Tennessee has a reputation for rich history, southern hospitality, and some seriously spooky stories. Across the state, restaurants and bars serve up delicious meals alongside tales of ghostly encounters and unexplained happenings.
Whether you’re a believer in the paranormal or just enjoy a good ghost story with your dinner, these haunted hotspots offer an unforgettable dining experience where the past never quite stays buried.
1. Earnestine & Hazel’s — Memphis
Walking into Earnestine & Hazel’s feels like stepping back through decades of Memphis history. This former drugstore turned juke joint sits in the heart of downtown, and locals will tell you it’s one of the most haunted buildings in the entire city. The upstairs once operated as a place where working girls conducted their business, and many believe some of those souls never left.
Staff members have reported hearing footsteps echoing through empty hallways late at night. Glasses slide across the bar with no explanation, and the jukebox occasionally fires up on its own, playing songs nobody selected. Some visitors claim they’ve felt cold spots or seen shadowy figures moving through the dimly lit rooms upstairs.
The building’s past gives these stories extra weight. Before becoming the beloved dive bar it is today, the structure housed a pharmacy on the ground floor while the second story served a completely different clientele. That dual history seems to have left an imprint that refuses to fade.
Despite the supernatural reputation, the atmosphere remains welcoming rather than frightening. People come for the famous Soul Burgers, stay for the live music, and leave with stories about strange occurrences they witnessed. The bartenders have heard every ghost tale imaginable and share them freely with curious patrons.
Whether you experience something paranormal or simply soak up the vintage ambiance, Earnestine & Hazel’s delivers an authentic Memphis experience. The combination of great food, cold drinks, and genuine history makes this spot worth visiting, ghosts or not. Just don’t be surprised if your evening includes an encounter you can’t quite explain.
2. The Greenbrier Restaurant — Gatlinburg
Tucked away in the Smoky Mountains, The Greenbrier Restaurant has been feeding hungry visitors for generations. But according to longtime employees and regular customers, some of those visitors from the past apparently still hang around. The restaurant sits on land with deep roots in Appalachian history, and that history comes with its share of mysterious happenings.
Servers have reported seeing a woman in old-fashioned clothing wandering near the back dining areas. She appears briefly, then vanishes before anyone can approach her. Kitchen staff tell stories about pots and pans moving on their own, and the sound of footsteps coming from empty rooms upstairs.
The building itself adds to the eerie atmosphere with its rustic log construction and isolated mountain setting. When fog rolls through the Smokies, the entire property takes on an otherworldly quality that makes those ghost stories feel entirely plausible. Guests dining near the windows sometimes report seeing figures moving through the mist outside.
Despite these spooky tales, the restaurant maintains a warm and inviting atmosphere. Families come for the hearty southern cooking and stick around to hear the legends from staff members who’ve worked there for years. The combination of excellent food and paranormal lore creates a unique dining experience you won’t find at typical tourist restaurants.
Many visitors specifically request tables in the reportedly haunted sections, hoping to catch a glimpse of something unexplained. Even skeptics admit the place has an unusual energy that’s hard to describe. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, The Greenbrier offers mountain hospitality with a side of mystery that keeps people coming back.
3. Finn’s Irish Restaurant & Tavern — Knoxville
Knoxville’s Finn’s Irish Restaurant & Tavern occupies a building that’s seen more than its share of history. The structure dates back to the 1800s and has served various purposes over the decades, from retail space to offices before becoming the popular Irish pub locals know today. With that much history packed into one location, it’s no wonder people report strange occurrences.
Bartenders working late shifts describe hearing voices when they’re alone in the building. Chairs sometimes move on their own, rearranged overnight even though the place was locked up tight. One particularly active spirit seems to have a fondness for the second floor, where staff members report feeling watched and experiencing sudden temperature drops.
The ghost stories don’t stop customers from packing the place, especially during live music nights. In fact, the paranormal reputation adds to the charm for many regulars who swap their own supernatural experiences over pints of Guinness. Some claim to have seen a man in Victorian-era clothing near the back staircase, while others report items disappearing and reappearing in different locations.
