Elks Lodge is a association or organization in Columbia, TN. Phone: (931) 381-0702. Average rating is 4.4 stars from 52 reviews. Website: https://www.elks.org/lodges/home.cfm?lodgenumber=686.
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks emblemColumbia, TN Elks Lodge #686
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Exterior view of Elks Lodge with a statue and signage.
4.4 52 reviews

Brotherhood, Community, and a Cold Beer

Columbia's Elks Lodge 686 keeps its doors open five days a week for members who show up.

Charity

Giving without expectation

Justice

Fairness for every person

Brotherly Love

Fellowship above all

Fidelity

Faithful to our word

About Us

Exterior view of the Elks Lodge building on a sunny day.
Exterior view of the Elks Lodge building on a sunny day.

Lodge 686 on Wkrm Lane is one of the few private clubs in Middle Tennessee that actually runs a full-service restaurant and bar five days a week. That takes real commitment, and the members here deliver it. The place runs on volunteer labor more than most people realize, with a small paid staff and a large group of regulars who treat the building like a second home.

The kitchen turns out solid, no-fuss food. The bar is the kind where the bartender already knows your drink by your second visit. Reviewers with a combined 52 ratings give it a 4.4 out of 5, which is a meaningful number for a members-only club that doesn't need to chase Yelp stars to survive.

Beyond the dining room, Elks Lodge 686 runs consistent community programs tied to the national BPOE mission: youth scholarships, veterans support, and local charitable giving that puts real dollars back into Columbia, Tennessee. The antler above the door isn't just a logo. It carries obligations, and this lodge takes them seriously.

What We Offer

The lodge offers a members-only dining room and bar open five days a week, serving straightforward American food in a relaxed setting where you're likely to run into someone you know. Membership gives you access to weekly events, social nights, and a space that's genuinely yours.

Event venue rental is available for qualifying occasions, including rehearsal dinners and private gatherings. Prospective renters should confirm all dates in writing and get direct confirmation from the events coordinator to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Beyond the building itself, Lodge 686 connects members to the national Elks charitable network, including scholarship programs for area students, support for local veterans, and community service projects organized through the lodge calendar. If you're looking to get involved rather than just show up, there's a committee for that.

Gallery

Take a look at our space and what we have to offer

“Every visit people are so friendly. Great food and good service. And the do good community work.”

— Theresa Medina

What Our Guests Say

Don't just take our word for it - hear it from our members & guests

Click to Rate & Review This Business ✍️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7 months ago
"Despite being one of only a handful of private, members-only lodges open five days a week with a full-service restaurant and bar, this lodge operates with a remarkably small paid staff — relying heavily on the dedication of its member volunteers. And yet, from this uniquely busy and committed hub, truly great things happen. As a civic organization, the lodge is deeply committed to serving children in need, supporting veterans, and uplifting community members who have fallen on hard times — offering not just material aid, but a spiritual lift to help them get back on their feet. Members selflessly donate countless hours to carry out this mission, proving that compassion and community spirit can accomplish extraordinary things. This is not a commercial facility for public revenue. It is a center for charitable action, built by its members and for its members — all with the purpose of serving others."
— Andrea Rhodes
8 months ago
"DO NOT USE FOR SPECIAL EVENTS!!! Booked the Elk's Lodge for my rehearsal dinner. Found out two months before that they had double booked the venue (this was accidentally disclosed to a family member, it was not directly told to those planning the event). AR, Ashley, and Hery all gave a different story and reason for how it happened. In the end, they ended up giving the venue to the party who booked after us (they booked significantly later than us), leaving us without a venue. They are unwilling to resolve the issue or make any amends."
— Rachel Dunn
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 months ago
"Every visit people are so friendly. Great food and good service. And the do good community work."
— Theresa Medina
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 years ago
"Always a good time visiting a elks club. They hooked me up with a electric cord to my camper and spent the night. Nice little outdoor setting in middle of town. Had seen a deer."
— Mike Demkowicz
8 months ago
"Cancelled my good friends wedding reception with hardly any notice or remorse. Chilling and downright distasteful treatment of guests/future patrons."
— Benjamin Davis

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a member of Elks Lodge 686 in Columbia, TN?

You must be a U.S. citizen, believe in God, and be sponsored by an existing member. Visit the lodge during open hours or go to elks.org to start the application process. Lodge 686's number is 686 on the national site.

What days and hours is the lodge open?

Lodge 686 operates five days a week. Specific hours can vary by season and event schedule. Contact the lodge directly through elks.org/lodges using lodge number 686 for current hours.

Can non-members visit the lodge or dine at the restaurant?

As a private club, the dining room and bar are generally reserved for members and their guests. Non-members should contact the lodge directly to ask about guest policies before visiting.

Is the lodge available to rent for private events like rehearsal dinners?

The venue can be rented for qualifying events. If you're booking, confirm your date in writing, get a direct acknowledgment from the events coordinator, and follow up closer to the date to prevent any scheduling issues.

What community programs does Lodge 686 support?

The lodge participates in national Elks programs including youth scholarships, veterans support initiatives, and local charitable giving. Members can get involved through lodge committees and the annual activity calendar.

Where exactly is Elks Lodge 686 located?

The lodge is located at 1208 Wkrm Lane in Columbia, Tennessee 38401. It's a private facility, so calling ahead or checking the national Elks site for current contact info is recommended before your first visit.

What makes this lodge different from other social clubs in the area?

Very few private clubs in Middle Tennessee maintain a full-service restaurant and bar five days a week. Lodge 686 does it largely on volunteer effort, which says something about the membership's commitment to keeping the doors open.

The Order · Since 1868

Community. Friendship. Charity.

Every Elks lodge belongs to one of America's oldest and largest fraternal orders. Through the Elks National Foundation, the Order has given more than $481 million to college scholarships, veterans, and neighbors in need.

Join the Elks
A Proud Heritage

The Elks gave America
Flag Day.

Long before it was a national observance, the Order set aside June 14th to honor the flag. Patriotism has always been one of our cardinal principles, and every lodge meeting still closes the same way it has for over a century.

“To our absent members.” — the Eleven O’Clock Toast

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Who are the Elks?

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is one of America's oldest and largest fraternal orders, founded in 1868. Every lodge is a home for fellowship, service, and patriotism in its own hometown.

$481M+given through the Elks National Foundation for scholarships, veterans, and community programs.

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