SAM’S UPTOWN CAFE: A Real Charleston “Pub”
I just recently visited one of my old haunts, this time looking at the place from the perspective of a beer writer. Sam’s Uptown Café is located at 28 Capitol Street. It has been a successful little place for quite a few years thanks to a mix of occasional patrons and a loyal cast of regulars. Sam’s is a true “pub” within the city of Charleston.
Sure, many bars are called pubs, but you just can’t put up a sign that says “Pub”, hang-up a dart board and just magically become one. A pub is a pub because of who and what is on the inside. The term comes from the British Public House; literally someone’s house that was opened to the public for the purpose of social intercourse over a pint of ale. The house quickly evolved into the special purpose buildings that we commonly call bars. The bar room is just the place, but the pub is the soul of the place…
Without waxing too poetic, Sam’s has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Like a real pub, you can feel at home there. No one will be impressed by the slightly run-down look, but it’s the kind of place you can honestly recommend to a total stranger. Anyone can walk in and plop down next to one of the regulars and strike up a conversation, or just sit quietly and sip on a good pint of Guinness or glass of Sierra Nevada.
The crowd at Sam’s ranges from just barely legal to old farts, like me. The beer selection is fair to good with a few good American micros. The draft selection is lacking, but they pour a good pint of Guinness. An ample menu of pub grub is available to keep you going. On most nights you will find the “background” music to be far enough in the background to actually have a conversation without shouting. The place gets a bit smokey, which is a definite downer, but it’s the diversity of the crowd that will keep you coming. I found myself chatting with three business travelers from the UK on my last visit. We were talking a little about business and a bit about beer; really refreshing. While I was there, not one drunken redneck walked over to them and said: “Hey! You boys sher do tawk funny…” I forgot to ask them how they found the place, but I would bet a Sam’s regular suggested it.
Cheers! To the folks at Sam’s for finding the right elements to make a bar a pub (Now, I only wish they could find the source of that nasty smell downstairs on the way to the toilets…)
March 13th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
I enjoy your column. In honor of St Patty’s, can you give a quick reference guide to all the places in our town that serve Guinness, Harp, and other Irish beers on tap? Thanks!
March 13th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
I could never really do Sam’s. For one thing, the smoke is just insane, second only to the Red Carpet. But the big turn off for me was that the “regular crowd” was almost exclusively the same handful of hillbilly hipster lawyers bitching about the day’s “depos.” My Dad isn’t crazy about his job either, but he doesn’t talk about it all the damn time.
But the food is great.
March 13th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
Hello Julia, thanks for visiting and reading the blog…
I cannot tell you every place in Charleston that serves Guinness on tap, but here are a few…
Blues BBQ
Sam’s (see the blog)
Vandalia Lounge (if I remember correctly)
Club 101 may still serve Guinness
As for Harp, I am at a loss. Harp is not that special of a beer anyway. If you like Harp, try jus about any European Macro brew…
March 13th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
Josh, as a fellow blogger and critic, you know as well as I do that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Not to say Sam’s is trashy, but it is a hole in the wall. You are right about the smoke, but I grew up going to bars that would make Sam’s look like a clean air zone.
As for the regulars, I do not relly know any of them, nor do I converse with them all that much. To me they are just background ambiance.
Please post your suggestions on authentic pubs in Charleston. I am sure the Gazz readers are just as interested as I am, to hear suggestions.
March 14th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
I think Charleston really needs a good pub. Sam’s is close, but it doesn’t quite do it for me. But as I said, their bar food is first rate. The prime rib sandwich is to die for. Sam’s burgers might be the best in Charleston. Wonderful. And another thing–the kitchen stays open until close. To my knowledge, they’re one of the only places in town that does this. Nice.
March 18th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
Blues does have Harps!! I think I’ve seen it a few Krogers. Try the wine shop at Captol Market & The Liquior store by Partick St. Bridge. Across the parking lot from ex-Big Bear Market. I will do a search for YA! & send one two henchmen &/or women to findsome & report.