Back Door Tavern

Knoxville, Tennessee

Field Note

Rare is the dive bar that gets a second chance, but such is the story of Back Door Tavern on the west side of Knoxville after originally closing its doors in February, 2017. Even more unique is the story of the Knoxville bar’s rebirth thanks to a group of regular patrons who banded together not to purchase the space but rather operate it on behalf of owner Barry Cook to relieve the pressure that had prompted Cook to eye retirement.

Even owner Cook is unsure of the precise opening date of the Knoxville dive bar, but sometime between 1968 and 1975, a liquor store was opened at the site of today’s Back Door Tavern by Ted Cook, father to Barry. Named Toddy’s after Ted’s college nickname, a bar was opened in the rear of the structure soon after the opening of the liquor store, a business ultimately purchased by Barry and brother John Cook from their dad in the 1980s.

John ultimately moved the liquor business a few blocks down the street and took the Toddy’s moniker with him, prompting Back Door Tavern to take on its simplified name as a means of differentiating the two businesses. When Barry decided that he and wife had Cathy had had enough of daily dive bar operation in 2017, they announced the closing of the bar. A massive send-off took place well attended by locals and regulars, much of the dive bar’s decorations auctioned off to that same group.

Dissatisfied with the fate of their favorite dive bar, a group of long-time patrons spearheaded by Steve Polte hatched a plan to preserve Barry’s ownership while ushering in management to remove the burden of the bar’s operation. A first step required raising $25,000 to cover outstanding bills and required repairs, a sum reached within two hours of convening a group of longtime patrons. Those funds convinced both Barry Cook and Polte that a new management strategy could work and the bar reopened in March of 2017.

Though a handful of updates have been made over the years thanks to new energy among bar management (credit cards now accepted), the fact that longtime patrons largely operate the bar has created a commitment to preserving the timeless charm of Back Door Tavern. Though many of the bar’s decorations were auctioned off to prepare for sale, items purchased by regulars have slowly started to reappear as they are donated back to Back Door Tavern.

Back Door Tavern legend holds that many of the signs and vintage photos found their way to the Back Door Tavern walls as a means of covering up holes created by a particularly rowdy evening of drinking. Those same photos can be found under epoxy along Back Door Tavern’s bar counter. Thanks to a strong connection with the nearby University of Tennessee, Peyton Manning’s autograph can be found among the wall’s decorations.

The Bearden neighborhood space today mixes a divey vibe with an obvious loving care from management clearly invested emotionally and financially in the Knoxville dive bar. Three neon signs can be found affixed to the bar’s exterior, including the helpful “Dive Bar Open” sign that hangs lowest among the fixtures. The space inside is well-filled from wall to ceiling with photos, beer signs, flags and photos. Well-worn furniture fills the space creating that perfect dive bar feel of drinking at a friend’s house.

In the rear of the space, an area long used as a horseshoe pit is filled with camping chairs and outdoor furniture that preserves the neighborhood feel. Outdoor beer signs flank a large outdoor television. A fresh, visually impressive outdoor stage anchors the Back Door Tavern patio, home to frequent live music that takes advantage of temperate Tennessee evenings. Outdoor string lights hang over this supremely comfortable outdoor area, perfect complement to the authentic dive inside.