The Frayed Knot

So I was talked into a charity event last night that happened to be held at the Frayed Knot. Oh, that place on Division that we always bypass to go to Losers and Red Door? Sure, why not!
This place is deceptively huge. It is almost like three separate bars really. When you come in the front door the bar is located to the left. Large square bar with plenty of seating all around. I like that type bar set up — allows you to see more of what is going on. A little to your right is a low-​top seating area with a huge projection screen behind the bar there — perfect for football watching! Right beside the door you will see the stage where live bands can play if they have one. All the way to your right is another room that I didn’t really go in but I saw what appeared to be a beer pong table. Is that always there? If so, um yes please! Sounds fun.
Bar staff was nice enough if a little unattentive and confused at times. But they were hosting a party and also dealing with some Vandy students off in the beer pong room so probably not their fault — just understaffed. I found the sign that said «Dance at your own risk — this includes dancing on furniture». What kind of place does this turn into late night? Are people dancing on furniture? Not hating, but those tables and chairs weren’t the most sturdy so I could see some drunk chicks falling off and busting their heads open. Stick to dancing on the bar ladies!
Other notables: it is non-​smoking so if you want to watch your sports games without smoke you surely can. Food is pizza, wings, and sandwiches. Looked like standard bar food but the event had bbq catered in so we didn’t try it. As a sports bar I found it lacking — not enough really large TVs if you ask me. To disagree with another reviewer (politely, not viciously), I prefer Sam’s as a sports bar location about 10 000 000 times more because the TVs are more plentiful. I can’t vouch on the normal clientele but from the looks of things they host some cheap beer college type parties that are sure to be rowdy and have you, well, dancing on the furniture. Sounds festive!
Overall a decent place to go and watch some games or maybe get your party on late night.

Been coming here since it was the Varsity Grille. They got some new capital and some new management and thusly changed the place around a bit. Honestly, I like the changes, although they did make it seem more crowded than it really is in the main room (which I think was the point?).
My friends are skeptical because we’re older than the undergrad crowd that has begun to infest the place on weekends and after 10:30, but honestly, it’s a Vandy bar. Still 1000 times better than Sam’s. Not as cheap as it once was, but it’s still great if you come on 5 dollar pitcher nights or whatever else they’re doing.
Honestly, I love coming on Sunday and watching the football games here even though I have a big tv at home. I’ll love it even more during the summer when the undergrads are gone. Hopefully they’ll scale back a bit on trying to turn it into a dance club and frat boy music venue, but I don’t mind that too much since this only really picks up at 11 or so when I’m drunk anyway.
Also, and this is a big deal for a neighborhood bar: I like the all the waitresses and bartenders. They’re nice without making me feel like they’re trying to suck up for money. Also, they’re always happy to talk. Courtney’s for-​realz cool, so is Amanda (though I think she might be gone) and Ashley is a nice girl who’s about to get married. The dudes are cool too. The bouncers can sometimes be a bit overzealous, but I don’t blame ‘em; frat boys can wreck a place if you don’t keep a close eye on them.
The only reason I don’t give it 5 stars is because the food is now all pizza based whereas it used to have tons of options and it’s no longer dirty cheap for drinks. Still, a great place. SUPPORT THEM