Yee-Haw Brewing Co. opened almost one year ago(Feb 5). I met up with the manager, Charles Ellis, to discuss the last year and look at their newest addition to the taproom. Charles told me, “It’s been incredible! We have exceeded all of the expectations that were set out for us. The neighborhood and Knoxville at large have welcomed us.” Since opening, they have hosted the sports crowd, concerts, outdoor movie nights, ladies’ nights, and more. But when the weather began to get cooler, and the outdoor space had to close more often, Charles and his team started to brainstorm ways to continue giving their staff the shifts they needed and offering something more diverse in their space.
A creative idea was born. Off to the side of the taproom is what they have just called the barrel room, as it holds two massive barrels of beer. The space can be rented out for meetings and parties. It has been used for staff meetings and overlooked as an event space. To breathe some new life into the space, they created a speakeasy aptly named “The Speakeasy at the Barrel Room.”
The first thing to know about this new concept is that it is 21+, while the rest of the taproom is family-friendly. Color-changing LED lighting, vinyl records playing (yes, they take requests!) and comfortable seating set the tone for the room for around 40 people. No reservation is necessary.
They have two taps of Knoxville-brewed beers, elevated crafty cocktails that will change out weekly, and drool-worthy bourbon and whiskey allotments. (Think Pappy Van Winkle, Dickel 18, Blantons Gold.) Patrick Donoghue is the mastermind behind the changing cocktail menu and says he puts a lot of thought and experimentation into the drinks he comes up with. If the menu inside the Barrel Room differs from what you’re looking for, but you like the space, you can order at the main bar and bring it in.
Knowing that first-hand experience tells a better story, I rounded up a few friends, and we descended on the Speakeasy at the Barrel Room on its opening night. We arrived a little before it opened, ordered dinner and excitedly waited until 7 pm. Everyone enjoyed their cocktails, and the setting was fun. Since this was before Christmas, holiday décor made the space even more homey and memorable. Charles was spinning the vinyl, and Patrick and another bartender worked hard to fulfill the orders.
The Barrel Room’s size and setup allowed for a more intimate ambiance and had a different feel than the taproom. They will be open Monday and Thursday from 7pm to close and can be rented for private events with the whole speakeasy experience and catering on other nights. An expanded schedule is forthcoming, so watch their social media for more. Frog and Toad’s Dixie Quartet will be playing some smooth jazz every Thursday night. I love hearing them; it always makes for a good time.
Another fun offering at Yee-Haw is The Kids Taproom Theater, which has genuinely family-friendly movies that start earlier in the evenings for an all-inclusive family fun night out. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen “family movie night” advertised only to find out the chosen movie would have terrified my children or had themes that were inappropriate for what we wanted our kids to see. These movies are already set through March. Check the schedule here. If you like a good trivia night, you can find that weekly at Yee-Haw, too.
What do you think? Is this a good move for Yee-Haw? Have you been yet? Let’s see your photos!
