Nightlife in Gatlinburg – 15 Unexpected Things to Do After Dark

Idyllic, rustic, and tranquil, life in the Great Smoky Mountains moves at its own pace. Days spent conquering hiking trails or touring the Titanic Museum quickly melt into epic Gatlinburg TN evenings. Thankfully, Gatlinburg nightlife offers a little something for everyone.

From catching the game at your favorite sports bar to letting loose with live music and craft beer, there’s plenty of nightlife in Gatlinburg TN.

Double down on dinner and entertainment with a stirring performance and BBQ feast at Dolly Parton’s Stampede. Or try to perfect your putt putt with a late night candy themed mini golf session.

Savor a Red Ale or Porter at the Smoky Mountain Brewery, or laugh until your ribs hurt when you take in a performance at the Comedy Barn.

Whether you have your sights on Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, you’ll discover a world of after-dark wonder.

Ready to dance the night away? Read on to discover the very best of Gatlinburg TN nightlife…

Gatlinburg Hotels

Want to make your Gatlinburg getaway even more memorable? Find the perfect place to primp before you explore nightlife in Gatlinburg. From cozy cabin rentals to luxurious resorts nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, we offer Gatlinburg Hotels for every style and budget.

Stay close to late-night action when you reserve a modern suite in downtown Gatlinburg or splash around in a spacious outdoor pool complete with water slide. Book your suite, room, or condo worry-free, knowing you are always guaranteed our lowest rates online.

Indoor pool at Riverstone Resort & Spa with hot tub and windows in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, USA
photo credit: RiverStone Resort & Spa via Facebook

Nightlife in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge TN

Wondering what’s happening in the town Gatlinburg on Friday and Saturday nights? While the nightlife of Gatlinburg Tennessee may not hold the allure of Las Vegas or NYC, there are still countless ways to keep entertained all evening long.

Gatlinburg Space Needle

Panoramic vistas that will take your breath away, arcade games, and mouthwatering refreshments, oh my! Prepare yourself for the spellbinding landscape of the Great Smoky Mountains when you make the journey to the iconic Gatlinburg Space Needle.

Open till 1 a.m.; this 407-foot tall observation tower delivers 360 views of both the city of Gatlinburg and the rugged Tennessee mountains. Admire their beauty via the free viewfinders, or dive deeper into the geological and cultural history of this area thanks to the Higher Learning exhibits.

After your ascent, be sure to fill up your play card, so you can enjoy endless rounds of air hockey and other games in the arcade. Conclude your night with a cheesy slice of NY-style pizza or a hand-crafted sandwich.

Aerial view of the Gatlinburg Space Needle ready for the ball drop on New Years Eve in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA
photo credit: Visit Gatlinburg via Facebook

Smith and Son Corner Kitchen

Housed in the former location of Blaine’s Grill and Bar, Smith and Son Corner Kitchen is picking up their mantle of pub favorites served with Smoky Mountain flair. Head here for a finger-licking good menu of burgers, BBQ, and American classics, all served with a hearty helping of Southern hospitality.

Related Post: 10 Cheap Things to Do in Gatlinburg That Are Actually Fun

An ideal place to refuel after your Cades Cove or Rainbow Falls hike, we recommend whetting your appetite with signature cocktails such as the Hillbilly Hurricane or Sunday Funday before loading up on colossal onion rings or a Pit Master burger topped with pulled smoked pork butt.

Puckers Sports Grill

Did someone say ‘game day?’ Get ready to cheer on your hometeam when you swing by Gatlinburg’s beloved Puckers Sports Grill. A laid-back bar atmosphere where you can feel free to kick back with a brew or two,

Puckers keeps the action going till 1 a.m. Enjoy everything from NFL to hockey on 12 HDTVs, or show off some dance floor action with you get down to the live DJs. Take a break from non stop sports to play a round of darts, or hit up the classic Jukebox to play your favorite pop tune.

Funky Budha

Keep the good times flowing in Pigeon Forge when you work up a sweat on the Funky Budha’s dance floor. Equal parts dance club and sports bar, the Budha features a spacious lounge, dance area, and open patio.

Grind it out to the best Djs till the wee hours of 3 a.m., or stop by earlier to savor their wide array of Asian American-inspired plates. Hookahs are available on the patio and Happy Hour is every day. Feast on Imperial egg rolls and crispy shrimp with peanut sauce, or save a few bucks when devouring 50-cent wings every Monday.

Psst..searching for Club 812? Unfortunately, this once-pumping hot spot is now closed. We recommend getting funky fresh at the Budha instead…

Exterior ground view of the Funky Budha Nightclub at night in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, USA
photo credit: Funky Budha TN via Facebook

Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar

Swear you’ve been whisked away to the Big Easy when you decide to tie one on at Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar. More than just crave worthy Cajun food, this seafood focused eatery also features a sprawling outdoor patio and all ages karaoke Friday and Saturday nights.

