Gay Street is getting a new restaurant! Plus, what to know about a new rooftop bar
Knox News readers have questions about downtown, and we have the answers!
This week, we answer great restaurant and bar questions:
What's replacing Blackhorse Pub & Brewery on Gay Street?
Is another rooftop bar and events space coming to downtown Knoxville?
What new concept will replace Tako Taco at The Mill & Mine?
Have a question about what's happening in and around downtown Knoxville? Join our Urban Knoxville group on Facebook to ask your questions, or just send them to [email protected]. You should also check out our free weekly downtown podcast, "The Scruffy Stuff"," for analysis of the latest news and city trends.
Folks behind Loco Burro in Knoxville to open Gay Street restaurant
Kennedy Concepts is opening its first restaurant and bar from scratch in downtown Knoxville, nearly two years after purchasing Café 4.
A new gastropub called The Kennedy will replace the former Blackhorse Pub and Brewery at 430 S. Gay St. Kennedy Concepts President Chad Kennedy told Knox News he plans to be open in February.
The concept includes "craft cocktails" and a "chef-driven Americana menu." There also will be a small stage for live music and TVs around the bar, which is "the centerpiece of the room," Kennedy said.
The mezzanine will remain and will offer seating when the space is not rented for private events. The dining room and bar area will be remodeled, he said.
Knox News reported earlier this year that Kennedy Concepts' partner in Café 4, the Ephant Group, purchased the former Blackhorse Pub and Brewery property.
The Ephant Group did not purchase the 430 S. Gay St. building outright. According to property records, the city's Industrial Development Board still owns the building after its initial acquisition in April 2014.
Kennedy said the Ephant Group is also a partner in The Kennedy restaurant. Led by HD Patel, the Ephant Group is among the top investors in downtown Knoxville and is working to open Hotel Cleo at the nearby Hope Brothers Building.
Kennedy Concepts maintains a handful of brands, including Puckers Sports Grill, Crawdaddy's and Loco Burro.
Rooftop bar coming to Hilton hotel in downtown Knoxville
The downtown Hilton hotel at 501 W. Church Ave. is planning to add a one-story bar and events space on top of its roof, according to documents submitted to Knoxville-Knox County Planning.
Renderings of the proposed space show what appears to be both indoor and outdoor spaces on the roof that include hanging plants and lounge furniture. The bar itself is rectangular with about 15 seats.
Also in the plans are a new mural along the pool deck and a new roof over a patio on the building's south corner. Plans also mention a ramp on the southeast corner will be enclosed with a storefront system for a "restaurant vestibule," but it's not clear whether this means a new restaurant or an expansion of the existing Marble City Kitchen restaurant and the Firefly whiskey bar and beer garden.
Knox News contacted the hotel's general manager, Paul Jordan, for more details including clarification about the restaurant and whether the rooftop bar would be open to the public. Jordan, who's also the manager of The Tennessean and Marriott in downtown Knoxville, declined to answer questions.
A July 2022 mailbag reported on the first step in a "comprehensive renovation" of the downtown Hilton. The initial work focused on the northwest corner of the building and included a new model room, new windows and a paint color study.
Knoxville-Knox County Planning's Design Review Board will consider Hilton's plans at its Nov. 15 meeting.
Tako Taco social media hints new concept at The Mill & Mine
While the folks behind the now-closed Tako Taco are still not ready to share what will replace the downtown restaurant, the business's Facebook page recently was rebranded to "The Green Room at The Mill & Mine," with a general "stay tuned" message posted Oct. 23.
Margaret Stolfi, general manager of The Mill & Mine, told Knox News via text this is not the permanent name for the new concept, just a temporary way to refer to the space during upcoming pop-ups and private events.
Tako Taco's last day in business was Oct. 21, shortly after Knox News reported on the promise of "a new culinary and spirited adventure that will take The Mill & Mine experience to new heights," according to the restaurant's closing announcement.
What exactly that means ? including whether the concept will be open to the public, exclusive to tickehtolders or some sort of combination ? has not been announced.
The former restaurant is connected to The Mill & Mine and shares ownership with the music and events venue, Stolfi said. The Mill & Mine opened in 2016, and Tako Taco opened two years later.
A new concept should be unveiled "in a few months," according to the original announcement. In the meantime, plans call for hosting special events in the restaurant space, including some tied to concerts at the adjoining venue.
Ryan Wilusz is a downtown growth and development reporter. Phone 865-317-5138. Email [email protected]. Instagram @knoxscruff.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Downtown Knoxville restaurant replacing Blackhorse Pub on Gay Street
