by Emily Stooks | Oct 2, 2025 | All Articles, Evan Mays, Lifestyle, Our Writers
My fellow Knoxvillians, my bank account just received terrible news: a stylish and fun new bar just opened less than a block from my apartment. It’s really tough to receive this horrible info, and I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers at this time.
But, you read that right! A brand new bar is coming to our Scruffy City, and I can’t wait for y’all to try it! It’s called Mother Bar, and it’s located on Emory Place, just a stone’s throw from Old City. On a very, very lazy Friday, I walked the one minute path from my apartment to this brand new bar to meet with the owners, check out the space, and try out a few cocktails.
Mother Bar
The owners, Jade and her husband Dyland welcomed me into Mother Bar, a space teeming with life – literallyb🌱 We sat together on a lush pink couch, surrounded by some beautiful decor, gorgeous hardwood floors, exposed brick walls – which, yes, made me very jealous – and lots and lots of plants. The plants made a bit more sense when I heard more about Jade’s background.
She owns Oglewood Avenue, a plant nursery on N. Broadway, and it was there that the idea for Mother Bar was born. Jade wanted to cultivate an environment where people could hang out, relax, and enjoy being around some flora and fauna without the pressure to buy any of it. Based on my experience, she has more than succeeded.
As gorgeous as the space is, the concepts at the basis of Mother Bar are even more exciting. Jade and Dylan told me that they want Mother Bar to be centered around events. From Love Island watch parties, to Twilight trivia, and even craft nights and workshops, Mother Bar has an extensive calendar with an event for even the Knoxvillian with the most niche of interests.
But, as we wrapped up our interview, it was time for the most important part of my – albeit not far – trip to Mother Bar: the cocktail tastings! I tried two delectable cocktails that Dylan served up: the Lavender Lemon Martini and the Bee’s Knees.
The Lavender Lemon Martini was a beautiful blend of citrus notes and soft, sweet, flowery tastes. It meshed with the carefully curated botanical vibes of Mother Bar wonderfully. The Bee’s Knees was a richer, tasty combination of gin, honey, and a hint of citrus that I cannot recommend enough.
As I sipped, they told me something that made my heart skip a beat and my wallet make an exasperated groan: they will also be serving paninis! You, dear reader, can expect three different paninis to make an appearance on the Mother Bar menu: the caprese panini, the prosciutto panini, and the pizza panini – which Jade said has been the star of the taste testings, and she describes as homey and nostalgic, like a childhood sleepover.
As we wrapped up our warm and lovely conversation, I was bombarded by two thoughts: first, I cannot wait to spend many a night at Mother Bar drinking some lovely takes on classic cocktails and eating my weight in paninis. Second, I need to ask my job for a raise.
Mother Bar is having lots of soft opening events all this week, with a grand opening scheduled for Saturday, October 4th, at 6pm! Go see Jade and Dylan, and tell them I say hello! Follow them on Instagram for a full schedule @motherbarknox! Also, make sure you check out Mother Shop, just upstairs from Mother Bar. It’s a gorgeous gift shop full of quirky, funky, fun, dopamine decor. (You can learn more about Mother Shop right here!)
After I left Mother Bar – and took a quick, unplanned cat nap – it was time to get back up and head to our next stop for the evening:
Schulz Brau
Now you may be wondering, dear reader, what does Evan know about Germany? Other than a middle school history lesson I slept through and a mistakenly-taken German language class during my senior year of college, not much. What does Evan know about Oktoberfest? Other than that it’s spelled with a K, also not much. But, does Evan enjoy any festivity that involves music, lederhosen, and craft drinks? You betcha.
My friends and I walked into the Knoxville staple, Schulz Brau, just in time to catch some of the Oktoberfest events – specifically my favorite, the stein holding competition. Now, I am more of a drinker of alcohol than a holder of alcohol, but it was very fun to watch. After the intense stein holding competition, the polka band took to the stage, as I ordered my next cocktail of the evening: the Apfelstrudel Martini.
Y’all absolutely have to taste this drink! With vodka, Berentzen Apple Liquor, Goldschlager Cinnamon Schnapps, and apple and lemon juices, this cocktail tastes like autumn in a glass.
As I enjoyed my new favorite autumnal beverage, my friends Kayla and Naomi and I tried to guess which Top 40 song the polka band was playing – spoiler alert, it was an incredibly entertaining cover of Pink Pony Club – and my roommate Tyler and friends Thomas and Matt seemed to be competing for who could get the most comically large stein of the evening. As the judge of the competition, I think it was a tie.
Before we could head to our evening’s final stop, I saw my good friend Fitz, and I decided to go on a mission. Through sheer grit, steady determination, and, granted, a little guilt-tripping, I managed to get him to do a shot. We took a Kammer Birne Pear Schnapps shot, and while I do not know what any of those words (other than pear) mean, it was scrumptious.