Related Post: 10 of the Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg

Sample a handcrafted cocktail such as the tropical-inspired Mardi Gras Missile or opt for ginger beer-topped Mountain Mule. Enjoy a spicy Crawfish Boil complete with Andouille sausage, or keep things handheld with a corneal dusted Oyster Po’boy.

Smoky Mountain Brewery

Calling all beer snobs! With locations in both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, you’ll never be too far from an ice-cold pour of Black Bear Ale or IPA at the Smoky Mountain Brewery. All locations always have six flagship beers on tap, in addition to four seasonal brews available throughout the year.*

Locals and visitors alike can enjoy live music and entertainment as they relish the Smoky Mountain scenery and Bavarian Beer Hall aesthetic. Catch the game on TV, or simply rest up after an invigorating day of skiing or snowboarding.

*Please note that the Windy Gap Wheat Beer Appalachian Pale Ale is no longer being served.

exterior ground view of Smoky Mountain Brewery Restaurant in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA
photo credit: Smoky Mountain Brewery via Facebook

Gatlinburg Dinner Shows

Get even more bang for your buck and some LOL worthy chuckles, when you combine your supper with some slapstick comedy or swashbuckling adventure.

Whether you’re in the mood to witness some equestrian prowess at Dolly’s Stampede or watch the side splitting antics of brawling cousins, our dinner theater options are as diverse as ever.

  • Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud – this feuding, fighting family has got nothing on your own! Prime yourself for some LOL worthy moments when you watch the Hatfields and McCoys wrestle, dance, and sing along to the twang of the banjo.
  • Dolly Parton’s Stampede – chow down on rotisserie chicken, smoked bbq pork loin, and more, as you sit back and enjoy a new number from Dolly. Celebrate the red, white, and blue as you soak in the splendor of aerial acrobatics and equestrian feats.
  • Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show – yo, ho, ho and a bottle of rum! Set your sights on the high seas, when you devour a four course feast in the company of these rag tag ruffians. Sailors of all ages will be in awe as they spot mermaids, tropical birds, and more emerge from the enchanted lagoon.
Pirate dressed in an all purple outfit standing on the deck of a ship with a sword over his shoulder at the Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA
photo credit: Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show via Facebook

See a Gatlinburg Show

Award-winning magic tricks, performances by the King, and micro wrestling! One of our favorite ways to crank up the evening excitement is to book a Gatlinburg show.

From country crooners to aerialist acrobatics, there’s enough entertainment to please the whole family.

  • The Comedy Barn – family-friendly comedy that combines juggling, ventriloquists, country music, and live animals. Don’t forget to stick around after the show for a performer meet and greet.
  • Country Tonite – comedy, gospel, and stunning costumes are seamlessly woven together to make a patriotic masterpiece with Country Tonite. Treat yourself to over two hours of dazzling Pigeon Forge production value with this fan-favorite show.
  • Array – Settle in for a night of artistic excellence when you attend the Smokies newest variety show. Sleights of hand, illusions, and awe-inspiring aerial stunts come together to make Array an unforgettable experience.

performers posing on stage at the Country Tonite show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, USACrave Golf Club

Craving a nibble of something sweet? Inject some sugar into your nightly plans when you indulge in the sweetest 19-hole mini golf course. Crave Golf Club is a veritable candyland of fun that boasts both a 19-hole indoor course and a 19-hole rooftop golf course.

Perfect that stroke as you make your way through this candy-coated wonderland. Each hole features a spinner, so you can power your game with even more ‘Crave Style.’ Post putt-putt, your whole group can keep the action going with mini bowling, Escape Rooms, a Candy Store, and more.

Anakeesta at Night

Sweeping Mt. LeConte scenery, elevated dining, and TreeTop Skywalk strolls. While Anakeesta is always a breath of fresh air after dark, this serene mountain oasis serves up even more immersive fun.

Swing your way through the BearVenture Challenge, or take in 360 panoramas from the highest point in downtown Gatlinburg. Treat yourself to a heavenly Smokehouse cocktail, or book an additional Astra Lumina ticket to walk among the glowing stars.

People playing on the bridges and in the trees houses adorned with yellow lights at night at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA
photo credit: Anakeesta via Facebook

From dynamic days spent riding the Dollywood Express to splashtastic adventures rafting down the Pigeon River, there are heaps of mountain adventures everywhere you turn in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

Post-hitting the Smoky Mountain trails or slopes, intrepid travelers can keep the exhilaration going with high-seas adventures, Motown concerts, and more.

Load up on delicious BBQ and potent cocktails at Smith and Son Corner Kitchen, or witness jaw-dropping sunsets and mountain views from Anakeesta.

No matter if you are looking to bring the house down with your rousing rendition of Sweet Child o’ Mine during all-ages karaoke or sample ales and IPAs at the area’s best brewery, Gatliburg nightlife brings the fun.

Tell us, What’s Your Favorite Thing About Nightlife Gatlinburg?

Did we miss any of the top nightlife Gatlinburg TN?

Leave a comment below!


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Written by Isis Maya Nissman

A New York native, Isis-Maya spent most of her professional life working in TV production until a vacation whisked her away to Central...


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