USA TODAY named its Bars of the Year. This Knoxville favorite made the list
The USA TODAY Bars of the Year 2025 list, released July 30, features 29 bars from dives to high-end cocktail bars.
Brother Wolf is an aperitivo cocktail bar in the heart of the Old City with nods to Italian culture and connections to the owners' family.
Co-owners Aaron Thompson and Jessica "Rabbit" King want Brother Wolf to be an escape from everyday reality for their customers with each person who walks into the bar feeling like they were transported across the Atlantic Ocean.
"We want it to not feel like a bar that's themed with Italian stuff, but more like a bar that would be in the middle of Italy," King told Knox News.
USA TODAY Network food journalists live and work in states across the country. They know their communities, and they pooled their expertise to select the list, which includes the places they spend their time and recommend to readers and friends.
How many have you been to? Check out USA TODAY's 2025 Bars of the Year
Why Brother Wolf was named one of the best bars
Brother Wolf, a popular cocktail bar in Knoxville's charming Old City neighborhood, was chosen because of its commitment to creating authentic cocktails and memorable experiences for the community.
Raise a glass: This Knoxville bar named one of the best in the US. Everything to know before you go
Raise a glass: This Knoxville bar named one of the best in the US. Everything to know before you go (link to local review)
Find more about Brother Wolf and how the list came together.
Joanna Hayes is the restaurant and retail reporter. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com.
Support strong local journalism by subscribing at subscribe.knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Popular Knoxville cocktail spot makes USA TODAY best bars list
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