Charleston's Only Below-Street-Level Bar--Truly a Hidden Gem

Charleston has numerous rooftop bars located throughout its downtown area with beautiful sweeping views of its surrounding historic ambience, but it has only one bar with the unusual and alluring distinction of being below-street-level. Large numbers of pedestrians stream past its street level entrance everyday because it is located at one of the busiest intersections in the French Quarter during tour hours. Its address is the 18th century Italian Renaissance building at 1 Broad Street. The name of the speakeasy-style cocktail space is Bar Vaute'.

The original two story building on Lot 13 of the "Grand Modell" of Charleston at various times housed a watchmaker, grocer, druggist, bookbinder and stationer before becoming a bank. In 1852, the State Bank of South Carolina purchased three two story brick buildings at the corner of Broad and East Bay streets, demolished them, and in 1853 built the Italian Renaissance building of One Broad Street and the adjacent building, 3 Broad Street. The brownstone building was designed by Charleston's most notable antebellum architectural firm of Edward C. Jones and Francis D. Lee. 

The 1853 building's first floor housed the bank, the second floor was constructed for the Mercantile Library of Charleston, and the third floor had private office space. Being on higher ground, its unusual below street-level rooms, used for additional office space, featured 11-foot ceilings, fire places, and ample light provided by windows with handsome grillwork that opened to a window well with grating installed to protect pedestrians.

As decades went by, numerous banks of different names traded ownership and did business on the first floor while the upper floors were used by varying entities. It was damaged by the Civil War bombardments, the Charleston earthquake, and the tornadoes of September 29, 1938. It went through several renovations and restorations. In 2006, plans were made to convert it to luxury condominiums. The conversion plan was abandoned, and the building laid vacant until 2015. The space was adapted for mixed use with retail on the first, office on the second and an apartment on the third floor. Finally, One Broad Street Restaurant and the basement Bakers Bar closed due to the Covid pandemic and French restaurant, Brasserie La Banque, opened on July 2, 2021 with its clandestine speakeasy-style cocktail space, Bar Vaute'.

It is an understatement to say the bar is hidden. Standing on the corner of E. Bay and Broad Street, no sign marks Bar Vaute's entry point. You can proceed to the bar from the building's French restaurant, but the double-door entrance on E. Bay Street gives you direct access, where you descend a stair to the lower level. Once you have made your way to the bottom, its entry remains puzzling. As you look around, you will spot a double, gold curtain beyond the stair in a back corner-- quite unpretentious.

Bar Vaute' is a dimly lit, intimate space wrapped around a well-stocked bar surrounded by wood-trimmed pillars inset with glass. Along its aged brick walls are small tables set for two, each with a candle and menus. I counted enough seating for about 28 patrons.

Bar Vaute' features a simple menu with a meat and cheese board, five or six dishes, and two or three desserts. Executive Chef Jeb Aldrich described it this way, "That menu will be a little more playful and give the cooks a chance to be creative and have fun with the ingredients." I was there for an early evening drink, so the only thing I ordered from the menu was the house-made Brioche with whipped butter for $7.

The drink menu offered seven cocktails, three French classics, two spirit free drinks with an option to add spirits, and of course wine selections. I was looking for a Manhattan style drink, so I consulted the bartender for a suggestion, which turned out to be Wanna Find, Peace of Mind(Elijah Craig Rye Whiskey, Brandy, Carfano Antica, and Bitters) for $15. It was smooth and satisfying.

The bar's one bartender was accommodating and friendly. The one server was quite busy tending to the filled tables. The Brioche was a little slow in arriving, but I was not in a hurry. She was diligent in keeping my water glass filled and checked in several times. By the time I was ready to check out, the bar was packed. That was around 6:10 pm.

The location of Bar Vaute', 1 Broad Street, has a long and illustrious history. My interest in the bar was peaked by an article about hidden speakeasy-style cocktail spaces in Charleston. Judging from my visit to Bar Vaute', when using the word "hidden" in its description, it truly fits the billing more than its counterparts. Add to that, it has the unusual and alluring distinction of being Charleston's only below-street-level bar. If you are looking for a dimly lit, intimate place for a palate-pleasing drink and one-on-one conversation, check it out for yourself.

Monday through Thursday 4 pm-11 pm

Friday and Saturday 4 pm-12 am

ASPERO HOUR, Monday through Wednesday 4 pm-6 pm

1 Broad Street Floor B, Charleston, SC

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