The Vault was our second stop on our cocktail hop night, and I'm so glad we found it! 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. read more

See all

Cool atmosphere it's an underground speakeasy type of deal and had a cool list of cocktails. 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! read more

See all

We came here for a birthday celebration. Fancy place. Unfortunately, me & friends, we all agree that their signature drinks are not good, pricing around $16. I had the Mule (signature) and gin+tonic. Price: $16 & $12, my check was $39, gratuity wasn't included. Service was slow. We sat downstairs where there is no cell service. read more

What a treasure. It was a bank and is super cute. Great food, music and staff. Mostly gin drinks, premade, but they do have a full bar. read more

See all

Bartenders very friendly, stopped while visiting for one night cap. Had the porn start and dry martini. read more

We visited The Vault on Saturday evening, August 9, 2025, and enjoyed drinks in its charming basement bar. The bartender crafted an outstanding Sazerac, while my wife enjoyed a glass of rose. I appreciated the old-style classic decor and atmosphere. It's a wonderful spot to relax and enjoy good company. read more

Food was great. Server was kind and patient. Great vibes. Ideal for dinner or random night out. read more

See all

We had such an amazing experience at The Vault that we came back the next night for a second visit. The ambiance is relaxing and soothing. The use of the bank vault and areas of the original building as seating areas is well done. Our server Sarah went above and beyond to make sure we were well taken care of. We asked for her specifically the second night. Very friendly and noticed what we needed before we had to ask. The drinks were unique, the bartenders putting their own special touches on old standards. I have to say that one of the main reason we loved the Vault was their appetizers, specifically the crispy shrimp. Absolutely fantastic!! read more

See all

A fun stop - before dinner at Vida upstairs, after a show at the Tennessee Theatre, just whenever a strong special cocktail would fit really well into your schedule. We sat at the bar, so we could get a feel for the space. Bar is usually drop ins only - but where we sat wasn't an issue early on a Friday evening, there were only a handful of patrons at that hour. There are nicely secluded little tables, if you're looking for a quiet private time. I tried the sazerac - particularly strong and very flavorful, even the classic cocktails are elevated here with special ingredients and extra attention. Wife had the French 77 and also really enjoyed it. We thought Vida was a good choice for our first night arrival at the Embassy Suites next door, so we'll be back, and I think we'll likely revisit The Vault as well. read more

The Vault is by far one of my favorite cocktail lounges - such a unique atmosphere, unlike any other. "The Porn Star" is my go-to cocktail of choice. Highly recommend! read more

The Vault - The Porn Star Cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Pretty cool little place! My husband and I went in before a concert at the TN Theater. read more

The Vault - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

See all

Loved it! Can't wait to go back. Smoked avocado dip was awesome! So awesome we had two orders for one couple! See ya soon! read more

The Vault - The vault - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

7:00 reservation for 2, we were sat timely and ordered drinks. Both tables around us got their drinks immediately. We waited almost an hour for an old fashioned and a mule, which we only got because my significant other went to the bar and asked them to make one. Our waitress said the bar was packed but the bartender said he made our drinks 3 times and they got stolen. We only were able to put in a food order because we flagged down the waitress and asked. I understand an overwhelmed kitchen or bar stuff and would have been okay with up to a 30 minute wait for drinks at a cocktail bar. Instead, we felt misled by wait staff and more or less ignored. Our drinks were comped which we appreciated, but the service was very lackluster compared to what we expected. read more

