Wow.. What a cool joint. Great staff, food and scotch selection. The vibe is really great...even an old Scottish regular at the bar. I had the corned beef and cabbage sandwich with "chips". It was awesome! They have a decent tap selection and happy hour is a dollar off tap and $3 off well. The book of scotch selections is separated by region which is pretty fun. Listen...come here. It's cool. End of story. Also, get the toffee pudding.
(5)
Rachel S.
Stars aren't really doing the job here, some days have been 5 stars all the way, while others are hovering between 1-2, so 3 stars is an average of my experiences here. In thinking about the years I've been going there, I've finally figured out what works: sit at the bar, ideally with Joe as your bartender, but they're all great behind the bar, and you'll have a 5 star experience. Sit at a table in the main bar area, and you're going to have anywhere from a 3 to a 5 star experience depending on your server. Sit in the back 2 rooms even when they're not busy, and f'ing forget about getting decent service most evenings. I can't tell how much of this is just the fault of having the same servers work all 3 areas some nights, or that obnoxious college children seem to flood the place past a certain hour and if you're not paid up by then, good luck flagging down your harried kilt-wearing service person, or what else is to blame. They get some awesome shows here, but I have been all but consistently disappointed in how long it takes to get a fresh drink or even just the check some nights. The food is actually quite good for a bar, and the best times I have here are coming for a quiet lunch or an early dinner so I can just enjoy it without the hassle. It's mostly fried food, but damn good fried food that's actually worth the calories. The French fries might be the best in town. The service, minus the bar, definitely leaves something to be desired.
(3)
Meghan H.
Went to Boyd's for the first time this week to see the Honeycutters....we decided to come early to eat. Great decision. The food was awesome and reasonably priced. I enjoyed the fish n chips and Highlands Gaelic Ale! The Honeycutters also killed it!
(4)
Steve H.
If you aren't drinking they aren't interested in serving you. Ordered the cheese plate high price for a couple slices of cheese, few pieces of meat bout 5 nuts and 4 crackers. Crackers were stale. Didn't order a meal cause it took an hour to get water, beer and cheese plate. Had to chase down waitress to get that. If you are going to drink and party good place. If you are going to eat don't waste your time.
(2)
Calin D.
An amazing array of well sorted Scotch to choose from here. Sunday afternoon at 4pm, happy hour started with a gent in a kilt and a big book of libations to choose from. Ardbeg, Laphroig, Talisker, and a basket of brown bread next to the fire on a rainy day. Closed my eyes and I was in the UK again. Cheers!
(5)
Julia H.
Perfectly paired scotch with the best fish and chips I have ever had, mixed with music played by the owner herself. Over 300 Scotch choices, traditional Scottish food and music, beautiful venue, private party room, and the friendliest staff I have experienced. If you have a pet, bring them by when the door man is there. He gives your pets super yummy treats. The scotch eggs are very good. A real treat for anyone that hasn't had them. If you can play an instrument, they invite you to come play Tuesday and Thursday nights. As a customer, you get to know the local musical artists. It's really like no other venue in town.
(4)
Brent M.
Fantastic menu. The stogies are my fave. The steak and ale pie is great, along with fish and chips, and chicken and cider pie. The seafood chowder is also fantastic. Great beer selection, and a great atmosphere.
(5)
Tara S.
I really enjoy this spot for a drink before or after dinner at Crown & Goose. I am not a fan later in the night when live music starts; that probably makes me sound old but, so be it. They have one of the largest whisky selections EVER (their words, not mine, but I believe it). Last visit, the bartender made a delightful Rusty Nail. Also a good gin selection if a perfect martini floats your boat. I am happy to see what appears to be a well-run, successful business still booming in the space that once occupied the beloved Manhattan's. I've heard very good things about dinner but have yet to try it myself. Atmosphere is nice, bartenders are friendly, the entire place is clean and cozy - I'm definitely putting into a more regular cocktail hour rotation.
(4)
Nisha S.
I usually would have gone with 4 stars, but since its trying to do the UK thing, I had to downgrade. It's good food, but as far as authentic British/Scottish, no dice. Service was surprisingly slow for being almost no one there the day we went. Good atmosphere and good place to catch a game. I wouldn't be deterred to go there, and I would go back, but if you're looking for proper bangers and mash or bubble and squeak or even fish and chips, you're gonna have to keep searching.
(3)
Christopher C.
I took my dad and one of our friend's here on Saturday. Neither of them had ever been to an Irish pub before and this one came highly recommended. We were not disappointed! The atmosphere was authentic. The wait staff was polite. I asked our waitress if the haggis was good and she was honest with me and said that I would either "love it or hate it". I had never tried haggis so I thought I'd take a chance. It was awesome! My dad had an order of fish and chips that he loved. And our friend had a grilled chicken sandwich that was great. I had to steal a few chips off of their plates to try them. They were some of the best I had ever eaten. Oh, and they have Guinness on tap, so that made the experience even better. Overall I would say we loved this place and the next time I'm in Knoxville again we're going to make a point to eat here again!
