JJ's Bohemia — Restaurant in Chattanooga

This is THE spot in Chattanooga. Trust me, I've seen em all. Laid back, lively, fun. It has character. Rough around the edges with a punk dive bar charm, but that's why we love it. Not your parent's bar. Cool art on the walls. They have free open mic comedy every week (Thursdays currently). And excellent live music most nights.

They host music from every genre you can imagine, rock n roll, hip hop, punk, metal, pop, indie, edm, djs, psych rock, country, singer song writers, performance artists, just about anything you can imagine and then some.

Staff is friendly and helpful and the security keep this a safe environment for folks from all walks of life, but they also have a zero bs policy and will escort you out if you cause trouble. The back patio is super chill and a great hang out spot. Some times they even have shows or comedy out back.

Most shows start around 9-10 pm. Most covers are only 5$ unless it's a special event or a show with a more well known touring act. Some legendary bands and artists have come through here, some before they made it big!

Here's a very small incomplete list of some of those big names: Alabama Shakes, Shovels & Rope, Dax Riggs, Kishi Bashi, Deerhunter, The Meat Puppets, Jay Reatard, Municipal Waste, Chuck Mosley, Napalm Death, Richie Ramone, Savage Master, Circle Takes The Square, Off With Their Heads, The Obsessed, Early James, The Queers, Mean Jeans, Heavy Temple, Peelander Z, Cloak, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Exhumed, Bass Drum of Death, Bobcat Goldthwait, Kyle Kinane, Screaming Females, Jucifer, The Emotron, Andy The Doorbum and so...

Legit dive bar. Not some twee hipster faux scruffy bar. Super chill, vvvv friendly crowd.

Story time: we were in from Chicago in early Nov, looking for live music. Just needed ppl heckin it up with their voices and instruments for money. Didnt care what just wanted joy or rage. We stumbled by JJs after 2 other live music places were meh sad. It was goth night at JJ's. Friends, we are old. Yes we're savage af but still, uggghh, old. I was in heels from our bougie a$$ dinner! Bouncer and friends outside JJs were all GO INNNNNN IT'S FUN. They mightve been mocking us but Imma Yankee and can never tell with you Southerners. Which is probably how we ended up as Yankees™️ and Southerners™️. I digress. We went in JJs and it was righteous. The bands melted the walls. No one gave a leapin lizard about us olds because the music was the THING. The band was in a damn cage and the lead vocalist said her mom talked about stages in cages from the 80s and ngl I felt a wee bit attacked initially, then I was like nah high school was amazing and YALL WISH you lived our feral lives. AGAIN WITH THE DIGRESSING. We stayed hours, drank too many red stripes, made friends in the backyard, took coffin photos for people. Solid good time, immaculate vibes, etc ad infinitum whatever [insert your generation's top compliment HERE.] MY POINT AND I HAVE ONE IS give this bar all your love and money rn Chattanooga. Chicago Mom...

Jjs is an acquired taste or more likely a place for you to go if you like all things weird. Music wise you won't find another bar in Chattanooga bringing in near the same variety. That's because they respect their artists, with in reason and do their best to make it a good place to play. It might look like a hole in the wall dive where anything goes, but there are more than a few different things you can do to get kicked out.Namely, don't harass other people or the performers. Try not to be destructive or cause damage to the facilities. Embrace the wierd vibe. It is a smoking bar, you're warned. Bathrooms aren't based on gender as much as physical need. It is a beer bar so don't go expecting cocktails and wine. The performances I've seen there have ranged from the best I've ever seen to some bands that earplugs werent enough, but that comes with having bands that are as diverse as theirs are. Above all else try to have an open mind and have fun. There is also a wonderful Comedy scene there, Thursday nights are the current open mic, but usually a couple nights a month outside of that there are paid show cases with some really good headliners. Various other shows happen during the month and week as well. Look up their facebook page...