Friday nights in Chattanooga are always bright. Each weekend, you will find yourself immersed in a vibrant nightlife scene, including neighborhood breweries, live music venues, late-night restaurants, hot spot bars, and a friendly crowd. Here’s a guide on how to spend your Friday evening in the Scenic City.

WHAT TO DO

Live Music:

Located in the heart of downtown is the historic Tivoli Theatre, home of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, and Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditoriumboth of which feature regular national acts such as The Avett Brothers, Jason Isbell, and Ben Folds. The Signal, Barrelhouse Ballroom, Songbirds, and the Woodshop Listening Room are also great spots to catch some live acts. Closer to the water, Puckett’s Grocery serves authentic comfort food with live pickin’ performances near your seat. If you find yourself in Chattanooga during the warmer months of May-September, be sure to head to Miller Plaza for Nightfall, a free outdoor music series every Friday night, featuring food, beverages, and great music of all genres. 

Comedy: 

Located at the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo, The Comedy Catch features nationally recognized comedians and offers a full bar and grill for your comedic entertainment. After the show, grab a drink from the Backstage Bar and take a stroll down Station Street.

Guided Pub Tours:

One of the best ways to take in all of Chattanooga’s nightlife is through a guided pub tour. Grab your friends and start pedaling to some of the best bars in town with Pints and Pedals – it’s a party on wheels. Don’t feel like pedaling? Kick back and relax at the Chattanooga Brewing Company for a taste of local flavor, or head to the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery for a whiskey tour.

Karaoke:

Feel like singing? Try your hand at the karaoke bar Sing it Or Wing It.

WHERE TO EAT

Happy Hour:

The Social: Fridays, 2pm-7pm, $2 off menu cocktails, $4 premium well drinks, $5 select glasses of wine, $1 off draft beer, and $5 bar snacks.

State of Confusion: $5 Moscow mules, mojitos, and margaritas. $3.25 on draft beers, $2 off house wines M-F 4-6 

Dusk @ Bode: Mon - Fri from 3-6pm. Enjoy $1 off draft beer, $3.50 domestic cans/bottles, $5 well cocktails, and $5 wine by the glass. 

The Bitter Alibi: M-F 4-6 $1 off beer, $4 wells. & $4 wine

Southside Social: Tuesday - Friday 11am-3pm $1 off craft cocktails, draft beer, and wine. $4 well drinks. Half-priced bowling and free billiards. Plus Fridays are $3 Fireball Fridays!

Appetizers:

The FEED Co Table and Tavern, serving a farm-fresh menu with regular bluegrass performances. Recommended dish: Brussel Sprouts + Artichoke Dip

Hello Monty, serving draft wine and cocktails with a-la-carte sides and irresistible entrees. Recommended dish: Cast-Iron Beer Cheese Dip

The Meeting Place at St. John’s, an evolving variety of small plates and entrees encourage conversation and stimulate the senses.  Recommended dish: Roasted Pork Belly

Entrées:

STIR, a restaurant located in the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo focuses on specialty cocktails, artisan ice, and raw oysters. Recommended dish: Seared Scallops

Alleia, a warm space offering simple, Italian inspired cuisine. Recommended dish: Wood-fired Pork Shoulder

Easy Bistro, offering fresh seafood in what was formerly the world’s first Coca-Cola bottling plant. Recommended dish: Poulet Rouge Heritage Chicken

1885 Grill, provides beautiful coastal cuisine and serves as a centerpiece for the St. Elmo community. Recommended dish: Shrimp & Grits

Dessert:

Hot Chocolatier, specializing in handmade Artisan Chocolates & Pastries created in small batches.

Rembrandt’s Coffee House, a European-style cafe that roasts its own coffees, bakes its own breads, pastries, desserts, and even make its own fine chocolates.

Clumpies Ice Cream Co., each batch of Clumpies ice cream is made by hand with only the finest ingredients that can be found. 

Milk and Honey, serving handcrafted coffees, gelato, homemade paletas, and a variety of other baked treats 7 days a week. 

Late-Night Dining:

Hi-Fi Clyde's, the place to go for ping pong, beer, smoked meat dishes, and late-night live music.

Jack Brown's Burgers & Beer Joint, is the best place for a late-night craft beer and creative burgers with a chill atmosphere.

Pickle Barrel, because not only do they have banging food, but they are open super late.

Tremont Tavern, everyone’s favorite tavern on the Northshore known for its legendary burger and open mic performances.

WHERE TO STAY

Unique:

The Crash Pad, a hostel offering visitors a dynamic, social environment where meeting fellow travelers and exploring the city is a welcome alternative to flipping channels. 

Affordable:

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Downtown, a comfortable hotel with friendly service and home to Rodizio Grill, a Brazilian Steakhouse.

DoubleTree by Hilton/Downtown, regularly offers live music and is a short walk to the downtown riverfront attractions, restaurants, and the Bluff View Art District.

Upscale:

The Read House, where modern-day comfort meets timeless Chattanooga charm. The iconic hotel recently underwent a 28 million-dollar renovation and offers modern amenities, lavish décor, and an upscale restaurant, Bridgeman’s Chophouse.

The Edwin Hotel, a new upscale boutique hotel in the heart of Chattanooga that specializes in Southern hospitality and premium amenities. The hotel also features two dining options, Whitebird and roof-top bar, Whiskey Thief.