Pretentious Glass Co

So, let me start this review by saying - yes, this is an expensive activity; no you aren't actually blowing glass; yes, it was fun and informative. Obviously, you will sign a waiver statement. Obviously, you will NOT be standing in front of the 2k+ degree furnace with the rod or punty... Gathering molten lava with your bare hands. This isn't a class, it is an experience. So, all of that said, this was a hands on experience in that you get to help mold the item you are creating all while being informed what the process of glass blowing is. I really enjoyed this! You can choose to make an ornament, a drinking glass, or a paperweight. You are allowed to pick 2 colors from about 12 (maybe more) different colors. You will also choose a "pattern" for your glass. We had two great glass blowing artist walk us through the steps of creating our project and keeping us safe as we helped mold it into shape. You will have to leave your project to cool. If you are from out of town they can ship it to you or you can pick it up in 24 hours.

I think it's so cool to have a hotshop downtown in Knoxville! Their creations are beautiful, every time I go, they have pieces with a new design that I've never seen done before. I love their tiny pieces, like the pumpkins in the fall, the rainbow vases they have now, and the ornaments in the winter. They have sets of cups/drinkware right now that are really cute, I love the rainbow patterns. This place is definitely worth a visit whether you're a local or just passing through!

Great shop with opportunity to watch artisan craftsmen at work!

My dad and I scheduled a glass blowing workshop for both of us, and it was absolutely worth it. Everyone there was friendly, and the guys helping us make glass were so knowledgeable and adept. You get to choose an option to make a drinking glass, a paperweight, or an ornament, and you can pick two colors to mix together. They do most of the real work, but it was fun to be their helpers and to see how it gets made. It was a fascinating experience. Highly recommend!

This place was pretty neat, and if you want, get a beer and watch them work with glass. Had a great time. Well at that time my son bought us a gift card (75 dollars) to go back and buy something. We went back, got a beer and watched them blow glass. We looked around at the glass creations. What 75 dollars would buy was junk and the " better glass" was gaudy (that gaudy stuff should have been left in the 70's). Also the beer was subpar (beer made in a covered alley, if you go there you will see). Well back to the story, I had a 75 dollar gift card to use. If you don't want something from in the store you must place an order on line. That process took two months to get a go ahead and only then (not earlier) we were informed there is a minimum order of $250.00. Never going back there. With the new stadium coming in, we can only hope the city cleans that area up and gets rid of those seedy places. Ps(anyone want a good deal on a gift card) lololo

As someone who has called Knoxville home for 7 years, this was one of the coolest experiences yet! I was gifted the opportunity to blow my own glass, and it was such a special opportunity. They offer an abundant selection of options to choose from, whether that be blowing your own glass, ornament, or paperweight. I chose a glass and I’m excited to see how it turns out! Alex and Will are wonderfully patient and knowledgeable. They inspired confidence and made me feel safe. They verbalized everything both before and during the entire process clearly and thoroughly. Knowing I not only had a once in a lifetime experience, but will be able to own essentially a handmade piece of art, is such a gift and an incredible value. Whether to a local or someone visiting, this is an experience I will be recommending to everyone moving forward!

Awesome place nice people cool glass, don't sleep on it. Glass dudes will talk to you about glass blowing, retail attendant was a stacked sweetheart. All kinds of items to look at and interesting beers next door, plus they are working right there in the building and you can watch!

It always amazes me when I get to view artist making their glassware Beautiful

There are so many unique and amazing things about this place! We were only in Knoxville for one night and found this place as we were parking for one of the restaurants near by. There's a large pay-to-park lot right across the street with lots of bars and restaurants within walking distance. We walked in to a little lobby around with gorgeous glass items for sale. Just pass that was the register before the large work space. We got super lucky and walked in right as a glass blowing workshop opening was available and they were so kind to allow both of us to make an item. We chose to make matching short glasses. (They allow short or tall glasses, an ornament, or a paperweight) Then we got to pick two colors to add to the glass, a top and bottom color. We picked the light blue base with a clear (no color) top. There was a seat in front of the large heat (forgot what it's called) with a fan and all of your tools needed. We worked with two guys, one that controlled the stick with the hot glass on it and the other that explained everything and was a safety to make sure that no one got burned. It was such a cool and unique experience, even for someone like me that was so scared of getting burned. Both guys were so friendly and made the experience so worth it! Because we were only in the area for one night to paid extra to have our glasses shipped home for us. They arrived just over a week after they were made, and they are perfect! We recommend this to everyone!

