Knoxville’s Best Karaoke Venue:
Prince Deli & Sports Bar, 509 Lovell Rd
Despite the long drive to West Knoxville, Kevin Prenger, the karaoke jockey at Prince Deli & Sports Bar, offers the most enjoyable night of karaoke in the city. Prenger guarantees a professionally managed stage and will try to ensure that every singer has a memorable evening. If a live band is still hanging out after their performance, they may even offer to be your backup musicians. Quite simply, Prince Deli presents a karaoke experience that cannot be replicated at the city’s other venues.
Closest Venues to UT Campus:
1. The Half Barrell, 1829 Cumberland Ave
2. Macleod’s, 501 Market St
3. Jimmy’s Original Southern Pub, 2917 Tazewell Pk
Largest Catalog of Tracks:
1. Bullfeathers Sports Cafe, 10535 Kingston Pk
2. Paul’s Oasis, 8021 Kingston Pk & Rainbow Club West, 7211 Kingston Pk (same KJ)
3. Prince Deli & Sports Bar, 509 Lovell Rd
Largest Crowds for Karaoke:
1. The Half Barrell, 1829 Cumberland Ave
2. Macleod’s, 501 Market St
3. Jimmy’s Original Southern Pub, 2917 Tazewell Pk
Knoxville’s Top Ten Karaoke Selections:
“Don’t Cha” by Pussycat Dolls
“Family Tradition” by Hank Williams Jr.
“Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash
“Harper Valley P.T.A.” by Jeannie C. Riley
“Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin
“Strawberry Wine” by Deana Carter
“Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley
“Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
“You Never Even Called Me by My Name” by David Allan Coe
“You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC
According to information on the BBC Web site (http://www.bbc.co.uk), karaoke is believed to have originated in a small Japanese bar. If the in-house band was not available to play live, the singer would sing along with their recorded music from a tape. The word “Karaoke” was written on that tape. The Japanese word “Kara” meant missing and “Oke” meant band or orchestra.
Karaoke nights continue to be popular in restaurants and bars in most cities throughout the world. There is something liberating about getting up on stage and letting people hear how you sound in the shower. Marty Ray, a karaoke jockey at two Knoxville venues, said it best: “Karaoke is all about having fun — it’s not about good singers.” That said, the following is a review of every venue in Knoxville that offers a weekly karaoke night.
Booze & Tunes
5700 Old Rutledge Pike
(865) 971-4140
When: Friday-Saturday, 9 p.m. -2:30 a.m.
Entry: 21+ Welcome
The name, Booze & Tunes, provides a brief but accurate description of the action taking place at this local watering hole. Mindy Vanguilder, a regular patron and frequent singer, has been operating as karaoke jockey at the venue for the past year. The large, open room has a small stage near the entrance, which offers the perfect opportunity to make a hasty exit if your vocal performance is less than spectacular. According to the bar staff, Saturday night draws a larger crowd than that of the forty-something year old regulars. Country music dominates the list of requests, and the level of karaoke talent should not intimidate new singers.
Bullfeathers Sports Cafe
10535 Kingston Pike
(865) 690-1786
When: Thursday-Saturday, 7:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m.
Entry: All Ages Welcome
The owner, Art MacCammon, and members of the Bullfeathers staff are all quite fond of their karaoke nights. So fond, in fact, that karaoke has been a mainstay at the café for the past 11 years. MacCammon typically operates the sound equipment, but anyone working at the café is capable of taking over karaoke duties in his absence. The restaurant offers a large, open room with a small stage tucked away in the corner. Friday nights are the most popular, and country is the most frequently selected musical genre. The singing talent is higher than most other venues mainly due to Bullfeathers hosting the annual, eight-week B97.5 Knoxville Icon competition, a search for the city’s top vocalists.
Coyote Joe’s
5640 Clinton Hwy
(865) 689-9722
When: Wednesday & Friday, 9:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Entry: 21+ Welcome
If you want to fit in at Coyote Joe’s, go to the closet and throw on your best motorcycle or liquor branded clothing — exposed skull or weapon tattoos are also encouraged. This biker bar draws a large crowd of patrons born across numerous decades, most of whom appear to have lived some very hard years. KJ Dave “Clowny Boy” Moore is ready to spin all of your karaoke requests, and he has been playing tracks at Coyote Joe’s for the past two-and-a-half years. Classic rock, alternative and country music are the most frequent choices from the karaoke catalog. Superb performances of a popular song may result in the bartendresses collectively dancing atop the bar.
