A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High 79F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..
Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Big John's Tavern new owners Darren Bradley (from left), Scotty Sheriff and Christopher Houston sit at a table with "The Smoke Show," a smoked old fashioned. Provided
The chocolate martini at Big John's Tavern. Kalyn Oyer/Staff
Big John's Tavern new owners Darren Bradley (from left), Scotty Sheriff and Christopher Houston sit at a table with "The Smoke Show," a smoked old fashioned. Provided
Bar Tab is a recurring column in The Post and Courier Food section that highlights a locally made or sold adult beverage.
If you haven't been to the newly reopened Big John's Tavern on East Bay Street, then you might not be expecting what you'll see inside.
Replacing the license plate wall decorations and bras hanging from the ceiling is a clean and almost upscale modern interior, featuring brick walls and red chairs along the bar.
There's even a piano player some nights who takes requests and gets people singing along.
Don't worry though; it's still found a way to keep some of its original rough-around-the-edges crass — the website is ilovebjs.com, for instance.
But along with a polished new look, Big John's has a fancy cocktail list to go with it. The bar's signature beverage is a showstopper.
The $13 Smoke Show comes in two pieces: a glass bottle with a cork stopper full of smoke and a Four Roses-infused Old Fashioned in a glass. Upon arrival to your table or barstool, you're tasked with popping the cork and pouring the smoke into your bourbon.
It's an Instagrammable feat and one that leaves the whole table momentarily smelling a little like a campfire. All you need are some s'mores.
The chocolate martini at Big John's Tavern. Kalyn Oyer/Staff
But if you're more of a dessert drinker who wants something sweet after scarfing down the clothesline bacon appetizer or some buffalo chicken wings, then you might opt for the $15 Chocolate Martini made with vodka, Godiva chocolate liqueur, Bailey's Irish Cream and a house-made chocolate ganache that's artfully drizzled in the glass.
Simply divine. Also, there are three other martini options: Earl Grey, a King's Berry-tini and an espresso version.
I'll be back to try them all, I'm sure, maybe on a night where I can request a piano version of some "Smoke on the Water" while enjoying a Smoke Show.
Reach Kalyn Oyer at 843-371-4469. Follow her on Twitter @sound_wavves.
Kalyn Oyer is a Charleston native who covers arts & entertainment and food & bev for The Post and Courier. She's a music festival & concert photographer and used to write about music for the Charleston City Paper, among other publications.
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