Tern Club

Had been recommended by a friend… so glad I tried it. Came with a friend on a rainy evening. Thankfully parking on street after 6pm is free! Walked in and warmly greeted. Sit where you like. There is seating outback & outside in front as well, but not covered. Sat inside. Given menus and given time. Asserted all questions. Full bar so they can make anything… not only just on the menu. I found out they make two drink I like but decided to try on menu. I got the Summer Wine. It was good but very herbal. Asked if I could get a bit more fruit flavor, was happily given some grenadine to add. Which set it off and more to my taste. Friend got the zombie. Holy cow it was strong. One sip was enough for me. Got the Cubano to share. It was small… very small! But fabulous flavor!!!! If they made it bigger, could have a light meal with drinks. It’s more small appetizer. But very good!!!! Downside: It’s Loud!!! They desperately need to install some sound absorption tiles hight on the walls and ceiling. There we’re taking we couldn’t hear each other across our small table. The entire club only seats about 30-40 max. So not many people. Great staff!!! Our waitress and guessing management stopped by our table every 10-15 min to check on us. We had I think 3 or 4 different people ask. Was impressed and plan on returning to try more drinks! Would recommend!!!

Spectacular drinks! Great staff. Awesome vintage atmosphere. Comfortable seating. Indoor and outdoor seating (front and back). Reasonable prices.

Had quite the experience at Tern club. I believe it was 10:30pm when we decided to come to Tern club. Had a group of 4 we began outside because they were pretty busy, a big group left and finally got inside seating. We did order our drinks outside then our friend checked in with our waitress about sitting inside and let her know of the move. Our drinks took roughly 20 minutes for four drinks. So it took a bit of time but we didn’t mind too much. What I did mind was our waitress dropped off our drinks and then stated it’s “last call”. Typically this wouldn’t bother me but the first drinks took some time so I said “really? We just got our first drinks.” I just think she could have put it a bit nicer, like hey I know these took a while, sorry we are busy but I just want to let you know we are on last call would have been a bit more effective. Our waitress got fed up with my comment, got upset walked away and then passed us on to another server who brought us our check without ever asking how our drinks were.. if we wished to have another round for last call. I asked him if he would get our original server so I could apologize but he said no she pushed you guys off on to me. I’m sorry but that is terrible customer service and just because of this I would never go back. When we got up to leave I still apologized to her and she said thank you it’s been a long day, like 10 hours. Which again I understand but it’s not cool to lose your cool over nothingness. I worked 13 years as a butcher and I could never do something like that. You deal with whatever and move on. So from Chicago honestly I’d never go here again because of this weird experience, it put a damper on our evening.

Such a chill and relaxed vibe with beautiful aesthetics either inside or outside. We had great cocktails- the Limelight and the Halekulani. Both super delicious. The Limelight is light and refreshing, not too sweet or super spirit forward - citrusy and delicious. The Halekulani is a smooth tropical bourbon twist. Loved it here!

This is a unique bar in downtown Knoxville. The atmosphere and decoration are great, and they have very good drinks for each season. In addition to these, the people working there are extremely kind and thoughtful. Great hospitality here. One of my fav places in Knox!

Such a great place! This spot made me feel very welcomed in the city. It is very well decorated, and had friendly servers. Every drink I had was well balanced, making me wanting more after each sip.

The best bar in Knoxville in my opinion. Great drinks and great vibes. Original and inventive cocktails. Enjoy a drink you more than likely would never make at home!

I literally LOVE going to Tern club. I don't drink a lot so I occasionally get virgin drinks and I am ALWAYS impressed how delicious even those are. I am constantly telling my friends about this place

Very cute place, unique drinks served up in interesting displays. The bar area is nice with a cool retro vibe. We were welcomed by nice staff, engaging bartender and fun crowd. This is a neat place to spend an evening out with friends or part of a date night.

Great little tiki bar! Outstanding cocktails and friendly, knowledgeable staff. Menu changes often so always something new to try.

