Knoxville Beer Board approves multiple event permits, denies Sports Bar application amid ownership concerns

The Knoxville Beer Board on Aug. 19, 2025, approved a series of special-event and retail beer permits, postponed three applications at the applicants' request, extended two applications to later meetings, and unanimously denied the application for Knoxville Sports Bar and Lounge after board members and staff said ownership documentation was unclear.

The actions took place at a regularly scheduled Beer Board meeting in Knoxville. Board members approved routine special-event permits for several community festivals and block parties, granted retail and on‑premises permits where files were complete or pending final documentation, and directed one applicant to resolve ownership paperwork before reapplying.

The board also heard an administrative update from finance staff: “The beer fund stands at $251,000,” said Mr. Johnson. The chair noted the fund can pay hearing expenses under Section 4‑94 of the city code and discussed potential future appropriations to support alcohol‑education programming, including work by the Metro Drug Coalition; no appropriation was approved at the meeting.

Board action highlights and details

Votes at a glance - 2025 Greek Fest (Saint George Church) — Approved (special-event beer permit). Applicant: Mike Naseos; event dates Sept. 26–28, 2025. File reported complete. - Big Kahuna Wing Fest — Approved (special-event beer permit). Applicant: Matt Bealer; event date Aug. 31, 2025. File reported complete. - Dave Landau’s tailgate for Alzheimer’s Tennessee (Rogers Place) — Approved (special-event beer permit). Applicant: Chris Patrick; event date Sept. 5, 2025. File reported complete. - Pilot Light 25th anniversary block party — Approved (special-event beer permit). Applicant: Jason Boardman; event date Sept. 14, 2025. File reported complete. - Sunset on Central (multiple venues) — Approved (special-event beer permit). Applicant: Charles Ellis; event date Aug. 23, 2025. File reported complete. - Amalfi Ristorante Italiano — Approved pending final documentation (certificate of occupancy and health department approval required). Applicant: Paul Martin. Board complimented the applicant’s server compliance plan. - Asher’s Beer Market (transfer related) — Approved (surrender of existing permit noted); applicant presented required paperwork. Applicant on record: John Todd. - Casa Mar Mexican Restaurant — Approved pending final documentation (certificate of occupancy and health department approval required). Applicant was asked to expand and resubmit a server‑compliance plan; applicant said weekly training sessions are in place. - Pete’s Restaurant and Coffee Shop — Approved pending final documentation (certificate of occupancy and updated notice-of-actions contact listing required; Knox County resident for service of process required). Applicant: Jacob Legrandeur. - The Pink Cactus — Approved (file reported complete). Applicant: Harold Goldston. - Fast Hand LLC — Application continued to the September meeting at the applicant’s request. - Mother Bar — Extension granted to November; applicant: Dillon Pacifico. - Knoxville Sports Bar and Lounge (Byron Ponce) — Denied. Board cited inconsistent and incomplete ownership documents and unresolved questions about prior license holders’ remaining interest. The board instructed the applicant and his representative to obtain signed, notarized affidavits demonstrating that prior owners no longer hold an ownership interest before reapplying. - Three items (agenda items 6a El Molino Supermarket, 6b Juan’s Tacos, and 6c Yummy Bowl) — Postponed at the applicants’ requests.

Denial and next steps on Knoxville Sports Bar and Lounge

Board members and staff said the record for the Knoxville Sports Bar and Lounge application contained conflicting or incomplete ownership paperwork, and a law‑department review found the submitted licensing receipt insufficient. “I really think that at this point, we just need a clean start,” said Mr. Frost, who moved to deny the application. The motion carried.

Applicant Byron Ponce told the board he turned paperwork in before the posted deadline and said he did not draft the licensing receipt submitted by the seller. “I did turn this in before noon. I had nothing to do with the drafting of this document,” Ponce said on the record and offered to help obtain affidavits from prior owners to clarify their status. The board suggested the applicant draft affidavits, have them reviewed by board counsel, have them notarized and resubmit the application as a new filing if necessary.

Beer fund and other administrative items

Mr. Johnson reported no active suspensions or revocations and no fines or expenses near the start of the fiscal year, and stated, “The beer fund stands at $251,000.” The chair noted Section 4‑94 of the city code allows fines to be used for hearing expenses and that excess funds may be used for alcohol‑education programs with city‑council approval; she said staff have discussed possible future appropriations to support education by the Metro Drug Coalition but no formal appropriation was before the board.

How approvals were handled

Where staff reported the application file was complete, the board approved permits outright. Where a certificate of occupancy, health‑department approval, or an updated notice‑of‑actions contact (requiring a Knox County resident for service of process) was missing, the board approved the permit pending final documentation and instructed applicants to complete outstanding items with the business tax office and building department. Board staff (Mr. Byrd and Mr. Johnson) and Officer Presley, the beer inspector, were identified as points of contact for follow‑up documentation and inspections.

What’s next

Applicants approved pending final documentation must submit outstanding certificates, health approvals or corrected server‑compliance plans to the business tax office during regular business hours; staff offered to assist with building inspections and scheduling. For the denied Knoxville Sports Bar application, the board said a new application may be filed once ownership is documented to the board’s satisfaction.

Meeting formalities

There were no public commenters signed up for this meeting’s public‑comment period. The chair adjourned the meeting after completing the agenda.