knoxville, tennessee, boasts a rich and evolving history within its lgbtq+ community. this guide delves into the city's past and present, highlighting the significance of various establishments that have served as safe spaces, social hubs, and venues for self-expression.
from iconic gay bars to more recent additions, we'll explore the stories behind these spaces and their enduring impact on knoxville's vibrant queer culture. this exploration includes notable venues like kandy knox, the carousel, and the closet, offering insight into their individual histories and the broader context of lgbtq+ life in knoxville.
the evolution of knoxville's gay bar scene
the retail complex that once housed kandy knox also provided a home to several other bars that had, unfortunately, experienced police raids and closures due to incidents of violence in previous years.
lord lindsey's establishment held weekly dinners and parties that quickly gained popularity, transforming the building into a dance club later in the week. interviews suggest that the clientele on a typical weekend was a mix of gay and straight patrons, consistently fostering a friendly atmosphere.
for its final two decades, lord lindsey's hosted a sunday event known as "six fifteen," a pseudo tea dance. the event derived its name from the bar's address on hill ave and the time the festivities commenced.
recollections from gay individuals who frequented six fifteen describe it as a more relaxed gathering with a diverse crowd.
this created an environment where older generations and those who weren't drawn to the typical party scene could enjoy the company of fellow gay men in a social setting. following the passing of kristopher kendrick, his estate put the building on the market. despite its purchase a number of years ago, the building has remained largely vacant.
the building has recently been purchased and is slated for redevelopment.
we'll also highlight some of knoxville's most renowned and well-remembered bars over the years. in its later period, the bar attracted drag queens, lesbians, and, occasionally, sex workers, establishing itself as a space free from judgment.
remembering the huddle and other early establishments
conversations with locals indicate that the huddle was a popular spot for affordable drinks before patrons headed to other nearby bars such as europa or colony.
unfortunately, the huddle closed its doors, and the space has since been converted into a private event venue. one individual shared that this bar represented one of the earliest instances in knoxville of a gay bar becoming a popular destination for straight individuals, attracted by the unique atmosphere and environment.
europa, situated at the back of an older building on gay street, was owned by joseph weir, a well-known knoxville hairdresser.
tragically, europa was shut down following joseph weir's murder, an unsolved cold case. riverview tower now occupies the location where europa once stood. club exile didn't endure long; it eventually closed, was remodeled, and later reopened as kristtophers.
kristtophers consistently offered the best selection of local beers and served amazing food.
unfortunately, kristtophers recently closed due to a building lease issue. i personally cherished kristtophers and would gladly support any future endeavors by the women behind it.
the carousel holds a significant place in the gay community, having been a mainstay for decades.
if you were a gay man or ally residing in knoxville over the last 30 years, there's a high likelihood that you witnessed at least one drag show in its upstairs show bar.
the building featured a dedicated dance floor and an area specifically for drag shows, a feature that remains challenging to find in many major city gay bars even today.
the beer bust was legendary, along with the hangovers it produced; patrons paid only $7 for a cup and wristband, allowing unlimited beer for a set time. sadly, the carousel faced a similar fate to many other landmarks in the ft. sanders neighborhood, being purchased for development in 2021.
the building was recently put on the market. carousel 3, anyone? all of these bars played an active role in knoxville and deserve more recognition than i could possibly provide in a single piece.
reflections on knoxville's lgbtq+ history and community
i conclude this extensive compilation of knoxville's lgbt bars with the hope that you found it enjoyable and will contribute to or edit this list through your comments.
thank you for your contributions! for those of us who cherish the local lgbt community, documenting and acknowledging its people, places, organizations, and icons is incredibly validating and deeply appreciated. this work is vital for numerous reasons. knoxville and east tennessee possess a rich history that deserves to be told.
anyone working with this population will attest to the constant influx of phone calls from youth who are kicked out of their homes after coming out to unaccepting family members.
i completely agree! when i began gathering information for these articles, i was astounded by the scope and depth of all the topics i was interested in sharing.
i plan to explore positively living, kgmc, and the red and green party in future articles, as well as highlight major events and individuals. the author may have the dates incorrect. the huddle tavern is first listed in the knoxville city directory in 1950. the space on cumberland avenue had previously been occupied by the courtesy cab company and the victory cab company.
in 1953, the name changed, at least in the city directory, to the southern tavern.
by the 1955 edition, it had reverted to the huddle. the knoxville phone directories offer a similar timeline. the initial listing for the huddle appeared in the october 1950 phonebook.
there was an earlier, short-lived eating house named the huddle, circa 1945, on cumberland avenue, but it doesn't seem to have any connection to the huddle tavern. sorry about that. i intend to go through the city directory to refine the dates for all the bars mentioned here today.
interestingly, while the city directory indicates the dates of the huddle appearing in 1950, cormac mccarthy's book suttree references the bar at this location in 1951. i assume that's just for reference and not a real date now?