The Irish pub atmosphere provides the perfect setting for these tales. Dark wood, dim lighting, and cozy corners create an ambiance where you can almost believe the past is still present. Staff members have grown accustomed to the unexplained events, treating their ghostly roommates with casual acceptance.
Food-wise, Finn’s delivers authentic Irish fare that pairs perfectly with their extensive drink selection. The fish and chips earn rave reviews, and the shepherd’s pie tastes like it came straight from Dublin. Whether you’re there for the food, the atmosphere, or the ghost stories, Finn’s offers an experience that blends Irish hospitality with Tennessee haunts in the most entertaining way possible.
4. Skull’s Rainbow Room — Nashville
Hidden in Nashville’s historic Printer’s Alley, Skull’s Rainbow Room carries decades of Music City history within its walls. This legendary venue has hosted countless musicians, late-night revelers, and apparently a few spirits who never left the party. The building’s past as a nightclub hotspot during Nashville’s wilder days seems to have left permanent residents of the supernatural variety.
Performers taking the stage have reported feeling unseen hands touch their shoulders during sound checks. Bartenders describe glasses flying off shelves when nobody’s nearby, and the sound of music playing faintly in empty rooms upstairs. Some staff members refuse to go into certain areas alone, particularly the basement storage spaces where the paranormal activity seems most concentrated.
The venue’s name itself hints at its colorful past. During prohibition and the decades that followed, Printer’s Alley was Nashville’s adult playground, filled with clubs, gambling, and all manner of entertainment. That wild energy apparently imprinted itself on the buildings, and Skull’s Rainbow Room absorbed more than its share.
Musicians who’ve played there multiple times share stories about equipment malfunctions that can’t be explained, and strange occurrences that happen only at this venue. One recurring tale involves a woman in a vintage dress who appears on the balcony area, watching performances before fading away. Regular patrons have nicknamed her “The Rainbow Lady” and consider spotting her good luck.
5. Tootsies Orchid Lounge — Nashville
Any list of Nashville landmarks must include Tootsies Orchid Lounge, the legendary honky-tonk that’s been serving up country music since 1960. Its distinctive purple exterior makes it impossible to miss on Lower Broadway, and the history contained within those walls is almost tangible. Along with decades of musical memories, Tootsies apparently hosts spirits who still enjoy the show.
The most famous ghost story involves Tootsie Bess herself, the original owner who ran the place with an iron fist and a generous heart. Staff members and musicians report feeling her presence, particularly when things aren’t running smoothly. Glasses have been known to shatter for no reason, and some bartenders swear they’ve heard her voice giving orders from empty rooms.
Given the bar’s proximity to the Ryman Auditorium, countless country music legends passed through Tootsies’ doors over the years. Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, and Kris Kristofferson all spent time here, and some believe the energy from those glory days never dissipated. Musicians performing at Tootsies today sometimes report seeing shadowy figures watching from the back of the room.
The second floor, which once served as Tootsie’s living quarters, generates the most paranormal reports. People climbing the narrow staircase describe sudden cold spots and the feeling of being watched. Some visitors have captured strange orbs and unexplained shadows in photographs taken upstairs.
Despite the ghost stories, Tootsies remains one of Nashville’s most beloved institutions. The three floors of live music, the walls covered with autographed photos, and the genuine honky-tonk atmosphere create an experience that feels authentically Nashville. Whether you encounter something supernatural or simply soak up the musical history, Tootsies delivers an unforgettable visit to Music City’s heart and soul.
6. Alley Taps — Nashville
Nashville’s Alley Taps combines craft beer culture with a healthy dose of paranormal activity. The building housing this popular taproom has stood in downtown Nashville for well over a century, and its previous incarnations left behind more than just architectural character. Patrons and staff alike report experiences that suggest the past inhabitants haven’t completely moved on.
The basement area, where kegs are stored and changed out, seems to be the epicenter of strange activity. Employees heading downstairs often report hearing footsteps behind them when they’re alone. Some describe feeling an unseen presence standing close by, and a few have flatly refused to go down there solo after dark.
