Credit score: Stephanie Diani/Bravo
Southern Appeal solid members Craig Conover and Austen Kroll are opening a “neighborhood tavern” in Charleston, South Carolina.
After teaming up on their podcast, Pillows and Beer, and investing in New York Metropolis’s Carriage Home restaurant, Craig, 34, and Austen, 36, have partnered with Uptown Hospitality Group (UHG) to deliver By the Method (BTW) to their hometown’s in style King Avenue, the place UHG additionally runs its flagship Uptown Social location.
“Charleston has grown a lot in the previous few years and introduced in plenty of vacationers, so we wished to create an area the place locals and vacationers might hang around collectively and benefit from the neighborhood,” Craig informed Leisure Tonight of their new venue on January 19.
“It’s going to be a extremely intimate area,” he continued. “We put plenty of thought into the design to try to make it as heat and welcoming as attainable. We’re leaning into the native, upscale, tavern vibes, so the menu goes to have elevated bar fare and approachable cocktails.”
Following years working collectively in different genres, Austen stated he at all times hoped he and Craig would “companion on a mission” within the meals area.
“I simply knew it needed to be the correct idea and the correct time. When folks consider the Charleston social scene, the Uptown Hospitality Group is a big a part of that. I’ve gotten numerous messages previously from buddies, household, and everybody in between asking the place to exit in Charleston, and I’ve at all times stated you possibly can’t go unsuitable with [UHG’s spots]. We’re so thrilled to have the ability to work collectively to create a brand new cornerstone within the Charleston group,” Austen acknowledged.
And the proprietor of UHG, Keith Benjamin, is simply as thrilled in regards to the new bar.
“Craig and Austen have been buddies of ours since transferring right here in 2018,” he stated. “They’ve at all times been loyal supporters of our manufacturers, whether or not patronizing our institutions or pushing them on their social channels. The symbiotic nature of their attain connecting with our demographic makes a complete lot of sense for each events. We stay up for launching By the Method with these guys formally in our nook!”
Based on Austen, he believes BTW can be greater than a spot to drink. As a substitute, he hopes will probably be an expertise and plans to enlist “gifted musicians” to carry out there.
“What I envision is a spot the place you come for a drink earlier than dinner, let’s say, lose monitor of time and earlier than you recognize it, hours have handed and impulsively, you’re surrounded by all your folks,” Austen defined. “[It’s] going to be a spot you possibly can come and sit for some time.”
Following the announcement of Craig and Austen’s new place, Austen reacted to backlash on Instagram from a fan who suspected he won’t make a very good enterprise companion.
“I want Craig would companion with somebody aside from Austen. Or possibly he can begin rising emotionally. I couldn’t think about being in enterprise with somebody who lies on a regular basis,” the individual acknowledged.
“Perhaps him and Gandhi will go into enterprise collectively!” Austen replied. “Till then, see ya on the bar!”
Additionally on Instagram, Leva Bonaparte, 44, who owns a number of bars within the space, together with her well-known nightclub, Republic, responded to a social media consumer who requested for her ideas and puzzled if she noticed Craig and Austen’s upcoming venue as “competitors.”
“So what are [Leva Bonaparte’s] ideas????” they requested.
“Oh my goodness! We’re very happy with our guys! None of us suppose that approach! The extra the merrier!” she confirmed.
Southern Appeal is at the moment on hiatus.
