Bubba Brew’s keeps good times hoppin’ on Norris Lake

Photo by Greg Wood

Joe and Shawnessy Horton enjoy a tasty evening at Bubba Brew’s.

Photo by Greg Wood

Joe and Shawnessy Horton enjoy a tasty evening at Bubba Brew’s.

Bubba Brew’s is an extension of summertime waterfront celebration. Located on Norris Lake, the Union County spot offers up what many bars in the greater Knoxville area simply can’t.

First of all, Bubba’s is almost entirely outdoors, meaning a visit is going to be quite warm. One small enclosed area with open windows sits to the side of the venue. You can see the lake all around you and there’s a great view of the Highway 33 Bridge.

The all-female staff wears skimpy outfits while the customers are still donning their old, sleeveless T-shirts or swimwear as they dine or drink. Seating consists of picnic tables and a long wooden bar in the center of the venue with lawn-chair-style seats.

At most bars, the average age sticks out. But Bubba’s restaurant function (possibly coupled with the fact it’s in a family-friendly lake area) brings in a wide age group. There are families with small kids, families with teenage kids, couples in their 20s through 50s and teenage crowds.

The crowd on a recent Friday night couldn’t seem happier. People were letting loose. Unlike other bars, the fun didn’t seem to be alcohol-induced. Bubba’s isn’t a Jim Beam-soaked dance party and people aren’t necessarily using alcohol as a social lubricant. They’re just having a good time.

The lax style of dress and personal appearance (including many shirtless men — something only a waterfront venue could allow) with the carefree attitude stems from being on the lake. Even if you are a regular lake-goer, being on the water is a special occasion. As the sun sets and the day winds down, Bubba Brew’s serves an appropriate way to bring your day at the lake to a close.

On my recent trip, I could hear the muffled sound of karaoke emanating from the center of the marina, bouncing off the surrounding landscape as I trekked down the boardwalk. And it was only 8 p.m., starting the party earlier than most venues with karaoke.

The middle portion of Bubba Brew’s is a wooden pavilion looking like half of a large shed, where the familiar karaoke emcee of Knoxville’s MacLeod’s controlled the party. Their karaoke is typical, 1/2-step flat and a few decibels too loud, sticking mostly to the country genre and occasionally veering into rock songs 25 or more years old. But the performers gave it their all, with the crowd attempting to swing dance in the open area directly in front of the pavilion, laughing to themselves the entire time.

Although the atmosphere is anchored to the laidback lake culture, there’s an air of professionalism. The staff wears the same T-shirts, and Bubba’s memorabilia is on sale.

Ignoring all health precautions, I opted for the all-beef foot long hot dog topped with chili, onions and cole slaw, which reminded me of ball park dogs. For $6, I wasn’t let down. And I washed it down with a small Miller Lite for $2, which tastes more refreshing when you’re drinking it on the water, dripping sweat from a hot summer evening. Most of their non-seafood menu items are extremely affordable, but on Friday nights they offer an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet for $10.95 per adult and $5.95 per child.

I ended up sticking around for a few hours, if for no other reason than to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Great food, loud music and beer were just a bonus.

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