Sneakers Bar Reunion

“Sneakers” is one name by which the bar formerly located in the Downtown Sports Barn was known. Closed in 2003, the bar served as a social venue for members of the Barn after their workouts, as well as a place to invite friends who might not be members of the club. The bar saw many birthday parties, holiday parties and countless gatherings to watch sports events on the big screen TV.

On July 23 last, Dennis Plumlee hosted a gathering organized by the “old guard,” led by Deborah Smart, who valued the bar as a link between members and others. At Dennis’ Frazier Avenue restaurant, the “North Chatt Cat,” food was served, beer and beverages consumed, and memories revisited. David Brock, managing partner for the Sports Barn, brought over large photographs taken over the years of those who valued the bar. Great to see them again, kudos to David.

We miss the bar. Below is a group picture on the deck at Dennis’ of some of those attending. Many more attended but had left, or not arrived. For a larger image (1024 pix width,) click here

Stone Lion-last day

The end of May, 2005 the Stone Lion Tavern on High Street in Chattanooga was open for one last day, auctioning off items from the crammed and disreputable interior. Among the consolations of this sad day was my first stint behind the bar, pulling my own Guinness

Drawing a Guinness

for as long as the keg lasted – no charge, just a donation to a scholarship fund set up in memory of Chuck Pierce. Chuck was a brilliant young man who ended up dying young, his last years spent alternately working the bar at the tavern, or sitting on the customer side, drinking instead of pouring. Here is a picture of me doing what so many others had done for me, working the taps. We ended up taking one of the cabinet doors home, decorated with a varied mix of stickers, pictures and labels.

I spent some of my time between bar or bidding leaning on the rail outside, where patrons watched passersby and other traffic, especially rewarding during Riverbend, the river front music festival held each June. Homemade “Riverbend Bingo” cards were available with nominal prizes for first completions. The squares had short descriptions of sights likely to present themselves on High Street, as Riverbent revellers went to and fro – “Abuse of Spandex,” “Girl with tattoo,” “Puking on street,” “Rollerblade” and many others, some quite acerbic. Most of the regular patrons of the Stone Lion had no use for the Riverbend event other than this Bingo game.

Finally, the most awesome experience in the Stone Lion was using the men’s bathroom. The walls were graffiti intense, which was not quite enough to distract the patrons from the gothic filth. I put together three shots for a panorama – of only the walls:

Graffiti Wisdom