What a fun spot to grab a cocktail! My husband and I finally tried this place last night and had a wonderful time. Our bartender was really friendly and offered great drink suggestions. We ordered the "Gods Will Be Gods" and the "Cobra's Fang." Both were great! We sat at the patio area outside and it felt great even though it was almost 90 degrees outside. I will definitely return!

Fun local tiki bar with a cool vibe. The drink menu is full of classic cocktails from bygone eras & no one can complain about the size & strength, as they are generous in all categories. We sat out back in a patio surrounded by plants & the vintage furniture was arranged in intimate little groupings We had a terrific time.

Aloha! What a random, but much-appreciated Tiki Bar oasis directly off the busy section of Gay Street. You almost feel like you're in a different city. With tropical decor and hues and cocktails that closely follow traditional tiki recipes, this is a fun stop! We loved how incredibly warm, welcoming, and friendly the staff is. There is such an inclusive and low-key vibe to this bar, which would be great for a casual gathering or hangout. The drinks are tasty and shockingly affordable. There is a small seating area out in front, cozy seating inside surrounded by geo prints and grass green paint. The most fun is definitely the back patio, with its brightly colored furniture and lights strung overhead. It is a deceptively large area and we appreciated the water coolers both inside and out for customers to help themselves to. I highly recommend the Bubble Buddy drink, which is nice and refreshing on a warm day. Extra bonus-they use biodegradable straws.

I LOVE the vibe here. Decor is right up my alley. Staff is great, friendly and skilled! I love stoping for a snack and NA cocktails. NA Non- alcoholic Zero Proof

Staff was great! Prices for great! We order one of the seasonal holiday drinks it was good, strong for my taste. I order the You Go Go Coco, it was good not as fruity as I was hoping. I was definitely in the mood for something more creamy and sweet! We will have to visit again and order more of the menu.

I love this place! I came here a few years ago while in Knox for the first time and was obsessed! I just visited again and had to stop in this bar again! The vibes are amazing. We went on the Saturday night before Halloween and the whole place was decked out. All of the servers and staff were dressed as clowns which was kinda freaky, but super fun! It was loud and dark so I didn't catch our servers name, but he was awesome! He was great at making suggestions. I ended up getting the Painkiller. It was delicious. The coconut aftertaste was my favorite part about it. Will be back again!!!

Incredible ambiance and drinks! Staff was friendly and the prompt service was pleasantly unexpected give how busy the place was! Highly recommend 10/10

Walking into Tern Club feels like you're walking out of Knoxville, TN. Inside, you'll feel planted somewhere tropical alongside their lush beverage options. Their menu boasts bursts of fresh, citrus flavors and house-made cream of coconut or crème de cocoa. Tern Club also doesn't skimp on the alcohol. Their variety of rums, whiskey, and flavored liquors perfectly compliment the fresh spices they employ. You certainly won't find drinks like these elsewhere in Knoxville. Tern Club is a novelty and worth a try when you want to change things up. However, the complex flavors aren't for everyone's palette. Finally, if testing out Tern Club, know the drinks range from $8-$16 and there is limited street parking for busy evening times. Overall, the drinks and atmosphere are unique, upper-midrange in price, and service is prompt.

Tern club is super cute!!! We decided to check this place out last night. We couldn't get parking closer bc of the pride parade but I feel like on a weekend you would still have to park 1-2 blocks away. It's a small tiki bar right next to harvest and it is decorated very cute! The atmosphere is super fun and their drinks are amazing!!! and soooo strong. I got one of the big bowls to split which was very good, and then the un poco loco which tasted amazing! Their mai tais are really strong. One thing I would say is do not order their food. It was my fault for not reading what it was carefully, but the portions were very very tiny for the price. But their drinks are absolutely amazing and I will be back.