i plan to delve deeper into this in the future and amend the write-up as i can.
thanks for your feedback! knoxville news-sentinel, march 12, 2019, p. the reference to it in suttree is an anachronism, as are the references to mr. hatmaker as its operator. ernest l. hatmaker appears to have acquired an interest in the tavern in 1955 or 1956.
the building pretentious is located in, for example. very good stuff, thanks for doing the research! omg yes. i looked forward more to those thursday nights than any other day of the week. if i could only go out dancing one night in a given week, hands down it was to the closet.
the music pulsated all night in sync with achromatic images of vintage aerobics videos projected on a wall.
all my friends and i left at the last possible moment, drenched in sweat and with great stories to tell. the creative energy those thursday nights generated inspired us all to pursue whatever avant-garde outfit or costume our pre-wifi minds could conjure. or not. casual was also acceptable.
electrifying is the word that comes to my mind when i flip through the velvet-flocked, of course, photo album of those nights we took with our disposable fuji cameras or our digital canons that held maybe 20 pictures. i hope someone creates a page to gather photos, stories, and the history of some of these places that were an escape in the 90s mercury theatre, anyone?
the closet, mercury theatre, and the vibrant 90s scene
for those of us who wanted something vibrant and thriving in a downtown that was deserted by 10 pm.
i lived in knoxville on and off between 1992 and 2004. dressing up and getting ready to go out was as much fun as going out! me and my friends often went to the carousel club to dance and see the drag shows, chat with the drag queens and hustlers, and hang out.
i was twice shot at as i left the carousel club by anti-gay individuals driving past the club! the closet was great fun. me and my friends were regulars at the closet at lord lindseys, carousel 2, and trumps. one evening i projected my club visuals at the closet, slides of pop culture images, from projectors up on the balcony.
i also did club visuals, slide and movie projections at the underground and mercury theatre.
i found this to be enjoyable to read. is there any more information about the history of the lgbtq in this area? please friend me on facebook…samuel lowe. i have written and am writing articles on the lgbtq history of knoxville. i hope that memoirs are being written and collections of photographs are being kept so that a fuller, more personal history can be written someday.
please friend me on facebook…i will be posting articles on occasion about the lgbt community in knoxville. plus, a menu of delicious entrees.
knoxville's contemporary lgbtq+ venues and resources
broadway ave. food truck schedule on website! knoxbox a place where everyone can sing!
bar, karaoke south gay street, unit knoxville tn knoxville tn email knoxbox. food served til 2am! northshore drive, knoxville tn email. twisted mike's tap room offers craft, high-gravity beers on tap and a full liquor bar!! dog-friendly patio. in the heart of bearden on homberg dr.
inside of the boocherie photo courtesy of daemon gregory. the boocherie our nonalcoholic bar was opened specifically to be a queer sober safe space. frog juice kombucha offers health benefits in artisanal small batches.
fermented and effervescent. brewed in knoxville, tn.
hours of operation wed, thurs. crafty bastard brewery emory place serving quirky, well-crafted beers in the 4th and gill neighborhood of downtown knoxville. crafty bastard brewery west offering flights and pints of flagship, seasonal, and specialty beers. weekly events include live music.
alliance brewing co. craft brewery and taproom on sevier ave in south knoxville hiwire brewery knoxville 4th location brings their award-winning lagers and ales to knoxville with 24 taps, a huge space with tons of games, and more.
trailhead beer market south knoxville's first beer market situated on the banks of the tennessee river and in the backyard of the urban wilderness and ijams nature center.
printshop beer co. knoxville brewery located on the south knoxville waterfront! brews a range of american-style craft beers, from our hop-forward flagships to seasonal and small-batch releases.
looking ahead: preserving and celebrating knoxville's queer legacy
the story of knoxville's lgbtq+ nightlife is a story of resilience, community, and the ongoing pursuit of self-expression.
from the early days of the huddle and europa to the vibrant scenes of the carousel and the closet, these venues have served as crucial spaces for connection and visibility. the current scene, with establishments like knoxbox and the boocherie, demonstrates a continuing evolution.
it's essential to remember the people and places that have shaped this rich history, ensuring that future generations can learn from and be inspired by the stories of knoxville's queer community. continued documentation, such as the efforts to gather photographs and personal narratives, is vital to preserve a complete and nuanced history of this vital part of the city.
key takeaways:
- knoxville's gay bar scene has evolved significantly over the years.
- venues like the carousel and the closet played a central role in the community's history.
- current establishments continue to provide safe and inclusive spaces.
- preserving this history through documentation and storytelling is crucial.
as knoxville continues to grow and change, the stories of its lgbtq+ spaces will continue to resonate, reminding us of the importance of community, acceptance, and the power of self-expression.