All My Exes, a new bar in Avondale, puts women at the front of the business, literally.
Customers are welcomed into the bar by portraits of a variety of strong, recognizable female icons who grace the perimeter of the lounge. The new neighborhood concept by owner Steph Sievers and bar manager Jen Jackson opened in May 2024.
“My initial, half-baked idea was that I wanted to own a bar that was extremely fun to let loose and have fun in on any night of the week, but also had zero tolerance for any sort of hateful language, harassment of other guests, and the like,” said Sievers, who consistently emphasizes that community, safety and comfort come first.
Comfort is clear at All My Exes, a small, cozy space with intimate seating.
“I like to frequent chill, unassuming bars. … Because we’re so small, we had to get creative to maximize the space,” Sievers explained. Nestled along Savannah Highway among other popular local businesses in Avondale,the concept meshes with the tight-knit community.
“I knew from hanging out in West Ashley that it was full of people who would appreciate a nice classic cocktail but would also appreciate the emphasis on community and warmth,” Sievers said. “It was a little daunting to open up a brand-new place in a strip with iconic, quality establishments that have been here forever, but the reception from the locals has indicated that we were right in thinking there was a void we could fill with a cocktail bar.”
All My Exes boasts an impressive selection of original cocktail offerings with playful names.
“One of our most popular cocktails is the Mother! which has vodka, peach, lemon, Aperol and glitter,” Sievers said. “It’s topped with champagne, which then makes the glitter fan out really beautifully.” Espresso martini fans will find a new twist on the omnipresent drink in the Queen in the North which incorporates Amaro and a caramel rim.
Or, as Sievers put it, “when you’re just trying to get after it and not think too hard about anything,” there is the Text Your Ex special: a shot of house liquor and a beer for $9.
Sievers credited Jackson with creating the bar’s cocktail list.
“I had some vague ideas, but she put it all into action. She’s a powerhouse,” Sievers emphasized. “As you can imagine, developing our cocktail list was one of the most fun parts of opening up. I was little more than a taste tester for all of her iterations while she perfected them, and it was so fun to do this with a dear friend.”
Hungry drinkers can order from a small menu of snacks like bruschetta, charcuterie and European-inspired flatbreads.
“[I’ve] been lucky enough to learn about cocktails from some of the most talented in the field, and I have so much respect for the art and experience of a well-made drink,” Sievers said. “There’s not much more to it than that — I wanted to provide excellent cocktails with high-quality, fresh ingredients in a relaxed atmosphere.”
All My Exes is open seven days a week until 2 a.m. Learn more online at allmyexeschs.com.
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