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    The Public House

    4.2 (101 reviews)
    ModerateBars, American
    Closed • Closed

    The Public House Photos

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    THE PUBLIC HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Casual

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    Recommended Reviews - The Public House

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    two hot dogs and a pretzel
    Megan E.

    Public house the most unique hotdogs in Knoxville! I went here with my boyfriend on a rainy Saturday afternoon for a late lunch (or early dinner) & a beer. It did not disappoint! The hotdogs had unique toppings that seem odd but end up being delicious!! The beer I had was good as well. The only draw backs are that despite the beer being yummy, the selection was small & the staff isn't the friendliest. Can't wait to go again!

    Goat cheese plate and truffle popcorn
    Matt O.

    Great snack/ high end bar food, great staff, atmosphere is what you would expect and mostly enjoyable... all outside is smoking! It's unfortunate that you can't enjoy their epic cheese plates without the smoke from cigarettes. Well worth a visit, just plan to smell like smoke.

    G.O.A.T. Dog: onions, arugula, goat cheese, balsamic redux, Benton's bacon
    Cherie T.

    Sweet spot with a totally chill energy, friendly 'tenders (bar) and the most delish gourmet hotdogs. I've never been disappointed by any experience I've had here. Mixology & in-house syrups/ingredients without a pretentious vibe. I'd go back for their G.O.A.T. dog over & over & over again. Yes, I dig it that much. Balsamic pickled onions, goat cheese & arugula? Yes, please!!

    Outdoor patio
    Canny F.

    Not really into the bar scene unless the food menu is banging. We sat at the corner of the counter seats because those are obviously the best seats in the house, unless you are in a group. I convinced him to check out this joint with me because I couldn't help to notice their fancy hot dogs and truffle popcorn. This is legit bar food - to me at least! He came here before without me and didn't recall how he felt about it but I'm sure he'll remember how great it was this time since I was there! I was debating between the kimchee or the banh mi and the bartender agreed to those two options being the most popular and his favorite. He ordered the kimchee and I had the banh mi veggie dog. Unfortunately, he ordered a meat dog so I didn't get to try the kimchee but it looked fabulously dressed. I'm not sure which brand of veggie dogs they use but it wasn't the ones that taste like cardboard. I also appreciated the warm, toasty hot dog buns. The banh mi sauce was a tad heavy on mayo but still great for bar food. Unless all bars have good food? I always assumed it was just frozen then deep fried or chips with dip. Seeing truffle on the menu was definitely bookmark worthy. I don't usually drink. It's quite rare that I drink but wow you must check out their drink selection! I was debating between the matcha, yeah I was surprised there was a matcha beverage in Knoxville, and a cool mix of sour beer, mint, ginger, raspberry and hibiscus. Doesn't that sound so different? Well, it was by far the best mixed drink I've had. Of course I had the Asian glow when I wasn't even halfway done but it was so good! I had to finish it and did. Is this why people go to dates at a bar? Mixed drinks like these are so yummy! I never thought I would appreciated alcohol. I've been missing out all these years! The music is low, there are tons of different types of seats ranging from tall tables to short coffee tables to outdoor patio seating. We checked out the patio afterwards and it leads to an alley and more parking spots. Parking is located adjacent to this yellow building. Overall, I had a great bar scenery experience.

    Blueberry Dreamsicle.

    Stopped in for a couple of drinks before Flogging Molly. Good selection of craft beer on tap and a nice selection of canned beers as well. My wife enjoyed her Blue Liberty Dreamsicle. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff.

    The Public House Bar
    Lana S.

    The Public House is a really cool urban bar. It is located just off Central Ave. on Magnolia. I love the interior it's really well done...with NO TV's!!! I believe in watching TV on your own time in your own home. A TV in a public space is only a distraction from conversation!!! So, if you need a TV to entertain you, stay home or go to the billions of places already cable ready for you in this town. In addition to a full bar, The Public House also offers house made infused liquors using fruit, vegetables, and spices!! I LOVE the tequila infused with cucumber and jalapeno, served on the rocks with a squeeze of lime it's delicious!!! They also have vodka infused with Myers lemon and mint, or with kumquat and pepper. They have a great little bar menu which offers unusual bar food...like White Truffle Popcorn, Adobe Boiled Peanuts, Blue Cheese Dip, Smoked Trout Dip, Beet Pesto, as well as meats and cheeses. It's perfect for those wishing for something beyond wings and fries! I think this is a great gathering place. It's urban, modern, and welcomes those seeking something off the "strip"...and out of the "can". Check it out. -It's not far from anywhere but far from anything else.

    Their cocktail with salted grapefruit juice, tequila, and beet syrup.
    Jill F.

    I tried this place out last night with my boyfriend because one of our friends said it was his favorite bar in town. It is a cool space, but if you like a lot of variety in beer, especially local beer, it's probably not the place for you. I ended up getting a cocktail that had salted grapefruit juice, tequila, and beet syrup. It was pretty good. I also had the garlic parmesan popcorn and wasn't a fan. However, I'll still try their cayenne flavor if I find myself there again. I love Knoxville summer drinking because we have so many great outdoor spaces, and this place is definitely one of them. They have a great deck that is somehow if a perfect spot to catch breezes. It was great, until the sun went down. They definitely need more lights out there. I could barely see my boyfriend who was sitting next to me. Overall, I would say that this is a perfect place for afternoon/ early evening cocktails.

