Voice Choice 2008 (Page 1 of 10)

Why we’re down with K-Town…As Knoxville Voice begins its third year of publication, we offer the Voice Choice 2008, an opportunity for us to celebrate the city that we call home and take a break from some of the progressive propaganda we often peddle. From local businesses with food, music and people that enrich our community to hidden treasures that make the town unique, KV staff members join with community voices to praise some hometown heroes, haunts and hamburgers.


I LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE


Best new business on the Strip…
At nine feet wide and 85 feet long, Fort Sander’s Yacht Club is a small but welcome addition to Cumberland Avenue’s “Strip.” The “barcade,” located at the corner of 17th Street and Cumberland Avenue, houses more than a dozen old-school arcade games. Beat the high score on Donkey Kong, Dig Dug, Mortal Kombat, Missile Commander or any other game and have your name proudly displayed on the chalkboard above the bar. Currently, FSYC serves only bottled beer, but it boasts a nice selection of 40-odd brews at $2, $3 and $4 a pop. Co-owners John Haas, Matt Cavanaugh and Dave Shirley expect the addition of three draft beers soon. The UT architecture alumni also plan to add a lounge area with a plasma screen TV where console games can be played with multiple players.

It’s no secret the Strip is the Bermuda Triangle of Knoxville businesses, so we’re rooting for FSYC. (Caitlin Rockett)

Best cheap date…
Other than staying home and making out, the next best option may be catching Carmike Movies 7’s“dollar” movie (actually $1.50 Sunday through Thursday and $2 Friday and Saturday) on Windsor Square, followed by dinner right next door at Roman’s Pizza at 179 Seven Oaks Dr. A slice of cheese is $1.99, a slice with two toppings is $2.49 and for dessert, we recommend sharing the $3 chocolate-covered cannoli. A match made in heaven. (Elizabeth Wright)

Best Bar Atmosphere...
Sandwiched between residences in Fourth & Gill, Sassy Ann’s is tucked far enough off the beaten bar path that some people probably don’t even know it exists.

At least that used to be the case. Two years ago Sassy’s might have won a prize for “Best Kept Secret.” Now it ranks near the top of everyone’s list for “Where We’re Going Thursday Night.” 

It could be Vicki’s ridiculously strong, but still tasty, margaritas, Ed’s expert DJing or the fact that you can smoke inside, but we’re chalking up at least some of Sassy’s recent popularity explosion to the ambience of the place. The Victorian house has three stories housing wooden bars (Two of them! Two! Bars! Two Bars!), permanent wooden booths, cozy nooks upstairs, adorable little windows and a purportedly haunted ladies’ restroom.

The bar feels comfortable but exhilarating, and gets delightfully steamy in both winter and summer. Sure all that wood might go up in flames like dry kindling if some drunkard drops his cigarette in an idiotic location, but a little fire hazard is a small price to pay for all that character.

Oh, and did we mention they have two bars? (Lisa Slade)

Best place to shake your moneymaker…
I suggest you leave Hannah’s, Tonic and Fiction to the beer-bongin’ pros — if you really want to cut a rug, head to one of three places:

If you prefer to sing along to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” or break out your best Michael Jackson impersonation on the dance floor, Thursday nights at Sassy Ann’s at 820 N. Fourth Ave., are your ticket. It’s crowded these days, but with enough PBRs, you won’t even notice.

Friday nights are for Fiesta Ritmo de Latinoamerica at the Fairbanks — DJ  Milton spins salsa, merengue, reggaeton, bachata, cumbia and Latin house with dance lessons at 10:15 p.m.