(5)
Anthony C.
Came here for rhythm and blooms on a Friday night which had great live music! The chicken and cider pie had a nice flaky crust as any pot pie should but the filling could've used a little more spice. The seafood chOWda on the other hand was rich and creamy and tasted like something your grandma would make at home which is always a plus.
(4)
Rebecca O.
I think Boyd's is probably a better place for drinks than food. While there, I had the macaroni pie. It was just lacking in flavor. I think they could probably improve it by playing up on the smokiness of the bacon by using smoked Gouda cheese. It tasted more like pie with slightly cheesy noodles, and there wasn't enough bacon to really add much flavor. The atmosphere is pretty cool. All the servers where kilts and it seems they have live music a good bit. Overall, grab a drink and enjoy the live music; skip the food.
(3)
Matthew Z.
7 different kinds of Laphroaig scotch whiskey, all the servers wear kilts or tartan skirts, and weekly Irish/Scottish folk nights on Thursdays?! What's not to love!
(5)
Laura M.
Wish they had a healthier menu option but food is good. Atmosphere really makes the place especially if you can nab the chairs by the lovely fireplace. Good house wine prices
(4)
Kathi B.
The folks are really friendly there. We tried one of their traditional dishes (eggs wrapped in sausage and deep fried). The fried fish was pretty good (better with a good beer, of course). This is a great place for something different. The bar has "ye ole time" feel to it and the quaint dining hall would make for a marvelous madrigal dinner or rehearsal dinner party.
(4)
Tim A.
Perhaps this place does Scottish food authentically. I don't really know, as you don't encounter them particularly frequently in the US. But I do know that you don't hear about Scottish food in the same exalted tone, as, say, French or Italian food. I came across a couple of bright spots in my visit to Jig and Reel, but I am left to wonder if this place is really just about the drinks. The first course, the Seafood Chowder, was cause for concern. On the menu it sounded great, but it ended up essentially being gravy with frozen seafood. The broth was really heavy and without much flavor. Furthermore, while the chowder was meaty, it wasn't really the sort of meaty you'd want (the scallops and shrimp seemed to short of crumble in an unpleasant fashion). Thankfully, the Toad and the Hole that followed was a delight, in part due to the delicious pastry but even more so to some of the spicy mustard it came with. If that stuff was housemade, I give mad props to J&R. My main course, the Chicken and Cider Pie, was a great concept. It was a great concept, although I think the apple flavor could have been allowed to sing a little more to brighten up. It was a bit heavy as a consequence. Admittedly, I did not drink here, and that's what many of the reviews here seem to be raving about. Perhaps next time.
(3)
Cam D.
Corned beef sandwich is delicious! Awesome beer selection, great atmosphere. This is a fun place to visit in the old city.
(5)
Miranda P.
The people here are so friendly! And with me not being as farm iliac with different kinds of beers the guy even let me have a taste of a few before I decided which one I wanted. It is a cool place and I will be back for sure.
(5)
John D.
Great addition to Knoxville. I'd give the bar 5-stars easily for the selection. The food is just simple pub grub and I'd give it 3 stars. The selection of Scotch Whiskeys is amazing - probably over a hundred - so many that the menu is a book. Only complaint would be the portions/prices. For a 2 oz shot, you'll be paying more than any other bar in town. The atmosphere in the bar is great however; we'll defintely be back.
(4)
Stephen S.
A whisky selection beyond my expectations mad a great atmosphere make this a winner!
(5)
Ryan S.
When every my wife and I are in town, we stop in here for some beer and their Fish N Chips. The slab of fish that you get (consumes the majority of your plate) is fried to perfection and laid over a bed of fries, served with tartar sauce sprinkled with dill herbs. It brings us back every time!
(4)
Samantha L.
Lot's of beers and wine to choose from and the bartender was probably one of the friendliest guys. There was a small stage for live music, and as a northerner passing through, I really enjoyed the authentic country music.
(4)
Doug C.
fabulous scotch menu, with delicious food to match.
(5)
Greg M.
The corned beef and cabbage special was good, and there was a Celtic music jam session for entertainment. Pretty cool.
(4)
Roxie O.
I would like to write an up date on our return to Boyd's Jig and Reel since our last visit with the glass in a beer and the poor response from the manager at that time. Our family was invited back by the owner and found the manager had been fired. We were given great food and service. The new manager apologized for our previous visit. Needless to say we have been back and we will continue to return.
(4)
Samalamb S.
