When it’s time to unwind, there’s no better way than to go out and listen to some live music. Whether you like dinner and a show or just want to relax with drinks — or don’t care about anything but the music itself — you’ll find some excellent options in and around Pigeon Forge.
The following live music venues are popular for a reason. They offer a range of experiences, from large stages with loud music to more intimate venues featuring that good ol’ banjo sound for which Appalachia is known. Whatever your taste, all you have to do is pick your poison.
Accordingly, here are some of the best live music venues in Pigeon Forge:
The Hard Rock Cafe
2050 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-430-7625
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Look, it got its name for a reason, and every Hard Rock Cafe around the nation and world lives up to that name. The version in Pigeon Forge version is located on the Parkway and has an always-bursting live event calendar.
There’s more than 12,000 square feet of indoor space, with a huge stage that sees a rotating cast of awesome bands. If you’re looking to relax with music, this is the place to go, where there’s always something happening.
Smoky Mountain Brewery
2530 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-868-1400
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With locations in Turkey Creek, Maryville, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge, there’s a Smoky Mountain Brewery available in all quadrants of this little corner of Tennessee. Every one of those locations serves up burgers and brews with the best of them, but they also serve up live music.
Make sure to check their business’s event calendar to see which bands are playing, then check the location to ensure it is indeed Pigeon Forge — unless you don’t mind a drive.
Ober Mountain
1339 Ski Mountain Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-5423
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Although it is known for being an adventure park and a ski area, Ober Mountain offers everything you could possibly want for a relaxing day away from the realities of life. One of the best things about it? You have to take a tram to get there, climbing almost 1,500 feet in elevation to reach more than 2,800 feet at the peak.
Once there, you can listen to an amazing range of musicians with the Great Smoky Mountains as the backdrop. If you love bluegrass, this is the only place to be.
Dolly Parton’s Stampede
3849 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-453-4400
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Yes, Stampede is right there in the name for a reason. This dinner attraction is one of the most popular in the area, with an arena right in Pigeon Forge. With native performers, horses, aerial stunts, hoops of fire, and so much more, you’ll have a magical evening filled with music and special effects.
As if that’s not enough, there’s also a home-cooked meal like you won’t believe: veggie soup, roasted chicken, pulled pork, biscuits and corn, mashed potatoes, and dessert. And don’t forget classic Southern drinks like Coca-Cola, tea, and more.
Peaceful Side Social
7967 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882
865-518-6300
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If the name doesn’t give it away, peaceful side social is all about good vibes. They’re known for excellent French fries (who doesn’t love French fries?) as well as all kinds of other delicious craft fruits and home-brewed beers.
To round out the experience, this Townsend restaurant offers acoustic music from 4:30 to 7:30 PM on Fridays, so stop on by.
Country Tonite
129 Showplace Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-453-2003
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Consistently awarded for its energetic, nonstop showmanship, Country Tonite focuses on traditional Southern values as conveyed through live theater. You’ll get singing, dancing, gospel, and comedy all rolled into one exciting evening.
Do be prepared for a hefty dose of faith, family, and freedom — which is the show’s motto. If a night dedicated to American patriotism isn’t your thing, maybe stick to one of these other venues instead.
Iron Boar Saloon
104 Waldens Main St, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-429-7779
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The Iron Boar Saloon is less a venue and more a way of life. Billing itself as the best biker bar in Pigeon Forge, it serves up a range of hot foods and cold drinks, with live music available every weekend at The Hogg Shed.
But wait, that’s not all! The Iron Boar Saloon is a classic stop on many a motorist’s journey, so they sell plenty of merchandise. Don’t forget to get a T-shirt, water bottle, sticker, or whatever else you feel would commemorate your experience.
Pinchy’s Lobster & Raw Bar
212 Court Ave, Sevierville, TN 37862
865-365-4168
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If you love an oyster on the half shell, then you’ll love Pinchy’s Lobster & Raw Bar. Their outdoor seating is laidback and family-friendly, and their seafood menu is to die for. Choose from such ocean-forward dishes as she-crab poutine, oysters Rockefeller, New England clambake, lobster ramen, fried shrimp, fish and chips … the sky’s the limit.
Music, but only on weekends, and it’s not always easy to tell who’s on deck. If you want to hit up Pinchy’s at a time when you’re sure there will be entertainment, follow them on Facebook.
SkyLand Ranch
1620 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862
865-737-2624
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When it comes to great gets, SkyLand Ranch pulls. They regularly feature Gary “Biscuit” Davis, a banjo player who accompanied Dolly Parton for decades. But that’s not all, because their concert lineup is always happening, with or without the megastar’s former bandmates.
Music isn’t SkyLand Ranch’s only attraction, either. It has gorgeous grounds with indoor seating and outdoor fire pits, places to walk, and a huge range of other activities that are appropriate for the whole family.
As you can see, there’s no lack of options when it comes to entertainment in Pigeon Forge, especially vis-à-vis the music scene. Always make sure to check music calendars ahead, and remember to enjoy the show!
