5 (More) Date Night Ideas in Knoxville
What to Do for Valentines Day in Knoxville, TN
WHEN THE SCRUFFY CITY IS YOUR VALENTINE…
The Scruffy City is our Valentine 😍 And we mean that, but we also doooo still have a soft spot for our, you know, human Valentines as well 😂 So if you feel similarly, we’re here to help you celebrate both your human AND city loves! Without further ado, here are a bunch of fun ways to celebrate Valentines Day in the Scruffy City:
EAT STUFF ON VALENTINES DAY IN KNOXVILLE:
Sure, sure, we’ll give you plenty more ideas of things to do on Valentines Day but we all know the main event: DINNER. However you feel about Valentines Day, we will never be mad about an excuse to have a bougie meal out on the town 😂 Here are some spots pulling out all the stops for V-Day!
SOUTH KNOXVILLE: Simpl on Sevier is holding down the fort on the south side with a 5-course dinner. Come for the food but stay for the freaking festive pink walls. Instagram-boyfriends, prepare yourselves. Snag your tickets here!
DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE: Feeling Mediterranean? Head to Kopita for 6-courses for $50. Want to avoid the crowds? Check out the 5-course “Caymus Wine Dinner” at The Press Room on February 15th. Want to check out a newer spot downtown? Frothy Monkey is offering a 3 course “Frothy Love Valentines Dinner” for two for $65/couple on the 13th & 14th!
OLD CITY: Osteria Stella is offering a 6-course tasting menu on Valentines Day. You can tack on a wine pairing as well but weeee suggest saving some room for dessert – ie. an espresso martini next door at Brother Wolf. CHEF’S KISS, baby, CHEF’S KISS.
MARYVILLE: Get out of the city completely and take a lil jaunt to Maryville to experience Valentines Day in Diamondjack Wine Bar’s new space! They’ve got a 5-course dinner on the menu just for you.
WEST KNOXVILLE: The Plaid Apron has a dreeeamy 3-course farm-to-table menu for you tucked inside Sequoyah Hills.
LEARN STUFF ON VALENTINES DAY IN KNOXVILLE:
NORTH KNOXVILLE: Xul Beer Co is here for all Rom-Com fans! They’re hosting rom-com trivia on Valentine’s Day and anyone and everyone is invited to impress the masses with their rom-com knowledge. Not to brag but we’ve been preparing our whole lives for this…
THROW STUFF ON VALENTINES DAY IN KNOXVILLE:
NORTH KNOXVILLE: First up, throw some axes! Craft Axe Throwing has a cute lil date night planned for you and “the one” (or, you know, snag a pal and take the opportunity to let off some steam if “the one” turned out to be “the worst”). For $35, you get an hour of axe throwing for two, two beers, a gift, aaand a chance to win a giveaway if you book before 4PM on the 14th!
DOWNTOWN: Or throw some bowling balls in what is definitely Knoxville’s coolest bowling alley! Maple Hall is renting lanes for $45/hour, including shoe rentals and a sweet Valentines treat! (Or make it a double date and split that coooost, baby!)
DRINK STUFF ON VALENTINES DAY IN KNOXVILLE:
SOUTH KNOXVILLE: Alliance Brewing is back with a tradition we can get behind: Valentines Day Chocolate & Beer Pairing! Two of our favorite things in our favorite city 🥲 Each pairing includes four tastings of Alliance beers paired with four different chocolates from Lirio Chocolate. They’ll start at 3pm on Valentines Day and go until their sold out! Down the street and a few days before, Printshop Beer is hosting their own pairing with chocolate, beer, and cheese. It’s going down on Sunday, February 11th and you can get your tickets in advance right here.
MAKE STUFF ON VALENTINES DAY IN KNOXVILLE:
OLD CITY: What says love like making something super fragile and breakable? 😉😂 Pretentious Craft Co. is offering a Valentines Day special for ya! You’ll get 2 drink tickets, 2 workshops (total of 40 minutes), aaaand (of course) you get to take home whatever you choose to make – all for $225. You ALSO get a glass rose which is truly the perfect blend of Cinderella and Belle. We’re here for it. Email info@pretentiousglassco.com for details or to go ahead and book your spot!
