Urban Bar & Corner Cafe — Restaurant in Knoxville

This has been my favorite bar every time I have lived in Knoxville. I've gone there with friends, my little sister and on occasion all by myself. I love the pool tables ... and the nachos. They used to have the most wonderful curly fries, but I moved away for a year and when I moved back, they don't have them anymore. I got those curly fries more times than I probably should have. :) parking is normally fine, even on busy nights I just park under the bridge that is down the street. It is very smoky inside, but they do have a nice patio area if you're sensitive to smoke.

Unfortunately, the last time I went in to the bar they told me I was banned, and they refused to tell me why. I had to call today to find out. They accused me of asking customers for free drinks; I haven't ever asked for a drink. Ever. They said complaints were placed by some of their regulars, but they couldn't tell me who. I've never asked for anything in my entire life, let alone a drink. The manager refused to listen to me at all. I even told her they could check their cameras for when I paid cash and their credit card payment history. I've paid my tab when I've been there except when a good friend of several years bought me drinks, since I was buying food after, and then another time when a new friend I was hanging out with took my $12 tab and paid it with his; he refused to let me pay it. He even left the bartender a $5 tip. He also bought drinks for two of my friends that were sitting down the bar (I only know them from Urban so I guess I don't get to see those friends anymore) and two random people that came up to the bar and hung out with us. They refused to even try to verify that the accusations against me were untrue.

She said that, "The decision has been made and there's nothing you can do about it, the owner doesn't change his mind." She did say that I could talk to the owner this week, but in the same sentence she said that it wouldn't change anything. She condescendingly told me that because I disagreed with what they were accusing me of, that they were correct in banning me. She basically made fun of me for being upset that they banned me. :( I thought it was a joke when they told me I was banned. I didn't do what I was accused of, and I am mortified of how I was treated. It's just appalling. I don't know who I upset, but if you aren't a regular, the manager at urban bar will treat you with little to no respect. I don't know where these accusations could have come from, and I seriously don't know anyone at Urban bar that I could have upset. :( I am highly disappointed.

If they feel like rectifying this situation, they have my contact information, but after how I was treated, even if they apologized, they have lost my business. I am the kind of person that sees the good in every person ... ... that their owner allowed the management to treat me that way was simply...

Urban Bar and Cafe has been my favorite bar in Knoxville, without exception, for over 15 years. It is filled with good vibes, friendly regulars, and an amazingly positive atmosphere. Urban Bar is the only true melting pot of people from all walks of life. The managers, owner, bartenders, and waitresses truly care about their customers. Better still, the drink portions and prices exceed every expectation. Pool tables, a large patio, amazing food, and a relaxed atmosphere. This combination of positivity, diversity, and truly loyal customers is a rarity in any city. The unique atmosphere is what other bars in Knoxville consistently strive to develop and achieve, and Urban stands apart in successfully creating and maintaining this goal for almost 2 decades. BE AWARE. The only negative aspect for some is that Urban remains one of the few bars that allows indoor smoking, and therefore it will aways be very smoky.

Urban's response toward the Covid pandemic has also been exemplary. It has remained closed far longer than all other bars in 2020, and has slowly reopened in steps. They have opened back, stage by stage, always putting the health of customers and staff above all else. All around Knoxville, I can say with absolute confidence, that all of Urban's Numerous groups of regulars share one collective hope. That the day comes soon when it is once again safe for all of us to celebrate together once more at the best bar...

Love this place!! Been going here for years!! nothing bad to say about this one!!! Their food...AWSOME!!the prices are too!!from their FRESH pork skin...still sizzling and popping when u get them 😀 and served with a size of hot sauce!!they are great...to ,I definitely recommend, THE URBAN FATTY!!!dude if you are looking for a AWSOME burger!!!...THIS IS....THE GO TO FOOD!!! My girl gets it with an extra side of queso dip for her tater tots,which I add..are fried to a crisp and sprinkled with some kind of seasoning and that just sets it all off!!and dipped in queso is the way to go!!! U can order it however u want it topped but if u want it plain with just the cheeses that come on it I would probably specify ya know but yeah they have good chips and dip the best I've found around so far...from downtown grilled and brewery's I don't like and a few others..urban pretty much has it beat!! Great Location!!lots to do at the bar...fooze ball,pool,darts,pinball, even an old gaming machine that has all kinds of old games,like pacman era..etc, but I do say if u like hot stuff and think u can handle the hot wings....DONT TRY TO BE A STUD SHOW OFF!!! HAAAHAA!!!yeah man....um they're really hot...great tip...order the medium or even mild lol...