Love this place! Whether it's for lunch, dinner, or going out for drinks, I'm constantly picking up food or bringing friends by for the atmosphere. A few of my favorites are the seafood chowder (amazing!), the portabella mushroom sandwich is really good and so is the fish po boy :) My fiance is a big whiskey fan so he brings his buddies here for the whiskey sampler.. and they have mini games all over the place to keep us entertained while we drink :) so much fun! I always recommend it
(5)
Simon B.
Best place to find Scotch in Knoxville. Their food is also excellent so long as you like puff pastry on everything. They also have excellent specials occasionally such as the shepherd's pie(actual lamb, not beef). They have live music on the weekends which can detract from the atmosphere for me as it gets far too loud. Their Toad in a Hole appetizer is so good I have made a meal out of them before. Also, they have something for dessert that you won't find many other places if at all: Fried Mars Bar!
(4)
Evan G.
Beer is limited, but best food, music, and service. Easily the best bar in Knoxville IMO.
(5)
John M.
They've got a lot of whiskeys that aren't bourbon, which is nice cause most places serve a lot of bourbon and not much else.
(3)
Rachel F.
I had the worst service I can remember having at this bar. I was visiting some family and we went here totally randomly, none of us had been . My cousin ordered a beer at our table and 2 others went to the bar for drinks. When the waitress brought his beer she also brought his tab, which we thought was strange since we had just arrived. She then came back and checked the tab 3 separate times to see if he had paid. On the fourth time I asked her if her shift was ending and she was just trying to get her tabs closed. She said no, that if we were going to order from the bar she needed us to pay her. I had yet to order a drink at all, we had been there maybe 20 minutes. She came back the 5th time and said she didn't think it was a big deal for us to pay even when I asked her if we could open a tab. At that point I asked for her name, she wouldn't tell me but asked for my name, which I told her. She refused to tell me her name but said she was going to tell the entire waitstaff not to serve me because I was drunk. This was not the case. At that point I found the manager and filled him in. He was polite, but did not seem to take any action besides send us another waitress. We stayed for 1 round and left becayse we felt strange being there. I worked in restaurants for 8 years and understand the industry, I could never imagine treating a customer the way my group was treated. No one in my group will ever go back which stinks since the place seemed cool, but it only takes one bad customer service experience to ruin a place for me
(1)
b h.
practically inedible food, thoroughly sloppy service. deeply amateur effort in the old city. Def swerve to the Goose or hit anywhere in Market Square. Or Tastee Freeze.
(1)
Channa P.
I've been holding out on my review of Jig and Reel because I really can't wrap my head around the place. When I first went over a year ago, I kept thinking really kilts? I get the place is Scottish, but how cheesy. I think the place was initially too themed to be enjoyable. The people and bands were just really into the Scottish culture, and I was just really into a good beer. Now I'm in a different camp. For Knox locals this place to me is like a Pres Pub in Old City. The really good food and beer brings every kind of person inside. I always end up running into a hodge podge of people and that leads to a great time. This place is also weird enough that when my bud decides to just hop on the piano on stage and play R&B hits no one bothers to care or listen. It's a fun place and refuge from the club scene that can be so, so bad not to mention mundane in Old City.
(4)
William S.
Great food selection, which is cheap for the quality and quantity. This is my favorite bar in Knoxville, and one of my favorite restaurants. Great atmosphere. They also have an amazing Scotch menu, which they claim is the largest in the world.
(5)
Bad T.
Just an amazing place to spend an evening! The staff is incredibly friendly and will do anything to make your evening a great one. The Scotch selection is as good as you will find anywhere in America. There are about 400 whiskies in there, and the prices are great. They also have a creative menu and excellent food. If you don't go there, you are missing out big time! It's a fun environment any day of the week!!
(5)
Derek A.
Its a lively, loud bar with a killer scotch selection and some cool bar games that are free to play. Some live music was gong on while we were there - overall a cool vibe. Only had drinks, so all I can speak to is the feel of the place and the service, both of which were good.
(4)
Patrick L.
Great pub in the old part of town. Got lucky and.came on a night where a ceilidh was going down. Definitely the highlight was listening to the musicians. One even had uilleann pipes.
(4)
Barbara H.
Amazing place. I love their location in old city. The food is stellar; they have this chicken pot pie that I think is made with cider. The crumbly bacon mac and cheese is great. I've only ever had one drink there though. It was a mixed drink and very strong. Nice though. They often have live music and it's a great atmosphere. All around it's a very pleasant place to spend time. I try to bring my friends when I go here, but it's so much better than the other bars in the area, especially if you love Irish food and kilts. ;)
(5)
Van F.
Outstanding. Very knowledgable bartender. Over 325 different scotches. Good food, enjoyed toads in a hole and a William Wallace burger. If we lived here this would "our place".
(5)
Timothy W.
If you like Scotch then this is a must visit. Visited here with a scotch collector and he was a kid in a candy store. We both got to try some Scotches we have had on our must try list. Watch out for some of the bums outside though... And, the bartenders have varying knowledge level.. Find one that loves the work and the fire water and it will be an experience.
