Bar

Establishment Name: The Royal American

Website: www.theroyalamerican.com

Physical Address: 970 Morrison Drive Charleston, SC 29403

Hours of Operation: Mon – Sun: 11 am to 2 am
Lunch service just started June 2nd. The kitchen stays open until 1 am every night.

Doors First Opened In: December 2011

Signature Drink: Rum, Bourbon, & Vodka Punches made in-house and served in a 32-ounce stadium souvenir cup. Homemade Cinnamon Whiskey.

TrunkSpace: How would you categorize the establishment? Is it a pub? A local hangout? A honky-tonk? Etc.?
A neighborhood bar, restaurant, and concert venue.

TrunkSpace: Can you describe the décor in three words or less?
Rustic, comfortable, eclectic.

TrunkSpace: What makes the place unique? Why should we drink there?
The history of the building provided an industrial, old school feeling that was softened by current owners with music memorabilia, unique lighting, and cozy booths and tables. Top local, regional and national bands play five to six nights a week, a full menu with more than 30 dishes just launched, and there are great front and back patios to enjoy the Charleston weather and marsh views.

TrunkSpace: Do you serve food, and if so, what should we order our next time in?
The Magic Wings, Philly Cheese Steak, or Pharmacy Burger.

TrunkSpace: Have there been any notable patrons who have come through your doors over the years that we everyday patrons can brag that we’ve inadvertently drank in the presence of?
Bill Murray, Danny McBride, Dave Chappelle, Norman Reedus, Mike Watt.

TrunkSpace: Craziest thing that has ever happened there that people still talk about to this day?
SUSTO playing a parking lot show and bringing 1500 people. The singer used to flip burgers here.

TrunkSpace: And finally, what is a fun fact about the establishment that could further enhance the experience of customers the next time they come through those doors and pull up a stool?
We collect old National Geographic magazines. If you find your birth month and year, you can take the magazine home with you!

Establishment Name: Monk’s Cafe

Web: www.monkscafe.com

Address: 264 S. 16th St., Philadelphia, PA 19102

Hours of Operation:
Mon – Sun: 11:30 am to 2 am
Full menu from: 11:30 am to 1 am daily

Doors First Opened In: March, 1997

Signature Drink: BEER! Monk’s Cafe Flemish Sour Ale, brewed in Belgium

TrunkSpace: How would you categorize the establishment? Is it a pub? A local hangout? A honky-tonk? Etc.?
Monk’s Cafe is a world-class beer emporium with a warm, cozy atmosphere, modeled on the classic “brown cafes” of Belgium and Netherlands.

TrunkSpace: Can you describe the décor in three words or less?
“Brun cafe” #lookitup

TrunkSpace: What makes the place unique? Why should we drink there?
Monk’s Cafe has one of the best selections of world-class beer on the planet. We ONLY serve killer beer, and never pour anything we don’t love entirely. We also don’t pour beer from big, multi-national companies, like A-B InBev. We support small and family-owned breweries and take exceptional pride in serving their liquids. We also clean our 25 draft lines weekly in order to present these beers in their perfect state. We have over 200 curated bottles, and we travel the world finding new and interesting beers to serve in Philadelphia. Our food is also made with beer, and features classics like mussels and frites cooked with various brews. Opening and running an independent café like ours has been a lifelong dream, but it can be an expensive process – our overheads can often seem overwhelming. Fortunately, a friend of ours recommended Utility Bidder to us so that we can always count on a competitive energy deal. Finding unique ways to save money is the key to survival in the hospitality sector.

TrunkSpace: Do you serve food, and if so, what should we order our next time in?
We serve our full menu from 11:30 am to 1 am, every day and night. Definitely don’t miss the mussels and frites, we suggest the Ghent (blue cheese, leeks, bacon) and the Thai Curry (coconut milk, curry). Our frites are accompanied by our signature Bourbon Garlic Mayonnaise (secret recipe!) and our Seared Sea Scallops are sauced with a “beurre rouge” of butter, herbs and Monk’s Flemish Sour Ale.

TrunkSpace: Have there been any notable patrons who have come through your doors over the years that we everyday patrons can brag that we’ve inadvertently drank in the presence of?
We have hosted many athletes playing for Philadelphia teams, like Chase Utley and Peter Forsberg, as well as touring musicians visiting our local venues – Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi of the Tedeschi Trucks Band celebrated Derek’s birthday with us, and shared stories of their travels in Belgium seeking fine beers! We are also blessed to be a regular stop for members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, housed just around he corner at the Kimmel Center.

TrunkSpace: Craziest thing that has ever happened there that people still talk about to this day? Go!
You’ll have to come in and charm one of the long-standing bartenders for those stories! Definitely not fit for the internet! 😉

TrunkSpace: And finally, what is a fun fact about the establishment that could further enhance the experience of customers the next time they come through those doors and pull up a stool?
If you are overwhelmed by our huge beer menu (25 drafts and over 200 bottles), ask your server or bartender to give you some direction. They are immersed fully in our selections and can guide you to find a new beer you will love!

Establishment Name: Ogie’s Trailer Park

Web: www.ogiestrailerpark.com

Address: 155 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02909

Hours of Operation:
Mon – Thurs: 4 pm – 1 am
Fri: 3 pm – 2 am
Sat: 4 pm – 2 am
Sun: 12 pm – 1 am

Doors First Opened In: 2015

Signature Drink: Our cocktail menu changes seasonally and it’s full of classics. I’d say the Hurricane is one of the most popular and we do frozen versions, too.

TrunkSpace: How would you categorize the establishment?
Ogie’s is a restaurant and bar with great outdoor patio seating.

TrunkSpace: Can you describe the décor in three words or less?
Mid-century modern.

TrunkSpace: What makes the place unique? Why should we drink there?
The concept of Ogie’s is to pay homage to a simpler time where smart phones and TV didn’t rule the day. It’s a swanky mid-century style cocktail bar inside. The kitchen is a trailer/mobile home that serves food out of it’s window, food truck style. When your state license plate is called, your food is ready. There are vintage trailers you can sit in front of on the patio, as well as a fire pit. We will be launching our new outdoor bar this summer, Twinkie’s Tiki Trailer, serving up traditional tiki cocktails.

TrunkSpace: Do you serve food, and if so, what should we order our next time in?
We do! Comfort food all the way. The Rhody fried chicken sandwich, encrusted in Cool Ranch Doritos is delicious. We’re famous for our tots!

TrunkSpace: Have there been any notable patrons who have come through your doors over the years that we everyday patrons can brag that we’ve inadvertently drank in the presence of?
Unlike The Duck & Bunny, our sister restaurant which has seen its share of celebs, Ogie’s is more of a local, west side watering hole. The Governor and Mayor have held events and dined with us, but I think that just confirms what a local spot it is.

TrunkSpace: Craziest thing that has ever happened there that people still talk about to this day? Go!
What? At Ogie’s? Nothing crazy ever happens at Ogie’s. 😉

TrunkSpace: And finally, what is a fun fact about the establishment that could further enhance the experience of customers the next time they come through those doors and pull up a stool?
Ogie’s is decorated with modern art adorning the walls with a twist. (Ogie, our feline CEO, has replaced the original faces in the artwork.) Ogie, Granny Boo, Twinkie and JuneBug – our feline friends – are all mentioned in different ways throughout the establishment.