Even as a tropical storm or hurricane descends upon Charleston, the party goes on. Typically during big storms, several tried-and-true bars remain open on the peninsula for rainboot-clad partygoers in search of a cold beverage and good times. That is not the case this time around as Tropical Storm Debby swings through the Lowcountry, bringing heavy rainfall, tornadoes and flooding.
Even with lesser winds expected, the heavy rain quickly infiltrated some flood-prone areas across the peninsula — part of what spurred a downtown curfew enacted by Mayor William Cogswell and Charleston City Council. That curfew kicked off at 11 p.m.
on Aug. 5 and was extended into the morning of Aug. 7 at a yet-to-be-determined time that will be reevaluated as Debby is expected to stall off the coast.
As of 7 a.m. on Aug.
6, eight inches of rain had fallen, with more expected. Patrons walk out the front door of A.C.
’s Bar & Grill, one of the few bars and restaurants still open in the afternoon Tuesday, August 6, 2024, in Charleston. “The curfew is not just about unnecessary restrictions but about maintaining the safety of the city and our citizens,” said Police Chief Chito Walker. “By stepping up and ensuring guidance, we aim to keep everyone safe.
We know it works because the vast majority of the public has adhered to the warnings, and we need all of you to continue to make it work and to keep our city safe.” The curfew has encouraged most businesses on the peninsula, including restaurants and bars, to close for the duration of the storm. While they can technically remain open, city officials are asking everyone to not travel unless it is for an emergency and to please stay home until the curfew lifts.
"We are asking people not to go to work unless you are an essential employee. This is being enforced on a common sense basis, and the Charleston Police Department has worked to accommodate but the top priority is preventing injury and loss of life," Deja Knight McMillan, director of communications for the city of Charleston, told The Post and Courier. People hang out under the awning and light cigarettes together at A.
C.’s Bar and Grill while the establishment is still open as Tropical Storm Debby impacts Charleston on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Walker said officers have ticketed several drivers for driving around barricades blocking off flooded streets, but McMillan said that no citations had been given out for breaking curfew as of almost 4 p.
m. on Aug. 6.
But for some businesses, the curfew means losing income for an unknown span of time, especially with the likelihood of it being extended. Among those who expected to lose business on Aug. 6 was Chris "Boston" DiMattia, owner of the Recovery Room Tavern, Lucky Luchador and Bangkok Lounge — all bars on the peninsula.
Usually a reliable party spot that remains open during storms, including during Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and Hurricane Idalia in 2023, the Recovery Room at 685 King St. was closed as of 3 p.m.
on Aug. 6 and had been since 10 p.m.
the previous night, despite a since-removed note on the door claiming "I assure you we are open! 2 p.m.-2 a.
m." Rec Room remained open during Hurricane Dorian in 2019, with patrons in raincoats drinking beer outside on the front patio. Because of the citywide curfew, the bar is remaining closed as Tropical Storm Debby impacts Charleston.
"I had planned to open today but am following the curfew and closed," said DiMattia, who lives in Mount Pleasant. "If we're not open, we're not making money." At least one bar remaining open during the day on Aug.
6 was AC's Bar & Grill, another reliable place that regularly stays open during hurricanes and storms, with patrons lined up at the bar for shots, the booths full and the pool table occupied. Brad Cooke from Dallas was at the King Street dive, taking a break from moving his daughter into a dorm at the College of Charleston. He and his son, Jack, had arrived into town on Aug.
5 and were staying in an AirBnb on the peninsula. "There's a lot of folks who are probably in our situation that are trying to figure out the situation," said Cooke. "So that's kind of what's happening right now .
.. And we find ourselves taking a break with a few pops at the local pub, AC's.
" But around 3 p.m., bartenders approached and said it was last call.
"I think the city is trying to stop the hurricane party more than anything else," said AC's Eric Rickert, who closed down the bar at 11 p.m. on Aug.
5 at a fire marshal's request. Proof, another location known for slinging cocktails as the storms ride in, was open and planning to remain so, joining a handful of other locations hoping to rake in a little business amidst the circumstances. But it was nothing like previous years where winds blew in raucous hurricane crowds.
Bear Barow, who’s worked at Proof on and off for almost a decade and lives a block away, said the cocktail bar has thrown some good hurricane parties over the years. In the past, he’s gone home and cleaned out his fridge, bringing food to cook and share at the bar. “Proof is notoriously always open,” he said.
“It’s always fun, good times. We’ve had some past wild and crazy hurricane parties.” People gathered at The Royal American on Morrison Drive on Wednesday, Sept.
4, 2019, to socialize before Hurricane Dorian rolled by. This time around, less bars are open for hurricane parties as Tropical Storm Debby impacts Charleston as the city has enacted a curfew. As for off the peninsula, many restaurants and bars remained open despite the storm.
Among them, Kickin' Chicken in Mount Pleasant was serving up wings and draft beers, and Kwei Fei on James Island, another traditional hurricane party destination by the Charleston Pour House, was planning to open from 4-8 p.m. for a dinner shift.
The Charleston Pour House remained closed. Kwei Fei's sister business, Beautiful South, which is on the peninsula, was staying shuttered. "Sorry to our downtown friends," the business posted on social media.
"Please stay safe and we'll see you tomorrow." Ali Rockett and Henry Taylor contributed to this report..
