Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Rooftop Bar — Restaurant in Gatlinburg

Was there for the week. Tuesday 6pm put our names in and went to the rooftop bar while we waited for a table to be available. Ordered a Cove and Palmer drink. After being called to the hostess we collected our drinks and were sat at a two top by the strip across from the bar and cash register. We sat for several minutes without our waiter addressing us and realized he had passed us several times once he approached us. He asked if we'd like another alcoholic beverage we said no just take two waters and seemed annoyed when we stopped him from rushing off to go ahead and order appetizers. The menu selection is small with zero customization. No sides to choose from, even the wings were only prepared one way which was dry rubbed with one seasoning. We ordered the beer can chicken and Jason Aldens Mac n cheese (pepper jack/bacon/butter herb panko). After the wings were brought to us by someone other than our waiter. We had still at this point not had silverware nor appetizer saucers. 4 steps away were saucers and rolled silverware which our waiter passed several times at this point. My wife got up and retrieved them for us. Not once had the server check on us or ask if we needed anything how the food was. The wings were good, after we received our food and the two top table was packed with two entree plates and the appetizer plate along with the saucers stacked on top. Never pre bussed the table. The Mac n cheese had no bacon and little chicken if any. I didn't make it that far it was sour tasting with not a hint of peperjack. I took one bite and so did my wife to confirm it was sour. At this point our waiter still had not checked on us since bringing the water to our tables. My wife was needing a refill of water and had to literal grab him as he passed. As if he didn't notice I hadn't touched the Mac n cheese or ignored the dirty appetizers dish still sitting on the table. Then he turn and eyerolled like a premadonna. I told him I want to take this off the bill and he asked if I'd like anything else, I said no. He then took the plate still leaving the dirty appetizer dish on the table. He dropped the bill off. The total with the drinks was 60 and some change I left 64$ and he didn't deserve the 4 dollars. I told the manager on the way out, the response was nothing but I'm sorry. Needless to say we didn't spend a dime in the gift store as we usual do. My wife is a waitress and I have always been a great tipper minimum 20$ up to 50$ or more depending on my experience not just the food. That morning I tipped a waffle house waitress 20$ my meal was 26$. Save your money and just walk in and look at the place the service is horrible and the food is basic....

I dunno, man. We've tried it twice now, and I'm still just not impressed.

Disclaimer: it is quite a hike to the rooftop if you aren't able bodied. I do think there's an elevator. I know that sounds obvious, but it's a big building for those unaware lol.

The first time we came (October 2023), we went to the rooftop and sat at the bar. At the time, there were 3 other patrons up there. We literally waited 5 minutes before we were so much as offered a drink menu. The bartender made friends with other patrons and those were the only customers it seemed. The "drink menu" was a stack of emptys sitting on the bar. 5 more minutes pass and the bartender was still chatting with another couple at the bar. Serves them more drinks. We still didn't have even an offer to place an order at that point lol. So we ditched and moved to the second floor where we were served promptly. The pot roast and the egg rolls were phenomenal! The wait staff was great after we told them the rooftop was a terrible first impression.

Fast forward to this week and we decided to give it a try on a Friday for dinner. We go to the rooftop once again. It's packed, as we expected. But I noticed no one has food. Can you not order food on the rooftop? I literally have no idea. Of the many staff members we walked by, no one mentioned that to us. I mentioned the lack of food to my husband.

We shrugged and walked back down to the second level. Which is kinda lame because we wanted to enjoy the live music. But, whatever. It was a 20 minute wait. Again, whatever. It's Friday.

We ended up finding faster seating at the bar. The 2 bartenders were exceptional and as attentive as they could be in the busy atmosphere. We ordered the egg rolls again knowing how much we liked them last time. They came out chewy as if they were sitting under a lamp for a while. The meat inside was lukewarm. We didn't complain and ordered a main dish to share. Shit happens, we get that.

We ordered the chicken and waffles since it seemed to be a hot seller per the menu. I know it said spicy syrup, but hot damn it is a LOT spicier than I would have guessed. I've had spicy chicken and waffles and can normally handle it. But I couldn't even eat a section of this waffle. Outside of my particular pallet, the cut of chicken was not good. It was very dry and ours had a lot of gristle 🤢 So I left hungry and disappointed.

Just seems like a lot of disappointment for $120. We tried it twice. The consistencies are negative, and the inconsistencies aren't worth the gamble. We...

Let me start by saying, if Gatlinburg had a spirit animal, it would be Jason Aldean’s Bar. And that spirit animal is wearing cowboy boots, double-fisting whiskey, and doing a backflip off the stage.

The place slaps harder than your grandma’s church fan in July. From the moment I walked in, I was hit with the kind of wall-to-wall energy that makes you question if you’ve just entered a bar or a Southern rock-themed fever dream.

The bands? Unreal! These folks aren't just playing covers — they’re breathing fire into guitars. One group shredded a righteous version of "Friends in Low Places" so hard I almost texted my ex. The vocals? So good, I’m convinced the lead singer struck a deal with the devil — or at least a very talented bartender. Speaking of which...

The drinks. Oh sweet neon nectar of the gods. I ordered something called a “Whiskey Whisper,” and after three of them, I was whispering to a bouncer about the meaning of life and if raccoons have knees. Strong pours, creative cocktails, and somehow my wallet didn’t cry afterward. A miracle.

Now, the clientele? Buckle up...

There was the Vipor City Dance Team Instructor (yes, he announced it on his official uniform that he wore at least 3 nights in a row), who moved like a caffeinated octopus doing modern interpretive dance. This man invented a new style of dance. Imagine karate, interpretive ballet, and emergency flag signaling — all happening at once. Simply mesmerizing.

Then, you’ve got the hot women who look like they stepped out of a country music video and into my dreams — all while line dancing better than my legs have ever moved, even involuntarily. These women are majestic, crazy hot, terrifying, and bubbling over with that special southern charm (wink).

And don’t get me started on the mohawks. At one point I counted six — three dyed red, two glowing under blacklight, and one holding a beer on top like a tray table. Beautiful chaos.

In conclusion: Jason Aldean’s Bar isn’t just a bar. It’s a lifestyle choice. It’s a honky-tonk hurricane. It’s where boot-scootin’ meets mild-to-moderate debauchery in the most glorious way. I give it a 6/5 and would willingly lose a shoe to find my soul again here.

God bless...