ABOUT US
Hartford’s Oldest Bar & Restaurant,
family owned since 1933.
Red Rock Tavern, formerly Kenney’s Restaurant, has been a family-run fixture in the Frog Hollow neighborhood and greater Hartford for 90 years.
Our History
In 1890, 369 Capitol Avenue was born, not as a restaurant, but as Hartford Grocery Company. Hartford Grocery Co remained a bustling grocer through the early 1900’s.
A tale almost as old as us — during prohibition, a disguised speakeasy operated in our basement, with the grocery store resuming upstairs. Come on in and ask for Don, or if you’re lucky, catch Uncle Nick while he’s there — they will give you all the secrets.
In 1933, Irish immigrants, the Kenney’s, opened Kenney’s Restaurant, and this family establishment has been open ever since. Kenney’s Restaurant was purchased by my family, an Italian-American bunch in the 1970’s, and four generations later, we are still here, carrying out family traditions that Kenney’s/Red Rock was built on, on our little corner of Hartford.
Throughout the 1980’s and 90’s, surrounded by family — including Grandma Emma, Nick, Don, Gemma, Mary, Carol, Robert, Gino, and many more, Kenney’s Restaurant was a gathering place for all (Bonus points for anyone reading this if you remember any of these sweet relatives!). Whether you were a nearby resident, worked at the Hartford Courant or the Aetna, Kenney’s Restaurant was your home away from home.
“Hollywood Goes Ga-Ga Over Funk Kenney’s” In 2000, Judging Amy, a CBS sitcom, sought its eyes on Hartford to film its set when the producers stumbled upon Kenney’s. They wanted something funky, a neighborhood spot to film at. They found it. They especially loved the crooked “N” in our restaurant sign. The “N” fell just slightly and we procrastinated fixing it — Hollywood loved it. A letter that now lives in infamy on the old sitcom and on vintage Kenney’s sweatshirts.
In 2005, we re-branded from Kenney’s Restaurant to Red Rock Tavern. Why Red Rock? Located on the brick exterior of our building, sits a historicity preserved soda advertisement from the 1940’s — “Enjoy Red Rock Cola”. As a nod to this history that resides here, Red Rock Tavern was born. New name, same family.
These brick lined walls are filled with stories from over the last century, and we are grateful for every customer, neighbor, friend and family member who has been a part of it. Come grab a beer and say hello… we’d love to share more!
From our family to yours —
Cheers!
Chelsey, fourth generation Red Rock
