Gay bars knoxville tn

We had a blast at Club XYZ, whose 20th anniversary is a joyful standout | Opinion

A year anniversary is an remarkable feat in business. For a gay bar like Club XYZ in Knoxville, it's unusual.

This story, admittedly, landed in our lap. The owner reached out after reading an unrelated business anniversary piece, a type of story that works for any type of establishment or institution with a major milestone. You watch them all the time.

But as Knox News reporter Keenan Thomas began meeting more people, reading more stories and digging into the history of gay bars in America, it was evident: Club XYZ isn't just any business. It's a happy, hollerin' Knoxville institution and a haven for LGBTQ+ communities that own been pushed to the margins for decades.

Go behind the scenes with Keenan in this Q&A that explains how the story came together, what he learned along the way and why Club XYZ "is for everybody."

Club XYZ: Why it's 'a privilege' to keep Knoxville's LGBTQ+ lock scene alive for 20 yearsNeed a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

This Q&A, conducted by business gr

Guide to Gay Lane in Knoxville, Tennessee

Named one of the Great Streets in America by the American Planning Association (APA), Gay Lane is the heart of Downtown Knoxville with a buzz of activity evening and night. Within the central business district, Gay Road spans ten blocks from the Queer Street Bridge to West Jackson Road. You'll find beautifully preserved architecture, a lively cultural scene, and plenty of fun. Catch a show at one of the two historic theaters, shop 'til you plummet, dine at a new restaurant, check in an underground prevent, or simply seize in the undeniable beauty of the streetscape at dusk. Explore the foremost of Gay Road below!

 

 

Breakfast & Brunch

 

Start your day with a handheld breakfast bagel sandwich and seasonal coffee from K Brew, or if you hold a sweet tooth, try Status Dough's famous Paczkis coupled with an iced coffee. There are many more weekend brunch options along the Gay Highway stretch including Lilou, Babalu, Downtown Grill, Bistro at the Bijou, and Chivo Taqueria!

 

 

 

Lunch

 

A weekday lun

NIGHTCLUBS BARS BREWERIES

Knoxville LGBTQ Approachable Business Directory

Dance & Nighttime Club, Gay Bar, Setting New & Higher Standards for Gay Nightlife in East Tennessee, Voted Knoxville's Best Gay Bar and N. Central Street. Knoxville TN ()  

Bar & Grill, Gay Bar, Exist Music Venue, Live Shows Friday-Monday. Locally owned LGBTQIA+ bar and grill. Ages 21+ only. Kingston Pike Knoxville TN ()  

CHATTANOOGA TN

Alan Gold's McCallie Ave. Chattanooga TN.

COOKVILLE TN

Club TemptationDance & Night Club, Recital & Event Venue, 18yrs old and over. Link us every Thursday for Trivia, weekends we possess Drag shows and Sundays Karaoke. We are a bar for everyone and there is no judgement, leave your drama and worries at the door. We have two pool tables, kitchen with lock food and smoking patio. Millar Rd Cookeville TN 

JOHNSON CITY

New Beginnings Bristol Hwy Johnson City TN @New Beginnings

bernadette's crystal lounge

Bernadette's Crystal Themed Lounge, 32 Market Square, Knoxville TN

Rooftop exclude accessed from Ber

Y’all Means All – The Gay Scene in Knoxville

Y&#x;all means ALL courtesy of Taryn Ferro

In the international LGBTQ Magazine The Advocate listed Knoxville as the 8th Gayest City in America during its countdown of places to reside or visit in the USA. While the criteria used to generate this list was viewed as pretty shaky (number of nude yoga studios & WNBA teams per capita?) and the general common both in and out of East Tennessee laughed off the declaration that Knoxville was a Gender non-conforming Friendly place to inhabit and visit, I am here to tell you that this mid-sized capital is actually a beautiful great place for Queer people to visit and call home. Here is a list of the many reasons why you should make Knoxville your next travel destination.


Homosexual Street in Downtown Knoxville courtesy of Tod Sheley

Geography: Knoxville is the largest city in East Tennessee and is nestled in a large valley at the foot of the Smoky Mountains. Often viewed as a regional capital of sorts, Knoxville has been a major population center for about as long as people contain been liv