Victor's Seafood and Steak--Magnificent Marlins and Crisp Cocktails

John Carroll Doyle was truly a creative individual. A self-taught painter and photographer, he is internationally recognized for his energetic, light‑filled paintings of subjects as diverse as blues musicians, blue marlins, and blue hydrangeas. He produced iconic pieces that celebrated memories and stories of Southern culture, especially those of his beloved birthplace, Charleston. You can view his work at 125 Church Street, where the gallery now displays his original oils, photography, and over 100 high‑quality canvas reproductions. However, Doyle’s art is showcased throughout Charleston, and Victor’s Seafood and Steak is one of those honored places.

Victor’s Seafood and Steak was once known as the Victor Social Club. The Social Club was part of a multi‑establishment concept by Holy City Hospitality known as the Hutson Alley Project. Hutson Alley can be entered from both John Street and Hutson Street. It features a beautifully adorned brick‑lined, patterned cement walkway, evenly spaced palm trees, and black light posts, while green, leafy vines cover the building’s aged red‑brick walls. Each establishment had its own glass‑door entrance, marked by a rustic sliding steel door left over from the building’s storied past. Originally, there were hints of another registered name, The Blue Marlin Bar. Instead of adopting the name, the blue marlin motif was woven into the character of the Victor Social Club, now renamed Victor’s Seafood and Steak after taking over Michaels on the Alley.

Victor’s Seafood and Steak sits next to Vincent Chicco’s and shares the alley with Coast. The restaurant’s centerpiece bar dominates a richly decorated two‑story interior, awash in shades of white and black, radiating pure elegance. A life‑size John Doyle painting of a blue marlin hovering over a boat towers above the bar. The establishment offers signature cocktails—including barrel‑aged selections—alongside beer, wine, and walls lined with fish paintings, each paired with intimate seating for two. The refined dining room features plush booths, antique wares, and wildlife scenes.

We took seats at the bar, where two well‑spoken, mannerly young men dressed in black and wearing spectator shoes patiently awaited our orders. After a few questions about the unusual drink names on the menu and their helpful answers, I chose a potent cocktail called Midnight in Paris—a mix of Still Vanilla, lavender simple syrup, and lemon. There was no skimping on the alcohol. My companion for the night selected the Espresso Martini, topped with three brandy‑soaked cherries threaded on a silver hairpin stick. She described her drink as smooth, with a rich froth that recalled a fine Bailey’s Irish Cream.

We can only comment on the bar area of Victor’s Seafood and Steak, formerly Victor Social Club. We came solely for a few cocktails and the spacious ambience dominated by Doyle’s magnificent marlin painting. It was a superb experience with exquisite, sophisticated cocktails. Our interaction with the bartenders was very pleasant and entertaining. They shared stories and offered knowledgeable input on what to try. The restaurant will certainly be a future visit.

Sir Oliver Godwin--What Does the Name have to do with Summerville

Beer hall verses pub? Other than the fact that they are both places where one goes to drink draft beer, they have differences. People generally sit in a beer hall. They are huge and boisterous. They are generally provisioned with the beer of a single brewer. They evoke sausage and simple German meals. On the other hand, pubs are small and more intimate. You order and retrieve your drink, and there is a lot of standing, greeting, and circulating. They require you to choose between at least half a dozen different beers or ales. The tavern is the American equivalent.

The Hofbräuhaus Brewery of Munich is one of the most famous beer halls in the world. Its history dates back to 1589. According to legend, Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria and a member of the Wittelsbach family, found the beer in Munich so bad that he commissioned his own state brewery. The Staatliches Hofbräuhaus was thus born. After centuries of producing beer for the royals, in 1828, the Hofbräuhaus was opened to the public by King Ludwig I of Bavaria. Almost completely destroyed by World War II bombings in 1945, it underwent over a decade of restoration work, finally reopening in 1958. Every day, more than 35,000 people visit the brewery's immense beer halls. Hofbräuhaus has eight franchised beer halls in the United States.

