A new nightlife concept inspired by the glamour of the Prohibition era is preparing to debut in Knoxville’s Old City. House of Strays is targeting a September or October opening at 205 W. Jackson Avenue, Suite 206, pending final inspections and licensing approvals, owner A.J. Tierney told WhatNow Nashville.
Rather than creating a traditional cocktail bar, Tierney envisions House of Strays as an immersive destination where expertly crafted drinks, theatrical design and live entertainment come together under one roof. Guests can expect rich jewel tones, candlelit spaces, dark wood finishes and a layout inspired by 1920s speakeasies and cabaret theaters in both America and Europe.
“The prohibition era was the best era of cocktails,” Tierney said, explaining that the menu will celebrate the classics while organizing drinks by flavor profiles, including martinis, stiff drinks, sweet cocktails and sours. She said the goal is to offer something for every palate while paying homage to one of cocktail culture’s most influential periods.
Beyond the bar program, House of Strays is designed with performance in mind. One side of the venue will function as a traditional cocktail bar, while the other features a theater-inspired room with elevated booth seating surrounding a central performance space. Tierney said the venue will host rotating entertainment, including burlesque performances, improv nights, cabaret acts and collaborations with local artists, with seasonal themes and artwork helping keep the experience fresh year-round.
“I think we’re going to be constantly evolving,” Tierney said. “Hopefully it’s a contribution not only to Knoxville’s craft cocktail scene, but also to the local arts community.”
Looking beyond opening day, Tierney said House of Strays is intended to become a creative hub rather than simply another cocktail destination. Along with themed pop-ups and a rotating cocktail program, she plans to showcase local artists, host recurring performances and give creatives a venue to share their work. “The more that we can have art in all forms be a part of the living, breathing space of it, that’s my goal,” Tierney said.
House of Strays marks Tierney’s first independent concept after helping open Brother Wolf in Knoxville and gaining additional experience working in New York City’s acclaimed cocktail scene. While her immediate focus is launching the bar, she said her longer-term goal is expanding the venue’s theatrical programming and creating a space where local performers and artists can regularly showcase their work.
