by Emily Stooks | Sep 3, 2024 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Entertainment
Looking for the best spots to watch a University of Tennessee football game in Knoxville? (Even if you’re not the biggest fan of football?) We got you. If you live in Knoxville, you already know leaves aren’t the only things turning orange when fall hits East Tennessee. No, everything from overalls to menu items get a bright orangey hue. Live here long enough (ie. live here during football season at all), and Vol football will impact your life somehow, we guarantee it. We may not give two hoots about football, but we do give two hoots about Knoxville – so if Knoxville loves her football, we’re happy to play along. Whether you’re a huge fan of football, you’re a huge fan of your friends who want to watch football, or you’re just a good sport who wants to experience something quintessentially Knoxville, here are 7 of the best spots to watch a University of Tennessee football game in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Best Spots to Watch a University of Tennessee Football Game:
#1. Neyland Stadium
Campus
This is obvious, right? There’s nothing quite like experiencing the energy, traditions, and hometown pride of a game at Neyland. If you’re new to Knoxville and just dipping your toes in, we first suggest learning when to say “woo!” during Rocky Top. Second, we suggest going to game against a small school no one cares about. Tickets will be cheaper and, since there is a higher chance of winning, fans will be happier. Win/win! (Pro-Tip: They actually don’t seem to win that often. We suggest not bringing that up to the fans.)
#2. Merchants of Beer
Old City
Merchants of Beer does not hold back when it comes to football time in Tennessee. Mere TVs are not enough for this Old City establishment. No, the game is projected onto the entire gosh darn wall. Get your patio hangs, a selection of over 50 beers, and life size football all in one convenient spot.
#3. 35 North
West Knoxville (Farragut)
This spot is technically a local food truck park, but don’t let that fool you. The food trucks hang outside while inside boasts more of an elevated sports bar experience (this is Farragut after all). TVs are hung not just on every wall, but also encircle the entire 360 bar. We dare you to try and sit inside 35 North without having a television in your line of vision. Add in game day drink specials and you’ve got yourself a football watchin’ experience even football non-enthusiasts can enjoy.
#4. Schulz Brau Brewing Co.
North Knox
This German biergarten is a good spot to hang any day, so if your friends want to watch the game, we suggest pointing them here. You can enjoy one of our favorite patios (all the tables, benches and chairs were legitimately imported from Germany!) and a delish Hefeweizen while your buddies take in a game on the big screen. And yes, that sucker is big. When the whole biergarten erupts in cheers, you can’t help but cheer along. Prost!
#5. Hi-Wire Knoxville
South Knoxville
Hi-Wire makes football fans happy since they play the game on all their TVs and project it onto the big screen. It’s also loud, so celebratory cheers are even more celebratory (and awkward woops-we’re-losing-again silences are a little less awkwardly silent). However, Hi-Wire also makes non-football fans happy with plenty of other activities and, of course, a great tap wall available!
#6. The Maple Room
Downtown
If you can convince your friends to watch the game here, you’ve truly beaten the system. Over sports bars? Maple Room is the opposite. The fans will be happy to watch the game on a large projector screen and you’ll be happy to be in a highly classy atmosphere with great drinks, board games, and vibes for the afternoon. Still not feeling it? Ditch the game altogether and head downstairs for some bowling!
by Emily Stooks | May 17, 2024 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Lifestyle, Our Writers
WRITTEN BY: Bailey Powell & Emilie Stooksbury
Let’s not beat around the bush – building community as a young adult is hard. Gone are the magical days of living down the hall from college friends. In its place are coworkers you may or may not vibe with – or even physically be with in these #workfromhome days. Maybe you got a plant to befriend. Your pal the sun certainly left you high and dry recently. While prospects may seem dismal, we have hope for you: You can totally make friends as an adult! We’re here to share how to make friends as a young adult in Knoxville, Tennessee.
1.) Bolting Besties
Okay, it may be more of a jog than a bolt, but either way we suggest trying out a local fun run! The concept is simple: Bars and breweries all over town (if you wanted, you could find one literally every day) host them. All you have to do is show up at the allotted time and run/walk about the length of a 5K. Best part? The community is truly awesome. We know because we (the original founders of New2Knox) actually met at a fun run at the Bearden Beer Market! 😍 You can find a bit of the story here. Second best part? Most runs involve a free or discounted beer at the end of your journey – the perfect opportunity to catch your breath, jump in on a conversation, and make a friend. Follow 865 Running to keep up with runs and other activities!
2.) Bike Besties
If you’re more into bolting via biking, we gotchu! The guys behind Two Bikes host rides pretty frequently, usually ending with tacos or coffee or equally enjoyable things. For ladies specifically, Saturdays and Thursdays mean bike rides with SpokesWomen Biking Club!
3.) Bar & Brewery Besties
If running isn’t up your alley, we suggest trying your hand at trivia. Knox Trivia Guys give you the inside scoop on where to find Trivia/Singo almost every day of the week (giving you ample opportunity to make a new bestie!). Access your inner extrovert, show up to a location and see if you can jump in on a team. And while we did name this section “Bars Besties” because we’re obsessed with alliteration, they actually hang out at plenty of restaurants as well.
You know what else breweries are offering lately? Not just lagers, people. Now they’re offering LEAGUES. Here are a couple we think look fun:
⭐️ Pickleball & Corn Hole Leagues at Orange Hat Brewing
💞 Bocce Leagues at Southside Garage
⭐️ Bocce League at Hi-Wire Brewing
Pro-Tip: Knox Brew Hub has some type of activity pretty much every day of the week. Whether it’s chess club, Music Bingo, book clubs, or UT watch parties, these people will welcome you in with open arms and give you something to do with your hands.
4.) Ballin’ Besties
This may seem obvious, but sports are a tried and true way to make friends in adulthood! Here are a few fun options:
- The ultimate frisbee scene in Knoxville is welcoming and awesome.
- If you want a whole slew of options, Knox Sports & Social allows you to sign up as a single-player or with a group of friends for everything from kickball to bowling to volleyball.
- If you want to stay toasty warm, reach out to Craft Axe Throwing about joining one of their leagues.
- Or scroll your eyes back up to some of those brewery leagues 👀
Best part? All of the above encourage ending your evening with drinks and hangs!
5.) Business Besties
Okay, okay, I know we’ve thrown a lot of activities at you, but you can in fact make friends without being Sporty Spice. Young Professionals of Knoxville is a great way to make both business and bestie connections post-college. Professional development is great and monthly Happy Hours are even greater 😉
6.) Bible Belt Bestie
You don’t have to live here long to notice that Knoxville, Tennessee isn’t just the Bible Belt – it’s the gosh darn buckle. There is a church on every corner and usually one in between. If you’re not religious, this can be… a lot 😬 But if you’re down, take advantage of small groups! A few churches with a good chunk of young adults are The Point, City Church, All Souls, Heart & Soul, and Fellowship.
7.) New2Knox Hops
The goal behind every single New2Knox Hop is the same: Make friends while exploring our city. We started New2Knox because making friends as an adult is hard. (I had to start running to make friends when I first moved here, y’all. Running! Did it work? Yes. Did I ever enjoy running? Nope.) Whether you’re brand new to Knoxville or just find yourself in a season where you need more community, we so hope we can provide a space where you can get to know your city and get to know a new friend.
DISCOVER 5 WAYS TO COMBAT LONELINESS IN A NEW CITY RIGHT HERE
