Walk down Palafox Street on any given night and you’ll feel it—the hum of conversation, the clink of glassware, the quiet confidence of a downtown that knows who it is. Behind that energy are people who didn’t just open businesses, but believed in Pensacola before it believed in itself. One of those people is Katie Garrett, the owner of Old Hickory Whiskey Bar and The Kennedy, whose vision helped redefine what nightlife on Palafox could be.
Katie Garrett’s story begins on the west side of Pensacola, in Myrtle Grove, before her family moved to Pace. At the time, Pace was still finding its footing—there was a Winn-Dixie, a McDonald’s, and not much else. Katie dual-enrolled at Pace High School, graduating in 2005 with her associate’s degree already completed. From early on, she moved quickly, always pushing herself forward.
Katie enrolled at the University of West Florida earning her bachelor’s degree in history, followed by a master’s degree in historic preservation—all by the age of 22. Her original dream was to work directly with historic buildings and properties around Pensacola, helping preserve the stories held within their walls.
But life, as it often does, took a turn.
After graduating, Katie left her student job in history and took a position at Landrum, starting on the switchboard. She worked her way up into sales within the HR division, building strong relationships and discovering a genuine love for the people she worked with. Still, something tugged at her. She knew she was capable of more—and meant for something different.
One afternoon, an idea began to take shape: a classic whiskey bar with a 750 selection. Katie imagined the name, the atmosphere, and the themes. She thought back to places like 5½, one of Pensacola’s original craft cocktail lounges tucked behind Vinyl Music Hall. At the time, if you wanted a well-made cocktail, your best options were spots like Jackson’s or 5½. Katie loved entertaining and hosting, and she saw a niche that Pensacola hadn’t fully stepped into yet.
After much thought, she quit her job to chase the dream—but the timing wasn’t right.
Faced with financial realities, Katie took another position at Workforce Escarosa, where she again built meaningful relationships while quietly continuing to plan. She worked diligently, saving and refining her concept, determined not to let the idea fade.
When word got out that a 24-year-old woman was looking to open a bar downtown, resistance followed. “We don’t want another Bourbon Street” became a familiar refrain in conversations about Pensacola nightlife, often used to stall growth rather than guide it. Several prominent community members requested a meeting with Katie to better understand what she was planning—and possibly stop it.
Instead, Katie made her case.
She explained that she wasn’t interested in opening a rundown bar, but a refined, community-focused establishment centered on quality and intention. After the meeting, Quint Studer pulled her aside. He told her he believed in the idea, even if Main Street might not be the right location, and offered to help her find the best possible space. That moment stayed with Katie—it was encouragement when she needed it most.
In March of 2013, she spotted a “For Lease” sign in the window of 123 S. Palafox Street.
Katie met with building owner Joe Endry, walking the space together as she shared her vision of transforming the former office into a whiskey bar. Without even seeing the full business plan, Joe believed in her and the concept. Within days, Katie signed the lease and got to work.
She partnered with architects Dean Dalrymple and Scott Sallis of Dalrymple | Sallis Architecture, playing an active role in the design process. Support poured in from nearby local businesses, reinforcing that she wasn’t building alone.
Old Hickory Whiskey Bar opened in August 2013—just six months after signing the lease. Named after Andrew Jackson, who spent time in Pensacola in the early 1800s, Old Hickory felt intentional from day one: historic without being stuffy, elevated without being unwelcoming.
Katie also built something just as important as the space itself: a remarkable team.
While preparing to open, she spent time at a local wine bar where she met bartender Jeff Knott. Before Old Hickory had even opened its doors, Jeff asked, “Will you hire me?” He believed in Katie’s vision immediately and became instrumental in shaping the bar’s identity. It was Jeff’s idea to lean fully into craft cocktails alongside the whiskey focus. He would later go on to open his own whiskey bar in Louisville, Kentucky called Tartan House.
Old Hickory also became a training ground for talent. Andrew Pope spent time behind the bar before going on to run the bar program at Willett Distillery in Kentucky. Blake Jones also worked under Katie’s leadership, and she credits him as a key part of the success behind her second concept, The Kennedy. Today, Blake can be found at the rooftop bar at Pensacola Little Theatre.
Still, Katie wasn’t finished.
Inspired heavily by New Orleans and her love of hotel bars, she began imagining something new. “I love a good hotel bar,” she says. “I try to visit a different one every time I travel.” When a building owner approached her about opening a bar at Garden and Palafox, the idea clicked.
The Kennedy was born—a calm, refined space inspired by 1950s and 1960s hotel bars, complete with black-and-white floors and an atmosphere that invited conversation. Named after President Kennedy and his era, the bar welcomed guests of all ages and introduced small plates alongside its cocktails, creating a space that felt timeless and accessible.
And even now, Katie’s mind keeps moving.
“I constantly have about five bar ideas floating around in my head,” she laughs. “I really should stop.”
But Pensacola is glad she hasn’t.
Her next project is already underway: a 1970s-themed bar located at the north end of Palafox and Cervantes, in the basement of the Days Inn Hotel. Katie and her team have spent months renovating the space, pouring the same care and intention into it that defined her earlier projects. The goal is to open this basement bar in the spring of 2026.
Katie Garrett didn’t just open bars—she helped change how Pensacola sees itself after dark. Through patience, persistence, and an unwavering belief in quality over quantity, she’s proven that when you lead with vision and heart, a city will eventually meet you there.
And on Palafox Street, her imprint is impossible to miss.
