For me, the two-story brick building at 479 King Street has served as a sort of culinary bellwether, foretelling the rise of Upper King Street as Charleston’s top dining destination — and perhaps now its inevitable fall. In the summer of 2011, the Cocktail Club opened on the second floor of that building, which once housed People’s Clothing Store. A few months later, The Macintosh opened on the floor below, where executive chef Jeremiah Bacon went on to win five James Beard Award nominations for Best Chef: Southeast.
They were among the pioneers that transformed the eight blocks of King Street between Calhoun and Line from a boarded-up former retail corridor to a hopping nightlife district . Locals flocked to the once-empty sidewalks to rediscover classic cocktails and explore novel farm-to-table fare. Upstairs at The Cocktail Club , they’re still stirring Sazeracs and shaking up clever creations like the See You at the Gym.
Downstairs, though, the beefy ribeye deckle and luxurious bone marrow bread pudding are no longer to be found. In 2021, after a decade-long run, the Indigo Road Hospitality Group decided it was time for a change. The Macintosh became Maya , with an upscale Mexican theme.
The basic layout remains the same — long bar to the right as you enter, a few tables in the windows up front and more in the main dining area beyond. There’s more of a nightclub vibe, though, with thumping dance beats and gauzy white curtains dangling amid the tables. Maya now.