Double D Saloon & Grill
5903 Chapman Hwy
865) 577-1322
When: Friday-Saturday, 8:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m.
Entry: 21+ Welcome
Since December 2005, Steve “Goose” Dougherty, has been manning the karaoke turntable at the Double D Saloon & Grill. Dougherty was a frequent singer at the bar and was asked to take over the job by the former karaoke jockey. The Double D is a small venue with an even smaller performance area separated from the other patrons by the two pool tables taking up most of the available space. Regular customers visit the bar, more so on Friday than Saturday, to play pool and sing country and classic rock tunes. The crowd has average vocal talent, but a majority of the individuals participate, which creates a comfortable atmosphere for the typically shy and silent types. Also, a wireless microphone allows singers to move around the entire bar to serenade the other customers.
The Half Barrel
1829 Cumberland Ave
(865) 595-4848
When: Thursday, 10:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m.
Entry: 21+ Welcome
Thursday night at The Half Barrel starts out with a small crowd that turns into a seething mass by 11:30 p.m. Maximum capacity at the venue is soon reached, so a short wait outside the door should be expected. The Half Barrel is a long, narrow bar that does not offer an optimal space for karaoke. Marty Ray, a DJ with 18 years of experience, works the karaoke equipment adeptly for the predominately college aged crowd who are ready to get their song on. When the place gets packed full of UT students, the singing comes secondary to the socializing. Small groups of karaoke enthusiasts move to the front of the bar when their name gets called and quickly fade into the background when the performance ends. The crowd is the best and worst thing about the place. It’s an excellent place for sharing a drink with friends but not so great for sharing a song.
Jimmy’s Original Southern Pub
2917 Tazewell Pike
(865) 357-5467
When: Friday-Saturday, 9:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Entry: 21+ Welcome
For the past year, Denny Arnold has been acting as karaoke jockey for the people who gather at Jimmy’s Original Southern Pub. Of all the karaoke venues, Jimmy’s was the most disappointing but offered the most potential for greatness. The main problem exists with the catalog of available tracks. Most karaoke catalogs are alphabetized by song title or artist — best when both types of listings are available — so that requests can be easily found and submitted. Arnold’s catalog groups the available tracks by individual CD across 50 CDs making song selection a tedious scavenger hunt. Poor organization of the catalog discourages participation and results in Arnold singing for the majority of the evening. However, Jimmy’s draws a large, young crowd and could easily be turned into one of Knoxville’s best karaoke venues.
Jo Ann’s Bar & Grill
226 Andrew Johnson Hwy
(865) 932-0808
When: Wednesday, Friday & Saturday, 9:00 p.m.-2:30 a.m.
Entry: 21+ Welcome
Jo Ann’s Bar & Grill is located at the Southeastern edge of Knoxville and is the longest drive from the downtown area. Wednesday is college night, and Jo Ann’s packs in students from Carson-Newman College during the Spring and Fall semesters. The place can seem intimidating from the outside in a seedy, rough-and-tumble sort of way, but inside the staff is friendly and the place is surprisingly clean. Craig Hallmark, the silver-maned karaoke jockey, is ready to play all of your song selections. Hallmark’s karaoke setup features plate reverb, making the vocals last longer and sound fuller — perhaps to your benefit or the crowd’s detriment. The dance floor also serves as the karaoke performance area, so the bar patrons may force you to the back wall if your voice inspires them to get footloose. Nearly everyone in the bar, from bouncer to bartender, performs which creates a very welcoming environment for all levels of singing talent.
Macleod’s
501 Market St
(865) 546-2103
http://www.macleodsrestaurantandpub.com
When: Thursday-Saturday, 10:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m.
Entry: 18+ Welcome
Five years ago, Jim McGaha approached Hershel Earl, owner of Macleod’s, and proposed that the pub host a karaoke night. One week later, Earl called McGaha and asked him to bring in his karaoke equipment. Since that time, enthusiastic amateur singers have been playing to a packed house on multiple nights. A small portion of Macleod’s sunroom serves as a very cramped, elevated stage, and a 20- and 30-something crowd lines the staircase to pay tribute to every singer. Unfortunately, only a few singers are willing to showcase their vocal skills in front of such a large crowd. Additionally, one or two younger patrons who have not learned how to moderate their drinking and behavior can get annoying within the elbow-to-elbow crowd.
