I’m not a huge whiskey drinker. But I soldiered on last Wednesday at the “Whiskey After Dark” event. The Local Palate‘s event promised over 100 different types of whiskey and they certainly did not disappoint. Lining the courtyard and porch were local spirit brands Virgil Kane and Striped Pig. Inside the Gadsden House, there were more nationally known brands. Think Woodford Reserve and Macallan. Every vendor had a story to tell and more than a few shots to give out. Back outside, guests were treated to a brisket and sausage pairing prepared by John Lewis of Lewis Barbecue. I was asked which version of brisket I would like and I chose the leaner to which Lewis told me that was the wrong answer. So I went with the fattier version because you just do not argue with people who know better than you.

After the Whiskey, the Club Bullies — the company that sources and distributes many amazing local DJs to bars, restaurants, birthdays, weddings — locked down upper King Street. DJ R Dot was spinning at Midtown with a backlit LED light wall that was almost mesmerizing. Natty Heavy was down the street at King Street Public House with a Bud Light dune buggy in front of the door. Further down at Silver Dollar, DJ YNot was blasting tunes while a light show was reflected behind him and also projected on the ceiling. Guests were treated with swag that featured T-shirts, coozies, beads, and what I termed Bud Lightsabers — basically two-foot-long pool noodles lit up in blue. They were great for bashing people in a less-than-lethal way and it only took around 20 minutes for the first frat star to turn it into something phallic. Beer Works and Republic were also on the list with DJ Precise and Yonni Rude, respectively, though I only had so much to give on a Wednesday.

Thursday night I braved the impromptu monsoon and headed down to The Griffon for this year’s Hogs for the Cause “Smoked Mullet” bar takeover. The event raised money for children with pediatric brain cancer. Guest bartenders included Angel Postell and Stephanie Barna of Home Team PR, Robert Donovan of food photography fame, and Bear Barrow, former carriage tour extraordinaire and Husk hamburger glutton. Angel served as the DJ, though I quickly noticed that she was terrible at this task, though I think there is certainly a job for her at Market Street Saloon. With the exception of Donovan, everyone — had they actually been employed — deserved to be fired. The event raised several hundred bucks and several shot glasses.

Saturday I headed back to the Pour House to see Talking Heads cover band Same as it Ever Was. The lead singer and his neon blue hair really stood out, as his voice was nearly a perfect David Byrne. The band started nearly on time and fans were definitely in for the getting of down. Their light and smoke show was so great it almost triggered some dormant epilepsy. Two sets and an encore of, yes, ‘Once in a Lifetime’ made for the perfect evening.

Help keep the City Paper free.

No paywalls.
No newspaper subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations from downtown to North Charleston to Johns Island to Summerville to Mount Pleasant.

Help support independent journalism by donating today.