As someone who has called Knoxville home for 7 years, this was one of the coolest experiences yet! I was gifted the opportunity to blow my own glass, and it was such a special opportunity. They offer an abundant selection of options to choose from, whether that be blowing your own glass, ornament, or paperweight. I chose a glass and I'm excited to see how it turns out! Alex and Will are wonderfully patient and knowledgeable. They inspired confidence and made me feel safe. They verbalized everything both before and during the entire process clearly and thoroughly. Knowing I not only had a once in a lifetime experience, but will be able to own essentially a handmade piece of art, is such a gift and an incredible value. Whether to a local or someone visiting, this is an experience I will be recommending to everyone moving forward!

The COOLEST shop/gallery/event experience possibly ever. The shop specializes in glassware for drinking; cups, mugs, etc... and they really specialize in beer glasses because they also make beer! You are drinking local beer, from local glass, made right in front of you. I visited during the fall season and so they also had glass blown pumpkins, I'd imagine they do have some seasonal items available in addition to their glassware in general. I think this is one of the most unique shopping experiences I have had in a long time.

Great employees! My boyfriend Jake and I came in to do the workshop and the guys were great and very helpful. Great to talk to! Receptionist was very friendly too. Lots of great glass art work that IS a little pricey, but you have to remember that they are creating art!

The glass blowing Co is attached to a brewery which was such a fun idea. The selection of beers was outstanding. The problem was that the guy behind the counter stayed on his computer when we wanted to ask questions about the different beers they had. He acted like we were a bother. But it does get better. You can take your beers over to the glass blowing store and watch them blow glass. They even have classes. The group next to us had signed up for one and they were having a great time. They encourage questions and the craft of glass blowing is amazing. To say the least we bought a beautiful bud vase. It's already packed away for travel or I would post a picture. It was one of the highlights of our trip to Knoxville.

Took a glass blowing workshop ! It was so fun and was hands on. We made beautiful wine glasses and it was a great date night. We stopped and had a beer next door. The staff was wonderful and i would recommend this to anyone looking for something fun to do.

A must visit in Knoxville for beer lovers. Great beers on tap poured into glasses made on-site by artisan glass blowers. Grab a beer and watch them work. Even better- purchase a set of glasses for your home. Bottoms up!

Not sure how many folks know, but Knoxville has taken on the moniker of The Maker City. Pretentious Glass Co. is a shinning beacon that makes that title possible. What Matt has created in the Old City is nothing shy of fantastic. He's transformed an abandoned space into a mecca of creativity. He and his team built everything within (go in, be amazed at this fact), and they did an absolutely top-notch job. He's also created an open environment for people to come forth and learn. He's shepherded many folks through Pretentious Glass Co., teaching them the intricacies of creating glasswork...and what glasswork that is. I've bought many a piece from Pretentious Glass Co., and it's all of such wonderful quality. I truly treasure the tumbler glasses I have, and utilize them as often as possible.

What a cool store! Pretentious Glass Co is exactly what it sounds like - a pretentious glass store! They make really cool beer glasses (which were reasonably priced or close - in the $30-60 range), and then a lot of glass art (I saw some pieces up to $15,000). We were talking with an employee of the store, and he told us that they had opened a beer bar next door (sounded really cool). Definitely a cool store - but a little out of our price range! It's in such a cool location in Old City Knoxville, too! Definitely worth a visit when you're walking around this part of town. Maybe we'll actually get a glass next time!