(5)
Thomas G.
Very nice Scottish pub which you don't often see. Food was typical pub food but interesting and well prepared. Scotch eggs were so so and I have had better. Haggis was not bad and not served in the traditional way. Great Scottish ale selection. I had the beef and ale pie and my wife had the Stovies which were both very tasty and filling. It is definitely worth a look.
(4)
James G.
Great scotch selection and some decent beers. Standard pub fare for food. Nothing too special but nothing awful. The worst thing about the place was the distinct lack of music. We visited on a Friday night. There was no band when we got there. Eventually a band set up and played for about 30 minutes. We moved to the stage area and sat down... and the band took a break. We drank beers and waited another 40 minutes but the band didn't come back on. We probably would have spent more time if there had actually been some music. In short, it's another pub.
(3)
Court J.
Great place to catch some local musicians while you grab some baked mac and cheese and a drink... Always fun to hang out here!
(5)
Rhonda P.
5 for atmosphere and high end beer selection. 3 for fish and chips.
(4)
K. Onda Guera ?.
Fantastic! Started with the Scotch Egg...super yummy, came with some of the best (super hot) mustard I've ever had. I followed that up with some "Stovies" which is a lamb stew. It was extremely good. Of course I had to have a little whiskey as well...they had a HUGE selection. I would come back here again if I were in town.
(5)
Adam M.
Amazing scotch menu, cool atmosphere! Didn't try the food unfortunately, but I will be back to check it out.
(4)
Shelly V.
Best whiskey selection around. Seriously, go for the whiskey. They give you a book with what they keep in stock and then a list of the new bottles. 1 oz. ranges from $5 - $200 depending on how much of a stickler you are for only drinking whiskey older than you.
(4)
Aaron J.
Great beer and excellent food. The menu isn't very big, but it doesn't need to be when what you've got is perfection. I recommend the pies. The Beef and Ale pie and Mac and Cheese pie are both delicious. Pair this with a Guinness and you'll be sitting pretty. They also have an AMAZING whiskey selection. It's something they pride themselves on. They have whiskey from many different regions. The atmosphere is great. Feels like you're right in the heard of Scotland. Live music is great. Usually someone in there playing the bagpipes. This place is more enjoyable to sit and have a drink rather than make a whole evening out of, but that could easily change. P.S. They open at 4pm daily.
(4)
Derek M.
Only been once, but the bartenders were great, as were the drinks. I will be back.
(5)
Susan H.
Great music pub with excellent food to boot! Good for all ages. Not a sleazy bar, rather, a lovely restaurant with a lot of live music including traditional Scottish and Irish music and old-timey, too!
(5)
Ada S.
Absolutely fell in love with place while visiting Knoxville a few months ago. The atmosphere was super comfortable, the type of bar I'd be a regular at if I lived nearby. The food was interesting...all familiar ingredients combined in an unfamiliar way that really worked well. I still dream about their Bread Basket and I'm seriously tempted to ask them to ship me a few orders. It was that good!
(5)
Josh C.
Awesome atmosphere! I love the beer selection as well. The live Scottish music was great. I had the macaroni pie which had a pastry puff on top with bacon as well.Plus they use local bacon which is awesome! I definitely enjoyed it here and will come back and try more menu items.
(4)
Monica And J.
We ordered the beef pie and it was pretty good. Best part of this place is the atmosphere though. Different people come in, drinks are good, TVs are fairly abundant. We were there on a Thursday night, so most people were at the front bar and we got served the best Long Island Teas ever. Very chill atmosphere, over 200 scotches to choose from, clean place. Will definitely be back!
(5)
April W.
This place is worth about 3.75 stars but not quite 4. Easier to list why: 5 stars based on the atmosphere. Pub feel all the way. 5 stars based on the drinks and selection of whiskey. 4 stars based on the service. Now this is where it becomes tricky. 3 stars based on the food. And this being the main reason we visited. I got the Mac n cheese pie. It's good, but lacking. They serve small pieces of Benton's bacon on top and after you eat that small portion of bacon, it loses all momentum and becomes ordinary. Just a fill up of noodles and pastry. My suggestion is to put that bacon all through it and then, it would be more of a palette pleaser! My boyfriend got the meat pie. The crazy part about it is, his was just filled with gobs of roast beef with very very few vegetables. It needed something also, like a just a tad more vegetables. Neither entree was bad but we didn't walk out impressed either. Yet all it would take is a couple of minor tweaks to make it impressive :)
(3)
Christopher F.
Best. Scotch. Bar. Ever. Everything you can think of and more for scotch, the right music, attire and an incredibly knowledgeable staff. Games, food...this place is the best. They even had a beer aged in whiskey barrels (Ola Dubh) that was out of this world. If you'd in Knoxville and you like scotch even a little, GO!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Late Night Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Joe L.
