We’ve had an entire year to plan New Year’s Eve celebrations, but plenty of Knoxvillians (including myself) are still scrambling to decide the best way to ring in 2022.
Fortunately, downtown Knoxville has plenty of events to get the new year started, from a masquerade to bar crawls to a city-sponsored ball drop at World’s Fair Park.
Check out this comprehensive list of the biggest parties planned for downtown Knoxville this Friday night.
Babalu – Prix fixe dinner
Two seating times, four courses and one big night is planned for New Year’s Eve at Babalu.Reserve your spot for 5 or 8 p.m. and enjoy an amuse-bouche, appetizer, entrée and dessert. Alcohol and gratuity are not included.
Cost: $45
Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria – Smooth Sailor concert
It’s not just a pizza party at Barley’s in the Old City. New Year’s Eve festivities also include a performance by yacht-rock favorites Smooth Sailor beginning at 10 p.m.
Cost: $10
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Barrelhouse by Gypsy Circus – New Year’s Eve party
Sip some cider and see a show at Barrelhouse, which will host a burlesque performance and dance party beginning at 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Stick around until 2 a.m. and ring in the new year with the help of Gypsy Circus.
Cost: Free
Bernadette’s Crystal Gardens – Andres Tapia Latin Night
All of the West family bars on Market Square will be celebrating New Year’s Eve in their own unique ways. Stop by Bernadette’s Crystal Gardens for a dose of Latin tunes starting at 10 p.m.
Cost: $20 cover charge, free before 7 p.m.
Boyd’s Jig & Reel – The Crossjacks concert and champagne toast
Ring in 2022 in true Celtic fashion with a performance by The Crossjacks at 9 p.m. and a midnight champagne toast. Plus, enjoy dinner at Boyd’s Jig & Reel with a prime rib special.
Cost: $5 cover and $25 for the prime rib dinner
Brother Wolf – New Year’s Eve table rentals
Though small in size, Brother Wolf has big plans for New Year’s Eve, including table rentals with optional bottle service, a private server, party favors and a bottle of champagne. This will be the final night to experience the Miracle Christmas bar at Brother Wolf.
Cost: Free admission for guests with table rentals or $20 for general admission
Crafty Bastard Brewery – Dance party in heated disco tent
Crafty Bastard staff members have talents beyond the brewery, with an assistant brewer providing DJ tunes and professional party lighting by the brewery’s bar manager. This dance party, hosted inside a heated tent, also will feature a midnight beer toast and “more fun to be announced.”
Cost: Not listed
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Crowne Plaza – New Year’s Eve party
Plan an entire staycation at Crowne Plaza to celebrate New Year’s Eve, with a room, holiday buffet, dancing and champagne. A continental breakfast will be available following the party.
Cost: $379 per couple
Five Thirty Lounge – Live music and masquerade
Bring your New Year’s Eve energy, and Five Thirty Lounge will provide the masks for a masquerade celebration. Live music will be provided by the Kevin Krapf jazz trio.
Cost: Reserve a spot at fivethirtylounge.com
Hi-Wire Brewing – Vinyl dance party and drag shows
Three drag shows will take place throughout the night at Hi-Wire Brewing in South Knoxville. Between the performances, guests can dance the night away to a variety of music genres catered by DJ Captain Ed.
Cost: $5 in advance or $10 at the door
Kefi – Prix fixe dinner
Visit the Old City for a five-course dinner at Kefi, which will include butternut squash bisque, arugula salad, crab cakes and a flour-less chocolate tart.
Cost: Call 865-554-8564 for reservations
Knox Box Karaoke– Free champagne toast and karaoke
If you’re looking to sing your heart out as 2022 approaches, look no further than Knox Box Karaoke on Gay Street. In addition to a packed night of karaoke, the bar also will offer a free champagne toast.
Cost: $5 cover
Knox Brew Hub – Fake countdown
If midnight is too late for a champagne toast, Knox Brew Hub has you covered with its second-annual fake New Year’s countdown at 8 p.m. Raise a glass of Miller High Life (the “champagne of beers”) and celebrate at the hub.