Paul’s Oasis
8021 Kingston Pike
(865) 690-9388
http://www.myspace.com/paulsoasis
When: Friday, 9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
Entry: 18+ Welcome
Paul’s Oasis has the most unique performance area compared to the rest of the venues. A small boxing ring serves as an elevated stage for bands and karaoke singers alike. For one-and-a-half years at Paul’s Oasis, Kevin Braun has been providing frontman wannabes with an opportunity to share their vocal stylings. A crowd that spans various age groups gathers here to perform hits from the country, alternative and classic rock formats. Braun has a catalog of 20,000 tracks from which to choose, so Paul’s is an excellent place to practice a new song to add to your karaoke repertoire.
Prince Deli & Sports Bar
509 Lovell Rd
(865) 777-4770
http://www.myspace.com/theprincedeliandsportsbar
When: Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Entry: 18+ Welcome
Kevin Prenger is the karaoke jockey at Prince Deli & Sports Bar, and he is also a permanent do-it-all staffer for the venue. Prenger is responsible for operating the sound and lighting equipment for all of the live acts that play at Prince Deli. This means karaoke singers receive the same stage experience as those trying to make a career as musicians. Prenger certainly makes Prince Deli the most accommodating karaoke venue for its patrons. Karaoke enthusiasts can request specific stage lighting schemes, sing along with a CD from their car, bring instruments on stage, etc. Virtually all requests will be considered and most likely honored. Thursday nights are more popular for karaoke, but Tuesday offers every singer the chance to perform two songs in a row. Kelley Stout, a former winner of the B97.5 Knoxville Icon competition, is also a Prince Deli regular and sounds noticeably better than everyone else — you do not want to sing directly after him.
Quaker Steak & Lube
5616 Merchants Center Blvd
(865) 687-0399
http://www.quakersteakandlube.com
When: Wednesday, 9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
Entry: All Ages Welcome
If you like singing karaoke al fresco, Quaker Steak & Lube is the only open-air venue in the city. In warm weather, amateur singers of all ages gather on the restaurant’s back porch to perform for their fellow drinkers and diners. Marty Ray, karaoke jockey at The Half Barrel, provides the exact same setup for the NASCAR and biker crowd that convenes at Quaker Steak & Lube. Ray has only been providing a karaoke night at this venue since February 2006, so the crowd is small but many people participate. There will be singers of all ages and all talent levels. The song selections also run the gamut from ‘80s one-hit-wonders to really smooth soul numbers.
Rainbow Club West
7211 Kingston Pike
(865) 588-8030
http://www.rainbowclubwest.com
When: Tuesday, 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Entry: 18+ Welcome
Hidden behind the Title Max Building on Kingston Pike, Rainbow Club West offers karaoke for a mostly LGBT crowd. However, large yellow letters proclaiming “Everyone Welcome” encourages all passers-by to stop in for a visit. All photo and video cameras are prohibited inside the venue, so you will not have to worry about any embarrassing reminders of a particularly horrible performance. Karaoke takes place in front of a big shiny silver stage curtain within the large back room of the Rainbow Club West. Once again, Kevin Braun, karaoke jockey at Paul’s Oasis, provides his vast catalog of tracks. While an occasional and often amusing rendition of a Broadway showtune takes place, you will not be bombarded with songs from gay friendly acts such as The Culture Club. Thankfully, this is also one of the only venues where country music does not dominate the evening’s karaoke selections.
Ronnie’s Bar & Grill
2833 Western Ave
(865) 673-3050
When: Friday-Sunday, 9:00 p.m.-2:30 a.m.
Entry: 21+ Welcome
For four-and-a-half years, George Weber has been queuing up karaoke songs for the regulars of Ronnie’s Bar & Grill. Quite possibly, you will find the most enthusiastic and supportive crowd hanging out for karaoke at Ronnie’s. The grill has a large open room that is dimly lit with an elevated stage backlit by an American flag comprised of red, white and blue Christmas lights. The patrons are mostly locals in their 30s and 40 who gather in small groups and seem to know everyone in the place. Throughout the evening, numerous singers get up on stage to sing their favorite country song to a floor full of slow-dancing couples.