Although it was time for me to bid farewell to Schulz Brau, and with it Oktoberfest, you still have time to join in on the festivities! Head over to knoxvilleoktoberfest.com for a full schedule of events before Oktoberfest wraps up!
For the grand finale of my “lazy” Friday, my friends and I skipped over to: Brother Wolf
Brother Wolf
It seems, dear reader, that I just cannot keep away from this bar! There are dozens and dozens of amazing bars in our Scruffy City, but the minute Brother Wolf releases their monthly specialty cocktail menu, a hallelujah chorus erupts in my brain.
My friends and I, still high on life and polka music, walked in and found a table. For my first drink of two, I went with an old favorite: the Susano Spritz. Have I talked about this cocktail before? Probably. But, I just can’t shut up about it. It’s light, bubbly, and so, so refreshing. But, after a few sips, I started feeling dangerous, daring even. So, I decided to try perhaps the oddest addition to Brother Wolf’s September menu: the Corn Star.
Now, I love tequila. But, corn in a drink? I was trepidatious. But, Brother Wolf proved me wrong once again. The Corn Star is a tequila-based drink with additions of corn liqueur, dry curacao, clarified milk, and orange and lime. Believe it or not, that was a stand out drink of the night. With a smooth bite from the tequila, and a sugary, full-bodied citrus after taste, it was the perfect cap to my evening. Give it a try while you still can, and feel free to tell me that I’m right.
Brother Wolf’s September menu may be coming to an end soon, but their spooky October menu is just around the corner! So give them a follow @brotherwolfbar while we all anxiously await the next cocktail menu that will surely make our spooky season even better.
As my night wrapped up, and I sat with friends laughing probably far too loud for the crowd at Brother Wolf, I was reminded of one thing: lazy days are great, but time never stops. We have plenty of time to have a lazy day later in life. So, dear reader, get off your couch, throw on that sweater that you’ve been waiting all summer long to wear, and go spend time with friends at one of the many great places Knoxville has to offer! And, if you find yourself needing a recommendation, always feel free to ask me, your friendly Scruffy City concierge.
Written By: Evan Mays
by Emily Stooks | Sep 22, 2025 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Lifestyle
by Emily Stooks | Aug 19, 2025 | All Articles, Downtown, Evan Mays, Lifestyle, Neighborhoods, Our Writers
My fellow Knoxvillians, I must admit: the heat is absolutely killing me. I love the concept of summer, I do, just like some people love the concept of bangs or getting back with your ex. But, in practice? It feels like entering a preheated oven just to get to my car. And yet, on a warm August Saturday, I braved the outdoors to meet my wonderful brother and sister-in-law at The Kennedy on Gay St.
The Kennedy:
A suave, swanky establishment, The Kennedy is owned by Kennedy Concepts, and the experience is one that truly does feel conceptual. Each piece of decor and every menu item feels as though it has been hand-picked to create a particular atmosphere – and it works.
After being seated, we started out with some bubbly cocktails. I had the Get Ice’d, a bubbly, citrusy Smirnoff drink that tastes like an elevated take on a Fraternity Basement Classic: the Smirnoff Ice. It was refreshing and light, while also reminding me of some freshman year fuzzy memories. It was almost as if the Smirnoff Ice had grown up, gotten a 9-5, and started wearing tailored blazers.
Next, over a great conversation about wedding season and married life, we tried some appetizers: the goat cheese croquettes and the mini corn dogs. While I may not know much about married life, nor the conversation at hand, I do know food. The croquettes were a beautiful mixture of sweet and savory tastes, fried to perfection, with a delectable pink vodka sauce. The mini corn dogs were a treat as well, simple but refined – and don’t get me started on the scrumptious dijonnaise served on the side.
As the starters – and the first round of drinks – were cleared out, it was time for the main course: the spicy rigatoni with grilled chicken, which I paired with the Prickly Pear Affair.
The spicy rigatoni was melt-in-your-mouth perfection, spiced with an expert hand, and the grilled chicken was the cherry on top. Paired with the Prickly Pear Affair, it was an incredible experience. With dragonfruit tequila, prickly pair, and some citrus flavors to top it off, this cocktail truly wowed me. Looking around the beautifully decorated space, this cocktail seemed popular, and I can definitely understand why.
As we wrapped up our late-lunch/early-dinner and I bid my brother and sister-in-law goodbye, it was on to the next event of my busy Saturday: an engagement party for one of my oldest friends – who is ironically also named Kennedy.
The Sunsphere:
I have lived in Knoxville for six years now, a fact that always startles me. However, despite my long tenure in our Scruffy City, I had still never been inside the Sunsphere, the beacon of our wonderful home. It was time to change that!