Wow.. What a cool joint. Great staff, food and scotch selection. The vibe is really great...even an old Scottish regular at the bar. I had the corned beef and cabbage sandwich with "chips". It was awesome! They have a decent tap selection and happy hour is a dollar off tap and $3 off well. The book of scotch selections is separated by region which is pretty fun. Listen...come here. It's cool. End of story. Also, get the toffee pudding.
(5)Rachel S.
Stars aren't really doing the job here, some days have been 5 stars all the way, while others are hovering between 1-2, so 3 stars is an average of my experiences here. In thinking about the years I've been going there, I've finally figured out what works: sit at the bar, ideally with Joe as your bartender, but they're all great behind the bar, and you'll have a 5 star experience. Sit at a table in the main bar area, and you're going to have anywhere from a 3 to a 5 star experience depending on your server. Sit in the back 2 rooms even when they're not busy, and f'ing forget about getting decent service most evenings. I can't tell how much of this is just the fault of having the same servers work all 3 areas some nights, or that obnoxious college children seem to flood the place past a certain hour and if you're not paid up by then, good luck flagging down your harried kilt-wearing service person, or what else is to blame. They get some awesome shows here, but I have been all but consistently disappointed in how long it takes to get a fresh drink or even just the check some nights. The food is actually quite good for a bar, and the best times I have here are coming for a quiet lunch or an early dinner so I can just enjoy it without the hassle. It's mostly fried food, but damn good fried food that's actually worth the calories. The French fries might be the best in town. The service, minus the bar, definitely leaves something to be desired.
(3)Meghan H.
Went to Boyd's for the first time this week to see the Honeycutters....we decided to come early to eat. Great decision. The food was awesome and reasonably priced. I enjoyed the fish n chips and Highlands Gaelic Ale! The Honeycutters also killed it!
(4)Steve H.
If you aren't drinking they aren't interested in serving you. Ordered the cheese plate high price for a couple slices of cheese, few pieces of meat bout 5 nuts and 4 crackers. Crackers were stale. Didn't order a meal cause it took an hour to get water, beer and cheese plate. Had to chase down waitress to get that. If you are going to drink and party good place. If you are going to eat don't waste your time.
(2)Calin D.
An amazing array of well sorted Scotch to choose from here. Sunday afternoon at 4pm, happy hour started with a gent in a kilt and a big book of libations to choose from. Ardbeg, Laphroig, Talisker, and a basket of brown bread next to the fire on a rainy day. Closed my eyes and I was in the UK again. Cheers!
(5)Julia H.
Perfectly paired scotch with the best fish and chips I have ever had, mixed with music played by the owner herself. Over 300 Scotch choices, traditional Scottish food and music, beautiful venue, private party room, and the friendliest staff I have experienced. If you have a pet, bring them by when the door man is there. He gives your pets super yummy treats. The scotch eggs are very good. A real treat for anyone that hasn't had them. If you can play an instrument, they invite you to come play Tuesday and Thursday nights. As a customer, you get to know the local musical artists. It's really like no other venue in town.
(4)Brent M.
Fantastic menu. The stogies are my fave. The steak and ale pie is great, along with fish and chips, and chicken and cider pie. The seafood chowder is also fantastic. Great beer selection, and a great atmosphere.
(5)Tara S.
I really enjoy this spot for a drink before or after dinner at Crown & Goose. I am not a fan later in the night when live music starts; that probably makes me sound old but, so be it. They have one of the largest whisky selections EVER (their words, not mine, but I believe it). Last visit, the bartender made a delightful Rusty Nail. Also a good gin selection if a perfect martini floats your boat. I am happy to see what appears to be a well-run, successful business still booming in the space that once occupied the beloved Manhattan's. I've heard very good things about dinner but have yet to try it myself. Atmosphere is nice, bartenders are friendly, the entire place is clean and cozy - I'm definitely putting into a more regular cocktail hour rotation.
(4)Nisha S.
I usually would have gone with 4 stars, but since its trying to do the UK thing, I had to downgrade. It's good food, but as far as authentic British/Scottish, no dice. Service was surprisingly slow for being almost no one there the day we went. Good atmosphere and good place to catch a game. I wouldn't be deterred to go there, and I would go back, but if you're looking for proper bangers and mash or bubble and squeak or even fish and chips, you're gonna have to keep searching.
(3)Christopher C.
I took my dad and one of our friend's here on Saturday. Neither of them had ever been to an Irish pub before and this one came highly recommended. We were not disappointed! The atmosphere was authentic. The wait staff was polite. I asked our waitress if the haggis was good and she was honest with me and said that I would either "love it or hate it". I had never tried haggis so I thought I'd take a chance. It was awesome! My dad had an order of fish and chips that he loved. And our friend had a grilled chicken sandwich that was great. I had to steal a few chips off of their plates to try them. They were some of the best I had ever eaten. Oh, and they have Guinness on tap, so that made the experience even better. Overall I would say we loved this place and the next time I'm in Knoxville again we're going to make a point to eat here again!
