Long before cans and plastic bottles took over, a cold soda meant syrup, fizz, and a little muscle behind the counter. A handful of Tennessee spots still do it the old way, mixing your drink right in front of you.
From the mountains of Gatlinburg to a corner of Beale Street in Memphis, these fountains keep a piece of small-town history alive. Here are seven places across the state where the cola comes with a story and a spoon.
1. Glades Soda Fountain, Gatlinburg, TN
Tucked into the Glades Road arts and crafts area of Gatlinburg, this little counter leans hard into its billing as a blast to the past.
The specialty here is hand-mixed sodas and phosphates, made flavor by flavor right at the bar. You can pick just about any flavor combination you want, and the milkshakes are mixed in front of you too.
Beyond the drinks, the menu keeps things fun with more than 18 flavors of ice cream, including dairy-free options, plus ice cream sodas, sundaes, hot dogs, soft pretzels, and nachos. Portions run generous.
Good to know before you go: hours run Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM, and it is closed on Sundays. There is a free parking lot, service is takeout style with no table service, and it is a solid stop for kids.
You will find it at 601 Glades Rd #20. The root beer float alone makes it a worthwhile detour off the busy main strip.
2. Reds Soda Fountain and Ice Cream, Sevierville, TN
Right in downtown Sevierville, across the street from the well-known Dolly Parton statue, sits a nostalgic ice cream shop built around a soda fountain bar.
Vintage decor sets the mood, with booths, bar stools, and a jukebox that plays oldies for free. It genuinely feels like stepping into a 1950s or 1960s soda shop.
The drinks are the draw. Every fountain soda is handmade, and the menu mixes classic and creative options.
Standouts include the Orange Ice Cream Soda, the Buster Brown Milkshake, and a proper Banana Split loaded with nuts and cherries.
Counter service and table seating are both available, and there is free wi-fi if you want to linger. It stays family-friendly and works well for groups.
Hours run Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 8 PM, Friday until 9 PM, Saturday until 8 PM, and it is closed on Sundays. Saturday afternoons get busy, so weekday visits are calmer.
Find it at 114 Court Ave, an easy walk from the courthouse square.
3. Thomas Drugs, Cross Plains, TN
Working pharmacies with a real soda fountain are rare these days, which makes this Cross Plains fixture stand out.
Open since the early 1900s, Thomas Drugs has served the community as a full-service drugstore and soda fountain, and the fountain treats still come out of a 1930s counter. That kind of longevity is hard to fake.
The old-fashioned shakes and sodas are the reason to stop. Add in ice cream and other fountain drinks, and you get a genuine step back in time without any theme-park polish.
The appearance of yesteryear is the real thing here.
Because it is also a functioning pharmacy, the layout is more practical than fancy, and there is a drive-through plus free wi-fi. Plan on a quick visit rather than a long sit-down.
Hours run Monday through Friday 8 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 8 AM to noon, closed on Sundays. It sits at 7802 TN-25, an easy pull-off if you are traveling north of Nashville.
4. Soda Pop Junction, Lynnville, TN
Set in a historic old building in tiny Lynnville, this spot still has its actual pharmacy and soda counters preserved inside.
The vibe is described as a genuine 1950s soda fountain, and it doubles as a friendly full restaurant. That means you can build a whole meal here, not just dessert.
Classic fried comfort food anchors the menu, along with burgers made from local beef. The Burger and Curly Fries is a popular pick, sweet potato fries cover the veggie crowd, and the Banana Split handles the fountain side of things.
The milkshakes get a lot of love.
Southern hospitality comes standard, and the setting is nostalgic without feeling staged. There is seating, table service, a kids’ menu, high chairs, outdoor seating, and plenty of free parking.
Prices land around 10 to 20 dollars per person. Hours run Tuesday through Thursday 7 AM to 6 PM, Friday and Saturday until 8 PM, Sunday until 5 PM, and it is closed Mondays.
You will find it at 141 Mill St.
5. Livingston’s Soda Fountain & Grill, Brownsville, TN
Over in West Tennessee, Brownsville keeps an old-time soda fountain feel alive with a roomy 1950s-style diner.
The counter service and handcrafted drinks deliver exactly what you want from an old-school soda fountain, and the milkshakes come thick and creamy. If you are chasing nostalgia, the atmosphere hits the mark.
Here is the twist worth knowing: the menu is not strictly old-fashioned. Alongside the classic fountain, the kitchen serves burgers, hot chicken, and other American plates.
Chicken and Waffles, the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, and the Blues Fries show off a more modern range.
The space is spacious, the decor gets attention, and it works well for groups and travelers passing through. There is a kids’ menu, high chairs, and lots of free parking.
Prices run about 10 to 20 dollars per person. Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 11 AM to 3 PM, Thursday through Saturday 11 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 2 PM, closed Mondays.
Find it at 60 S Washington Ave.
6. Elliston Place Soda Shop, Nashville, TN
A true neighborhood institution, this Nashville shop has been serving sundaes, entrees, and daily specials for generations amid jukeboxes and tiled walls.
The original soda fountain is the centerpiece, turning out classic sodas and ice cream just as it always has. The 1950s and 1960s diner feel runs deep, and the history is part of the draw.
The menu goes well past dessert. Breakfast brings Home Fries and Cheese Grits and a Tennessee Country Ham plate, while lunch leans into the Signature Soda Shop Burger, Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Pickles, and Squash Casserole.
Save room for the Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae or a Banana Split.
It welcomes a wide crowd, from college students to families to travelers, and it is dog-friendly outside. Reservations are accepted, and there is dine-in, takeout, and even delivery.
Hours run Monday through Saturday 7:30 AM to 4 PM and Sunday 9 AM to 3 PM. You will find it at 2105 Elliston Pl, an easy stop near Midtown.
7. A. Schwab, Memphis, TN
Standing on Beale Street since 1876, this family-owned general store is one of the oldest businesses in Memphis and comes with its own working fountain.
An old-school soda and ice cream fountain runs along one end of the counter, so you can order a milkshake in a place that has been open for well over a century. That combination of history and hand-mixed drinks is tough to beat.
Part of the fun is everything around the fountain. The store sells candy, souvenirs, and even hoodoo items, and there is a small museum upstairs that tells the building’s story.
For many kids, it is a first-ever soda fountain visit.
Plan on a quick, browse-and-sip stop rather than a full meal. Service is on-site only, with no delivery.
Hours run Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 5 PM, Friday until 7 PM, Saturday until 8 PM, and Sunday 11 AM to 5 PM. It sits at 163 Beale St, right in the heart of the action.
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