As the elevator doors opened to the event space atop the Sunsphere, I was taken aback. The view is spectacular – I could actually see my own apartment – and the space practically glowed with charm. The event space feels both homey and elegant, and I was immediately greeted with friends from home.
This event was a surprise engagement party, and it was some of the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Kennedy, a beautiful woman, talented nurse, and my friend since we were three years old, spent the night hugging friends and family, and sharing in the love of the moment. Between speeches, champagne toasts, and some great drinks, my friends from home and I could agree on two things: it was so wonderful to see each other, and none of us were ready for the night to end.
To that vein, we decided to cap the night off with some cocktails at Brother Wolf. As the sun set on our Sunsphere evening, we headed off to the Old City and into the cutest little Italian cocktail bar this side of the Atlantic.
Brother Wolf:
If this is your first time hearing of Brother Wolf, recently named one of USA Today’s Best Bars of 2025, then I’m not sure what rock you’ve been living under. However, you may be unaware of their current limited-time menu, which includes a brand-new take on one of their most popular drinks: the espresso martini.
Image from @brotherwolfbar
My friends, Riley and Katie, their husbands, Kennedy and her fiance Luke, and myself took a seat and gathered around a table with a few of our other Knoxville pals and sampled some tasty Brother Wolf creations. While most of my friends tried the new Cinnamon Toast Crunch espresso martini, I got my favorite classic: the Susano Spritz. It is a great drink if you want to feel like you are lounging on the beach somewhere warm. It is bubbly, with high notes of cucumber and lemon. Refreshing, crisp, and cool.
I also tried a sip – okay, a few sips – of my friends’ Cinnamon Toast Crunch espresso martinis, and they are to die for! The most wonderful things about the classic cocktail are still there, enhanced by strong hints of sweet cinnamon. You will simultaneously feel like a big grown-up in a fancy bar, and a child sitting at the kitchen table with a big bowl-full in front of you.
As the night wrapped up, my friends and I laughed and loved on one another while we hopped to a few more bars. With sweat dripping down my neck in the August night heat, I realized: sometimes you have to trade in cool air for warm memories, and I am so glad that I did!
P.S. congratulations Kennedy and Luke <3
by Emily Stooks | Aug 14, 2025 | All Articles, Nena Potter, North Knoxville, Shopping
Have you ever walked into a shop and felt like you just stepped into someone’s technicolor daydream? Welcome to Mother Shop & Bar in Emory Place. Just north of Downtown Knoxville, this place is like a chaotic Pinterest board come to life. Think dopamine decor, cheeky gifts, and events that may be a little offbeat, but you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
I sat down and chatted with co-owners of Mother Shop & Bar, Jade Adams (owner of Oglewood Avenue plant shop) and her fiancé Dylan Pacifico and immediately got all of the good ~vibes~. Full disclosure: Jade and I knew each other before this interview (we’re in the same book club together 🤓) but we’ve never really had the chance to sit down to chat all things business related.
Jade is so bubbly and energetic but at the same time supremely chill. Dylan is more serious but also gives relaxed surfer-ish vibes (or maybe they both just seemed chill because they were actually exhausted after not having a day off in months 😂). What I can say for sure is that both of them are dedicated, passionate and hard working entrepreneurs who are pouring themselves into this new venture together. Not only are they co-owners but (per my last email), they are also recently engaged to each other and are just SO STINKING CUTE. As business partners, you can tell they do a really great job balancing each other out. Dylan says, “Jade is the face of the company and I do most of the backend work. She comes up with the ideas and I help make it happen.” Truly, an example of teamwork making the dream work.
This dream that has turned into the reality of Mother Shop specializes in “dopamine decor” and gifts that just make you happy. Downstairs, Mother Bar will offer an approachable, low-pressure wine experience when it opens that will focus on wine by the glass at reasonable prices. In the future, both places will be integrated so customers will be able to have a “sip and shop” experience.
Mother Shop immediately brings you joy when you walk upstairs and has everything from a lighter shaped like lipstick, a home rug shaped like a stick of butter, tomato plates, and so many other “things that look like other things”, and let’s be real, this is my absolute favorite. If you’re anything like me, you’ll immediately find 5 things at Mother Shop that are the perfect gift for either the person who has everything, the friend who loves a statement piece, the relative who appreciates a little cheeky sarcasm, your work wife, or your mom. (I mean, there’s a whole collection of hats that say “Mother.” Does it get more perfect than that?)
But all the fabulous offerings at Mother Shop are just the beginning. Dylan says,“Yes, it is a business, but the main goal for us is to provide a community space and what that looks like is fun events… We want to provide a space where everyone can come and just enjoy [themselves] and when the bar is ready, it’ll be way more of an inclusive space where it’s all in one.”
