New bar offers refreshing cocktails and tasty bites
By Lorne Chambers | Editor
While downtown Charleston has new restaurants and bars opening literally everyday, it’s not often that something new opens on our little island. So when it does, it’s a big deal. The buzz begins to build long before the place even opens its doors. This has certainly been the case with Folly’s newest watering hole The Lowlife Bar, located at 106 E. Hudson. As of press time, Lowlife was still not open but co-owner T.J. Lynch says they hope to be open sometime around July 7 (give or take a few days). But in the meantime, Lynch and his partner Matt McGarry have been training their staff and meeting as many Folly locals as they can.
Over the last couple weeks Lowlife has been doing some dry runs, testing out recipes, and just chatting with folks in the area. “I’ve been blown away by how warm and welcoming everyone has been. It really validates the decision to come here when we’re made to feel so instantly at home,” says Lynch, who along with McGarry also own two popular bars in New York City.
Even with having two successful businesses 750 miles away, Lynch moved his entire family to Folly Beach permanently in December 2017. “I go back to New York City every few weeks, but we’ve got great staff/management there so it makes my job easy,” he says.
When asked how he ended up in Folly Beach, Lynch says that they had been looking in the Charleston area for commercial spaces for several years, but were waiting for just the right situation. “When we saw the listing in Folly we completely freaked out. “It was the only available property we’d seen in Folly Beach since we started looking,” he says. The newly renovated space, just off of Center Street is decorated comfortably, with a laid-back beachy vibe. Large windows swing open on the front side of the building, allowing for an open-air feel.
While good vibes are nice, and Lowlife has plenty of them, the real test is the food and drink. Experienced restaurateurs, Lynch and McGarry have it down to a science. The drink menu is impressive with some refreshing, fruity concoctions, perfect for a summer day. All the drinks are unique though, no syrupy margarita mix or frozen daiquiri out of a carton. All the cocktails are handmade with thought and care.
The food is also approached with the same thoughtfulness. “We like to describe ourselves as a bar with surprisingly good food,” says Lynch. “The menu isn’t huge but we try to offer a little of everything for people. It has some seafood, sandwiches, salads, and we’ll do some entrée specials too.”
While Lowlife has a totally different vibe from their two New York bars, Mothers Ruin and Loverboy, Lynch and McGarry did bring a couple tried and true classics with them. “The burger, fried chicken sandwich, Caesar salad, and the waffle fries made the trip here,” says Lynch. “They were just too tasty to leave off the menu!”
Despite the warm welcome Lynch and his staff have received during dry runs at the bar, it just wouldn’t be Folly Beach if someone wasn’t complaining about something. And on certain social media boards, some have taken exception to the bar’s name, fearing “Lowlife” holds a negative connotation. “I think if anyone has issue with the name, they just need to come in and let us show them our style of hospitality. Serving great food and drinks to people usually helps smooth out most wrinkles,” says Lynch.
