Rookies steps up its game with new pool room

Photo by Greg Wood

Terrell Dean, Mikhael Allman, from left, and get friendly service by bartender Jared Lane at Rookie's.

Photo by Greg Wood

Mikhael Allman, Lorrine Adams, Marcie Smith and Beth Adkins, from left, enjoy a recent night at Rookie's.

KNOXVILLE — Hearing rumors of Rookies' expansion or remodeling brought me and two friends out to one of my favorite neighborhood bars on a Friday night.

The West Knoxville establishment has always been high on my list of possible nightlife destinations, so when an acquaintance I don't frequently go bar-hopping with suggested it, I figured I might as well scope out the scene and see what's different.

From what I had been hearing I was unclear whether Rookies' owners had opened a new establishment or if they had simply remodeled part of their existing bar. The reality is it's more of the latter.

Most of Rookies looks the exact same - there's a stage in the corner next to the front entrance, with a bar area in the center of the venue. But through an open doorframe toward the back there's now an additional room that's only been open for the past few weeks.

The room's small and intimate, with three pool tables and a plush bar. The room's decor is plain, with orange and white walls featuring sparse beer ads. It feels like a neighbor's game room, and it gives the impression that it's a work in progress. There's not much room for anything new - the pool tables occupy most of the room. It's comfortable, yet recreational. It's easy to kick back and enjoy sitting at the lengthy bar, but the atmosphere is inviting of energetic pool playing.

It specifically reminds me of Roosters, a similar venue (also rumored to be expanding) that has a separate, although not enclosed, section for pool and darts.

The addition gives the Rookies experience an entirely new element. Rookies prides itself on live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and it's also a bar full of regulars. While the regulars know there's always going to be loud, live music, sometimes you want to visit your normal spot and actually be able to talk to your friends.

That's what Rookies' new room is for. It's quieter, though the energy from the bands can still be felt. The lingering smell of cigarette smoke is weaker. And, best of all, you have easy access to a bar. With the new bar, however, I noticed fewer people hanging out in the main room watching live music. As a result, the bar seems emptier than normal when you first walk in.

On my recent trip I found myself wandering around frequently as my friends held down a table in the main area. I stumbled into the new room and started chatting with the bartender, Jared, who was more than willing to put up with my Miller Lite-fueled banter. It seems like the kind of room where that happens on a regular basis, and Jared's behavior suggested he doesn't mind it one bit. He even pulled a few friends into the conversation, and before I knew it, I was talking to a room full of people.

I see the new room as a place to escape for a while. It makes for easier socialization. If your evening's starting to lag, grab your party and head across the venue to shoot some pool or just strike up conversation with the bartender. If the music's too loud, escape into a quieter zone.

For most of the evening my friends and I occupied a table in the main room, sharing pitchers of beers and talking about our love of wine - a strange topic at such a beer and cocktail heavy bar (the Rookies patrons tend to stick to the classics or whatever the nightly special is). Before we knew it, it was close to last call, meaning we had spent a good two hours hanging out.

The rest of Rookies remains about the same - the service is quality, the people friendly, and the excitement high. Now there's just one more option of what to do with your evening than before.

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