The Rampant Lion: An honest review
It’s easy to forget that there’s more to Gatlinburg than the strip. That there’s more to the mountain village than celebrity restaurants and various activities associated with the Ripley’s Believe It or Not enterprise. It’s actually not hard to get off the beaten path in Gatlinburg. When you do, you can frequently discover that there are a lot of interesting things happening where you’d least expect them.
The other day, for instance, we were near Glades Road, home to the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts community. And, we had some time to kill. While the area is awash in cabins, rentals, condos, and retreats, there remains at the heart of the Glades a community of shops, restaurants, and more. Not far from this community, sits The Rampant Lion.
What is The Rampant Lion?
It’s a Celtic public house – or pub – selling beer and wine and alcohol as well as culinary favorites from England, Ireland, and Scotland – and possibly Wales.
Heavily decorated with the themes of the various countries in Great Britain – to quote Ted Lasso, “How many countries are in this country?”- the pub is Scottish-leaning. But it also celebrates the cultures of Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Cornwall, and Britain.
You can choose from a variety of beers on draft – I went with an Iron Forge Scottish Ale – whiskey, mixed drinks, and wine.
There are large TVs for watching sports, but the sound isn’t overbearing, so there’s plenty of room for conversation. The pub has the main restaurant building, a large deck, and a smaller building that serves as a second bar.
It is the combined efforts of the husband-and-wife team, Brian and Dana Papworth. Brian started the Fox and Parrot Tavern not far from The Rampant Lion, which he and Dana opened as a Wine & Tapas Bar. When the Wine & Tapas business began to flag, they decided to combine their efforts and turn the Rampant Lion into a pub.
What are the culinary options at The Rampant Lion?
It’s freshly made British Celtic fare. We’re talking about fish and chips and bangers and mash. And we’re talking shepherd’s pie and more. We’re talking Scotch egg, and we are talking bubble and squeak. Finally, we’re talking fried sheep balls – theoretically. I couldn’t pull the trigger on that one.
“Our goal is to create as authentic an experience as possible, which all starts with authentic British Celtic recipes. Our beer cheese is made with Newcastle Brown Ale, and our beer batter breading for our famous fish and chips is made from scratch. It’s generally made with Bass Ale from England,” the Rampant Lion website states. “So, it’s, it’s as authentic and fresh as it can be.”
Look, I’ve been to England a few times, but mostly in the South and Midlands. I can’t verify the authenticity of what is served as the Rampant Lion, but I can tell you it’s good. Or in the case of the beer cheese mentioned above – great. I could do shots of the beer cheese. Other options include a chicken vindaloo, steak, mushroom pie, and more.
For dessert? It’s hard to top sticky toffee pudding. But I know the question you’re all asking, and yes, they do have spotted dick.
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Is the Rampant Lion a good place to watch sports?
If sports are the main thing you’re looking for, there are better options. The Lion does have a few big TVs where you can watch sports. However, it’s not a sports bar. I’ve had it on my radar as a place to be when the World Cup kicks off. I plan on watching at least one match there.
If I were the owner of the Lion – for the record, I am not – I would rent a big projection screen and set it up for key cup matches out on the spacious deck or even in one of the two parking lots. If you could get a group of like-minded football fans rooting for the US, England, or Scotland, it could be a special experience.
Is The Rampant Lion worth it?
If you have a love for the British Isles, Scotland, and the like, absolutely. Or if you enjoy a good drink and a nice savory pie, 100%. If you want a fun place to drink with your buddies, then yes, too. Look, there are a lot of cookie-cutter places on the main path in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Why not get off the beaten path to try something different? You can find the pub at 734 Powdermill Rd. in Gatlinburg. The website can be accessed here.
Did you know about The Rampant Lion? Let us know in the comments and on the socials!