Couldn’t find a dedicated thread for Knoxville. So here it is. I’m from Richmond, VA originally from the Roanoke/Blacksburg area. I’ve met a few of the Bristol kids through Donnie (iceman) and played with some of you in Blacksburg at Everett’s (arcas v) place, and at fusion several years ago in Roanoke. I play pretty much every fighting game from melty bread to ST and 3d fighters. I’m by no means a pro or you would’ve seen me already on the streams.
I know there aren’t any regular meetups here but I’ve spent my free time this week going to places to in hopes of establishing a local venue for meetups and to promote weekly gatherings to draw in more players. I have three venues who are eager to allow us to set up multiple nights a week at our discretion:
Fort Sanders Yacht Club (Barcade)
721 S 17th Street
Knoxville, TN
-they have arcade machines, big Samsung LCD and room for multiple setups. Not the biggest place but a place none the less. They were real excited about the idea of hosting a weekly gathering there. They used to host starcraft 2 stuff, but they appantly stopped coming. Parking is on street around the area, and the UT parking garage behind Rumors. It’s all ages but they do serve alcohol, so we can have a Knoxville version bar fights! Open till 3am, ideal location for days where people can stay out past 10pm.
Organized Play Comics & Games
131 S Central Street
Knoxville, TN
organizedplay.org
-mostly a table top/ccg place that sells comics on the side. We would have to provide all setups and equipment (surge protectors extension cords, etc.) but they were more than happy to let us set up a night a week. Parking is on street, and under the bridge around the old city. All ages. Sun/Mon - 8pm, Tues/Wed/Thurs/Sat - 10pm, Fri - 12am
Longbranch Saloon
1848 Cumberland Ave
Knoxville, TN
longbranchsaloonknoxvilletn.com
-primarily a bar (only beer) and music venue (hardcore, punk, metal, etc.) I am good friends with everyone that works here. They’ll let us setup during shows as long as the downstairs stage isn’t being used. It doesn’t look like much other than crusty punk bar, but in Richmond, VA we set up in a similar place called Strange Matter that was a vegan restaurant/black metal/punk venue that we helped get arcade machines placed in there like cvs2, mvc2, puzzle fighter, 3s, and ST which really helped stimulate the scene. Its says 21+ on the door however their shows always pull in kids 16 and under so there isn’t an age restriction. Parking is the same as it is for Barcade, street around the area and the UT parking garage behind Rumors and the First Tennessee bank. Open till 3am everyday.
All I need, other than local community support, is a general consensus on which days work best for everyone. Majority vote dictates the day chosen, and it can always change depending on school being in session/career shifts/etc. I’d like to setup a gathering soon before MWC to meet all you dudes before I really start promoting this and trying to grab the attention of players who aren’t aware of the FGC or it’s existence in Knoxville.
You can reach me on here, or email (coreywcaudill@gmail.com), Facebook (facebook.com/caudillcw), Twitter (@caudillionaire_), and you can follow me on instagram (whoa_debaser). Stoked to meet the locals and start meeting up, talking shit, and playing fight man games.
*Oh, and please let me know if any of you can contribute with setups. All I have is a PS3, 19" LED, a ps2 HRAP with adapter, and a busted custom 360 stick. Also, if there any graphic designers in the area that I could collaborate with that would be sick too.
