The only thing better than cheap beer is free beer, and One Knoxville SC is tapping into the Scruffy City’s thirst for boozy fun for its fourth home game June 13 at Covenant Health Park.
Don’t worry: Cocktails are part of the festivities, too.
It has been less than two months since the professional soccer club moved to the downtown stadium, and the new neighborhood already feels like home for players, coaches and staff. Wanting more locals to join in the fun, the 6:30 p.m. game against the Richmond Kickers will be just a portion of the all-day party One Knox is planning for June 13.
Dubbed “Knoxville’s Biggest Happy Hour,” a partnership between the team and Old City businesses has created new specials for the upcoming game day at Balter Beerworks, Brother Wolf, Old City Sports Bar and Wagon Wheel:
Balter Beerworks (100 Broadway SW): $1 off any beer for every One Knox ticket you showBrother Wolf (108 W. Jackson Ave.): Discounted Game Day spritz for every One Knox ticket you showOld City Sports Bar (106 S. Central St.): Free 16-ounce beer for every One Knox ticket you showWagon Wheel (115 S. Central St.): Free draft beer for every One Knox ticket you show
One Knox is all about the Old City, owner Drew McKenna told Knox News, and the happy hour is one way to show the club’s loyalty.
“It feels like our spirit neighborhood, like where we belong,” McKenna said. “It feels like this is our home.”
These specials coincide with a Central Street block party, which One Knox has scheduled for a handful of games its inaugural downtown season. The parties feature food, beer, live music, yard games and more fun in the streets.
One Knox moved from Regal Soccer Stadium on the University of Tennessee at Knoxville campus to the new stadium for the 2025 season. The club started in 2022 and moved to the professional level in its second season, joining the USL League One.
Old City adjusting to new energy, changing downtown dynamics
McKenna and One Knox are encouraging supporters of the club to become supporters of Old City businesses when they are in the neighborhood for games, beyond the block parties scheduled for June 13, July 19 and Aug. 2.
Central Street between Jackson and Willow Avenues was closed to vehicle traffic during the first two Knoxville Smokies homestands at the stadium. Knox News reported foot traffic was down in the Old City compared to previous years, according to data provided by Visit Knoxville, even though tens of thousands of fans were in the neighborhood for games.
The city adjusted the weeknight game traffic plan, reopening Central Street to vehicle traffic a month after the stadium opened. A three-way stop also was added to the intersection of Central Street and Willow Avenue.
The Old City welcomed 10,200 visitors for the May 13-18 homestand. The street reopening didn’t go into effect until after the homestand began, meaning Central Street was only open to vehicles and pedestrians May 14 and 15 (the street remains closed to vehicles for games Friday-Sunday).
On those dates, the Old City welcomed 4,600 visitors, nearly as many as the entire first homestand.
Unlike the Smokies, the soccer team has activated Central Street between Jackson and Willow avenues with block parties for two of its three home games so far.
“We’ve talked to several folks about ways to make sure our community is spending time in the Old City and Old City businesses while they’re down here,” McKenna said. “Our crew has been a little bit more Old City-oriented, and we’re proud of that.”
Joanna Hayes is the restaurant and retail reporter. Email: jo**********@******ws.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: One Knox SC taps Old City bars for downtown Knoxville drink deals