An interesting point of history in regard to the Hofbräuhaus illustrates how far some people will go for a good beer. The German beer hall was so famous that King Gustavius from Sweden accepted to not invade Munich in exchange of 600,000 barrels of the fine brew during the Thirty Years War.

American beer halls became popular in the mid-19th century, following a wave of immigration from Germany to the United States. They became an alternative to the American-style tavern. St. Louis, Missouri and Milwaukee, Wisconsin are notable cities for a number of beer halls, some of which seat several hundred persons. A famous beer hall is the Loerzel Beer Hall. Also known as "The Brewery," it was built in 1873 at 213 Partition Street in Saugerties, Ulster County, New York. The building was a large three-story, brick building that measured 45 feet wide and 65 feet deep. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

A new drinking and gathering establishment in the likes of a beer hall is coming to Summerville and will be located at 108 E 3rd N Street next to Brad Mallett's Coastal Coffee Roasters. The establishments name kind of roles off the tongue like a smooth Scottish ale--Godwin's Beer Hall. This is a Rizzo family venture. It is advertised to be a traditional European-style beer hall with selections from over 20 countries. In addition to some of the world's best beer, it will offer wine, mead, cider, and European street food. It is named for Sir Oliver Godwin. It is presently under way and will open soon.

I searched but could find nothing about Sir Oliver. Godwin or Goodwin is an English surname. It has Anglo-Saxon roots and has been used in Britain in some form since before the Norman Conquest of 1066. It comes from the personal name 'Godwine' (friend to God) and would be given to the lineage of those of that forename. That is that. Exactly as to who he was or is, you have have to wait for the full story when the beer hall opens, or possible before.

Such is the history of beer halls, pubs, and taverns. Today, they are all pretty much interchangeable. They are places to meet, commune, and drink. To be sure, there is nothing that can hold a stein to the original German Hofbräuhaus. Godwin's Beer Hall will be a welcome addition to Summerville's social scene. A place to raise a glass of liquid gold, exchange some niceties, talk about good things concerning your neighbors, scheme a new idea, or make a deal. Here's to a successful outcome. Here's to Summerville. Let it grow.

For more updated pics, click on Godwin's Beer Hall.

Victor's Seafood and Steak and 39 Rue De Jean--The Perfect Pairing for a Night of Celebrating Life

Two restaurants in close proximity to one another in one of the busiest areas of mid-Upper Charleston made for a perfect night. One was chosen for its signature cocktails and sky-high bar space accented by a dramatic piece of art, and the other for its French name and diverse menu. Hutson Alley's Victor's Seafood and Steak and 39 Rue De Jean were the model pairing for an evening of celebrating life.

Victor's Seafood and Steak was once known as Victor's Social Club. Its centerpiece bar dominates a richly decorated two-story interior awash with shades of whites and blacks and radiating a look of pure elegance. A life-size John Doyle painting of a Blue Marlon hovering over a boat towered over the room's bar seating. It offers signature cocktails, including a selection of barrel-aged cocktails, beer, wine, and walls lined with fish paintings and intimate seating for two under each art piece. The restaurant's refined dining room features plush booths, antique wares, and wildlife scenes.

We took a seat at the bar where two well-spoken and mannerly young men dressed in black and wearing spectator shoes patiently awaited our drink selections. After a few questions about the unusual drink names on the menu and helpful answers, I chose a potent cocktail called Midnight in Paris--a concoction of Still Vanilla, Lavender Simple Syrup, and Lemon. There was no skimping on the alcohol. My accomplice for the night chose the ExPresso Martini topped off by three brandy-soaked cherries threaded on a silver hairpin stick and described her perfect drink as smooth with a rich froth that mimicked a fine Bailey's Irish Creme. The experience was an exquisite beginning to the evening.

Our next pre-chosen stop was a short stroll from Victor's, a refined French Cafe and Bar reminiscent of a late 1800s Brasserie called 39 Rue De Jean. And why not, since after indulging in the earlier Midnight in Paris.

