A toast to Sassy Ann's. One of Knoxville's staple nightlife spots closed its doors after nearly 20 years.
On Thursday afternoon, the bar announced on Facebook it would be closing its doors. Dozens of regulars gathered outside the bar that night to hold a candlelight wake for it.
Many says they've had many memorable moments in the bar over the years, calling it a welcoming place that felt more like a big, crazy family.
While the building was certainly iconic -- a turn-of-the-century Victorian home -- patrons said it wasn't just about the unique establishment, it was about the many unique people that made their way inside the building.
The bar's ownership echoed the same sentiment.
"We've had people in from Brazil, Australia, Germany, France, Norway, Britain, Egypt and South Africa. Last summer I met a carload of Native Americans from New Mexico touring the US and Sassy Ann's was top on their list of southern stops," the post announcing the closing read. "One of my patrons is the leading research scientist for the Zika virus that his grandfather discovered decades ago. A former doorman is now an international military agent. One is training to catch fugitives for the feds."
The post closes by saying the bar could reopen in the future under new management, saying 'Don't Stop Believing.'