Gatlinburg is not a dry city, and all types of alcohol are permitted there. In Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, on the other hand, liquor sale isn’t permitted.
That doesn’t mean you can’t have alcohol in these two places. Certain types of alcohol can be served at restaurants, and you can always go there for some alcohol.
Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville are all areas in the Sevier County of Tennessee. This is technically a moist county with variable levels of permission for alcohol sales.
The area is a massive tourist attraction due to its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It draws in many visitors from the country, and alcohol sales are a potential source of revenue for local businesses.
In this article, I will review the permission levels in terms of alcohol in these three areas of Sevier County. We will also look at where alcohol can be purchased and consumed.
Is Gatlinburg Dry?
Gatlinburg is not dry, and one can buy and consume alcohol easily. You can find alcohol quite quickly as well.
The town of Gatlinburg is the closest out of itself, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. As a result, tourism plays a huge role in the people’s source of income here.
The droves of tourists the town receive drives up the alcohol demand. Gatlinburg has made alcohol available to purchase and consume in shops and restaurants.
It’s a no-brainer. Alcohol sales make up a sizable chunk of revenue for local businesses.
Is Pigeon Forge Dry?
Pigeon Forge can be called “damp” as it’s impossible to buy alcohol there, but you can consume it.
Restaurants and bars in Pigeon Forge are permitted to serve alcohol, including liquor and cocktails. You, of course, cannot get it at local stores or supermarkets.
There’s also a loophole that allows you to buy liquor from distilleries. They not only sell alcohol but even allow you to sample it before purchasing it.
In Pigeon Forge, you can purchase beer with up to 6.2% alcohol content. This is sold at rest stops, major grocery shops, and gas stations.
Despite all this, on paper, Sevier County as a whole remains dry.
Is Sevierville Dry?
Sevierville is considered “moist,” i.e., one can’t purchase alcohol from shops or grocery stores. However, serving certain alcohol is permitted in restaurants and similar establishments.
These restaurants and bars can serve wine and beer on their premises. However, there is no permission to purchase or consume liquor.
There is, however, a loophole just like Pigeon Forge, which allows one to purchase liquor from one of the thousands of distilleries in the area.
Just visit a local distillery, sample some of its offerings, and take your pick.
Where Can You Drink Alcohol In Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, And Sevierville?
These are the places where you can drink alcohol in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville.
1. Pigeon Forge
Although technically dry as part of Sevier County, Pigeon Forge is actually damp. It doesn’t allow the sale of liquor, but restaurants are permitted to sell it readily.
You can also grab some beer at the local grocers and gas stations. If not, Gatlinburg is a stone’s throw away, and all kinds of alcohol are permitted there.
Iron Boar Saloon, Old Forge Distillery, and Soul of Motown are three of the excellent nightlife establishments in Pigeon Forge.
2. Gatlinburg
If Pigeon Forge is damp, Gatlinburg is flooded. There are no restrictions in this town when it comes to alcohol.
It can readily be consumed at your homes, restaurants, and bars. Beer, wine, cocktails, liquor, etc., are all permitted to be sold at supermarkets and grocery stores.
There are also a ton of distilleries that will sell you nice local alcohol. Gatlinburg, right on the edge of the famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park, makes it a tourist hub.
It has a great nightlife with excellent establishments such as Loco Burro, Smoky Mountain Brewery, and Ole Red Gatlinburg.
3. Sevierville
Sevierville is a lot drier as compared to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. No alcohol sales are permitted at stores and supermarkets.
However, restaurants can serve wine and beer alongside meals on their premises. No liquor consumption is allowed, however.
As a way around this, many local distilleries sell various types of liquor. They allow patrons to “sample” the alcohol before purchasing, which is good for consumption.
The Tennessee Legends Distillery in Sevierville is quite popular locally. You can also drive nearby Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg to get alcohol.
Seasons 101 and the Gatlinburg Brewing Company are excellent places to have a good meal and drink in Sevierville.
What Types Of Alcohol Are Permitted In Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, And Sevierville?
Here’s a breakdown of the kinds of alcohol one can purchase and consume in these three areas.
| Area | Type of alcohol permitted | Served at restaurants | Sold in stores | Sold at distilleries |
| Gatlinburg | Beer, Wine, Liquor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pigeon Forge | Beer, Wine, Liquor | Yes | Yes (Only beer) | Yes |
| Sevierville | Beer, Wine | Yes (Only wine and beer) | No | Yes |
Final Remarks
In this article, we covered the legality of alcohol in these areas of Sevier county – Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Gatlinburg. We explored the various levels of permission for alcohol consumption and sale.
We also looked at places where alcohol can be consumed in these three areas. Let’s recap.
Gatlinburg openly allows the sale and consumption of liquor. Pigeon Forge provides serving liquor but not its sale, and Sevierville allows only wine and beer to be served but not sold.
My name is Jeyn Dashner and I am the founder of WanderFever. I have worked as a travel journalist for many years, and exploring new places is my greatest pleasure in life.