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    2 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Beautiful space, friendly and competent bartenders. What else do you need? Truffle popcorn always a must-have.

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Cool hangout. Great selection of beverages, hot dogs are awesome and the cheese boards are delish!

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Such a cool little spot! Great patio, margs, and you have to try the pimento cheese!!

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    5 years ago

    Go for the ambiance, stay for the drinks...leave when you get hungry because the food is just okay. The drinks are amazing though.

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    Boyd's Jig and Reel - Shepard's Pie

    Boyd's Jig and Reel

    4.1(208 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    •$$

    Cozy Scottish pub. Tasty food, good brew & whisky selection. Live music! Soccer!…read more On a recent roadtrip, we tried out Boyd's Jig & Reel in Knoxville. At midday on a weekday (spring-2026), this warm-feeling comfortable pub was active but not crowded. Of course we had beer-battered fish & chips: tender sweet cod in a not-too-thick crunchy flavorful coating, with fresh greens, onions, and tomatoes. Served with piping-hot thin fries, hand-cut to give a variety of crispier vs. soft bites. You could get that as a small-plate, as a Po'Boy sandwich, or as a main. And we had a bowl of thick rich flavorful creamy chowder. Delicious, satisfying dishes. They had a nice selection of deep crusty savory pies, too. We loved their amazing range of single-malt whiskeys, including some like a smokey softly-fruity Port Askaig that we haven't seen elsewhere. We liked slowly sipping a strongly-peaty young Islay, like 10-year Laphroaig, and Boyd's also had plenty of smoother well-aged pours up and down the price-range. They also had a nice selection of crafts, ales, stouts, ciders, and several Scottish brews. We saw that they have live music almost every evening (not Mondays), with midday music Sat and Sun. Scottish, Irish, bluegrass, old-time, classic country, and more! Next time we have to fit that into our schedule. And fútball (soccer) of course! Boyd's Jig & Reel is a must-visit in the middle of Knoxville!

    Scottish pub in old city Knoxville, Tennessee with over 1000 types of scotch whiskey available…read more The staff here are so friendly and knowledgeable. They can answer all of your questions and can make recommendations so no need to feel overwhelmed. The interior is cozy, rustic and looks like a Scottish pub I got the rich and decadent and enjoyed. One thing that really endeared me to this bar was the live music. I felt like I was living in a bridgerton scene. I didn't try the food, but the menu looks yummy

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    Boyd's Jig and Reel - Bar area

    Bar area

    Boyd's Jig and Reel - Beer-battered fish & chips: tender sweet crunchy cod, hand-cut piping-hot thin fries, thick rich flavorful creamy chowder.

    Beer-battered fish & chips: tender sweet crunchy cod, hand-cut piping-hot thin fries, thick rich flavorful creamy chowder.

    Boyd's Jig and Reel

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    PostModern Spirits

    PostModern Spirits

    4.3(45 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    •$$

    We stopped here as part of the Whiskey Trail experience, and not only was it the worst customer…read moreservice of the 28 distilleries we visited, the female bartender (red hair, black glasses) was the rudest bartender I have met in my 20 years of being in hospitality. When we walked in, she glared at us as if we had interrupted something. She didn't greet us, didn't ask what we'd like to try, only gave us one word answers to any question that we asked. Never once smiled or tried to engage us. My friend was so frustrated with trying to get information from her that he stood up and almost walked out. I kept trying to engage her and even complemented her cute dress. Nothing. Stone face. I wanted to try the amaro flight and asked for it. She prepared it, set it in front of me, and said "so you'll want to close out now?" I told her "yes, that would be great, when I'm finished with my tasting". She proceeded to lean up against the bar with her back to us and didn't say another word. I had to get up and walk to the register, and when she finally turned around, I asked her "have we done something to upset you?" She said "no, why?" I said "because you seem REALLY annoyed that we're here". Her only response was to turn the register screen around and tell me the total. I'm so sad about this because I really wanted to taste other items and get a cocktail, but she was SO unpleasant and we felt SO unwelcome., Seeing all of the other great reviews, I can only imagine that they were with other people. I wish those other bartenders had been there.

    Boozy grapefruit slushy? YES. Just say yes. This cocktail bar distills their own booze right next…read moredoor (you can be a creepster and peek in!). They sell bottles of varying sizes at the bar and also at other places around town, including Total Wine. We love that they offer sampler flights with different liquors and also different size pours. They give you a tray with a sheet that describes the flavor profile for each offering. We also were given slushy samples and a customized gin sample, mixed with another shot to sip. We ordered slushies to enjoy on the patio and a flight with Hi Rye Whiskey, Ginferous Gin (favorite!), Uproot Gin, and Barrel Rested Cacoa Liqueur. I can't believe the differing flavors they can produce within the same type of booze. Masterful! The bartenders are friendly and so dang knowledgable. We purchased a bottle of Ginferous Gin and have kept the party going at home. Can't wait to go back! What a cool spot.

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    PostModern Spirits
    PostModern Spirits
    PostModern Spirits

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    The Public House - bars - Updated September 2026

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