Gatlinburg is a complicated city – not because it’s not amazing, because it is. But much like some other “touristy” places, it’s easy to overlook what really makes the drinking culture of a place like this work – and get lost in the “touristy-ness”. Hopefully, I can give you a glimpse into the other side of Gatlinburg, and help you find your drink through the noise. This is far from a complete list… I don’t get down to Gatlinburg nearly enough (and never without kids and wife in tow) to really dive as deeply as I would like to… so don’t stay to my path – forge your own!

Sugarlands Distillery

Moonshine is the not-so-hidden gem of Gatlinburg’s drinking culture. There is something about Moonshine in this city that is unlike what I’ve seen in any other place that I’ve been to, even though there is moonshine almost everywhere, now. In my opinion, you can’t find better moonshine in town than you’ll find at Sugarlands – and the bar out behind the distillery is a great place to hang out and drink a cocktail or two while taking a break from the craziness out front.

The tasting experience of Sugarlands isn’t all that different than you’ll find at any one of the moonshine places in town. For around five bucks you get to work your way through a tasting flight of a bunch of different flavored moonshines – and I think it’s safe to say that regardless of your taste preferences, you’ll find something that you enjoy.

Gatlinburg Brewing Company

Right in the heart of Gatlinburg sits a small craft brewery called (no surprise) the Gatlinburg Brewing Company. The brewery has evidently been around for quite some time, but the taproom itself is a fairly recent addition to the city. They’ve got food, pizzas and things that can be cooked in a pizza oven… but the beer is why I think you should stop.

The tap list surprised me with the variety. The gamut ranged from a tasty, trendy NE IPA which sat right next to a Belgian witbier and a dry Irish stout.

The brewery’s space is in a really cool round building that overlooks the Main Street running through town – providing a nice quiet space to grab a beer and watch as people rush about below you: shopping, and doing whatever it is people do when they aren’t drinking.

Cliff Top Bar and Grill – At Anakeesta

This one is a little expensive of a place to just grab a drink, because it’s part of Anakeesta which costs around 20 bucks to get up to. Once you board the ski lift and make your way to the top of the mountain you can find the Cliff Top Bar and Grill (and I think they’ve added another bar since I was there). The deck overlooks Gatlinburg, the mountains, and provides and incredible view while you grab lunch and a beer or a cocktail.

This one is 100% worth it just for the warm sunshine and the view. Spectacular.

The Mountain Edge Grill

I love this bar for its old school Gatlinburg vibe. There are few and far places like this still around in downtown Gatlinburg – it’s what I remember the town being like when I was a kid. Designed to look like a ski-lodge, it’s just a tad cheesy, but they have a nice beer list and space that is nostalgic and certainly worth a stop when you need a break. Their kitchen is known for the bison burgers, but they have a really great selection of burgers, salads and traditional American fare.

  • Location – 631 Parkway, Suite b4 (In Baskin’s Square)
  • Website

Hogg’s Upstairs Taverne

This one was the most recommended to me by people that I talked to. Hogg’s is a small bar situated upstairs right in the heart of town. It’s a standard sports bar but feels a bit more “local” than you’ll find at a lot of places around town. They have a balcony that overlooks the Parkway – which is always fun for people watching (the people watching in Gatlinburg is second to none).

  • Location 745 Parkway, Suite 10
  • Website

Tennessee Cider Co.

We stumbled upon this place during our day there, and while we quickly figured out that it’s a little different than you might expect a “cidery” to be – you can’t just get a pint of cider – you can buy a bottle to go, and they’ll give you glassware so you can hang out in the back tasting area and drink with your friends. It makes my list because I genuinely enjoyed the cider that they were making… it also doesn’t hurt that you could get some free samples before you picked what you wanted to drink.

Smokey Mountain Winery

If you’re looking for wine while you’re in Gatlinburg, I think it’s hard to go wrong with the Smoky Mountain Winery. The winery has been in town for nearly forever (actually since 1981) and it holds that great nostalgic feeling that I love about “old school Gatlinburg” extremely well. They have a small tasting room and gift shop, so you can sample a few bottles before you stock up on what you want to take with you.

  • Location – 450 Cherry St
  • Website (it’s a pretty bad website… just a heads up)

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