Sidestreet Tavern Gone Too?

Noooooooo. Say it ain’t so. This weekend I heard a rumor that yet another local bar had to close their doors. Just a couple of weeks after the bigger stories of Regas and S & W Grand ceasing operations (not to mention Arby’s) it appears Sidestreet Tavern is among the list of restaurant/bar casualties. I haven’t called or done any real investigating of course, though I did drive by late Saturday afternoon and no one was there, so that’s almost like research. If it turns out to be true I am going to miss them. It was my 2nd favorite smoky bar in town behind Preservation Pub, making it a favorite place to go with friends who smoke. They also had a decent menu, friendly staff, good happy hour and specials, and weren’t too far from home. Admittedly I did not frequent any of the three aforementioned bars/restaurants enough to be considered a regular, so I’m not going to cry tears in my beer over their loss, though I will miss Sidestreet most. At least they were WYSIWYG vs. PC BS.

If anyone out there has some information about Sidestreet Tavern to share, please feel free to leave a comment.

Sidestreet Tavern Knoxville

(Image from Knoxville520, via Google)

Bar Surveillance

Just a personal observation, but I really think Sidestreet Tavern has a damn fine jukebox. Where else on a Sunday afternoon can you hear Orion by Metallica? RIP Cliff Burton.

2008 Awards

2008 is over and we can’t close it out without giving some meaningless awards just like everybody else. Mind you, no criteria were established for these empty accolades. There was no discussion, voting, polling, logic or sense when determining the “winners”. I tried to come up with a clever name for these new "DK Awards" but with no luck, so for now we'll go with nothing. If you disagree with the results – tough titty! But feel free to add a comment if you think something is way off base or omitted with prejudice. Let's begin:

Best New Lounge: Southern Graces Skybox at the Sunsphere – This is what downtown Knoxville has needed for a while, a pure cocktail lounge detached from a hotel that offers a great place to go for a drink. Not only do they occupy the most recognizable landmark in the city, but they provide a unique setting with a fabulous view that is convenient to locals and visitors staying in the area. Plus they don’t fuck around with their concept. They’re not trying to sell shooters to college kids or shitty draft beer on game days. They stick to higher end spirits and wines for a more selective crowd, so don’t show up in your cut-off jeans and plan on drinking Corona all day. This isn’t my favorite watering hole by any means, but I’m certainly glad they’re open for business and provide another option for the downtown drinker. Here's to the new kids on the block!

Breakthrough Bar: Sidestreet Tavern – I love going to this bar. I think they’ve been open for a year or two now, but I’ve only been going occasionally this past year, so it’s a breakthrough for me if nobody else. They must be doing something right to put asses in the seats because I’ve never been able to get a spot at their bar and always have to sit at a cocktail table. That’s fine because there are plenty of TVs around with sports and NFL Sunday ticket during the season, plus they have a pretty good pub menu (in-house battered fish and chips!) and 2 fully stocked bars downstairs that helps get the drinks out pretty quick. The staff has always been very laid-back the patrons seem to be in the late 20’s to 30’s crowd, but I’ve noticed more than a few aged cougars on the prowl and even some business types in there too. They’re definitely a comfortable place to hang out with some friends and indulge your bad habits. Smoking is allowed and plentiful. Drink up!

Comeback Beer of the Year: Löwenbräu! I don’t know what the hell happened to the Schlitz rebranding campaign with the original recipe because it sure didn’t come through Knoxville. I was really looking forward to their attempt to relive the glory days, but they missed their opportunity while Löwenbräu stormed back onto the scene! Well not entirely, I mean, not every bar or grocery store carries it, but damn it’s so delicious. Delicious and fresh. Refreshingly delicious. Light, delicious, refreshiness that is also tasty. And -- Ooh THE JINGLE THE JINGLE! A CATCHY JINGLE!! (sings catchy jingle) Never mind the odd serving size of 11.2 oz bottles. Prost!

Beer Story of the Year: Anheuser Busch Sells Out They can have ‘em!

Smokiest Bar: Preservation Pub – For the 4th year in a row! (This used to be Union Jack’s annual award before they installed those fancy fans) Even before the smoking ban came down last year and forced a decision on bar and restaurant owners, this place was a smoker’s dream. Like most bars that went 21+ and smoking, the smokers have gravitated there en masse. What can you do but suck it up and drink your way through it, right? Pres Pub is great for sitting at the bar drowning your sorrows, having up-close conversations over loud, live music, doing waaay too many shots, and perhaps the occasional wedding proposal if the mood strikes you. Smoke up!

Beer of the Year: Woodruff IPA – By a landslide. Brewed locally and best consumed with a designated driver, the Woodruff IPA packs a punch and a lot of flavor. The stuff only gets better with each drink, which is why it can be dangerous to the uninitiated. “Light” beer drinkers need not bother. This beer has more hops than the NBA and then stings you a la Cassius Clay back in the day. I’ve drank this beer for years and years, but it wasn’t until last year that it became my absolute # 1 beer of choice. I think this one may be locked in for a while. Cheers!

Drunkard of the Year: TBD – Not to self-promote too much, but I can’t think of anyone that’s had a year as drunk as I have. Injuries, humiliation, embarrassment and idiocy documented here, here, here and here. Please, if anyone else wants the honor then take it. I'll drink to the winner!

Is it Monday Already?

Man, one thing I didn’t account for when starting this little blogging experiment is time management. It seems like most of my free time is spent either drinking or recovering from drinking. In between I manage to sleep (some) and work (too much), then the cycle repeats. It kinda makes it difficult to keep track of all the “blog worthy” crap our group comes up with, and honestly I’ve had to make up 60-75% of the posts here to compensate for my alcohol-soaked, memory challenged brain.

(my brain)

The hangover isn’t too bad this Monday. First let me update the Friday Predictions: not a damn one came true, except for the Vols non-loss because we all know they didn’t play. I take solace knowing I still have some whiskey at home. Saturday night was a good, easy-going time downtown with Lord von Lord and a surprise session with King Randall and his queen. We had some beer and only did a small number of shots/shooters compared to the usual all out assault on our livers. There was an awesome, smooth jazz band at the brewery too, probably one of the best bands I’ve seen there this year. Sunday was mostly uneventful, though I did get into a verbal confrontation with some of the Buddy’s walk-for-the-cure folks, who think just because they’re doing something for a special cause they can illegally park wherever the hell they want. Yes - I think it’s great to help others and support charities. NO - you can’t block my driveway/street with your SUV and leave it unattended. Move your ass!! I finished up the weekend at Sidestreet Tavern by having a few $2 beers and watching football with LVL.




Monday Night Football is the plan tonight: Browns vs. Bills = lots of beer and bourbon. That should get the week started in the right direction. Tomorrow the Skybox at the Sunsphere is hosting a Young Alumni function during happy hour from 5:30 – 7:30 that I’m considering attending. I’d like to see how many people actually show up and if there is enough room for everybody. I’ll let you know how things go…or I may fabricate something and just put it out there and see if it flies.