Since opening in February, Mother Shop has already hosted a slew of events including various hands-on workshops to make your own take-home items like resin trays or moss walls and other fun fetes like “Vintage and Yap Clothing Market”, a free event that celebrated Vintage Store Day in May with vintage clothing and handpicked collections from women-owned local brands. Seems cool, right? But then on top of that, they also had a DJ… AND offered vintage-themed flash tattoos (yes, real tattoos 😳). One event that I HATE I missed was the “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy Casanova” party where they brought in other vendors in the community like Knox Community Street Dance to teach line dancing, Good Girl Books for a western themed book release, and they might have even had a mechanical bull. Yee… and I can’t stress this enough, Haw, y’all.
Jade said bringing fun never-been-done-before event concepts like this to Knoxville keeps her motivated because it’s something she feels our community needs AND people enjoy the idea of never knowing what could be happening any given weekend.
The other big motivator? Supporting other small businesses. Jade received support from businesses when Oglewood first got started 5 years ago so now she makes it a point to do the same. Whether that’s supporting makers and smaller businesses with the products Jade and Dylan buy for their shop or doing collaborations & co-hosting events with other small businesses in the area, she’s here to spread the love.
A peek into a cake decorating class at Mother!
TBH, this all tracks. I’ve seen Jade’s ability to help cultivate community firsthand – even in our little bookclub. She fosters a safe space just by being her true, authentic self which helps others to feel comfortable and free to open up and creates an open door for connection and good conversation (even when the conversation topics veer WAY off course from the actual book subject… 😂). Building community isn’t something she does through her businesses, it’s just a part of who she is. She and Dylan are both dreamers and that energy shows up wherever they go and in whatever they venture out to do.
Mother Shop is truly an experience-based business that is ever changing and ever evolving and that might be my favorite thing about this place. Jade and Dylan are building more than just a business here. They’re creating a place that makes Knoxville brighter, weirder, more joyful, and more supportive of the other local dreamers who make this city what it is. And honestly? I can’t wait to see what they dream up next.
P.S. If you’re in a book club too and need a last-minute gift for your host (or you know, if you deserve a little treat for actually finishing the book), Mother Shop has you covered.
Hope I see you there!
Cheers,
Nena
by Emily Stooks | Jun 25, 2025 | All Articles, Emilie Stooksbury, Holidays, Kids2Knox
FIRST THINGS FIRST: I now have multiple friends who think of me when they eat hot dogs. Y’all, I can’t stress this enough: I. Love. Hot. Dogs. And there’s not a holiday out there that celebrates the hot dog like the 4th of July. Just like Jennifer Coolidge, it makes me want a hot dog real bad. If you’re new to Knoxville or just looking for some fun ways to spend the holiday, here are a few fun ways to spend the Fourth of July in Knoxville, Tennessee!
1.) FROM THE WATER:
If you’re new to the city and still on the hunt for a boat friend (because c’mon, everyone needs a boat friend), the Star of Knoxville has you covered. This riverboat is not only painted thematically, they serve up a meal, provide entertainment, and (most importantly) give you a rad view of the Scruffy City and the fireworks show a la the Tennessee River. Click here to snag tickets.
2.) TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD:
Another unique way to see the fireworks is by hikin’ to the top of the world. And by hiking, we mean driving, and by the top of the world we mean the top of the hill where the historic Mabry-Hazen House sits. You can enjoy a whole evening of good ole fashioned summer fun – and we dooo mean old fashioned 😂 Expect sack races, watermelon seed spitting contests, three-legged races, bocce, croquet, corn hole, tug-of-war, a cake walk, Victorian festival games and more. There will even be a reading of the Declaration of Independence before seeing the fireworks from your view overlooking the city. Snag your ticket here!
3.) FROM THE SUN:
This is the first year we’ve heard about this. Our jaws are still on the floor so we figured it’d be easiest to write it down 😉
DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN WATCH FIREWORKS FROM INSIDE THE SUNSPHERE?! Yes, you read that right. AND you get to pick the floor that sounds best to you. The 6th floor will cater more for a 21+ crowd while the 8th floor will have family friendly activities for all ages. The best part (besides, potentially, AC) is that the fireworks show will basically be right next to your face. Snag your tickets here!
4.) TO THE WORLD:
World’s Fair Park, that is. This is the main event, folks! If you’re lookin’ for a good ole fashioned (and free!) fireworks show and 4th of July festival in Knoxville, you need to get your cutie booty down to World’s Fair Park! There will be vendors, activities, and live music all evening. As the sun goes down, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will take the stage – paving the way for an amazing fireworks show at 9:35pm. Find details here!