(5)Anthony C.
Came here for rhythm and blooms on a Friday night which had great live music! The chicken and cider pie had a nice flaky crust as any pot pie should but the filling could've used a little more spice. The seafood chOWda on the other hand was rich and creamy and tasted like something your grandma would make at home which is always a plus.
(4)Rebecca O.
I think Boyd's is probably a better place for drinks than food. While there, I had the macaroni pie. It was just lacking in flavor. I think they could probably improve it by playing up on the smokiness of the bacon by using smoked Gouda cheese. It tasted more like pie with slightly cheesy noodles, and there wasn't enough bacon to really add much flavor. The atmosphere is pretty cool. All the servers where kilts and it seems they have live music a good bit. Overall, grab a drink and enjoy the live music; skip the food.
(3)Matthew Z.
7 different kinds of Laphroaig scotch whiskey, all the servers wear kilts or tartan skirts, and weekly Irish/Scottish folk nights on Thursdays?! What's not to love!
(5)Laura M.
Wish they had a healthier menu option but food is good. Atmosphere really makes the place especially if you can nab the chairs by the lovely fireplace. Good house wine prices
(4)Kathi B.
The folks are really friendly there. We tried one of their traditional dishes (eggs wrapped in sausage and deep fried). The fried fish was pretty good (better with a good beer, of course). This is a great place for something different. The bar has "ye ole time" feel to it and the quaint dining hall would make for a marvelous madrigal dinner or rehearsal dinner party.
(4)Tim A.
Perhaps this place does Scottish food authentically. I don't really know, as you don't encounter them particularly frequently in the US. But I do know that you don't hear about Scottish food in the same exalted tone, as, say, French or Italian food. I came across a couple of bright spots in my visit to Jig and Reel, but I am left to wonder if this place is really just about the drinks. The first course, the Seafood Chowder, was cause for concern. On the menu it sounded great, but it ended up essentially being gravy with frozen seafood. The broth was really heavy and without much flavor. Furthermore, while the chowder was meaty, it wasn't really the sort of meaty you'd want (the scallops and shrimp seemed to short of crumble in an unpleasant fashion). Thankfully, the Toad and the Hole that followed was a delight, in part due to the delicious pastry but even more so to some of the spicy mustard it came with. If that stuff was housemade, I give mad props to J&R. My main course, the Chicken and Cider Pie, was a great concept. It was a great concept, although I think the apple flavor could have been allowed to sing a little more to brighten up. It was a bit heavy as a consequence. Admittedly, I did not drink here, and that's what many of the reviews here seem to be raving about. Perhaps next time.
(3)Cam D.
Corned beef sandwich is delicious! Awesome beer selection, great atmosphere. This is a fun place to visit in the old city.
(5)Miranda P.
The people here are so friendly! And with me not being as farm iliac with different kinds of beers the guy even let me have a taste of a few before I decided which one I wanted. It is a cool place and I will be back for sure.
(5)John D.
Great addition to Knoxville. I'd give the bar 5-stars easily for the selection. The food is just simple pub grub and I'd give it 3 stars. The selection of Scotch Whiskeys is amazing - probably over a hundred - so many that the menu is a book. Only complaint would be the portions/prices. For a 2 oz shot, you'll be paying more than any other bar in town. The atmosphere in the bar is great however; we'll defintely be back.
(4)Stephen S.
A whisky selection beyond my expectations mad a great atmosphere make this a winner!
(5)Ryan S.
When every my wife and I are in town, we stop in here for some beer and their Fish N Chips. The slab of fish that you get (consumes the majority of your plate) is fried to perfection and laid over a bed of fries, served with tartar sauce sprinkled with dill herbs. It brings us back every time!
(4)Samantha L.
Lot's of beers and wine to choose from and the bartender was probably one of the friendliest guys. There was a small stage for live music, and as a northerner passing through, I really enjoyed the authentic country music.
(4)Doug C.
fabulous scotch menu, with delicious food to match.
(5)Greg M.
The corned beef and cabbage special was good, and there was a Celtic music jam session for entertainment. Pretty cool.
(4)Roxie O.
I would like to write an up date on our return to Boyd's Jig and Reel since our last visit with the glass in a beer and the poor response from the manager at that time. Our family was invited back by the owner and found the manager had been fired. We were given great food and service. The new manager apologized for our previous visit. Needless to say we have been back and we will continue to return.
(4)Samalamb S.