Matthew is doing something awesome with this place! Hand blown beer and liquor glasses (and art), and nano-brew beer. They way to visit for now is on the Knox Beer Tour - this is the best stop by far. The glasses are functional, creative and cool, and his beer is fantabulous!

I went to this place as stop number 2 on the Knox Brew Tour, which everyone should definitely try out. The PBGC is not yet open to the public, but the guys are selling their wares on Etsy. Matthew, who I guess is the owner, has got quite a thing going here. He refers to the place as a boutique brewery. I've heard that term in regards to wineries, but not yet to breweries. I love it though. The beers that we were able to sample were quite awesome. A Saison, a Dubbel, and one more that I can't seem to recall. Every one of them were delicious though. I can't wait for this place to open. The beer garden out back is going to be quite the spectacle too. This place is also going to be a pseudo art gallery, and Matthew blows custom beer glasses. Hence the name. Check out the pictures. They are very very cool. So, to recap, this is going to be a brewery, an art gallery, a glass blowing studio, a beer garden, and an entertainment venue. Hurry up and open please.

I was able to stop in here for a sneak peak while they were under constructions of new glass blowing equipment. The owner, Matthew, was incredible nice and excited to share his business with Knoxville. As a top Etsy seller, we are lucky to have such an awesome place relocate to Knoxville. At the moment, they are open as an glass gallery and a glass blowing studio! Matthew shared his small batch beer with us, a Saison Blanc and a Belgian IPA that were both amazing! He has plans to open up a brewery soon and be the only place in the world that makes their own glasses and beer all in the same location. I cannot wait for this to happen! Also his craft beer glasses are genius, I cannot wait to purchase a few when they are not sold out! Places like this are making Knoxville an even greater place to live !

This place has instantly become my favorite beer bar in Knoxville. It's elegant, gorgeous, warm and so inviting. Definitely a soothing, artsy vibe, owner appreciates aesthetic value. It really feels like you're in a different place when you enter the beer bar. They have a wonderful patio with a lovely view of the city line and a stage too. Very, very friendly and hospitable service from our bartender. Great beer on tap and they are planning on brewing their own starting in February. This is a distinctive place with their own blown glass, no other place in the world does this to my knowledge.

My new favorite beer bar in town. The vibe is awesome and tap selection is top notch. Will and Johnny are amazing bartenders who are super friendly and always acknowledge guests. One major problem I run into in a lot of bars in town is the bartenders being assholes and being rude to customers or just ignoring them completely. None of that foolishness here. Stop in and enjoy a beer in a glass made right next door. Awesome place.

Smoked wheat IPA is just an IPA. Loud even with just a few people in the bar. Wicked uncomfortable stools say "please don't stay too long!" Very nice bartender!

Great, new gallery and future craft beer tasting room. Glass artist, beer crafter and all around good guy, Matthew Cummings makes the experience there memorable. Congrats, Matthew ! We will be back to watch your progress and to continue to collect your creations and, oh yes, drink some of that beer.

Awesome place! The hand made beer glasses make for perfect gifts! I spent well over $150 on Christmas gifts here and I can't wait for my family from out of state to open them. I also like that it's a local shop and they make the stuff right there where you buy everything. Super awesome and a great hidden gem of Knoxville!

Great experience. Great products. Finally, great gift ideas for those hard to shop for people in your life that seem to already have everything they want. They haven't even seen this stuff yet ... Awesome! Check out the Artisan bourbon and the Malty beer glasses. I just stumbled onto this place during an overnight in Knoxville. Loved it.

We were walking Old Town on a Sunday. Ran across this place. Very friendly bearded bartender on duty. Streaming blues, with awesome brews. What more could one ask for? Perfect custom glasses in a great setting.

Very beautiful glass works located in the old city , can even blow your own piece of glass

Definitely a must see in Knoxville. I was blown away haha but no really it was a great experience and they are all made right there. Super friendly and great staff as well