because there is a red light that is on. It's very small and cozy. There is a bar on one side, and on the opposite side there is what looks similar to a library with a fake fire. The bar is basically set up with large three sided booths. It's a full bar, but the specialty drinks are listed in old encyclopedias. I ordered their equivalent to the old fashioned. You order at the bar, and the bartender brought it to our table. He was friendly, and he came to check on us several times. This was the coolest speakeasy that I have ever been to. read more

Peter Kern is on the top of my list to take out of towners for a cool experience. You enter in the alley -where the red light is. Go through the hall and to the first door. The inside is reminiscent to what I think a speakeasy would look like haha ( thank you Hollywood). Craft cocktails and Coffee are what this place is about. It is very intimate and can't hold more than 50 people comfortably. There is usually a wait on the weekends, but going earlier or later can help during that! Love how unique this place is right off Market Square. Their drink Menus are in the vintage books ! read more

What a fun interesting place! Special mixed drinks in delightful atmosphere.

if you want a Manhattan style cocktail in knoxville, tn, go here! kind of a speak-easy atmosphere, this is a great place to have a wonderfully made drink, chit-chat with folks, in a warm and wonderful atmosphere. sometimes service could be a little snappier, but the drinks are all hand made, one by one...so they do take some time to make. must try! read more

Cool, but tiny place. It's a cocktail bar that doesn't have good cocktails. I had an aviation here that came out in less than a minute and was so sour I could hardly drink it. read more

Cool idea. Expensive drinks. Pretentious staff. I did like the secrecy of this place and the extensive cocktail menu. I was very excited about the diverse absinthe menu. The bartender, however, was a jackass. read more