Since my college days are behind me, I've slowly stopped going downtown except for the occasional Farmer's Market. Recently my brother asked us to double date and show us their favorite spots, and Tern Club was high on the list. As soon as we walked in, I loved it. The atmosphere was fun but chill, brightly decorated with plants and vintage artwork, and it didn't hurt that there was women-empowerment pamphlets on our table letting us know a percentage of our bill would be donated to charity. I'm pregnant, so while my brother and husband got The Zombie (a combination cocktail strong enough to earn a limit one per person), I enjoyed a mock tail that was so refreshing and just as pretty! The waitstaff was attentive and kind, and our bill came between the pages of an old paperback book... I'm telling you, I love this place.

Cute spot, bright decor, friendly service. interesting cocktails in theory but the balance just felt off. All the flavors were there but just in the wrong proportion? Would go back and try another

We looooove tern club.The tiki themed bar really goes all out with their vintage tiki decor & even hands you the check in an old book. The waiters are always friendly and just the right amount of attentive The drinks here are fun and creative without going overboard (which I am seeing more frequently these days). I love this place and what makes it even better is there baller happy hour that's from open to 6pm Sunday through Thursday.

"Chewy, we're home". Tiny little bar, big ol' good times. Honestly, it's really feels like a bar you can get comfortable in, kinda like a home. High quality mixology, affordable prices and service like they want you here. Join my tall, furry friend and meet me at Tern Club. A club you'll want to join.

Great service, the bartender was very attentive and kind. The ambiance was chill and relaxed, not really the kind of bar you dance at but definitely a welcoming queer space. I got the wind up bird cocktail and it was delicious. Awesome spot

We love Tern Club BUT the drinks can be subpar if not made by the real bartenders. On a busy night there are people making cocktails who obviously do not follow recipes. We've had wonderful cocktails until a Friday night when the drinks were much too sweet. Recipes matter.

Such a cute atmosphere and cute beachy drinks. Was the perfect way to end our night before heading home.

Every once in a while you come across a cocktail bar that is so fun, so chic, and so unexpected that it changes everything. Half-tiki bar, half-cocktail lounge, Tern Club did that for me on my recent visit, and I find myself wanting to plan my next trip to Knoxville as soon as possible simply to visit this spot again. We visited on a recent Sunday evening, and felt immediately at home surrounded by this spot's lavishly decorated interior and quaint but well-curated collection of retro tchotchkes and knick-knacks. Their humorous and expertly assembled menu reads like a book- a really, really good book. I went with the Melonaire Matchmaker, a watermelon tequila punch with a kick, whereas she had the Blue Hotel, this spot's take on the classic pornstar martini. Whereas mine was great, hers was the main attraction- a light turquoise, passionfruit and vanilla blend that tasted as creamy as it looked, and served elegantly with a sidecar of Prosecco. It is one of the best drinks I've tasted all year and literally beats any tiki drink I've had in New York, Atlanta, or dare I say, Honolulu. Tiki bars seem a dime a dozen nowadays, but Tern Club is an entirely unexpected Knoxville treat, and worth a trip all on its own.

Love! The vibe with the plants and decor reminds me of Golden Girls Miami with a sprinkle of spa entrance. I wanted to order as many drinks because of their presentation, preparation and flavor, oh and the unique glasses they come in. Top notch service and food. Love it all.

Wonderful bar! Good atmosphere, great selection of spirits, phenomenal service! Much thanks to my bartenders :-)

Drinks are ok but the service is terribly slow. They 'forgot' about our 2nd round of drink orders and didn't say anything about it until 20 minutes after. It was a slow Sunday night. Unfortunate experience from a place that has potential. Quality drinks, lackluster service.

Tern club offers some of the best cocktails (and vibes) in downtown Knoxville. They have a great selection of tiki drinks and no matter how many times you come here, or order the same drink, you'll always want to take a picture of it. The drinks taste good AND look good. The large outdoor patio is super cute and the interior is even better, though small. I think what I love most about this place is that it's different. How many bars have you been to in Knoxville that have an industrial look with the same metal barstools? And I get it, that look is affordable and easy to clean and it works for a lot of places. But personally, I really appreciate the effort that went into creating a space that feels warm, inviting, and frankly, like it's not in Knoxville. This is the first bar I want to take my friends or family to the next time they're able to visit.

