RT Lodge, the 58-room boutique inn and restaurant hidden away on the peaceful side of the Great Smoky Mountains in Maryville, TN, is pleased to announce the opening of its new bar on property, the Morningside Room. Located just off the stairs on the first floor of the Main Lodge, the Morningside Room officially opens to the public Tuesday, July 19.
Built as a sanctuary for guests to enjoy specialty-made craft cocktails and hand-selected wines and beers, the Morningside Room is a timeless and chic–yet versatile–stop before dining at the restaurant or a setting to host reception bites and beverages during the property’s expertly executed weddings. The Lodge’s food and beverage team has designated the space as its own and created a cocktail menu featuring unique takes on classics and fun new seasonal additions such as Peachy Keen, using product from the area’s newest distillery, Company Distillery’s bourbon, peach nectar, lemon, and topped in merlot. The remainder of the beverage program, similar to that of the restaurant, offers a curated list of local craft beers and liquors, as well as a thoughtful selection of wines. Upon opening, to complement the drinks selection, RT Lodge Executive Chef Trevor Stockton will offer a menu of elevated bar snacks and small plates that include local favorites such as the Lodge Pimiento Cheese, house-made charcuterie, and Smoked Trout Dip made with North Carolina rainbow trout, all served on custom McQueen Pottery, made specifically for the bar. A broader food menu for the Morningside Room will follow come Fall 2022.
“We are thrilled to expand our offerings in keeping with the Lodge’s rich history of welcoming and hosting guests as the Morningside Room is a nod to our beloved original owner,” states RT Lodge’s president, Beth McCabe Holman. “The original lounge was small and intimate, so we wanted to create a space that embodied Mrs. Walker’s spirit of hospitality and build out more room for guests to be able to take advantage of and enjoy the Lodge. When designing the bar, the goal was to appeal to all generations of guests who stop in or stay with us, no matter the season!”
The room, designed by Stephanie Sabbe of Nashville’s Sabbe Interior Design and Johnson Architecture and built by Denark Construction, invokes the spirit of the 1920s with a tented ceiling and backbar detailing. The interior reflects a jewel box while emitting a warm, convivial glow from the exterior in the evening. Historical architectural design joins a mix of plaids and florals, breathing new life into the space while keeping it true to the building’s origins. Offering both inside seating and patio access through custom-made French doors, the Morningside Room seats 13 at the bar and 24 throughout the room, including the stunning green velvet sofa by the fireplace.
The bar was named as an ode to the structure’s original moniker: Morningside, the home of Susan Wiley Cooper Walker. Mrs. Walker personally designed the residence that was built in 1932, and is now recognized on the National Register of Historic Places with acknowledgement for its classical revival architecture. Falling in love with the lush wooded surroundings, she moved to Maryville from Pennsylvania to be closer to her sister after her husband John Walker, a business associate of Andrew Carnegie, passed away.
More information can be found at rtlodge.com.