Upstairs in the main bar area, glasses occasionally slide across tables on their own. The draft system has turned itself off multiple times without explanation, and security cameras have captured doors opening and closing when the building is empty.
The building’s history as a warehouse and storage facility might explain some of the activity. Industrial accidents were common in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and buildings like this one witnessed their share of tragedy. Whatever happened here seems to have left an impression that modern renovations couldn’t erase.
Despite the spooky reputation, Alley Taps maintains a lively and welcoming atmosphere. The rotating selection of craft beers keeps regulars coming back, and the ghost stories add an extra layer of intrigue. Staff members have learned to coexist with their unusual roommates, often joking about the spirits and sharing tales with curious customers who ask about the haunting.
7. The Basement East — Nashville
East Nashville’s Basement East might be younger than some haunted locations, but the land it sits on carries history that predates the current building. This popular music venue and restaurant has developed a reputation for paranormal activity that surprises many given its modern construction. Sometimes it’s not the building that’s haunted, but the ground beneath it.
Sound engineers working late have reported hearing phantom music when all the equipment is powered down. Chairs in the dining area occasionally move on their own overnight, found rearranged in patterns nobody can explain. Several staff members describe seeing shadow figures darting through the venue during closing procedures.
The most unsettling reports come from the kitchen area, where cooks have experienced sudden temperature drops and the feeling of being watched. Utensils have fallen from hooks with no logical explanation, and one chef swears she saw a full apparition of a woman in outdated clothing standing near the walk-in cooler before disappearing.
Local historians note that the East Nashville area has a complex past, with various structures occupying these plots over the centuries. Some believe the paranormal activity at Basement East connects to events that happened long before the current venue existed. The spirits might be attached to the location itself rather than any particular building.
The venue’s commitment to showcasing emerging musical talent keeps the place packed most nights. The combination of great food, excellent acoustics, and genuine ghost stories creates a unique East Nashville experience. Regulars have grown fond of the paranormal tales, with some specifically requesting tables in areas known for activity.
8. Brumley’s at the General Morgan Inn — Greeneville
Greeneville’s General Morgan Inn has been a fixture in this small Tennessee town since the 1880s. The elegant Victorian structure has served as everything from a stagecoach stop to a boarding house before becoming the charming inn and restaurant it is today. Brumley’s Restaurant, located within the inn, offers fine dining with a side of supernatural encounters that guests and staff have reported for decades.
The most frequently sighted spirit is believed to be a woman in Victorian-era clothing who appears in the dining room and upstairs hallways. She’s been spotted so many times that staff members have given her a nickname and speak of her with casual familiarity. Guests sometimes report seeing her reflection in mirrors or catching glimpses of her dress disappearing around corners.
Dining room staff describe place settings being rearranged overnight, silverware appearing in patterns they didn’t create. Wine glasses have been known to vibrate or move slightly across tables when nobody’s touching them. The kitchen occasionally experiences unexplained cold spots, and cooks report hearing their names called when they’re working alone.
The inn’s long history provides plenty of potential sources for paranormal activity. Countless travelers passed through these doors over the decades, and the building witnessed births, deaths, celebrations, and sorrows. Some of that emotional energy seems to have soaked into the very walls.
Despite the ghostly reputation, Brumley’s maintains an atmosphere of refined southern hospitality. The restaurant serves upscale cuisine that draws diners from across the region, and the historic setting adds authentic charm you won’t find in newer establishments. Many guests specifically book rooms at the inn hoping for a paranormal experience to accompany their excellent meal.
The staff handles questions about ghosts with grace and humor, happy to share stories while ensuring guests feel comfortable.
9. Thomas House Hotel Dining Experience — Red Boiling Springs
Red Boiling Springs built its reputation as a mineral springs resort town in the late 1800s, and the Thomas House Hotel stands as one of the few remaining grand hotels from that era. The dining experience here comes with a heavy dose of history and an even heavier dose of paranormal activity. This place doesn’t just claim to be haunted—it embraces it fully, offering ghost tours alongside its home-cooked meals.