Fantastic service. Fabulous cocktails. So fun. Hard to decide what to get! Will def be back.

We stopped in here for drinks before heading to dinner one evening, and woah is this little spot unique! A very 50s/60s tropical Havana vibe. The decor is perfect for setting the mood, and the craft cocktails are so fun. They aren't all sugary sweet, they have a variety of unique flavors and vary from sweet to bitter to sour and each are served with character. We spent an hour and a half there and had 2 drinks each and split a third. The hotel nacional was our favorite. The drinks can be pricey, but are worth it! Not full of fillers. Would definitely stop in here again! With so many drinks to choose from, you could come back again and again and not get the same drink twice. They also have a limited food menu, and we didn't eat here, but would be interested to try the food as well as it smelled delicious in there!

Want to stay in Knoxville but feel like you flew to the big city for the night? Visit this place! It is a fun twist and unique experience for a cocktail bar in Knoxville. The drinks are great and the owners are so kind! It is ideal for groups of 5 or less. They also have a few food items on the menu for snacking. No matter your flavor pallet preference, you are sure to find something you enjoy on the menu!

Such a cool bar with a beach vibe. They only have around 4 food items on the menu and their focus is definitely on making an awesome drink. It is a fun little spot to sit with friends and have pre dinner drinks or relax. I'll definitely be back to try some of the super cool drinks that take you away to a tropical place!

This was a cute quaint place. Prices are on the higher side but you are paying for an amazing drink. My suggestion: Read the menu and pick which one sounds the best. This a cute little Tiki bar. Sat out on the patio absolutely loved the retro patio sets. I loved the candles at the tables. The decor is nice and staff was great. I loved the part they bring your bill out to you in an old romance novel. I don't remember if there was music I'm sure their was but I was enjoying my drink and the outdoor ambience that I didn't really pay attention. Must go too!

Really cute bar and different from anything else in Knoxville! I enjoyed the drinks and the atmosphere was cool. My only complaint is that it's a bit small so at times I felt a little cramped. Other than that it was amazing!

I was so impressed by Tern club. First - they're bartenders are artisans in the way they make the drinks. Every cocktail looks picture perfect and taste delicious. I was also so glad to see they had draft beers on tap. I was there on a Saturday night - it was packed. Pretty much standing room only. The place is pretty small, so it doesn't take that many people to pack it. Cool place - I don't think there's anything quite like it in Knoxville.

Great spot for a drink that tastes good, looks good and has excellent service! Ambience and decor make for a great place to enjoy a drink, also.

This place is very chill and relaxed! A very dark scene sort of like cheesecake factory but a great one for couples, friends or yourself! The food menu is limited to none currently due to the covid 19 situation but the drinks will not upset! Try something new each time and explore yourself.

Seriously good cocktails. Perfectly balanced with flavors and booze. Yummy! Went last night and had a great time. It's so cute inside. Love the vintage feel. Outside seating too! Super cute.

Best quality cocktails in Knoxville. Prices are on par for drinks on a menu anywhere downtown, but made fresh to perfection. I've been several times now and everything was perfect and as good as when the owner made the drinks for me. It is small and can be crowded, but service was fast and excellent even at their busiest. I am a Tiki drink expert (seriously, I have lectured around the world) and their drinks are spot on. As good as anywhere I've been. And I know they can make you any non-Tiki classic you want very well also.

The craft cocktail scene here in Knoxville is still somewhat on the rise. Not enough people are talking about it, due to how big craft beer is getting. Not that there's anything wrong with craft beer. Lord knows I imbibe more than a fair share. Places like the Peter Kern Library, Oliver Royale, PostModern Spirits, Central Depot, and Tern Club are each doing their own take on elegant cocktails, and boy is it welcome. Tern Club is a wonderful new addition to the craft cocktail scene, adding the specialization of tiki drinks to our fair city. They've come out of the gates swinging. Their menu bats 1.000, their staff is talented and on point, and their decor is inviting. They've even got a strong list of delectable, non-alcoholic drinks, and a limited, albeit quality, food list. The drinks are strong, and I'm happy that they have to option to put some food on your belly.

