Is it possible for a bar to feel like home?

Marie’s Olde Towne Tavern proves just that. Just a few blocks from the Old City, this honky-tonk dive features weekend karaoke, a Rock-Ola jukebox and the promise of an enjoyable evening. Upon entering the bar, you are likely to be swept into a hug from Marie Owens herself as she welcomes you.

To your right, you cannot miss the framed collection of Elvis photos on the wall. On the left is a miscellany of signed photos from former Vols and coaches. String lights border the interior, adding an uncommon intimacy to the bar. For a breath of fresh air, there are two decks outside that feel like grandma’s back porch.

Owens opened the bar on June 12, 1992, with a singular vision: to transform a bare building into a cozy, homey hangout for locals.

“I want people to feel at home, and they do,” Owens said.

Pressed beneath the bar’s glass top are hundreds of customers’ names twisted in copper wire. This act of recognition is a testament to Owens’ ultimate goal—to make customers a top priority. Gloria Pressley, Owens’ daughter, said customers are truly treated like family.

“[Marie] says she’s got five kids, but really, everyone here is,” Pressley said.

Reno Jones, a longtime patron of the bar, agreed with Pressley.

“Before you leave, even strangers will say ‘Bye, Mama Marie,'” Jones said. “It really is a family.”

Perhaps the bar’s greatest appeal is weekend karaoke, held on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. until the crowd dies down. The equipment and music selection is provided by Johnny Mills, who is known for hosting many karaoke nights around Knoxville.

The tavern’s clientele comprises Knoxville natives from surrounding neighborhoods. Frequently, people who work downtown flock to the bar to unwind after hours. While her customer base is generally older, Owens said the crowd is still diverse, with a few college kids interspersed.

Every holiday, the bar hosts a neighborhood cookout for beloved customers and strangers alike. Owens is known for her big heart, and her cookouts are no exception. Providing Christmas and Thanksgiving meals for the homeless, her customers always donate food to the cause.

“There’s not a person out there without a white to-go box by the end of the night,” Owens said.

Jones said Owens has never charged for a cookout, ensuring that no one goes hungry that night.

“Marie will get out there and trek through the alleys looking for people to come to the cookout,” Jones said.

Marie’s is not the kind of place you can find just anywhere. It has heart, soul and an intimate vibe that is often difficult to find in the average pub or sports bar.

“If you want a good place to have a beer, relax and enjoy yourself, this is it,” Jones said. “You don’t have to worry about bar fights or any of that. We’ve got a great jukebox, great karaoke and it just feels like home.”

After 22 years of loving and serving Knoxville, Marie’s Olde Towne Tavern has earned its place as an anchor of the community.

“It’s just really a good neighborhood bar,” Owens said.