PUNK POURS With his wealth of bartending expertise, Chris George (opposite above) contributes his deft skills to both Bar Mars (above) , where he heads up the cocktail program, and at EXILE, where he helps owners Stephen Phillips and Nick Sherry execute their vision.
Alex’s razor focus on the customer’s experience is one Nick shares, too. It’s why EXILE vetoed live music in their bar. Live shows may be a staple for lots of bars, but have you ever been happy for someone’s bad covers to soundtrack your night out? Instead, EXILE is curating for consistency. “We want people to enjoy the same EXILE every time,” explains Nick. PUNS The trio’s love of puns sometimes shows up on their drink menus. Neither bar is interested in the deathly serious attitudes so annoyingly typical of the craft cocktail movement for the last 15 years. “I wanted the bar to feel happy,” says Alex, who named Bar Mars after his beloved dog. “There was this feeling with my dog, comfort and playfulness. Take this for what it is, but he offered total acceptance.” Total acceptance seems to describe what’s on offer at Bar Mars and EXILE. They’ve created a low-key space for everyone, a space where you can order a cheap beer or a kombucha or a pitch perfect Old Fashioned, and no one will be too serious about any of it. Bar Mars, 1269 Pendleton St, Greenville, @thebarmars EXILE, 9 Anderson St, Greenville, exilegvl.com; @exilebar
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