Love this place! Whether it's for lunch, dinner, or going out for drinks, I'm constantly picking up food or bringing friends by for the atmosphere. A few of my favorites are the seafood chowder (amazing!), the portabella mushroom sandwich is really good and so is the fish po boy :) My fiance is a big whiskey fan so he brings his buddies here for the whiskey sampler.. and they have mini games all over the place to keep us entertained while we drink :) so much fun! I always recommend it
(5)Simon B.
Best place to find Scotch in Knoxville. Their food is also excellent so long as you like puff pastry on everything. They also have excellent specials occasionally such as the shepherd's pie(actual lamb, not beef). They have live music on the weekends which can detract from the atmosphere for me as it gets far too loud. Their Toad in a Hole appetizer is so good I have made a meal out of them before. Also, they have something for dessert that you won't find many other places if at all: Fried Mars Bar!
(4)Evan G.
Beer is limited, but best food, music, and service. Easily the best bar in Knoxville IMO.
(5)John M.
They've got a lot of whiskeys that aren't bourbon, which is nice cause most places serve a lot of bourbon and not much else.
(3)Rachel F.
I had the worst service I can remember having at this bar. I was visiting some family and we went here totally randomly, none of us had been . My cousin ordered a beer at our table and 2 others went to the bar for drinks. When the waitress brought his beer she also brought his tab, which we thought was strange since we had just arrived. She then came back and checked the tab 3 separate times to see if he had paid. On the fourth time I asked her if her shift was ending and she was just trying to get her tabs closed. She said no, that if we were going to order from the bar she needed us to pay her. I had yet to order a drink at all, we had been there maybe 20 minutes. She came back the 5th time and said she didn't think it was a big deal for us to pay even when I asked her if we could open a tab. At that point I asked for her name, she wouldn't tell me but asked for my name, which I told her. She refused to tell me her name but said she was going to tell the entire waitstaff not to serve me because I was drunk. This was not the case. At that point I found the manager and filled him in. He was polite, but did not seem to take any action besides send us another waitress. We stayed for 1 round and left becayse we felt strange being there. I worked in restaurants for 8 years and understand the industry, I could never imagine treating a customer the way my group was treated. No one in my group will ever go back which stinks since the place seemed cool, but it only takes one bad customer service experience to ruin a place for me
(1)b h.
practically inedible food, thoroughly sloppy service. deeply amateur effort in the old city. Def swerve to the Goose or hit anywhere in Market Square. Or Tastee Freeze.
(1)Channa P.
I've been holding out on my review of Jig and Reel because I really can't wrap my head around the place. When I first went over a year ago, I kept thinking really kilts? I get the place is Scottish, but how cheesy. I think the place was initially too themed to be enjoyable. The people and bands were just really into the Scottish culture, and I was just really into a good beer. Now I'm in a different camp. For Knox locals this place to me is like a Pres Pub in Old City. The really good food and beer brings every kind of person inside. I always end up running into a hodge podge of people and that leads to a great time. This place is also weird enough that when my bud decides to just hop on the piano on stage and play R&B hits no one bothers to care or listen. It's a fun place and refuge from the club scene that can be so, so bad not to mention mundane in Old City.
(4)William S.
Great food selection, which is cheap for the quality and quantity. This is my favorite bar in Knoxville, and one of my favorite restaurants. Great atmosphere. They also have an amazing Scotch menu, which they claim is the largest in the world.
(5)Bad T.
Just an amazing place to spend an evening! The staff is incredibly friendly and will do anything to make your evening a great one. The Scotch selection is as good as you will find anywhere in America. There are about 400 whiskies in there, and the prices are great. They also have a creative menu and excellent food. If you don't go there, you are missing out big time! It's a fun environment any day of the week!!
(5)Derek A.
Its a lively, loud bar with a killer scotch selection and some cool bar games that are free to play. Some live music was gong on while we were there - overall a cool vibe. Only had drinks, so all I can speak to is the feel of the place and the service, both of which were good.
(4)Patrick L.
Great pub in the old part of town. Got lucky and.came on a night where a ceilidh was going down. Definitely the highlight was listening to the musicians. One even had uilleann pipes.
(4)Barbara H.
Amazing place. I love their location in old city. The food is stellar; they have this chicken pot pie that I think is made with cider. The crumbly bacon mac and cheese is great. I've only ever had one drink there though. It was a mixed drink and very strong. Nice though. They often have live music and it's a great atmosphere. All around it's a very pleasant place to spend time. I try to bring my friends when I go here, but it's so much better than the other bars in the area, especially if you love Irish food and kilts. ;)
(5)Van F.
Outstanding. Very knowledgable bartender. Over 325 different scotches. Good food, enjoyed toads in a hole and a William Wallace burger. If we lived here this would "our place".
(5)Timothy W.
If you like Scotch then this is a must visit. Visited here with a scotch collector and he was a kid in a candy store. We both got to try some Scotches we have had on our must try list. Watch out for some of the bums outside though... And, the bartenders have varying knowledge level.. Find one that loves the work and the fire water and it will be an experience.