We were seated at a small table set for two. Our server was an accommodating, ready-to-take-on the world College of Charleston student. After relating a story of a recent dating experience, the young gentleman took our orders.

I selected the Truffle Potato Soup made with Creamy Potato Puree, Truffle Infusion, and Chive Cream Fraiche for $11 and the Traditional Caesar Salad for $9. My entree selection was the same as my companion, the Shrimp Provencal--Sauteed Shrimp, House Pasta, Pernod Garlic, Butter Sauce, and Red Pepper Chili Flakes for $26.

The Truffle Potato Soup was magnifique, as was the Traditional Caesar Salad. The generous, and I mean generous portion, of Shrimp Provencal was superbly garlicky.

39 Rue De Jean lived up to its reputation as a restaurant with good food and service. A little on the noisy side, but that is because it was packed with a boisterous crowd of loyal, hungry patrons. Even though just there for cocktails, Victor's Seafood and Steak was my favorite of the night. The quiet atmosphere was good for light conversation, the drinks were gratifying, and the bartenders were entertaining both in dress and persona. I will return to experience the restaurant's dining menu.

Victor's Seafood and Steak, 39F John St, Charleston, SC

39 Rue De Jean, 39 John St, Charleston, SC

An Awesome Charleston English Style Pub Offering a Unique Practice Impossible to Resist

People visiting Botany Bay Beach are not permitted to remove sea shells from the beach, so they hang them on the weatherworn trees. It is a way of leaving your mark, a statement that you were there.

There is a Charleston drinking establishment where patrons leave something to mark their visit. As a result, that something covers every inch of available interior wall and rafter space. That something is dollar bills, 27 years worth. There are layers upon layers of Washingtons autographed by customers marking first dates, inside jokes, anniversaries, parties, and holidays. In 2020, it was estimated to be about $50,000 worth, and the amount has grown since, and continues to grow. The unique practice is impossible to resist. 

The Griffon is a prominent staple in the community and a tribute to the locals. Many people consider it to be a Charleston legend. Two pals looking for a place to kick up their feet with their friends opened it in 1996. It was that simple. To this day, that homey feeling remains. Dan Wenz began working for the brothers close to a decade ago and purchased the business from them in 2008. He became partners with Scott London. He vowed to leave the bar unchanged. The bills that plaster the walls since its beginning are still there, at least a significant majority. 

There was a moment when necessity dictated a divergence from the norm. It was during the Covid-19 shutdowns. Seventeen employees of the Griffon became unemployed as a result. The Griffon took down some of the dollar bills on their walls to support their furloughed staff to help pay for bills and groceries.

The Griffon is acclaimed by various media outlets as being a gem to the city. Southern Living Magazine called it "Unapologetically Awesome," and Maxim Magazine added "Where to Eat, Drink, and Party in Charleston, South Carolina." It packs a lot of power in a small punch, and the press loves it as much as the people.

In its early days, the Griffon was the center of nightlife downtown. People made a loop between Charlie's Little Bar, the Rooftop at Vendue Inn, Blind Tiger, and maybe Dengate's in those days. Everyone had just been to Dengate's or the Tiger. It was a smaller pool back then. Now the area is a bit more touristy, and the college-aged crowd has migrated to Upper King with its ongoing development, now rarely seen. 

The Griffon is a bar for two distinctly different patrons: the locals and the astute tourist who asked a local. The old English-style pub appeals mostly to the working class—and there's a good reason, its lunch menu. It gets a lot of lawyers, a lot of food and beverage workers, and a lot of tourists. Quality food that's affordable is hard to find. As the neighborhood slowly transforms, the locals still flock to the Griffon because they know they can get a great meal that won't bend their credit card.

The Griffon's lunches are loaded, so they're doing really well in the good eats department. A crowd comes through its door every day. The secret is pretty simple: a meat and three veg daily special. Other items on the menu include classic comfort food, like grilled cheese, hot wings, and burgers.

