The Kennedy blends the lively atmosphere of a sports bar with an upscale dining experience.
Located at the corner of Gay Street and Union Avenue, this historic building has undergone a remarkable transformation. For 34 years, through 2010, it was the elongated Arby’s. Then came the full building renovation and the fancy Café 5, followed by the Blackhorse Pub & Brewery from 2018 to 2023. It now houses a sophisticated yet inviting destination under the ownership of Chad Kennedy of Kennedy Concepts, owners of Puckers Sports Grill in Sevierville and Loco Burro in Gatlinburg and Knoxville.
At first glance, The Kennedy exudes the charm of a classic steakhouse. Rich wood paneling, vintage black-and-white photographs, black stamped-tin ceilings, and the soft glow of golden globe chandeliers create a sense of history. The wooden floors creak just enough to suggest generations of diners before you. The open-brick walls and picture windows onto Union Avenue on the side and Gay Street up front showcase the activity of downtown’s passing parade. But beyond its timeless aesthetic lies
a dynamic menu and cocktail program that blend tradition with bold innovation.
With a capacity of 144 guests, including 35 on the mezzanine level and a cozy, low-ceilinged space below (affectionately called “under the Mezz” by staff), The Kennedy offers a versatile setting. Somehow you don’t really notice the four light-wood-framed TVs on the inner wall, the TV high over the bar, or the four TVs on the window side. At the heart of the restaurant stands a striking oval marble bar, where skilled bartenders—using a tall wooden ladder to grab the premier brands from the extensive top shelves—craft both classic cocktails and inventive creations.
A standout is the Margarita Al Pastor, made with reposado tequila, al pastor salt, charred pineapple cordial, and Loco Burro sour. One of our party opted for a classic Tanqueray-and-tonic, declaring it “just perfect.” The TK Old Fashioned, featuring King’s Single Barrel whiskey, Belgian Candi sugar, and Peychaud’s Bitters, offers a familiar bourbon-forward profile with a subtle umami twist. The Milk and Honey comes in a miniature bathtub complete with a miniature rubber ducky, appropriate for the honeycomb gin, local honey, lemon, and gin botanical foam.
The menu follows suit, respecting culinary tradition while embracing creative reinvention. Chef Michael Obermeier ensures that even the classics feel fresh. His herb-roasted prime rib is “perfectly even,” as he describes it, its deep, beefy richness complemented by charred carrots and whipped potatoes. Faroe Island Salmon, typically a simple dish, is elevated with miso butter, “sweet heat” Brussels sprouts, whipped potatoes, and chili crisp. They cook the Braised Short Ribs for eight hours at 250 degrees, sear it super-hot, and serve on a miso white bean puree, garlic-braised Swiss chard, and chimichurri.
Even the tomato and burrata salad receives a sophisticated update with crispy prosciutto, green olives, and pumpkin seed pesto. Pasta lovers can enjoy Spicy Rigatoni in pink vodka sauce with Grana Padano cheese, made even more indulgent with the addition of miso buttered lump crab meat.
The Kennedy Wagyu Burger—“all Wagyu, not Black Angus filler,” says Obermeier—comes with bacon onion jam, crispy onions, cheddar and American cheese, and garlic aioli on a brioche bun.
Chef Obermeier has been with The Kennedy since its opening in May 2024. “I’m an Italian with a German last name,” he jokes, envisioning Adam Sandler playing him in a movie. His culinary journey started at family gatherings in West Palm Beach, Florida. “Every Sunday we got together,” he remembers. “I’d have wine with my grandmother’s stuffed olives. I was in IT for a while, but it wasn’t for me.” He followed his passion, earning his degree from the Culinary Institute in Vero Beach in 2007. He met his wife, Deserae, at a wedding in Rochester, New York. They have two kids, MJ, 10, and Nico (short for Domenico), 2.
Obermeier’s career has taken him to the True Food Kitchen in Fairfax, Virginia, then two stops in Columbus, Ohio, as culinary director for the restaurant SŌW Plated—its first name an acronym sustainable, organic and wellness—and for BIBIBOP Asian Grill. He got the call from Kennedy Concepts in April 2023 and opened the Kennedy in May 2024. “We have a culture that is attentive to the level of detail that we need,” he says. “The menu is classic, but with a little bit of a twist, a little more pork.”
General Manager Cory Bean describes The Kennedy as “an elevated American gastro pub, chef-driven,” where guests feel equally comfortable in a sports jersey or a business suit. Jake Brock, an Oak Ridge rowing coach and student pilot, appreciates the balance: “It’s part sports bar, part fine dining. My friends loved the mini corn dogs, while my parents enjoyed the upscale dishes and atmosphere.” Server Aidan Ginn, a student at UT studying international business, once had the pleasure of serving Harrison Ford. “He sat at the bar,” she recalls. “I called him professor.”
With a robust selection of small plates, The Kennedy is also an ideal spot for drinks and shared bites. The most popular dish is Devils on Horseback—bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese, pumpkin seed pesto, balsamic reduction, and Calabrian chili-tomato sauce. The Blue Crab Crispy Rice, featuring jumbo lump crab, garlic sriracha aioli, avocado, and sweet soy, is another favorite.
Bone Marrow, served in a split roasted beef bone with house-made bacon jam, chimichurri, pickled onion, and crusty bread, would make any paleo devotee proud. Our group did not take advantage of the addition of Buffalo Trace bourbon for a “bone marrow luge,” although it sounds tempting. Meanwhile, the Mini Corn Dogs, crafted with Nathan’s all-beef hot dogs, house-made batter, and Dijonnaise are a nostalgic delight. Another shareable highlight is the Pepperoni Hot Honey Pizza, topped with mozzarella, ricotta, pepperoni, and Calabrian hot honey.
For dessert, the Salty Malty Ice Cream Pie reigns supreme, boasting layers of salted caramel ice cream in a towering four-inch presentation. The Bananas Foster Crepe Cake, with layers of crepes, sweetened cream, caramelized bananas, and warm bourbon sauce, is another indulgent choice.
The Kennedy is a place where history and innovation meet, offering a unique dining experience that caters to a wide range of tastes and occasions. Whether stopping in for a cocktail, a casual bite, or a full meal, it’s a downtown Knoxville destination that continues to impress.
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