When A.J. Tierney moved back home to Knoxville, she knew opening a bar here would be different from New York City, where there's a new spot on every corner and even good ones can get lost in the crowd.
By blending Tierney's passions for the arts and bar culture, her cabaret-style cocktail lounge will offer something unique enough to stand out in the Old City when House of Strays opens Oct. 7 in the former Postmodern Spirits space at 205 W. Jackson Ave.
Tierney's vision for the former distillery, which closed at the start of this year, would mean gutting the building down to its bones. She built a lengthy bar that demands attention from the moment customers step inside House of Strays.
A wall with a grand, arched entryway separates the backlit bar
from the rest of the intimate room. Elevated booths sit at the ends of the room, and one long bench supporting a line of cocktail tables takes up the main wall.
The middle of the room is empty for what Tierney calls a "reverse stage."
"We're elevated here," she told Knox News, "but the performance would happen down there."
House of Strays: Where people 'come as they are and stay for the show'
House of Strays is both a neighborhood bar for creative drinks and an arts venue for creative minds.
Tierney grew up in the arts world and pursued a comedic arts degree at Emerson College in Boston, and she was chasing an acting career in Los Angeles before COVID-19 forced her to move home to Knoxville.
It was a blessing in disguise, she said.
Back in Knoxville, Tierney dove headfirst into the bartending scene, working at Sapphire and Brother Wolf. The experience ignited a new passion after it seemed like her arts career was slipping away.
Then, she moved to New York City.
"I felt like I needed to do it. It'd be one of those things I was always like, 'What if?'" she said. "Maybe I want to do acting. Maybe I want to do creative stuff. But really, once I got there, I spent the whole time either working in bars or trying new bars."
She felt the slight tug on her heart to move home and open a bar of her own. House of Strays, inspired by the eclectic and trailblazing life of Josephine Baker, is meant to be a safe haven for two groups Tierney shares close ties with: industry workers and artists.
But more than that, Tierney wants it to be a place where people "come as they are and stay for the show."
Old City bar House of Strays: What to know before you go
House of Strays will host cabaret nights, burlesque shows, improv acts and other forms of entertainment. Tierney is working to schedule matinee performances before the bar doors open, as well as other shows throughout the night.
She has crafted a lineup of tasty, eye-catching drinks, including a salt and vinegar martini served with a side of the namesake chips. There will be small bar bites like popcorn, hummus and buffalo chicken hot pockets.
House of Strays is open 5 p.m.-midnight Sunday through Thursday and 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Info: houseofstraysbarknoxville.com | @houseofstraysbar | 205 W. Jackson Ave.
Knox News reporter Joanna Hayes covers restaurants and retail for the business growth and development team. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com; Instagram: @knoxeat65. Sign up for Joanna's Eat65 email newsletter to get the latest drink and dining news, as well as restaurant recommendations, at knoxnews.com/newsletters.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: House of Strays brings cabaret-style cocktail bar to downtown Knoxville | Exclusive
