We were sleeping in Knoxville on our way to Nashville and ended up in town on a Sunday night. According to our front desk guy, Preservation Pub was the only thing happening that night.
The first floor was pretty full, but not so packed that you couldn't get around. The bartender was funny and quick. Other patrons chatted us up and gave us some recommendations for the rest of our trip.
Great beer selection and I hear the bands are good. There wasn't a band when we were there, but the iPod playlist was solid.
I would definitely recommend this place on a Sunday night!
3 level bar with smoking on the lower level, more relaxed atmosphere on the middle level, and very small rooftop bar. Â There's a very eclectic mix of people here, which is always fun, but you will leave smelling like cigs because you have to enter the building through the bottom. Â It's gets pretty crowded and you have to pay a cover most nights, whether you're staying on the lower level to watch the band or not. Â I know a lot of people who love this place, but it's just not for me.
Review Source:Pres Pub is the kind of bar that kind of makes me giggle. It's one of those spots that everyone can agree is "awesome" for one reason or another, so you literally see every type of person there. Some are there for the bands, others the rooftop, others to chain smoke until 3:00 a.m, some the beer. Â Some people just to kick your "I'm judging you" face into overdrive, but the diversity makes the place fun. And Pres Pub is fun! The food is good too.
I'm giving it a 3 and not 4 because, despite the three levels, diverse people, and cool rooftop, this is just not my preferred place downtown. It can get very crowded, it's smokey, there is almost always a cover at night (not standard on Gay  St. or Market Square), and sometimes I'm just not in the mood  for one or any combo of those things. Pres Pub is very cool, but  it's not for everybody or every occasion.
This was a very nice establishment. Â Great roof setting with an overlook of the square, nice live music, and comfortable on the inside. Â However, I was not impressed by the food and wait service. Â The pizza tasted much like a frozen food section pizza, and the wait staff seemed to lack focus.
Review Source:First night and in Knoxville and some locals we met recommended that we make this our first and last stop for the evening. Â 5 dollar cover for the band "The Vibra Slaps" which was rocking out great 90's covers with other great tunes along the way. Â Server was on point even though the place was jammed. Â 3 dollar PBR tallboys and we even squeezed in a Ham Florentine Pannini which was supper yummy! Â Definitely recommend this place if you are in the Market Square area.
Review Source:A-OK because it was open on a Thursday at 12.45am when we needed an after show feed and wind down. Â Three levels of dimly lit bar, band on ground floor.
Limitied menu of sandwiches and nacho type stuff, adequate. Â Not particularly friendly or good service but it was late so lattitude given.
This is one of my favorite places to get a drink, especially with their semi-recent expansion. downstairs is narrow, creaky, and smoky with booths and a long bar and 2 tiny little unisex bathrooms. There is a fortune-teller on hand in the evenings, and music most nights. I like it down here before the music, unless I'm actually there to see the band. The 2nd floor is non-smoking, has a smaller bar, nicer bathrooms (gender specific!) and a small stage with trivia or bands most nights. The rooftop- I can't figure out when it's actually open, but it's so nice! The only rooftop bar on the Square. A limited bar, but you can just run down to the 2nd floor if you want something else.
Review Source:I went back here recently to find that Preservation Pub had expanded. Â The upstairs is a little weird and doesn't really fit in with the character that is downstairs. Â It's still too new and bright. Â Seriously, put those lights on dimmers. Â It's hard enough trying to convince my wife that I'm attractive without her being able to see me. Â Downstairs is still great and they bring in lots of acts from all over the Southeast. Â There's a great beer selection here still and when we went on Wednesday night they were offering $1.50 domestics for the thrifty crowd.
Review Source:The Preservation Pub has a great location on Market Square in the heart of Knoxville's "going out" scene. Â It is a great music venue and just a good old time bar. Â It is a narrow loud bar that just expanded up. Â It now has three levels including a beautiful rooftop. Â Well I hope it's still beautiful -seems there was a recent problem with a Market Square resident who felt that the flowers/plants on the Pres. Pub roof top was viewed as unsightly. Â Crazy...I know. Â When are flowers unsightly??? Â Only when your an angry, jealous, old jack....If you are looking for a cool place to spend an evening downtown, I definitely recommend stepping into the Pres. Pub. Â There is a "level" for everyone. Â And you can get a little grub while you're here...they serve pizza all night...maybe more, check it out! Â Cheers!
Review Source:Visited this place for the first time tonight. Initially we were hesitant and almost decided against it due to reports of extreme smokiness in previous reviews. I'd like to point out that the upstairs speakeasy is non-smoking which was a pleasant surprise when we arrived.
The stage setup upstairs is a little strange for catching an early band in the summer... the windows are right behind the stage and the setting sun creates somewhat of a blinding light. Luckily this didn't last long.
I like this place for a number reasons:
* The fact that they would host a 20's/30's style big band jazz band.
* They had said show for free on a Saturday night. Â
* They have a decent selection of craft beer.
* They are in the cooler than average area of Market Square. Â
* They have both a smoking level and a non smoking level, so there is something for everyone. I also heard there is rooftop patio.
All in all, this is one of the better places I have visited in Knoxville and wouldn't turn down the opportunity to go back.
