Picture King Street on a Saturday night, really picture it. The rowdiness, the clusters of salmon-colored shorts, the boat shoes, and the often agonizingly long wait for a drink. Oh, and how could we forget the roaming street chiropractor who will surely crack your back for a nominal fee, or free of charge if you’re lucky.
James Groetzinger and Joey Rinaldi are opening a bar in hopes to remedy those nightlife woes. Warehouse, located on the corner of Spring and St. Philip streets, is opening sometime during the last week of June. This will be a place to escape the crowds of King Street and build a community at the same time. The duo has gone as far as putting in a second entrance, on the St. Phillip side, to “engage that side of town.”
Their massive renovation of the old warehouse that once housed restaurant supplier Kahn Wholesale is almost done. Groetzinger and Rinaldi made sure to repurpose many objects found in the building. The joint’s “specials” chalkboard is fixed to the exposed brick wall via a grate that once guarded the front windows. Groetzinger also converted a few large, old safes into high-top tables. He describes the soon-to-be-open establishment as “vintage, old warehouse meets modern, new and sexy.”
Just inside the Spring Street entrance, comfy leather seating forms a lounge area, where they plan to start hosting live music within the first month of business.
A large bar spans much of the length of the building. Here, customers will be able to find craft and local brews, house cocktails, and boutique wines. A long banquette with cocktail tables spans the back wall. In between the bar and the banquette, Groetzinger says two large community tables will fill the space.
Warehouse’s happy hour will be from 4-7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, with discounts on “modern and innovative” bar food created by Chef Eva Keilty, the former darling of downtown’s Ted’s Butcherblock. Her menu can be described as new takes on original favorites. Warehouse will also have an all-day drink only happy hour on Sunday to go along with brunch.
“We would like to be known as a bar more than a restaurant, but we have righteous food,” Groetzinger says. “It’s going to be an elevated neighborhood bar with an emphasis on community feel.” Customers can escape the crowd that overtakes King Street on the weekends and kick a few drinks back while enjoying themselves in a chic environment.
Expect doors to be open within the next two weeks. Stay cool. Support City Paper. City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.