The pub has served a lot of beer over its time, Bud Lights and Pabst Blue Ribbons, but have shifted more to satisfy the craft beer craze. The pub went from selling 10 cases of Bud Light a night to selling a couple of Bud Light cases and mostly draft beers. With that said, Pabst Blue Ribbon is still the number one seller.  

The Griffon is a casual beer bar with cheap food. With the restructuring of the Anchorage Inn at 26 Vendue and 24 Vendue in 2013, along with the presence of Waterfront Park, the tourist crowd flowing in from East Bay Street and through the doors of The Vendue keep the English style pub busy, not to leave unmentioned, the dedicated locals who patronize it just because they want to. Next time you are in the downtown French Quarter, visit the Griffon, have a beer, enjoy the menu, and staple a Washington on the walls of anonymity. Nobody will know you did it, except you, and that is all that matters. 

18 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC

Monday-Friday 11am-2am

Saturday and Sunday 12pm-2am

(843) 723-1700

Bonny's Hideaway on King Street is a Must Experience

Anne Bonny's story is a tale of two lives, one supported by historical documents of which there is very little, the other embellished by fiction and creative imagination. It is up to you to separate the one from the other because you will hear her name echoed in the pirate stories of Charleston, the Pink House on Chalmers Street, to name one, and the old Powder Magazine on Cumberland Street, another. Nonetheless, she is a historical figure who dared to step outside the conventional into a maelstrom of infamy. In homage to this daring woman, Jim McCourt and James Walsh, operating partners of the award-winning Prohibition, conceived Bonny's Hideaway, located next door at 549 King Street.

Bonny's Hideaway is a new Tiki-influenced concept that incorporates Irish and Caribbean cocktail cultures, including the rich history of rum in Charleston. Step through its entrance, and you will enter a comfortably lit venue with a long bar and plenty of seating running the length of its interior space. To your immediate right awaits an intimate niche dominated by a large painting of tall ships engaged in a massive battle with lush lounge seating and an area called Bonny's Bed with a view of King Street. Usually requiring a reservation, the space was appreciatively offered to us, which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Our server for the night, a very enthusiastic and engaging young lady with a darling of a personality, promptly brought us the drink and food menus. Her name, like her personality, was uniquely pleasant, Lyric. She offered suggestions and shared her favorites. She allowed us a few moments to peruse the two menus and make our choices. She was very conscientious, checking in with us often throughout our visit.

From the list of 14 drinks, I chose the Mai-garitta for $14, a blend of Lunazul Blanco, Lime, Lemon, Orgeat, Ginger, Honey, and bitters. My date, Anne-Merle, chose the Caribbe margarita for $14, a concoction of Birds eye chill tequila, mango, lime, Cointreau, and chili salt. Off the food menu, I selected the Caribbean Crush Burger Single for $12--Angus beef, peach pepper jam, Bermuda onion, and American cheese with fries. Anne-Merle chose the Yellow Curry Cauliflower for $14--golden raisins, coconut, cilantro, and mint. She described it as scrumptious. My drink was delightfully uplifting, the Angus burger was mouthwatering, and the crispy fries were the best.

When we arrived at 6:30, the crowd was light, but not for long. The Halloween partiers began to steadily flow in and fill the seats at the long, impressive bar, including the partitioned table seating along the left side opposite the bar. Stede Bonnet and pirate friends made a surprise visit. Towards the back of the establishment were themed seating areas. One wall had fireplace seating, another wall accommodated what is called the Bamboo Room, and in the back corner was the Rum Room surrounded by Rum Barrels.

The venue is very imaginative and beautifully decorated. It includes a collection of sea-inspired artwork, an antique cannon by the front door, a detailed portrait of Bonny herself, Irish whiskey barrels, and more.

Bonny's Hideaway is a must experience. The cocktails and food are fantastic. The service is top-notch. The atmosphere is a pirate's paradise. I most definitely will return many times. Cheers to Anne Bonny and owners.

549 King Street, Charleston, SC

843-793-3465

Wed-Sat: 4:00 pm – 2:00 am, Sunday: 4:00 pm – 12:00 am

Book a reservation