Drake’s draws customers in droves

Mary Ellen and Dr. Steven Brewington at the VIP opening of Drake's last week.

Mary Ellen and Dr. Steven Brewington at the VIP opening of Drake’s last week. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

Anyone who says you can’t be all things to all people clearly has not been to a Drake’s restaurant!

Drake’s opened in Knoxville last week at 242 Morrell Road at the former location of Puleo’s and Charlie Peppers. It has been jam packed ever since the doors opened. We at Moxley Carmichael had a blast helping with the opening of the concept’s eighth location.

Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, Drake’s operates a hybrid eatery that seems to be attracting a very diverse client base. It offers a relaxed family atmosphere for lunch and dinner and then converts to a high-energy club with a DJ and dancing at night.

And the menu is a hybrid, as well, offering everything from hamburgers and wings to sushi.

Burgers are big sellers at Drake's. In fact they have nine on the regular menu plus a "burger of the month" that changes.

Burgers are big sellers at Drake’s. In fact, they have nine on the regular menu plus a “burger of the month” that changes. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

“Our restaurant combines very different vibes from a laid-back lunch spot to an all-out nightclub,” said Mark Thornburg, Drake’s market partner. “Whenever you come into a Drake’s, you can expect exceptional food, unwavering commitment to hospitality and an atmosphere that invites people to have a lot of fun.”

Drake’s offers weekly trivia, shuffleboard and daily drink specials. The Knoxville location will feature two DJs who will play on Thursday until 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday until 2:30 a.m., with one inside the restaurant and another outside on a large patio with garage doors that will be open when weather is appropriate.

Like Drake’s on Facebook to keep up with activities and specials.

You might recognize the exterior, but nearly all the interior has been changed.

You might recognize the exterior, but nearly all of the interior has been changed.

Doesn't this fireplace area look cozy?

Doesn’t this fireplace area look cozy? (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

When Bill Regas showed up at the VIP party, he was treated like a rock star by the restaurant people. The former owner of Knoxville's iconic Regas Resaturant, he is restaurant royalty.

When Bill Regas showed up at the VIP party, he was treated like a rock star by the restaurant people, including Mark Thornburg, pictured here. The former owner of Knoxville’s iconic Regas Resaturant, he truly is restaurant royalty. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

I couldn't believe that County Commissioner Bob Thomas and his wife, Kim, opted to spend their wedding anniversary at the VIP event.

I couldn’t believe that County Commissioner Bob Thomas and his wife, Kim, opted to spend their wedding anniversary at the VIP event. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

Virgil Covinngton of Drake's, left, with Matt Sanderson of WBIR-TV.

Virgil Covington of Drake’s, left, with Matt Sanderson of WBIR-TV.

From left, on of Drake's founders, Bruce Drake, with Thornburg and another founder, Brian McCarty. (Photo by Gary Heatherly.)

From left, one of the Drake’s founders, Bruce Drake, with Thornburg and another founder, Brian McCarty. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

Working on the Aqua Sushi Liine. (Photo by Gary Heatherly.)

Working on the Aqua Sushi Line. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

Crab rangoon roll. (Photo by Amanda Jennings.)

Crab rangoon roll. (Photo by Amanda Jennings)

Surf and Turf roll: crab, cream cheese, spicy mayo, and asparagus topped with avocado, beef filet Sriracha and eel sauce. (Photo by Gary Heatherly.)

Surf and Turf roll: crab, cream cheese, spicy mayo and asparagus topped with avocado, beef filet, Sriracha and eel sauce. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

Are you really thirsty? Try a "table tap." It holds 120 ounces of your beer of choice.

Are you really thirsty? Try a “table tap.” It holds up to 120 ounces of your beer of choice.

Here's how it works. (Photo by Gary Heatherly.)

Here’s how it works. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

VIP guests, from left, Gary and Julia Bentley, Rosa Mar and Chris Kahn.

VIP guests, from left, Gary and Julia Bentley, Rosa Mar and Chris Kahn. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

From left, Grady Regas, Jenny Williams, Sharon Scott, Janet Testerman Crossley and Bil Regas.

From left, Grady Regas, Jenny Williams, Sharon Scott, Janet Testerman Crossley and Bil Regas. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

Bart Weaver, left, and Jim Landreth. (Photo by Gary Heatherly.)

Bart Weaver, left, and Jim Landreth. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

Lauren and John Miller. (Photo by Amanda Jennings.)

Lauren and John Miller. (Photo by Amanda Jennings)

Mark Thornburg with Amanda Jennings, who handled this project for Moxley Carmichael. (Photo by Gary Heatherly.)

Mark Thornburg with Amanda Jennings, who handled this project for Moxley Carmichael. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

I ordered this delicious chopped salad. Highly recommend.

I ordered this delicious chopped salad. Highly recommend.

Product manager Ben Ochs, left, with managing partner Tony Kalocsay. (Photo by Gary Heatherly.)

Product manager Ben Ochs, left, with managing partner Tony Kalocsay. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

Management team toasts the opening evening. (Photo by Gary Heatherly.)

Management team toasts the opening evening. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

Here's the great marketing team we worked with. From left, Stephanie Bork, Leela Foley, Jennifer Duggan and Anna Benlow. (Photo by Gary Heatherly.)

Here’s the great marketing team we worked with. From left, Stephanie Bork, Leela Foley, Anna Benlow and Jennifer Duggan. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

Investors Mark and Sharon Thornburg, left, with Charmaine and John Francis. (Photo by Gary Heatherly.)

Investors Mark and Sharon Thornburg, left, with Charmaine and John Francis. (Photo by Gary Heatherly)

Everybody got a koozie.

Everybody got a koozie.

When you see this vehicle, follow it for a good time!

When you see this vehicle, follow it for a good time!

 

 

 

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5 Responses to Drake’s draws customers in droves

  1. Maria Cornelius, on February 9th, 2016 at 2:56 pm said:

    Beer taps at the table? Awesome. 🙂

  2. Mallory Treviño, on February 9th, 2016 at 6:24 pm said:

    Can’t wait to try it!

  3. Lauren Miller, on February 9th, 2016 at 6:40 pm said:

    Great food and beer selection. We’re looking forward to going back with friends for Trivia Night.

  4. Rusha Sams, on February 10th, 2016 at 10:30 am said:

    This does look inviting! Good food, good atmosphere. Better yet . . . close to my house!!! Thanks for sharing. Your chopped salad will be one of my first things to order.

  5. Cynthia Moxley, on February 11th, 2016 at 9:03 am said:

    Rusha: Lucky you to live so close! All the food looked wonderful, but I can personally vouch for that chopped salad. Hope you enjoy it, too.

    Lauren, Mallory and Maria: Yep, beer taps and the table AND trivia! Something for everyone.

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