The Kennedy replaces Blackhorse on Gay Street with Americana food and drinks you can share

Musicians will take the stage as customers take bites of the "chef-driven Americana" food served at The Kennedy, a new restaurant and bar that has replaced Blackhorse Pub and Brewery on Gay Street.

The Kennedy is now open after a yearlong design and construction process under owner Chad Kennedy, who also owns and operates Loco Burro and Café 4 through his Kennedy Concepts brand.

Kennedy was given a "clean slate" after Blackhorse closed in January 2023, and he used that opportunity to bring the space to life by embracing the exposed brick, hanging paintings, adding warm lighting and building out a U-shaped bar with shelves of liquor stacked behind it for cocktails − including communal ones.

"The vision of this restaurant was just trying to create something that is timeless or that has a little bit of a aged feel − calm, relaxing, but something that's going to be around for a very long time. Hopefully, a staple of downtown Knoxville," Kennedy told Knox News.

Food, drinks and decorations for a 'timeless' feel at The Kennedy

The menu features an assortment of classic dishes. Some of Kennedy's highlights include mini corn dog bites, king crab crispy rice, The Kennedy wagyu burger and spicy rigatoni. His personal favorite, however, is the barbeque pizza.

"It may be a classic dish that you're comfortable with, but we're trying to put ... our spin on it and just trying to elevate it with fresh ingredients, chef driven. Nothing is out of a can," Kennedy said.

The average price is around $20 per dish, with the most expensive dish around $35.

The drink menu features classic cocktails, beer and wine. The Kennedy also has some communal cocktails, shooters and non-alcoholic options. The average drink ranges from $4 to $15, while communal cocktails and wine bottles are in the $29-$59 range.

One highlight is the Britt Splits, which is actually two complementary cocktails served at the same time: the Maracas Beach and the Lil Lychee. This is different from drink "sets" that typically pair a shot with a beer.

"I like going out to restaurants and having two drinks at the same time, and I kind of wanted to incorporate that idea," spokesperson Brittany Singh said. "And I don't think you could go anywhere in Knoxville and order one drink and get two separate cocktails that complement each other."

The Kennedy will add brunch in July, but that menu is still being developed.

The restaurant has a stage that will host live music Sunday through Thursday, before switching things up with a DJ on the weekends. The stage will be open for seating when artists are not performing.

If that's not enough entertainment, 10 TVs hang from the walls throughout the restaurant. In addition to ground-level table, bar and booth seating, guests can sit in the mezzanine overlooking the restaurant.

As Gay Street keeps changing, go see The Kennedy for yourself

Gay Street has experienced some significant changes the past few years.

Pioneer House moved off Gay Street and east, with Scott West now planning to turn the retail space into a bar. DiCarlo's Pizza started serving its Ohio Valley style pizza last year, and Hotel Cleo opened with Lilou on the ground level.

The hotel is right next to The Kennedy on Gay Street, a part of downtown Kennedy is excited to help shape.

"We're honored to be a part of this Gay Street development and restaurant scene," he said. "I think Knoxville is definitely on the rise. We're catching up to the cities around us − Nashville or Atlanta − with our restaurant scene. It's getting elevated, and we're excited to be here."

The Kennedy is open 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Hours extend to 3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and are cut back to 11 p.m. Sundays. Reservations can be made at thekennedyknoxville.com.

Keenan Thomas reports for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Gay Street restaurant The Kennedy replaces Blackhorse in Knoxville