The hotel’s most famous spirit is Miss Sarah, believed to be a former owner who died in the building. Guests and staff report seeing her throughout the property, but she seems particularly attached to the dining room. Chairs rock on their own, and the scent of lavender perfume sometimes fills the air with no source.
Diners occasionally report feeling taps on their shoulders or seeing silverware move across tables. The kitchen staff has experienced cabinet doors opening and closing, and the sound of footsteps on the stairs when nobody’s there. Some guests have captured strange anomalies in photographs taken in the dining areas.
The hotel’s age and history make it a paranormal investigator’s dream. Over 130 years of operation means countless stories, countless guests, and apparently countless spirits who decided to stay. The Thomas family, which operates the hotel, has documented numerous encounters and welcomes those interested in the supernatural.
The dining experience itself focuses on traditional southern cooking served family-style. Fried chicken, fresh vegetables, homemade biscuits, and desserts that taste like grandma made them fill the tables. The combination of comfort food and potential ghost sightings creates an experience that’s uniquely Tennessee.
10. The Stationairy at Union Station Hotel — Nashville
Union Station in Nashville stands as one of the city’s most impressive architectural achievements. Built in 1900, this Romanesque Revival masterpiece served as a bustling train terminal before its conversion into a luxury hotel. The Stationairy restaurant, located within this historic space, offers diners a chance to eat beneath soaring barrel-vaulted ceilings while potentially encountering spirits from the station’s past.
The most commonly reported ghost is a man in a conductor’s uniform who appears near the hotel’s lobby and sometimes in the restaurant area. Witnesses describe him checking a pocket watch before vanishing into thin air. Staff members have grown accustomed to his appearances, considering him a benign presence that adds to the building’s character.
Given the station’s history as a transportation hub, countless people passed through these halls over the decades. Some were heading to new lives, others returning home, and tragically, some never completed their journeys. That concentration of human emotion and experience seems to have left permanent impressions on the building.
Restaurant staff report hearing phantom train whistles late at night when the building is quiet. Glasses clink together on their own, and some servers describe feeling unseen presences moving through the dining areas. The building’s grand scale and historic details create an atmosphere where these stories feel entirely believable.
The restaurant itself serves upscale American cuisine in surroundings that make every meal feel special. The combination of architectural grandeur and excellent food would be enough to draw visitors, but the ghost stories add an extra dimension.
Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or a paranormal enthusiast, The Stationairy delivers on all fronts. The building’s stunning restoration preserves its historic character while providing modern amenities, and the possibility of a supernatural encounter makes every visit memorable.
11. Drusie & Darr at The Hermitage Hotel — Nashville
The Hermitage Hotel has represented Nashville luxury since opening its doors in 1910. This Beaux-Arts masterpiece in downtown Nashville has hosted presidents, celebrities, and countless travelers over the decades. Drusie & Darr, the hotel’s restaurant, provides fine dining in surroundings that ooze old-world elegance—and according to staff and guests, supernatural activity that refuses to check out.
Several spirits reportedly haunt the Hermitage, but the most active seems to be a woman in early 20th-century clothing who appears in the restaurant and lobby areas. She’s been described as elegant and sad, often seen gazing out windows or walking slowly through the dining room before disappearing. Some guests have reported brief conversations with a woman matching her description, only to have her vanish mid-sentence.
The hotel’s history includes a suicide in the early 1900s, and many believe this tragic event left behind a restless spirit. Staff members report elevators moving to floors with no passengers, doors opening and closing on their own, and the distinct feeling of being watched in certain areas. The basement levels, which house the kitchen and storage, generate particularly frequent reports of paranormal activity.
Restaurant servers describe unexplained cold spots that appear suddenly in the dining room. Place settings occasionally get rearranged overnight, and some staff members have heard their names whispered when working alone. Despite these occurrences, the atmosphere remains refined and welcoming rather than frightening.
The dining experience at Drusie & Darr focuses on seasonal southern cuisine prepared with modern techniques. The elegant surroundings and impeccable service make it a favorite for special occasions and business dinners. The potential for a paranormal encounter simply adds an unexpected element to an already memorable meal.