I want to say first of all that this 3-star rating, "OK," is for the eating or restaurant "side" of this place. As a bar only, I'd go with 4 stars, and will get to why it's not 5 in a bit. For the food: all small plates, but the plates are good sizes for 4 to share, I will say. But, the variety was not too wide-- I'd say 2/3 of the dishes offered were basically inspired by Mexican food. I LOVE Mexican food-- but I would prefer a variety of cuisines at a place like this. Some were quite good-- a crispy shrimp dish (sort of a knock-off of bang-bang shrimp) and a short-rib flatbread were fine. Some were mediocre; there was a tamale plate which I swear used the same tamales that I often buy frozen at Food City (they are good tamales, which is why I often buy them, if you like Texas-style tamales-- but still, just tamales). A pork-belly dish had some good tastes but it was like 10 percent pork belly and 80 percent bland corn cake. There was one dish-- I think the tomato bread-- which was much like a very cheap frozen pizza, including the sogginess. This was early (6:00) on a Saturday evening and they were out of 3-4 items we wanted, that might have re-skewed the abundance of Mexican-based choices. We've been to Vida before-- loved it every time. So I think we just had an unfortunate luck of what they pulled off the Vida menu and what they had in stock, this night. Oh-- we were in a far corner and for some reason, the smell of the brussel sprouts was often overpowering (it's not a pleasant smell-- even though I love eating them). Also, seating was not comfy for a full meal. We were on a bench and some low stools, having to bend over for every bite. when we arrived, the place was almost empty so one of us moved over to try out the chairs and small tables, thinking we might ask to be moved, but she said they were just as bad- that you had to push up to the edge of the chairs to get food and the tables were still low. I think those tables are fine for a bar experience, and of course I do realize this is primarily a bar. But for a bar, I had two issues-- one, the drinks came out very slowly (and again, we were there before bigger crowds). And lot of their craft drinks seem TOO gimmicky. I've often noted that lots of "upscale bars" these days seem to cater to people who want to drink but that usually don't drink...and this was one of those. So if you are amused by and want to drink something with 7-8 ingredients including things like coconut milk, "acid of cantaloupe," etc., then this is your kind of place. On the other hand, if you just want a classic, like a Manhattan, it is listed as being MORE expensive than the wild and unique concoctions. What's up with that? Lastly-- the place is very dark and the menus are not easily readable. They list a lot of drink ingredients without saying what they are, so I'd guess the average person there is ordering things that they have NO idea what the ingredients really are. Again-- we love Vida and what they usually offer. Love the environment of the Vault, but won't do a full meal there any more. read more

As noted in an earlier review, their hostesses are problematic: either their marching orders are purposefull rigid, or, they need training in hospitality. The manager did address our concern and was very accomodating 20 minutes into a reservation. Other times we've visited, we've had a better experience, where we lesiurely enjoyed the atmosphere, conversation, and a nice cocktail. We would probably return based on previous experiences. read more

We visited the Vault for my birthday this year. My son attends UT and has always wanted to try it out. The Vault didn't disappoint. Great vibe Great drinks and great food. read more

The Vault is a total vibe! My boyfriend and I celebrated our one year anniversary eating at Vida and then went to the Vault afterwards for a cocktail. The ambiance was perfect, I felt like we had privacy to chat and be with each other but also enjoy unique set up of the place. The server was knowledgeable and gave great recommendations, and over all was impressed with the place and look forward to go back again. read more

See all

I rarely leave negative reviews, but our experience here was unbelievably disgusting. We had a reservation, yet we still ended up waiting over 30 minutes past our reservation time because the staff said other customers "wouldn't leave." Instead of managing their tables or honoring the reservations they accepted, they left us standing around with zero communication unless we asked first. To make things worse, they didn't offer any kind of compensation--not a drink. When we finally asked if there was any update, we were given an excuse that turned out to be totally inconsistent with what another staff member told us. At that point, we felt misled and decided to leave. There are plenty of restaurants that value their customers and respect their time. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. DO NOT COME HERE! read more

A uniquely singular experience, The Vault is a must when in Knoxville, if not just to witness the strange but comforting kitsch factor that somehow both screams old and new. Located in the basement of a large downtown building (I think it was an old bank?), the 90's futurist/sci-fi vibe of the interior is straight out of an episode of Sex and the City. And this place goes on for miles - a walk to the restroom seemed to take ten minutes, but it gave me an opportunity to admire the groovy decor. We settled in at the bar and ordered from their cute if not overwhelming cocktail menu, which resembled a copy of Highlights magazine, complete with illustrations and descriptions of each drink that took up a full page. She went with the Carnival Show, a sotol-palo santo-miso concoction that I am confident you can only find at The Vault, whereas I had a build-your-own martini (yes, please!), where I chose vodka with celery-lemongrass bitters, all served in an ice-cold metal martini glass. I'm not sure if The Vault is the strangest or the best bar I've ever been to, but I can say that it truly was lots of fun. read more

