Tracy Capehart, left, and Zach Levasseur enjoy a night at Union Jacks.
This year took me to new locations while giving me an appreciation for venues I've visited for years. I've enjoyed checking out bars that have popped up in former locations of familiar bars. And it's been interesting to see how the less-than-stellar economy has shaped the local bar scene.
In bar-hopping for another year, I've started seeing venues in a new light. Here's a list of my 10 favorite spots from 2010, starting at the bottom:
10 Latitude 35 : It was a shame to see World Grotto go, but Latitude held onto Grotto's mysterious atmosphere. The multi-level venue has a more straightforward upstairs bar with upscale vibe and remodeled the famous cave-like downstairs performance area, while also adding a swanky side bar.
9 Roosters: Having focused mostly on the downtown and Strip area bars in past years, this year I've really enjoyed stopping by the West Knoxville neighborhood sports bars. Roosters remains the pinnacle of this scene. Cheap darts and beer, outstanding bar food, and no shortage of TVs makes for a great place to catch a weeknight game.
8 Crown & Goose: I'm glad I finally made it by Crown and Goose. Their thick stout makes it worth the trip alone. It's not the cheapest place in town, but at least Crown features live music without a cover charge. Although it's not the ideal time of year for it, the venue boasts a spacious Beer Garden, which is something to look forward to in a few months.
7 Bailey's: This year I was fortunate enough to see some of my favorite sports teams succeed. So I made it my goal to find the city's best place to watch sports games. I deemed Bailey's that very place. Sure, it's part of a national chain and lacks that small-town neighborhood pub vibe, but that's why I like it. It makes a big deal out of each and every game, with it's overabundance of TVs, two enormous screens, and countless pool tables. The service is top notch, meaning you don't have to try to hit the bar during brief commercials.
6 Relix Variety Theatre: This ever-changing work in progress fills a gap in the Knoxville entertainment scene. Bringing in amateur comedy and wild stage performances (i.e. a circus) among other things, Relix is kicking Happy Holler up a notch.
5 Sidesplitters: I've had the pleasure of examining the local comedy scene intently over the past year, and that wouldn't have been possible without Sidesplitters, who showcases local professional and amateur comedians regularly. An evening at Sidesplitters truly is a night on the town, with live performance, food and drinks. A show's cost parallels your typical dinner and a movie, and you'll get to see raw local and regional talent.
Brian Kelley, from left, Tammy Rutherford and Jody Wlsey share a laugh at Paul's Oasis.
4 Paul's Oasis: I never knew what to think of Paul's Oasis until Boomsday of this year, when I swung by on a whim and found a bar full of friendly patrons. Paul's doesn't really stick out (it's concealed within a shopping center on Kingston Pike), and it's decor is on par with everything else in town (except the boxing ring serving as a stage in the back corner). But Paul's is all about vibe - friendly people hanging out, splitting their attention between conversation, sports games and the music blaring from the jukebox. It's an experience and you might make some new friends.
Jennifer, left, and Chip Clark enjoy a few of the many beers on tap at the Half Barrel.
3 Half Barrel: I've grown tired of most spots on the Strip. But I found Half Barrel is a lot more than the bars that surround it. Specifically, Half Barrel is dedicated to serving up good beer. Their tap selection is vast and a small handful rotate throughout the seasons, meaning every few months you'll have a new selection. The place's pub-like atmosphere also serves as a great karaoke venue and a place to get caught up in a UT game.
2 Rocky Top Comedy Contest: OK, so this isn't technically a venue, but in years of checking out local happenings I can safely say this 12-person stand-up comedy contest at Relix this November ranks among the most enjoyable evenings I've ever had in this town.
1 Union Jacks: This British pub has remained one of my favorites for years, and it only took a few visits to determine it my favorite spot in town. Unique beer imported from places like England to Africa, the city's best jukebox, and their famous pub dogs being served well after midnight make for a combination that can't be beat.
© 2010, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 2
trat writes:
Why don't you go to a real bar? Like Cornpone, or Checker Flag?
GreenbackMike writes:
Ummmm He did go to a real bar. The only Bar in Knoxville worth going to is Union Jacks
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