Tom Walker, Junior Editor
Renovations and grand openings have hit Sewanee’s downtown drinking scene. With Blue Chair Tavern remodeled and Shenanigan’s speakeasy Oddfellows finally open, which one is better?
Inside the usual hustle and bustle of Shenanigans, Oddfellows is like a little gem patiently waiting to be found. On my visit, it was clear that most people haven’t quite discovered it yet. While there were a few dozen customers in Shenanigans, we sat alone inside Oddfellows. Approaching the bartop, we could hear instrumental jazz music playing and see the dimmed lighting of the room. Even when full, the room’s smaller space (seating approximately 19 people) gave the bar a relaxed, mellow vibe that was remarkably different from any other place on campus.
At the bar, we were greeted with a classic menu with all your traditional favorite cocktails like margaritas, old fashioneds, negronis, moscow mules, and daiquiris. What makes Oddfellows really impressive is the attention to detail. For my first drink, I ordered a moscow mule (one of my favorites) and it came in a copper mug. Fans of the drink may know that many believe copper mugs oxidize the vodka and enhance its flavor. The drink was well balanced and presented with a beautiful lime wheel. The countertop was lit by small candles and our bartender set out little bowls of mixed nuts for us to eat while we enjoyed our drinks.
The daiquiri was sweet but with a full bodied flavor that was really satisfying. The cosmo had a nice citrus flavor that felt almost electric. Off the menu, our bartender Alyssa Fair (C ‘26) suggested a St. Xenia (otherwise known as a St. Germain gin and tonic). The drink was made with an elderflower liqueur that gave it a sweet floral flavor and really rounded out the drink. At $10 to $15 per drink, Oddfellows wasn’t cheap, but each drink was deeply satisfying. After trying six drinks, there wasn’t a single one I wouldn’t try again.
Blue Chair is a modern take on the classic sports bar. With football on the TVs, classic rock blasting through the speakers, and fried food galore, there is something nostalgic about the new tavern interior. The room’s larger interior (seating approximately 28 people) fits the new atmosphere of the bar. Also part of the renovation, the new pleather seats made the bar comfortable and inviting. Looking at the menu, I was excited not to see any drinks I had heard of before. At $7 to $12 per mixed drink, the prices invited experimentation. The whippet is the standout drink on the menu. With a mix of vodka, grapefruit juice, and sparkling water, there’s nothing not to love. At just $7, it’s less than half of the price of Oddfellows’ most expensive drinks. But, the whippet’s high sugar content made sure the next day’s hangover hit like a bus that backed up to finish the job.
The El Diablo (made with reposado tequila, Cassis, and ginger beer) has a powerful bite that makes each sip interesting. The Let’s Pretend (made with Malibu, Mount Gay rum, orange, and pineapple) is a fruity and refreshing drink that tastes like a day on the beach. The Spoken Word (made with Raspicello, gin, and Green Chartreuse) has a very complex flavor, but not in a way that I found appealing.
What really elevated our Blue Chair experience was getting appetizers while we had our drinks. Paying for pretzels and fries with Flex Dollars also helped us keep our visit affordable. While Blue Chair has a lot of potential, it’s clear there are still a few kinks that need to be ironed out. During our visit, we received the wrong drink after waiting almost ten minutes to receive it. On the menu, the drink I was most interested in, The Let’s Pretend, didn’t have a price written next to it, and our waiter couldn’t tell us the price when we asked.
While they’re the only bars in downtown Sewanee, Oddfellows and Blue Chair don’t really seem to be in competition. Because we visited both bars as date nights, we might not have experienced Blue Chair in the way it really should be experienced. Blue Chair seems like a place to eat greasy food, drink affordable drinks, and watch sports with your friends. If that’s what you’re looking for, then Blue Chair is the place for you.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for somewhere to get a high-end drink at a reasonable price, then Oddfellows is for you. Oddfellows doesn’t stock any well liquor (the kind of liquor only referred to on menus by generic names like vodka or rum), which means that you know exactly what goes into each drink.
Personally, I love making cocktails, but Sewanee’s glass bottle policy makes it difficult (and a violation of ResLife policy) to keep any nice liquor. Oddfellows helps fill that gap by offering drinks made with nice liquor at a reasonable price. But, that nice liquor is always going to be more expensive than the cheaper generic brands. At the end of the day, Oddfellows’ drinks can be twice the price of Blue Chair’s at their most and least expensive respectively. That’s enough for some folks to make their decision.
While we paid about the same price for drinks at both bars, mileage may vary. In my opinion, the higher price per drink at Oddfellows is more than made up for by the stellar atmosphere, incredible service, and delicious cocktails. The drinks at Oddfellows also had much heavier pours. So, while each drink is more expensive, most people won’t order as many which essentially evens out the price.
So, if you see me in a bar in Sewanee, you’ll probably see me at Oddfellows.
Oddfellows is open Wednesday through Saturday from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Blue Chair Tavern is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. everyday.