Made reservations showed up early was seated right away, beautiful place. Waiter was not friendly,drinks were horrible, bathroom out of toilet paper. Not sure if we will return. I had high hopes for this place. read more

The Vault - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Amazing cocktails in a super cool former bank vault! Hard to believe this exists in Knoxville. I honestly felt like I was in a speakeasy in Chicago or New York! We were seated at a table with four high wing chairs which made for a semi-private area to talk. There are also little bricked mini rooms that would be great for intimate conversations. The decor is very Art Deco and dark, so it definitely has a sophisticated vibe when you walk in. Our group of four visited here for drinks and appetizers before heading to dinner. We shared the veggie and beef empanadas. Both were good, but we especially liked the beef empanadas. The stars of the show, however, were the drinks. I had a Cosmopolitan, followed by a Cloak and Dagger. Both were delicious and had a unique touch that made them different than any I'd had before. Other members of our group had Cruel Intentions, a Mule, and and Old Fashioned. Everyone had a great time and really enjoyed trying the various drinks we ordered. read more

See all

One of my favorite speak easys in town. A cute, former converted bank. Must stop over if you're in the area, make sure you get a cozy nook. Great selection of Bourbon. Ask for Jonas; best server ever. And Rachael is always so helpful in securing a reservation if you need one. read more

Stopped by for a drink tonight. The 20 y/o brunette hostess said the bar was completely full, so we'd have to just sit at the bar at the restaurant. Her attitude was overwhelming. My wife and I went down anyways and there were about a dozen people... maybe at 20% capacity. The drinks were great, the bartender was amazing, but the hostess needs to be fired. I spent about $400... I won't be back. First impression makes a difference. read more

Ah fun fun fun! This is a little gem downtown that I will repeatedly visit every time I visit Knoxville. Their host makes some amazing specialty cocktails that blow the doors off any normal bar. You'll have to spend a bit more to enjoy one and it is worth the cost. The ambiance is cozy. A little seedy a little classy a little secret right in the heart of downtown, I love it! read more

Wow. ALL.THE.VIBES. This spot made me feel like I was in an art deco haven. You enter the patio entrance into Vida and head down the stairs to go to The Vault cocktail bar area. It is dimly lit, sleek, and elegant. While there are tables right next to the bar, look beyond there to the left. You will find intimate groupings of high-backed chairs or little sectioned-off spaces set back into the walls for two that were perfect for a romantic after-dinner drink on our wedding anniversary. Yes, you can go into the old bank vault and snag a table, just keep in mind that it is more echo-y and communal in that area, as opposed to an intimate affair. We tried: Superfetch-Pisco Sour: This drink sounded refreshing for a hot day after walking around. I didn't end up drinking more than 1/4 of it due to the coconut garnish. Every sip, I sucked up a chunk of coconut flakes and it was, unfortunately, such a turn-off. Socialized Medicine-Old Fashioned: this drink was good. A high-quality old-fashioned. Liked it but would try something new next time. Quatro Leche Cake: definitely had a strawberry shortcake feel to it. Even though it was yellow cake marinated in four milks, it tasted like a moist pound cake, topped with fabulous strawberries. Honestly, it was the strawberries and the port wine reduction that made this cake tasty. I don't know if we would get this dessert again, but if you love strawberry shortcake, it may be a refreshing alternative. It is honestly very rare that we feel "meh" about what we consumed but can't wait to go back to a spot. The Vault is a place where the atmosphere and friendly service make us want to go back and try everything on the menu and simply enjoy the calm and shnazzy ambiance. read more

See all

Nice central location, very chill inside and outside. I only came to sit at the bar and had one drink, it was a monkey - drink which was very good. Very friendly and fast attention but not overly at bar. Would go back. read more

The Vault - Monkey drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Without a doubt, the absolute best cocktail lounge in the city. The precision and variety of the ingredients of the cocktails are reminiscent of a high-end mixology establishment in New York City. And of course, they taste amazing. Not only are the cocktails incredible, but the staff is meticulous and dressed perfectly for the classy Prohibition-Style ambiance that they have created in the actual former vault of a bank building. If you want the best and most creative cocktails in the city, with the perfect setting, look no further! read more

