Local Tennessee state visits (6)
I believe the answer is:
tavern
'local' is the definition.
(local can mean a local pub)
'tennessee state visits' is the wordplay.
'tennessee' becomes 'TN' (abbreviation for the US state).
'state' becomes 'aver' (both can mean to declare).
'visits' indicates putting letters inside (visit can mean to go into).
'tn' placed around 'aver' is 'TAVERN'.
(Other definitions for tavern that I've seen before include "An old English pub" , "Alehouse" , "Building with a bar" , "Tap house" , "where drink is available" .)