What to Look for in a Tennessee Football Sports Bar This Season
Planning to wrap up your weekend in a football sports bar by cheering for your favorite team? Tennessee has plenty of spots where you can catch the action, enjoy game-day food, and share the excitement with fellow fans. However, not every sports bar offers the same experience.
Before choosing a spot, consider the TV setup, seating, food and drink options, atmosphere, and game-day specials to make the most of football season.
What Every Good Game Day Spot Needs
The basics still matter, and they're where a lot of bars fall short on a packed Saturday. Here's what to check before you claim a table.
Screens you can see from every seat: You shouldn't have to crane your neck, whether you're in a booth, at the bar, or out on the patio
Sound for the game you came for: When the Vols kick off at the same time as three other SEC games, ask which one gets the audio before you settle in
Room for your whole crew: A mix of booths, high tops, and big tables keeps a group of eight from getting split across the room
A menu that lasts four quarters: College games can run close to four hours, so you want a menu with more than wings and fries
Specials that are worth it: A solid beer list and real happy hour deals go a long way when you're staying for a doubleheader
Easy parking: Free parking matters a lot more when kickoff is ten minutes away
Don't overlook the people, either. Friendly servers who keep the food coming and the right game on make a long afternoon feel easy.
What Most Sports Bar Guides Miss
Most "best sports bar" lists are written for any team in any city. Tennessee football fans deal with a few things those lists skip, and they're worth thinking about before game day.
Kickoff times that move: SEC games often sit at "TBA" until shortly before game week, so a bar that posts its lineup on social media saves you some guessing
A two-day weekend: It's Vols on Saturday and Titans on Sunday, so pick a place you'll actually want to come back to
Games that aren't on regular TV: Some college games land on the SEC Network or ESPN+, and a few NFL games stream only on apps like Amazon Prime Video, so make sure the bar carries them
A house divided: In Chattanooga and North Alabama, the table next to you might be wearing crimson, and a good bar keeps that rivalry friendly
Family-friendly noon kickoffs: Early games bring kids along, so look for a comfortable dining side and a menu with something for picky eaters
Reservations for big games: Rivalry weeks fill up fast, and a spot that takes group reservations is worth its weight in gold
Then there's the drive. If you live in Bellevue, Murfreesboro, or Hendersonville, a neighborhood spot beats fighting downtown traffic and paying for parking on game day.
Where Jonathan's Grille Fits In
Jonathan's Grille has been family-owned since 1999, and it was built for exactly this kind of weekend. Every location has close to 55 TVs, a full bar, and the kind of upscale sports grille feel where you can bring the whole family or meet your buddies after work.
The menu goes well past pub grub, with Nashville hot chicken sliders, buffalo chicken dip, flatbreads, burgers, and prime rib sliders. You'll also find gluten-free options, daily happy hour, patio seating at several locations, and a late-night menu for games that run long.
With locations across Middle Tennessee, plus Chattanooga, Jackson, and Madison, Alabama, there's a good chance one is close to home, including the Brentwood spot in Maryland Farms. Planning a bigger watch party? Group dining options make it easy to bring the whole crew.
Vols fans in East Tennessee have something to look forward to, too, with a Knoxville location in the works near Covenant Health Park.
