Open Chord Brewhouse & Stage

Absolutely gorgeous venue! This place used to be a music store, Rik’s Music, and they still sell guitars and have a practice room in the back. There’s also a café which has a nice little beer selection, domestics for 3, imports for 4 bucks and coffee. Amazing stage with monitors, sound board, ambient lighting and nice tables. I went here to see a comedy show and this is one of the best venues for comedy ever! They even had tv monitors next to the stage and the comic was able to plug into his laptop and project onto the monitors. The owner was exceptionally nice and respectful to his customers too. I’ll have to go and check out a concert here soon, was very impressed with all aspects of this place! This is a hidden little gem and word on the street is that they’re getting draft beer and a liquor license. This is s unique venue for Knoxville, they do it right here!

Located across the street from the Rush aka Gold’s Gym now, in the old Rik’s Music Building is an open music joint, literally an Open Chord.
This place is awesome and just keeps growing. Open Mic Night is on Wednesdays and they have bands on weekends. Sometimes the weekdays vary on what concerts/​music styles that will be played. They serve food, beer, wine, coffee, etc. But no liquor, so take your shots before you come. ;)
Some nights they have cover charges and some nights you have to buy tickets (and they do sell out because it is small).
Parking can also be a problem so get there early and you won’t have to worry.
I’m a fan and know you will be too. Cheers & Enjoy!

Great little place to hang out for lunch and have a beer with good, music loving people.

Looking for a live band in the area and we stummbled across this joint.
Upon pulling in we see a sign that says «Punk Night Tonight 8:00 pm» why not try something new… right?!
We park and you could hear the yelling, if you want to call that music from the band playing outside as we parked near the back in the only handicapped spot we could find.
Will have to try it on another night.

A cool and timely concept in Knoxville– this is a former (and maybe still current) music shop turned live music venue. They have a stage, cool lighting (a bunch of filament lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling), and a decent selection of drinks. There’s coffee and bottled and canned beers. I believe they have food as well but haven’t gotten into that so I can’t comment on it.
The great thing about live music here is that they have a sound guy working constantly to balance and manage the sound so it doesn’t become a cacophonous muddy mess, which can be a problem in a lot of smaller music venues in k-​ville (noted exception Scruffy City Hall, which takes a similar approach). I’ve played open mics here and it is great. It’s definitely worth getting away from downtown to check out. If you’re a musician, do yourself a favor and head out there on a Wednesday and take advantage of an open mic that will put some effort into making your sound as good as it can be.