The Mirage Experience

    Mirage in Knoxville, TN is located in the heart of downtown on Gay St. The restaurant is a Mediterranean restaurant with Middle Eastern meals, belly dancing shows, and hookah in an exotic setting. They have neat, exclusive little features like scanning a QR code rather than a paper menu, and the restaurant is underneath the bustling city life.

    At the time of visiting the restaurant, my friend and I accidentally walked into the bar next to Mirage, but they informed us the restaurant is through the adjacent door, down the steps, and through a small room. Mirage was closed at the time we arrived, so we decided to sit on the bar's outside tables, and waited for them to open. Waiting gave us time to briefly wander with our eyes to view the surrounding restaurants, bars, and stores located in the city.

                           2021 Mirage Knoxville, TN picture taken by Samantha Roberts.

    The restaurant opened its doors, and we were greeted by a friendly bouncer who checked our driver's licenses in order to make sure we were of age for the bar located below. After being checked, we walked down the steps. We entered the enclosed room, and it was a completely different world. Entering the small room, one side of the wall was lined with red booths, and on the opposite wall sat a brown table and chair set. A separate room in the back was enclosed by curtains draped down to the concrete floor. Beautiful, beautiful decorations, and designs on every wall. The walls were a mix of a warm, red-painted design across the brick wall. On the opposite wall of the entrance, the alcoholic bar was lined with bar stools and a beautiful array of alcoholic beverages. To complement the scenery and seating arrangements, beautiful middle-eastern music was dancing through each of our eardrums; played on overhead speakers hanging from the ceiling. Each beat relaxes you with the next, entrancing you to absorb the entire atmosphere and experience.

                                       2021 Mirage Knoxville taken by Samantha Roberts.

    After enjoying the scenery, we were greeted by 2 wonderful women working at the bar. It was completely empty at the time of arriving early, so we had the pleasure of experiencing it before more customers arrived. We chose to sit on a cushioned bench with pillows in the corner for comfort. On one side of the bench was a table with a lamp burning a ruby-red color. Located in front of our bench seating, was a beautiful, marble stone table in the shape of an oval. Also in front of our cozy seating area, sat a soft fabric chair; enclosing the space to create a warm, cozy, inclusive feeling. Once we got settled in, the warm and kind waitresses brought us complimentary iced water. Not knowing at the time and never being here, we asked for a menu. Unbeknownst to us, we had to scan the QR code that was on a placard on the table. You can also view their menu online. http://mirageknoxville.com/menu/.

    After ordering drinks and food, a tall hookah was delivered to our table. While being entranced by the music, food, and drinks, everything about the entire experience was phenomenal. There's so much to explore and experience since Mirage hosts belly dancing shows, reservations, and events. They also serve a variety of drinks, and food so it's definitely a good restaurant to try at least once or more!

2021 Mirage Knoxville picture taken by Samantha Roberts.

2021 Mirage Knoxville picture taken by Samantha Roberts.

                            2021 Mirage Knoxville picture taken by Samantha Roberts.

A highly recommendable place to enjoy a new experience, a new atmosphere, and make many memories to come!

Author's Notes:

I hope you enjoy my blog and get to go on these adventures with me either on your own or follow along with me during the story! Very new to blogging so I have a lot more room to grow, adapt, and figure out how to accommodate you as the reader. All photos are taken on iPhone 11 so I try to fit them on the website as best as possible to get the best clear photo and size. I hope you enjoy and thank you for taking the time to read it!