BUY STUFF ON VALENTINES DAY IN KNOXVILLE:
Okay, okay these aren’t necessarily ON Valentines Day, but they are Valentines Day THEMED and thus… they’re makin’ the list.
WEST KNOXVILLE: On Sunday, February 11th, head to Hey Bear Cafe for their Valentines Market! As much as we love shopping, you definitely need to try some boba tea off their Valentines Day menu.
That’s all for now, ya lovebirds! What are YOU doing for Valentines Day in the Scruffy City? (PSSSST we’ve got even more date ideas right here.) And should we do a wrap up of Galentines Day tooooo? You know what, yes. We definitely should. K then, see you soon 😘😘
WEST KNOXVILLE: Or move some… pickleballs? The Pickleball Playground in Hardin Valley is hosting a Cupid & Couples Mixed Double Potluck Social on Friday, February 9th! Members AND non-members are invited, so learn more & snag your tickets here! Over in Bearden, Current Cycle will help you move your body on Valentines Day! They’re hosting “Bring Your Boo” rides all day where you can enjoy some treeeeats and fun theeeemes. Oh and EVERYONE WILL GET TO RIDE FOR FREE so that’s caaasual.
What to Do for New Year’s Eve in Knoxville
You can only imagine our surprise when people started asking our opinion on what to do for New Year’s Eve in Knoxville. New Year’s Eve?! Are you sure? Again? Turns out, yes, January is following December again this year. I know! It shocks me every time too. But we powered through the astonishment and compiled a list so that all you planners out there have a chance to get your lives in order ahead of time. All we ask if that you save us a seat when we inevitably forget to make reservations. (Honestly, who can think about NYE when there are still Christmas cookies to be baked and eaten?!) Without further ado, here is what to do in Knoxville for New Year’s Eve 2022! 
TIME TO EAT:
⭐️ Simpl in South Knoxville is hosting their annual New Years Eve Dinner again this year! Grab a few friends and enjoy a delicious and locally-sourced four course dinner. Check out the menu and snag your tickets here! 🌟 Osteria Stella is hosting a 6 course Italian Dinner Experience in their swanky Old City space. Reserve your seat at one of two different time slots right here. ⭐️ If you’re looking for more of a Latin flair, the ever-stylish and delicious Babalu is the perfect spot for a NYE dinner. You can even rent one of their pods for your whole party to sit together. Snag your seats here!
TIME TO PARTY:
the view from Five Thirty Lounge
ON A ROOFTOP:
🌟 Radius Rooftop Lounge is hosting a rooftop party again this year! Tickets are $30/person and can be purchased by calling 865-770-5989. ⭐️ Across the street, the Five Thirty Lounge is hosting their own rooftop soiree! This is a NYE Masquerade Party. You can bring your own mask or they’ll have one for you when you arrive. Secure yourself a swanky party and complimentary champagne toast by reserving your spot here! 
IN THE OLD CITY:
⭐️ The Old City clubs are coming together to host an NYE Pub Crawl again this year! Your wristband will get you into Hanna’s, Old City Sports Bar, Wagon Wheel, and Southbound. Grab yours in advance here or snag it at any of the location on New Year’s Eve for just a few bucks more. 🌟 If clubs aren’t exactly up your alley, join the “club.” 😉 Thankfully, just down the street Pretentious Beer Co. is hosting a silent disco! They’ll have three different DJs, delicious beer, and the chance to welcome in the new year from the Old City! Tickets are $20/person (pssst they usually sell out) and can be bought right here. 
