Randy and Jenny Boyd celebrate the opening of their new pub, Boyd's Jig and Reel. He is the CEO of PetSafe. She will be running the pub -- and playing the fiddle!
Boyd’s Jig and Reel, the new Scottish pub in the Old City, packed in the crowds on its grand opening night last Friday from the ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. until the wee hours of Saturday morning. How do I know this? I was there at the ribbon cutting and back again with Alan as the wee hours approached. (In between, we went to the Symphony! Ha. Gotta love Knoxville!)
Boyd’s Jig and Reel was the brainchild of Randy and Jenny Boyd. Jenny is a fiddle player, you see. And on a recent trip to Scotland, she and Randy fell in love with a certain Scottish pub and the tradition of musicians just stopping by for impromptu jam sessions. Jenny wanted a place like that to play in Knoxville. And both Randy and Jenny are believers in the fact that the heritage of a place can be preserved and passed on through its music.
So they purchased the former Manhattan’s building in the Old City. And after a massive clean up — the walls of the place were almost fuzzy with built-up smoke residue and grease — Boyd’s Jig & Reel celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting put on by the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce.
The musical heritage of the Scotch-Irish settlers of East Tennessee melded over the years into the bluegrass music of today. In a nod to that, Boyd’s Jig and Reel hosts pick-up bluegrass music on Tuesday nights and alternates between Irish and Scottish music on Thursdays. You can check its website (click here) for a schedule of other musical happenings.
You know how Knoxville loves a new restaurant. We proved it once again last Friday as I believe these pictures will attest. If you are looking for an unusual but warm experience, stop by Boyd’s Jig and Reel for a game of darts or Shoot the Moon. Or pick up one of the many instruments you’ll find there and join in the musical fun.
Joseph Gamble, left, and Charlie Rhodarmer, manager of the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, came in character to the ribbon cutting last week.
Here's what the new exterior of Boyd's Jig and Reel looks like. Pretty distinctive.
Randy Boyd, left, poses with his father, Tom, at right, and Earl and Ruth Burdick.
Bagpipers with Knoxville Pipes and Drums attracted attention just prior to the ribbon-cutting festivities.
There is not really much confusion about what it is, is there?
I'm not much on taxidermy, but I thought this was appropriate decor. (At least he was dressed appropriately.)
As time for the ribbon cutting approached, the signs still were being affixed to the door.
Sandy Burdick and WBIR's Jim Martin.
Knoxville Chamber CEO Mike Edwards, left, and Randy Boyd
Outside, they were playing Rocky Top on the bagpipes!
Then it was time to cut!
Bartender J.C. serves Mike Edwards (what else?) some scotch! The Jig and Reel has more than 100 kinds!
Here is a traditional Scottish game, Jenny Boyd said.
Various instruments are available for anyone to borrow and play!
This guitar is signed by Randy Boyd's friend Jim Clayton.
Bagpipes, anyone?
Jenny Boyd with attorney Mark Williams just after the ribbon cutting.
This is Jenny's former college roommate, Jamie Price Payne. She did some of the painting in the pub.
Including this big mural in the game room.
There is a great set-up for darts, which would prove to be popular when we returned later in the evening.
Here's what the crowd looked like when we returned shortly after 9!
Bar crowd.
The Dirt Daubers were performing to standing room only.
We found an exhausted Jenny taking a load off.
Our friends Susan and David Long were in the bar.
Alan posed with our buddy Amy Williams. She had come from the Symphony, too.
Amy's husband, Tim Williams, with Linda Fleming and Bryan Atchley, the mayor of Sevierville.
Someone ordered macaroni pie and let me take a picture. They must not be on the low carb diet!
Les and Susan Cunningham were there.
As we left, we said goodbye to our pals Brittany Bailey and John Martin of WBIR. They were there on their own time!
Here is what The Daily Times had to say about Boyd’s Jig and Reel. Click here.
Here is what our fellow bloggers over at The Sunsphere is NOT a Wig Shop had to say about Boyd’s Jig and Reel. Click here.
Here’s what the News Sentinel had to say. Click here.
Enjoyed the grand opening of Boyd’s Jig & Reel. Beer and music were good. Dart throwers ranged from expert to amateur, so no one should be intimated about trying a toss. A great addition to the Old City and downtown.
John Martin’s shirt was almost a Tartan.
I popped in Friday night on my way to an event, and the place looks fantastic! It was crowded, and everyone was having fun. I’m looking forward to going back for a longer stay as soon as possible.
I’ve only had the chance to go once, but I loved it! I thought they’ve done a great job.
The Modern Hubby and I looked up the Boyds’ tartan on our iPhones while we were there and were very happy to see that they’ve accurately used their proper plaid!
Hey, Modern Gal! I’m not surprised with what you found out about the Boyds’ tartan. They are quite sincere and authentic about their goals for this place. Impressed you looked it up! Hope to run into you there. You, too, Lauren.
I would like to purchase a shirt from Boyds Jig and Reel can you help. Thanks, Ronnie
Ronnie: Here is a phone number. 865-247-7066
Good luck.
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