Newest Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge from 167 Hospitality Debuts After Historic Renovation
of Iconic Fulton Five Space
CHARLESTON, SC (August 31, 2022) – Bar167, downtown Charleston’s newest destination for Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, cocktails and ambiance, officially opened its doors on Fulton Street this month. Located in the former Fulton Five building, Bar167 is the newest restaurant from 167 Hospitality, a dynamic restaurant group known for pioneering the food scenes in both Charleston and Nantucket.
“The original idea was to create an overflow bar for the King Street restaurant. However, as we began developing the space, Bar167 quickly took on a life of its own,” said Jesse Sandole, owner of 167 Hospitality. “In renovating this historic building that dates back to the 1850s, we discovered so many interesting elements of the space and made it our mission to honor its historic charm in the new build out. In addition to the original Fulton Five dining room that everyone knew and loved, we were able to rebuild the second floor and add a cocktail bar & lounge that previously never existed. In the kitchen we set out to develop a small, ingredient driven menu that easily pairs with our cocktails.”
As longtime regulars of the original Oyster Bar on East Bay Street, the former owners of Fulton Five decided they would sell the building to Sandole after a prolonged closure due to COVID-19. “After becoming friends over the years and getting to know each other, it was a very meaningful transaction. I was honored that Ray & Pam chose me to sell the building to after over 30 years of success as Fulton Five,” said Sandole.
Inspired by his European travels and Italian family roots, Sandole along with his operating partner Darren Harrison-Panes and Chef Mike Geib created a restaurant and lounge that celebrates the Mediterranean coast with local Carolina ingredients and elevated cocktails in an upbeat, lively atmosphere.
FOOD
Aligned with the restaurant group’s overall ethos to deliver high-quality, ingredient-driven cuisine, Bar167’s menu features simple, yet well-executed items that allow its components and flavors to shine. Destined to be a standout on the menu, the focaccia is made fresh daily in-house with rosemary, fennel pollen and honey butter with the option to enhance with seasonal Stracciatellaor culatello – a combination of cured pork and corn pudding. With options ranging from crudo and arroz con negro to a rotating daily fish and bistro steak, the menu is intended to satisfy guests regardless of the setting. Whether it be a formal business lunch, a quick break from afternoon shopping on King Street or pre-dinner cocktail and snack, Bar 167 lends itself to accommodating both diners on-the-go and those looking for a more leisurely experience. With classic Italian desserts like panna cotta and affogato, the bar is also the perfect stop to end a night out on the town.
DRINK
The comprehensive drink menu features inspiration and input from 167 Hospitality’s talented bartenders and managers. With tonics made in-house, the bar features two gin & tonics on draft that range in flavor profiles from fruity to earthy. With the intention to offer a selection of refreshing, lower ABV beverages, the “light cocktails” section of the menu features options like the Fulton Street Rickey with Rose Gin, Fino Sherry and lime; the Pink Drink with gin, mezcal, lime, honey and strawberry; and the Jungle Bird with tequila, pineapple Campari, velvet falernum and ginger. Classic Italians favorites such as Negronis, spritzes and sangrias will accompany the cocktail list as well.
The wine list further celebrates the Mediterranean coast with options from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, France and Greece. Aperitifs like limoncello and orangecello, dessert drinks such as sherry coffee colada and the ever popular 167 Espresso Martini, as well as draft beer from Charles Towne Fermentory, round out the beverage offerings.DESIGN
Upon entering the new space, guests are immediately transported to a relaxed but upbeat setting with European style and coastal charm. On the exterior, whitewashed walls with hints of blue typically found in destinations like Santorini and Mykonos, along with lush plants in terra cotta pots, create an inviting entrance to the two-story space. Inside, the design is met with a more modern aesthetic with clean, bright wood as well as several nautical elements including playful “nauti-bubble” light fixtures. Destined to be a focal point of the overall design, the upstairs bar top features pieces of blue agate stone carefully mapped together and illuminated by a custom-made light fixture installed underneath.
Dan Sweeney with Stumphouse was the architect on the project. The design was another successful collaboration with Kathleen Hay Designs, a family friend of Sandole’s and an award-winning interior designer known for seamlessly blending the old and new to deliver clean, sophisticated interiors with chic comfort. Similar to 167 Hospitality’s other restaurants, Bar167 is certain to deliver a classy, upbeat and fun party atmosphere.
Reservations are available on Resy. For more information, please visit 167raw.com/charleston-167bar. Follow Bar167 on Instagram at @Bar167_Charleston.
ABOUT BAR167
Located in downtown Charleston right off of King Street, Bar167 is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and cocktail lounge serving a variety of small plates and an extensive beverage program in a coastal European setting. The restaurant is located at 5 Fulton Street, Charleston, SC, and is open Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to midnight and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. The restaurant is closed on Sundays. For more information, visit 167raw.com/charleston-167bar.
ABOUT 167 HOSPITALITY
Founded by Jesse Sandole, 167 Hospitality is a dynamic restaurant group known for pioneering the food and beverage scenes in Charleston and Nantucket. Restaurants include 167 Oyster Bar (Charleston), 167 Sushi Bar (Charleston), Bar167 (Charleston) and 167 Food Truck & Fish Market (Nantucket). For more information, visit 167Raw.com.
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Media Contact:
Hemsworth Communications
Lacey Outten / Lily Dyrsten
864.918.1089