From Bakery to Speakeasy: the tale of the Peter Kern Building
Whether you’re passing through or a lifetime local, Peter Kern Library is one of the best kept secrets of Knoxville! With a rich history and an off the beaten path night-out option, there’s more to the story of this speakeasy than meets the eye. We have literary infused cocktails, and currently an exclusive TeleVision drink guide below that you’ll only find here on the blog to request when you arrive!
Make sure to read through to the end to gain access to our special blog PKL entry password. Yes, we maintain this fun speakeasy tradition! Plus, we have great start-to-finish menu suggestions at the end to make your evening with us a night to remember.
Who was Peter Kern?
Peter Kern was a German shoemaker turned American confectionery baker (and even a one-term mayor!) who found a sweet spot in the economic and social life of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Kern arrived in the States during the civil war as a Confederate soldier; however, in his time in the U.S. he saw a unique business opportunity- baking cookies and selling them to the Union soldiers. After the war ended, Peter Kern established roots in Knoxville and opened his first shop on Market Square. His unique creativity in the bakery brought business and pleasure to a city that was recently divided.
Built-in 1876, this building was born from Kern’s vision to expand the confectionery business. Originally, this building housed Kern’s candy factory and bakery, a soda fountain and his “ice cream saloon,” as well as a meeting area for the Order of Oddfellows. Just like our local sweet spots, the tastes, aromas, and gathering space turned this building into a community destination.
In 1931, 24 years after Kern’s death, the business moved to South Knoxville. Despite the relocation, this building still serves as a downtown cornerstone, inviting locals and travelers alike to drop-in and enjoy the reimagined space.
The PKL Experience
Peter Kern Library, or PKL as you may hear it referred to, is the only speakeasy in Knoxville, Tennessee. With a covert entry point and a rotating monthly password to enter, the experience begins before coming on-site as customers keep a close eye for hidden password clues in our social media presence. For those of you who are not social media enthusiasts, we post our password in the hotel lobby on the merch counter as well.
Blog Exclusive: the password through September is “1999”.
Once inside, guests interact with a PKL bartender and can order from our infamous menu filled with literary references for all of our bookworms out there. Feeling adventurous? Challenge your bartender to create a custom cocktail based on your flavor and spirit preferences at any time. With an extensive offering of top-shelf spirits and thoughtfully crafted cocktails, this rustic speakeasy pays homage to the Peter Kern library that this building once was.
2023 Book Features and “FYE” Debut
Much like the stories this building has to tell, our cocktails reference classic (and new) literary references throughout. The experience starts even before your trip! The interaction can start on social media, where you can learn the entry procedure from staff. We also post the current passcode in the hotel lobby at our merch counter as another option.
Once inside, you are able to order from our menu, or our bartenders are always up for a challenge based on your wildest cocktail dreams! This year alone, we’ve featured this incredible list of books in our speakeasy:
Book of the Month Features from 2023
Breakfast at Tiffany’s by HOLLY GOLIGHTLY (1958)
Survivor by Alanna (1978)
How to Kill a Mockingbird by Scout (1960)
The Sweet Flypaper of Life by Sister Mary Bradley (1984)
Hamlet by Polonius (1598)
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Rick Deckard (1968)
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen (1844)
If Beale Street Could Talk by Tish Rivers (1974)
The Chainsaw Man by Pochita (2018)
Iliad by Briseis (1598)
Spiderwick Chronicles by Mulgarath (2003)
The Series of Unfortunate Events by Sunny Baudelaire (1999)
Bridge to Terabithia by Prince Terrien (1977)
The Series of Unfortunate Events by Violet Baudelaire (1999)
Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (1847)
Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish by David Rakoff (2013)
Brave New World by Mustapha Mond (1932)
New Menu Alert: (F)or (Y)our (E)ntertainment - “The TeleVision Guide”
We are excited to announce that for the second-time ever, we’ve moved from our tradition of naming our cocktails after literary characters to roll out our brand new “TeleVision Guide”, inspired by some of your favorite TV Characters and shows. This section’s cocktails have a code attached to them with fake air times. Be sure to ask out bartenders and try a sip.
JANINE TEAGUES 16:00
TEDDY PERKINS 21:30
TOMMY SHELBY 19:00
FICO FELLOVE 20:45
Cocktail Journey x3
Have you ever wondered what to drink on a night out or find yourself ordering the same thing? Step out of your comfort zone and follow our curated start-to-the-end-of-night suggestions for a memorable cocktail experience.
On Your Next Girls Night, order…
“Violette Baudelaire” (Aviation Riff)
“Klaus Baudelaire” (Swizzle Style Cocktail)
“Brown Derby or Gimlet” (Two Light and lovely classics)
On Guys Night, order…
“Allesandra” (Paloma Riff -she’s spicy!)
“Old Fashioned” (Because)
“Tommy Shelby” (Bobby Burns Riff)
On Your Next Date Night, order…
Mustapha Mond
Fico Fellova (Mojito Riff with a milk clarification)
Green Point (Manhattan Riff)
Hidden inside the historic Kern Building, behind The Oliver Hotel lobby, is Knoxville’s one and only speakeasy, The Peter Kern Library. Once a well-kept secret, the bar is now a beloved institution. The dark wood, fireplace, rows of books, and cocktails named after literary characters create a warm and cozy atmosphere where time seems to stop.
To view the current PKL menu, click here.
Take a peek inside, follow along on Instagram: @peterkernlibrary
Ready to book your private event in this unique space? Click here to get started.