The Vault - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

See all

I was visiting in the Knoxville area and so glad our friends took us here! This is the coolest bar I've ever been to! The drinks were amazing and the atmosphere was so fun being in an actual bank vault! I highly recommend a visit here! read more

See all

Great ambiance and service, craft cocktails, waiters were extremely nice and offered to take pictures of our special celebrations

Visited the vault while on Vacation in Knoxville. Our hotel was close so we walked, but there is metered street parking, just leave some extra time to find a spot. Attire - Elevated casual. Once you enter Vida go downstairs to enter The Vault. Strongly recommend you make reservations and sit at the bar, not at the tables. Sitting at the bar counter allowed us to view all the action, and service was quicker since we ordered from the bartender. The drinks were the best of any we had in Knoxville (We also went to the Peter Kern Library and Oliver Royale and I would come back to the Vault). Great atmosphere, service and outstanding flavors for cocktails. Definitely will go back when I am in Knoxville again. read more

See all

So fun!! We went before dinner to grab a drink and it did not disappoint!! Fun vibe and lots of places to stand at the bar! read more

The Vault - Love a fun cocktail! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

See all

Quiet cozy ambiance. Dimly lit, elegant decor, mixed fabrics and metals and glassware. A nice spot for a drink or two , ya know, to say you've been. A little pretentious. Suggest making reservations, but you may still wait 10-15 min for a table. read more

See all

The Vault definitely has a very cool, unique vibe- as I stepped down into the reception area/host station, I felt like I was transformed back in time to the 1920s. I've been here twice on a Saturday night- one time I couldn't get a seat and was told there was no room on the wait list and then next time I was let right in. My advice is to come early before all reservations are filled. The server was nice and the drinks were good. A French 75 and a Black Manhattan (2 drinks off their signature cocktail list) ran me $30 before tip which seemed a little steep. Good place for a quick, before dinner drink- will be back if I have the same luck next time. read more

This place has a great vibe. Really good drinks. We were in a rush and didn't have a lot of time there, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. read more

The Vault - the inside of a room with a door open - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

See all

The atmosphere was just what we wanted. A very interesting place to have a bar and lite bites. Will definitely bring friends next time!!

The ambiance is nice and the drinks wonderful. This is the perfect place for drinks before or after a date or just a chill place to meet friends! Love it! read more

The Vault - Drinks-Caipirinha and The Roosevelt - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

I have heard about this place ever since I've moved to knox. It definitely lived up to the hype of being a classy and once in a lifetime experience. The atmosphere is ultra classy and romantic. This would be a great place for a classy drink after date night or an intimate celebration with family and friends. There is an extensive list of unique cocktails that are sure to satisfy anyone you bring to the party. If you are ever unsure, or want something a bit off menu, the bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and will ensure you get the right drink for the night. read more

See all

Several drinks were really good however the bartender's determination to not trade a drink out was baffling to us. One of our party ordered the martini flight. Three small size martinis. She did not care for the smoky one that the server recommended and asked if it could be swapped for a different one. The bartender wouldn't even consider a swap, so the lasting impression for us is poor. What would it have taken (half ounce vodka at most) to swap out? ‍ read more

Awesome ambiance! Best date night location! Order the Chocolate Bowl. You won't be disappointed:)

We started at the top bar and I had the drunken monkey.. it was delicious however I hate it when my bartender grab my garnish with bare hands to place in my drink, I appreciated the glazed banana however didn't appreciate the bare hand grab and placed inside my drink.. anywho I digress!! It was good after I asked for the banana be thrown to the side. Hubby had the Cuban old fashioned, I enjoyed the premix jars hubby however was like nope that ain't where it's at. We went downstairs to the vault and enjoyed the vibe and the mini vip/mini rooms. The style said goddess and gods vibe!! The drinks was totally different from the Cuban style upstairs. Tokyo drift and I had the Paloma drink both was delicious to me.. I'm coming back for the vibe and taste drinks read more

See all