Cost: Free
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Knoxville Civic Coliseum – Knoxville Ice Bears
New Year’s Eve at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum won’t just feature an Ice Bears hockey game. Viva Knox Vegas night includes an Elvis impersonator competition, with opportunities for fans to play casino games to support the Knoxville Ice Bears Foundation.
Cost: $8 to $28
Marble City Market – Dancing and Bubbly
Marble City Market has the best of both worlds: A DJ and live band scheduled for New Year’s Eve. Plus, the new food hall will have plenty of decorations and party favors leading up to a midnight champagne toast.
Cost: Not listed
Mirage Knoxville – New Year’s Eve dinner
The four-course meal at Mirage on New Year’s Eve will include a Mediterranean dip sampler, Greek salad and baklava. The Gay Street business also is offering a complimentary bottle of champagne for parties with four or more people.
Cost: $39.95 per person
Old City – Pub crawl
Why spend time at just one bar when you can party at four? Old City Sports Bar, Wagon Wheel, Hanna’s Cafe and Southbound are all participating in this New Year’s Eve event.
Price: $25 in advance, $30 at the door or $50 for a line-skipper pass
Oliver Royale – Four-course dinner
Champagne will be flowing at Oliver Royale on New Year’s Eve, but the four-course dinner is the star of the show. Reservations can be made by calling 865-622-6434.
Cost: $109
Osteria Stella – Italian dinner experience
This Italian prix fixe dinner by Sal Sanchez will include wine pairings by owner and sommelier Aaron Thompson. Multiple seating times are available for the event, taking place at one of downtown Knoxville’s newest restaurants.
Cost: $90
Pour Taproom – Studio 54 party
This New Year’s Eve, Pour Taproom in the Old City plans to recreate the atmosphere of Studio 54, one of the country’s most famous nightclubs. Drag performers, aerial artists, snacks and DJs all will be on hand for the celebration leading up to a midnight champagne toast.
Cost: $30 in advance or $35 at the door
Preservation Pub – The Vibraslaps concert
Preservation Pub stays rocking every day of the year. Ring in 2022 on Market Square with libations from multiple levels of bars and musical vibrations from The Vibraslaps, a cover band whose catalog spans from the 1960s through today.
Cost: $20 cover charge, free before 7 p.m.
Pretentious Beer Co. – Silent disco
Dance like no one is watching, with three channels of music sent straight to your illuminated headphones. Tickets are running low for this event, hosted by Silent Disco Knox and Born & Raised Productions, so be sure to grab yours soon.
Cost: $20
Radius Rooftop Lounge – New Year’s Eve party
See Knoxville ring in the new year from 14 stories above downtown at Radius Rooftop Lounge on Gay Street. Wristbands for this New Year’s Eve party will be available at the Embassy Suites front desk beginning at 9 a.m. Dec. 31.
Cost: $30
Schulz Brau Brewing Company – Mikki Norwood Band concert
The Mikki Norwood Band is no stranger to Schulz Brau Brewing Company and will return for a New Year’s Eve celebration from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Grab a beer and listen to some tunes while celebrating 2022.
Cost: Free
Scruffy City Hall – Teen Spirit concert
The new year is almost here, and it’s hard to believe the 1990s are now nostalgic. Put on your parachute pants and head down to Scruffy City Hall for a night of ’90s hits courtesy of Teen Spirit.
Cost: $20 cover charge, free before 7 p.m.
Simpl. – New Year’s Eve dinner
Looking to keep things simple this New Year’s Eve? Let this Sevier Avenue restaurant do the work with a five-course meal that includes smoked salmon toast, duck breast and shortbread with chocolate mousse and champagne caramel.
Cost: $80
The Vault – New Year’s Eve Party
A reservation to this New Year’s Eve party comes with personalized cocktail service, a chocolate dessert board, party favors and a complimentary champagne toast. Cocktail attire is encouraged, according to the Facebook event, and dress code will be enforced.
Cost: Email [email protected] for more information
World’s Fair Park – New Year’s Eve festival
Ringing in 2022 also means ringing in the 40th anniversary of the 1982 World’s Fair, and the city has plans to make the celebration a special one with a ball drop from the Sunsphere. No alcohol will be served at this all-ages event, which includes live music, food trucks, a DJ, laser show and fireworks.
Cost: Free