ON THE SOUTHSIDE:
⭐️ Back in South Knoxville, Hi-Wire Brewing Co. is putting on their own party! They’re hosting NYE Drag Shows all night long and you can secure your spot for just fiiiiiiive dollars in advance right here. Want the VIP experience? You’ll need to spend more than $5 but you can reserve a table and get champagne and cookies to boot! 🌟 Around the corner from Hi-Wire, SouthSide Garage will be [dance] partying the night away as well. They’ve got a DJ all night long, a free champagne toast at midnight, and *drumroll please* NO COVER. Our absolute favorite price to pay for a fun night out (*dabs tear*)
TIME FOR THE MAIN EVENT
🌟 Worlds Fair Park is truly the place to be in the Scruffy City starting at 8pm. They’ll have food trucks, free activities, DJs, a silent disco, live music, and most importantly – a ball drop from the Sunsphere at midnight! That’s all for now, folks! You can find more events in Knoxville right here or every Monday on our “This Week in Knoxville” post on Instagram. In the meantime, make sure to add sparkly heels to your Christmas list so you can ring in the new year in Knoxville in style! 😉 PS. Discover our Local Knoxville Gift Guide right here!)
5 Spots for Igloos in Knoxville, TN
Do you remember a time not too long ago when the end of patio season meant we had to do the unimaaaginable? (Secretly hoping you just heard that last word in Angelica Hamilton’s voice…) Yes, the end of patio seasons meant we had to eat and drink inside four walls. Ugh. It was a devastating turn of events each and every year. Now, however, these magical things called igloos pop up around patios all around Knoxville, and they let us be cozy, Christmasy, warm (and a little bougie) at our favorite bars and eateries all season long. Without further adoooo, we are here to give youuuu a cluuuue about igloooos in Knoxville, TN!
GET A CLUE ABOUT IGLOOS:
1.) FIVE THIRTY LOUNGE
We’re starting out at the very top, my friends – literally. Five Thirty Lounge is the rooftop bar above the Hyatt Downtown. We love this bar in every single season. but the igloos are definitely the reason for this particular (chilly) season. Five Thirty pulls out all the stops to make it a memorable experience with pillows and throw blankets, a little fireplace, even some Christmas decor placed inside your lil dome oasis. People often gape at $200 spending minimum, but there’s a way to crack the system. PRO-TIP: The igloos seat up to 8 people. Grab your 8 closest buddies (if you need some, just join a New2Knox Hop and we’ll help you find ’em 😉) and each of you will only have to spend ~$25. That’s a drink & a snack. Or you know what, just go on a total splurge date night because it’s Christmas and it’s magical and you’re a GROWN UP. Either way, you’ll want to make a reservation in advance. (PS. Check out other rooftop bars around Knoxville right here!) 
2.) SCHULZ BRAU BREWING CO
Schulz Brau in North Knox is a local holiday favorite for about a million reasons but three of those reasons are definitely the igloos. (Another reason is their Christkindlsmarkt German Christmas Market which we will literally never shut up about because it is the most precious.) These igloos are first come, first serve so grab your dunkel and start eyein’ those bad boys. When one opens up, RUN, DON’T WALK, DON’T STOP & GET $200, JUST MAKE YOUR MOVE. Sorry for yelling – we just don’t want you to miss your opportunity. There are no additional fees – just cozy igloos for you and your pals amongst Christmas cheer & delicious beer. (They also have some lovely fireplaces while you wait for you beer. Check out our other fave patios for fireside hangs here.)
3.) BALTER BEERWORKS
Balter Beerworks has brought back their igloos yet again this year! Balter Beerworks is on the edge of downtown and while their beer is delish, the fooood is what we keep coming back for. These igloos are also first come, first serve with no extra fees or requirements. We, however, do have a requirement – you absolutely must try the hot chicken salad. It is delicious. That is all.
4.) POINT B
Point B has become quite a favorite out in West Knoxville! They’ve got smaller igloos (they’re calling them “domes”) and an absolutely adorable way to enjoy sips & snacks on the patio while staying cozy and warm. You can reserve them or cross your fingers and hope one is available when you come – either way, there are no extra fees or requirements!
That about covers it, friends! If you find out about other spots with igloos around town definitely shoot us a DM on Instagram and tell us alllll about it. We hope you have a cozy, bougie, most wonderful time of the year. DISCOVER 6 COZIEST COFFEE SHOPS IN KNOXVILLE HERE.