I run shows at this place and have done so for six months. Venue works with entertainers and really makes sure they are taken care of.
Also, they continue to build on and improve the bar opening the upstairs Speakeasy in the Winter of 2010 and now about to open up the Rooftop Bar (only one in downtown Knoxville!)
I visited the Preservation Pub for probably the 4th time, but this time they had an upstairs area open where a stand-up comedy show was happening. Â It was a great time and the drinks were cheap! Â I will be back!
Mainly because I booked the damn show, but also on other situations.
Note: Â Seriously though, as a Cracker Comedian, I am a picky bitch when it comes to how a bar is designed and restrooms are a big deal because I often get nervous before I go on stage and have to twoski. Â This place has great bathrooms in it's new upstairs "Speakeasy".
If I lived in Knoxville, you would find me here all the time. This is my kind of pub. Live music that's good but isn't too loud or obtrusive, cheap beer, bitchin awesome bartendresses and the crowd is congenial and fun. I met a few strangers who became amusing acquaintances.
There isn't a whole lot going on in downtown Knoxville on a Monday night so I was thankful to find such a perfect "me" pub like Preservation Pub.
Was in Knoxville for business and this was the only thing happening downtown. Â It turned out to be a great find, with banging live music, awesome drink specials, and a cool, eclectic crowd of people... just what the doctor ordered. Â The selection of beer is superb as well... with quite a few of my favorite Colorado microbrews on tap. Â The smoking thing is kind of a bummer but what'cha gonna do... its a happening bar with live music.
Review Source:Preservation Pub is one of my favorite Knoxville bars. And that's saying a lot because I hate places that allow smoking.
I appreciate the unique decor for the Pub as well as its location on Market Square. If you can snag an outside seat on the patio, it makes for great people-watching.
The draft beer selection is usually pretty good and will occasionally feature some great regional craft beers. Their bottle selection is extensive.
I would give the Pub another star if it banned smoking.
The only reason it's a 4 and not a 5 in my book is because of the smoking inside. It's a pub with a historical presence, decent tap selection, broad selection of bottled brews, and live music. The happy hour specials are good and so is the variety of music. I do not recommend buying food, but the pizza is good when it's free.
The bar offers an atmosphere that differs from the typical Knoxville bar. It's a downtown kind of place that attracts downtown types. Good place for music, conversation, and tasty beer selection.
Tried this place once and didn't love it, tried it again and didn't love it.
There's indoor smoking here- if you like smoking in bars that's a plus, if you don't like going home with everything from your hair to your socks smelling like you're a chainsmoker you should probably avoid it.
The decor is cool, with a varied clientele who all seem to be okay with everyone else there. The fact that the bar's open late- past almost every other place in town- is nice.
The reason I only give this place 2 stars is the service, or lack thereof. Both times I was here it wasn't packed or even very busy but it took over 10 minutes for a waitress to come to our table. Then it took ages to get our drinks, and ages to get our receipt. Maybe regulars get more attention, but... blah.
While I like Pres pub, I guess I am actually really indifferent about this place. Â I've become to understand that its not actually all so much the place I love, its the buzz that is usually going on in here, and the fact, if you smoke, its one of the few places left that you can still smoke inside. Â They do often have some great music on and while we were there on a Monday, in addition to the good deals on happy hour, they were also serving free pizza. Â While we were not hungry, it was nice to see 2 meat free choices, and all of them looked fresh and yummy. Â i usually would prefer to go through the bar. Â I dont know what it is, it is probably just that Im not "cool" enough or something, it is so hard to get any/decent service sometimes. Â That goes for when they're busy and when they aren't busy. Â There is one cocktailer in particular that, maybe, he might just be too cool to be doing any job.
That said, Monday night we had a (rather slow) server who was very sweet and apologetic the few times we had to wait a little longer than expected. Â No prolem though, I know what its like, its almost harder to give great service when youre slow because your mind wanders more freely and leaves more room for error and slower service.
Overall, I do enjoy all the fun times to be had at Pres Pub, slow service at times, and all. Â They do have a great selection of beers, as well often change their special drafts.
Just a heads up, I dont know if you will wanna order a Bloody Mary. My friend was really craving one and they let us know they didn't have tabasco. ok, no biggie. But YEEEESSSHHH-so gross. I totally give props for trying, it was actually funny, as we did a blind taste test and I would've said it was a Horseradish vodka with tomato rocks. lol. Â but still, at the price of $775 thats an expensive bloody mary.
I stopped in for an hour or so while passing through Knoxville.
Verdict: this place is a winner.
Great tap beer selection, happening crowd, nice service, and legit live music. I had a pretty good time. And (don't tell anyone) I was by myself.
I would definitely recommend to anyone who is in the area.
Bette M. is a little bitter, no?
This is my boyfriend's favorite bar. Â For the record, he hates Union Jack because IT'S too pretentious, so I doubt he'd go here if he agreed. Â
ANYWAY. Â This is a nice bar. Â They have a great beer selection and it's a nice atmosphere. Â Seating can be somewhat limited and sometimes you can't talk because the bands are so loud. Â This isn't always the case, though. Â Bathrooms are a little iffy. Â Love Market Square in general. Â Lines for the bathroom can be 40 minutes during Sundown in the City.
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