When LiterBoard opened its doors on Aug. 31, Cumberland Strip gained a new bar. Prior to its opening, Longbranch Saloon had occupied that building for over 30 years.
Literboard owners and UT alums James Tourville and John-Stephen Sanabria saw potential in the building and knew they could transform it into a hangout spot for college students.
“We were both UT students, and we saw this old building and knew it could be a cool place with a little work,” Tourville said. “The building was dirty and not well-kept before, but we could just see the potential here.”
From a dingy old saloon to a modern bar, the transformation could not have been more dramatic.
Flat-screen televisions now line the walls and are accompanied by comfortable couches and high-top tables where patrons can relax, socialize, drink and watch sports.
The interior of the bar is all wooden, giving it a clean, classic and stylish look.
When asked what set this bar apart from the rising competition within Knoxville’s bar scene, Sanabria said, “We definitely try to offer a friendly atmosphere and strive to know our customers on a first-name basis. We also try to keep the place clean and looking nice.”
A patron at the bar, Steve Duncan, said, “This bar is definitely a cool and laid-back place to hang out. It’s not too wild and crazy, just a cool place.”
If the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere are not enough to draw in college students, the games might be.
Literboard is filled with many retro gaming consoles, such as the Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube and others, for millennial gamers looking for a nostalgic throwback. There are also PC games and classic bar games available.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of LiterBoard is the variety of the bar’s selections. The assortment of entertainment and games is matched by the array of food and drinks available.
Literboard has two full bars, one upstairs and one downstairs, that offer 30 beers, 10 of which are available on tap.
The available beers range from domestic classics like Miller Lite and Bud Lite to locally crafted beers from Knoxville-based breweries like Fanatic Brewery and Hexagon Brewery.
One of the more popular beers on tap at Literboard is Knoxville-based Fanatic Brewery’s “Tennessee Blonde.” However, when asked which beer was the bestseller, Sanabria laughed and responded, “Probably Bud Lite or Miller Lite.”
For those who dislike beer, Tourville and Sanabria plan to start selling liquor soon and will have a wide variety of spirits available to complement their large beer selection.
Literboard’s menu lists everything from typical bar snacks to unusual combinations. The kitchen at LiterBoard opens at 6 p.m. for customers to peruse the interesting and appetizing options.
The bar’s most popular hot dog, the Country Mac, is topped with pimento macaroni and cheese, bacon and green onions. Another popular hot dog available at Literboard is the Jabroni dog. The Jabroni has a spicy kick originating from Flaming Hot Cheetos and sriracha sauce, which are only a couple of its ingredients. These choices are just a sampling of the bar’s many unconventional entrees.
Patrons can also walk outside the bar to grab some tasty Mexican cuisine from taco vendor C.J’s Tacos. C.J.’s has a tent set up right outside Literboard’s front door and will soon be making tacos inside the bar’s kitchen.
Saying Literboard offers a diverse experience would be a massive understatement. From the bar’s wide selection of beers to its delicious and bizarre eats and nostalgia-inducing classic game consoles, Literboard truly has something for everyone.
