The Time Warp Tea Room, Knoxville Tennessee
By Ronald E. Johnson, TailoftheDragon.com

Knoxville, fast becoming one of the major motorcycle destinations in America, offers much for all riders to savor. Just some of the highlights include what many claim as the best motorcycling roads anywhere, cycle friendly businesses and lodging, and the annual Honda Hoot, this year returning for its seventh consecutive year at Chilhowee Park.

The Hoot attracts more than 20,000 enthusiasts over four days to see and demo the latest motorcycles, browse the huge vender areas, upgrade their bikes, and watch some unbelievable stunts by trials riders. Part of the Hoot package are maps leading riders to such great roads as the Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, Devil’s Triangle, Blue Ridge Parkway, Hellbender and other Great Smoky Mountain pieces of asphalt. The City goes all out with downtown live entertainment and fireworks.

One of the little known local places of interest to riders is the Time Warp Tea Room located on North Central Street in what was once known as Happy Hollow. This unusual business, opened in 2002 by Dan Moriarty, first attracted a handful of vintage motorcycle riders who parked their bikes out in front on the sidewalk. The aficionados began gathering at the Time Warp on Tuesday nights to watch the now defunct Two-Wheel Tuesday on Speedvision. Soon they had formed the Time Warp Vintage Motorcycle Club with regular weekly meetings around the big round table. Today on a typical Tuesday evening there will be several dozen bikes lining the sidewalk, many of them classics. Stop by Saturday afternoons for the Moto-Matinee, cycle videos shown on the big screen. And there is even live music now and then.

Dan closed his pinball/jukebox business to open the Time Warp and display his motorcycle memorabilia collected over more than three decades. The wallpaper is a mélange of newsletters, magazine covers and articles, and advertisements pertaining to two-wheel motoring. He has more than 50 motorcycles himself stating that “once I got so many the wife doesn’t notice when I get another one.” The game room features a number of classic pin balls including Evel Knievel and a rare Blackwater 100. The century old Edwardian-style bar has a large cherry back with cabinets.

Dan is a competing trials rider in the Vintage Premier Lightweight Intermediate Class. His favorite bike is a Triumph Cub that he has converted to a trials bike. On the street he’s partial to his SV650. Some of his bike collection is on display in the Time Warp.

The Time Warp serves a wide selection of gourmet coffee beverages, tea, chai, and hot chocolate. Food includes bagels, pastries, homemade brownies and cookies. Also homemade are the soups and chili. Don’t forget the tasty hot dog prepared and served-up by Dan’s wife Peggy. The TWTR is open everyday except Sunday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and later on Fridays.

Be sure to make this one of your planned stops whenever you are in the area. And say hello to Dan and Peggy.

LOCATION:

The Time Warp is located just north of downtown Knoxville. From I-275 take Exit 1 at West Baxter Avenue and head east to North Central Street. Turn left onto N. Central and go two blocks. The Time Warp will be on your left. From downtown take US 441 north and then turn left on North Central. Go about 6 blocks to the Time Warp on left. There is car parking in the rear and motorcycle parking on the sidewalk in front.

N35 58.925’
W83 55.793’

Time Warp Tea Room
1209 N. Central Street
Knoxville, TN 37917
865-524-1155

www.myspace.com/timewarptearoom