Incredible cocktails, very reasonable prices, and nice staff. Fun and dimly lit atmosphere make it a great for date night or friends night out.

You can't know from the name, but this is a Polynesian rum bar. Fantastic, authentic Tiki cocktails, made the way they were supposed to be made over the past 70 years. A departure from all of the traditional craft cocktail bars. Wonderful, knowledgeable hosts with a passion for the Tiki heritage. Don't miss the flaming 4-person volcano drink...wow!

This drink - black magic - oh mama ... I had two and they were made strong enough and were super delicious. My 1st visit ... I look forward to my next. The place has an Old Knoxville neighborhood come as you are kinda vibe. It's a small cozy place. The owners - I believe a married couple - are behind the bar crafting each drink to perfection... kinda feels like you're at a friend's and you're in no rush to leave.

I tried Tern specifically for their Christmas cocktail and then I understood it's a tiki bar when I saw the decor! It's a great place if you like greenery or a casual feel and don't want to dress up! There's good seating and it's in a great location downtown.

My new favorite bar in Knoxville. The atmosphere is beautiful and the cocktails are so creative and delicious. Can not wait to come back and continue working my way down the menu!

Went for the first time last night. Even slammed the staff got us our drinks super fast. The atmosphere is perfect and the little details really add to the experience. I tried a few different cocktails and was equally impressed with them all. Downtown is really lucky to have this new addition.

I'm a Knoxville kid and didn't realize Tern Club is what this city was missing until it opened. I've tried about every cocktail on the menu and haven't been disappointed in one. Standouts: You Go Gin Coco! (the name is brilliant), Planter's Punch, and the Rum Old Fashioned. And also every other drink on the menu. The atmosphere is phenomenal and the staff is superb. Tern Club is the place to be!

This place is so fun! The decor is great and something different in downtown Knoxville. I've been multiple times and have loved every drink I've gotten. I love that they have a few beers to choose from when I'm not feeling a cocktail and love they have lots of drinks that are not coconut based. I knocked it one star because the place is really small and gets really hot- and I'm never ever hot. One time my friends walked in and walked right back out because they couldn't stand how stuffy it was! Another con is the drinks aren't very strong and are on the more expensive side. That being side, am so happy these owners decided to take a chance on a Tiki Bar in Knoxville. It's a great place to grab a drink to get the night started.

Love love love! I just moved back from NYC and I love this bar. The bartenders are simply the best. If Hana is there, she'll help you figure out what you want...or make you the perfect drink to fit your mood. 10/10. Y'all.

Fun vibe, delicious drinks, cozy and quirky atmosphere. We bombarded the bartender with an early work happy hour, but she handled it with grace and a smile. Table favorite was the Mai Tai!

We have been here many times with friends. They think way too much of their drink, called a zombie and say that you are limited to one. It is a ridiculous rule and how they do it you can order 12 shots of anything, you can order a shot of everything that's in the drink 3 or 4 times but you can't order more than one zombie. Management was extremely rude when we questioned this rule because previously we had been served more than one. I am from New Orleans I know a strong drink when I taste it. I'm also responsible drinker. So this is a little bizarre on their part. I don't ever need to go back here again it's a shame Knoxville needs some fun, tiki bars and things, but not with this sort of militaristic management on some sort of a bizarre power trip

The aesthetic is unique to Knoxville. I Enjoyed the atmosphere. Cocktails sacrificed ice for strength, but tasted great. The Saturn is one of the best cocktails I've ever had. Wish that our otherwise hygge vibes corner seat wasn't ruined with the oppressive and bright white light in the entry way. The front door seems to slam a shut every time it's opened. Wish it had a soft close installed. Keeping in mind that they have only just opened, I will most likely return to check the vibes

Really unique cocktails in a relaxing and hip atmosphere. Our waiter was kind, prompt, and made great recommendations.

Cool little island vibe bar. Seating is limited, but there is a homey feel with the plants. The wait staff were friendly. The drinks were small and prices are a little high.