(5)Thomas G.
Very nice Scottish pub which you don't often see. Food was typical pub food but interesting and well prepared. Scotch eggs were so so and I have had better. Haggis was not bad and not served in the traditional way. Great Scottish ale selection. I had the beef and ale pie and my wife had the Stovies which were both very tasty and filling. It is definitely worth a look.
(4)James G.
Great scotch selection and some decent beers. Standard pub fare for food. Nothing too special but nothing awful. The worst thing about the place was the distinct lack of music. We visited on a Friday night. There was no band when we got there. Eventually a band set up and played for about 30 minutes. We moved to the stage area and sat down... and the band took a break. We drank beers and waited another 40 minutes but the band didn't come back on. We probably would have spent more time if there had actually been some music. In short, it's another pub.
(3)Court J.
Great place to catch some local musicians while you grab some baked mac and cheese and a drink... Always fun to hang out here!
(5)Rhonda P.
5 for atmosphere and high end beer selection. 3 for fish and chips.
(4)K. Onda Guera ?.
Fantastic! Started with the Scotch Egg...super yummy, came with some of the best (super hot) mustard I've ever had. I followed that up with some "Stovies" which is a lamb stew. It was extremely good. Of course I had to have a little whiskey as well...they had a HUGE selection. I would come back here again if I were in town.
(5)Adam M.
Amazing scotch menu, cool atmosphere! Didn't try the food unfortunately, but I will be back to check it out.
(4)Shelly V.
Best whiskey selection around. Seriously, go for the whiskey. They give you a book with what they keep in stock and then a list of the new bottles. 1 oz. ranges from $5 - $200 depending on how much of a stickler you are for only drinking whiskey older than you.
(4)Aaron J.
Great beer and excellent food. The menu isn't very big, but it doesn't need to be when what you've got is perfection. I recommend the pies. The Beef and Ale pie and Mac and Cheese pie are both delicious. Pair this with a Guinness and you'll be sitting pretty. They also have an AMAZING whiskey selection. It's something they pride themselves on. They have whiskey from many different regions. The atmosphere is great. Feels like you're right in the heard of Scotland. Live music is great. Usually someone in there playing the bagpipes. This place is more enjoyable to sit and have a drink rather than make a whole evening out of, but that could easily change. P.S. They open at 4pm daily.
(4)Derek M.
Only been once, but the bartenders were great, as were the drinks. I will be back.
(5)Susan H.
Great music pub with excellent food to boot! Good for all ages. Not a sleazy bar, rather, a lovely restaurant with a lot of live music including traditional Scottish and Irish music and old-timey, too!
(5)Ada S.
Absolutely fell in love with place while visiting Knoxville a few months ago. The atmosphere was super comfortable, the type of bar I'd be a regular at if I lived nearby. The food was interesting...all familiar ingredients combined in an unfamiliar way that really worked well. I still dream about their Bread Basket and I'm seriously tempted to ask them to ship me a few orders. It was that good!
(5)Josh C.
Awesome atmosphere! I love the beer selection as well. The live Scottish music was great. I had the macaroni pie which had a pastry puff on top with bacon as well.Plus they use local bacon which is awesome! I definitely enjoyed it here and will come back and try more menu items.
(4)Monica And J.
We ordered the beef pie and it was pretty good. Best part of this place is the atmosphere though. Different people come in, drinks are good, TVs are fairly abundant. We were there on a Thursday night, so most people were at the front bar and we got served the best Long Island Teas ever. Very chill atmosphere, over 200 scotches to choose from, clean place. Will definitely be back!
(5)April W.
This place is worth about 3.75 stars but not quite 4. Easier to list why: 5 stars based on the atmosphere. Pub feel all the way. 5 stars based on the drinks and selection of whiskey. 4 stars based on the service. Now this is where it becomes tricky. 3 stars based on the food. And this being the main reason we visited. I got the Mac n cheese pie. It's good, but lacking. They serve small pieces of Benton's bacon on top and after you eat that small portion of bacon, it loses all momentum and becomes ordinary. Just a fill up of noodles and pastry. My suggestion is to put that bacon all through it and then, it would be more of a palette pleaser! My boyfriend got the meat pie. The crazy part about it is, his was just filled with gobs of roast beef with very very few vegetables. It needed something also, like a just a tad more vegetables. Neither entree was bad but we didn't walk out impressed either. Yet all it would take is a couple of minor tweaks to make it impressive :)
(3)Christopher F.
Best. Scotch. Bar. Ever. Everything you can think of and more for scotch, the right music, attire and an incredibly knowledgeable staff. Games, food...this place is the best. They even had a beer aged in whiskey barrels (Ola Dubh) that was out of this world. If you'd in Knoxville and you like scotch even a little, GO!
(5)