Reed: Sail into the Fort Sanders Yacht Club for quirky good time

Photo by Keven Reed

A variety of bumper stickers make for good bar reading for Walter Egan and Sarah Anne Bargatze at the Fort Sanders Yach Club.

Photo by Keven Reed

Katie Mullaly and David Shirley enjoy beverages and games at the Fort Sanders Yacht Club.

Photo by Keven Reed

A variety of bumper stickers make for good bar reading for Walter Egan and Sarah Anne Bargatze at the Fort Sanders Yach Club.

Photo by Keven Reed

Kyle Hardy prepares to take on a classic video game at the Fort Sanders Yacht Club.

Truthfully, it isn't very often that I visit a bar that really surprises me. Most of the bars throughout Knoxville are so similar that, aside from the local charm or perhaps amazing beer specials they offer, there usually isn't anything of interest enough to draw me back for a repeat evening. There are a few places that are an exception to this rule, but most of those are already staples of the Knoxville nightlife.

About a year ago, I visited the newly opened Fort Sanders Yacht Club. At the time, it was little more than a narrow room lined with classic arcade games, some of them not working, and a fridge full of (mostly) cheap beer.

While it was obvious the place needed some work, the simple combination of video games, beer and good music was enough to keep me going back whenever I had the chance. The best part? Each time I went back, something had changed or was added and the Yacht Club got better and better.

Finding the place is a little difficult if you don't know what you're looking for. The main entrance faces 17th Street just behind Cumberland Avenue's Magic Sushi. Or, you can come in through the back in the alley next to Trino's Pizza.

Everything takes place in a long, narrow room more akin to a hallway. The stand-up games line one side of the wall, while the few "cocktail-table" games sit on the other, providing some seating. The bar is in the back and offers a few more places to sit. There is also a patio outside the back entrance, offering a place to get some fresh air and smoke if you need to.

Those are the basics of the Yacht Club, but what all has changed since my first visit? For starters, many of the original games at the bar have been replaced or repaired. Several classic games like Centipede and Donkey Kong still remain, with additions like Tetris, Ghosts and Goblins and a Space Invaders cocktail table making their way into the mix. They have also added a Neo-Geo with some of my favorites, including Bust-A-Move.

Since I last wrote about the spot, the management has also added a Ms. Pacman machine and a second flat-screen TV hooked up to a rotation of classic video game systems like Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo.

Over time, the bar's selection of bottles and cans has grown to include a wide range that I haven't seen in other bars, including several specialty English cans such as Boddingtons, Old Speckled Hen and Horny Goat for $4.

Most domestics and a wide selection of imports and specialties are available in bottles and cans from $2-$6. Also new since last time are the FSYC's drafts. On tap you will find a rotating selection of tasty beer for $4.

The Yacht Club has some great specials throughout the week, including $1 beer on Sunday, $2 beer on Tuesday (everything included) and half-price wine coolers on Wednesday. They also offer happy hour noon-9 p.m featuring 12-ounce cans for $1 and $3 drafts.

The club hosts video game tournaments and displays local art. For special events information, visit www.fortsandersyachtclub.com.

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