Every Sunday, The International here in Knoxville is filled with dogs, hula hoops, hammocks, board games and Bloody Mary’s – all to the soundtrack of electronic ambiance music.

The International’s Sunday brunch began as a monthly event last fall before stopping when the weather became too cold. This summer, the brunch began again but as a weekly occurrence.

Andrea Kerns, marketing director at The International, hopes that the brunch will help expand the public perception of the music venue.

“We just wanted to offer a different take on brunch … ,” Kerns said. “We have the music at night all the time. We thought it would be nice to have music in the day, and we have a kitchen so why not combine the two and do something a little different.”

The music venue’s brunch has several aspects that set it apart from other breakfast options around town. The most obvious is the music selection.

Traditionally the brunch features resident DJs, including The International owner Brian Coakley. Although it shares a genre with the late night performances held in the venue, the brunch music is more low-key and down tempo for a casual atmosphere, according to Kerns.

However, the venue plans to expand its music selection into vinyl and jazz brunches with live bands possibly in the future. In addition to unique music, The International also offers some unusual brunch fare.

“The menu is still somewhat limited because our kitchen isn’t like a restaurant chain’s,” Kerns said. “We have select menu items, but they are made well.”

Michael Gibson, head brunch chef since the event began last June, calls the breakfast burrito and breakfast burger the fan favorites. However, he has a few creative ideas of his own that have made their way onto the menu, including bacon-infused Belgian waffles, among other items.

“The jalapeno corn bread waffle with the pulled pork on top is really interesting,” Gibson said. “A lot of people are like ‘Eh pulled pork on a waffle, that doesn’t sound very good,’ but the saltiness of the pork with the spiciness of the jalapeno just goes really good together.”

Since his time at the International, Gibson has seen the brunch crowd grow from only 50 or 60 people to over 100 guests.

“We have corn hole, books, board games and hammocks,” Gibson said. “I don’t see many restaurants having all that stuff.”

The diverse, open atmosphere at The International on Sunday mornings is something Kerns hopes the community will notice. She wants to “make it a really fun hang out as you would do if you were to go to someone’s house on a Sunday afternoon. Instead of sitting at the table to eat, pay and leave, we want you to stay and hang out.”

The International will be holding brunch from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday afternoons year-round.