Cafe, leisure location opens in downtown Charleston > Charleston Business Journal

When Michelle Van Jura moved from New York to Charleston a 10 years back, she was stunned by the lack of enjoyment solutions.

“I was so used to obtaining the prospect to go to a assortment of nightlife venues, like comedy clubs and so forth, that it took me by shock,” reported Habit owner and spouse, who, with two some others, set out to modify that with The Behavior, located at 213 East Bay St. in the French Quarter community.

Van Jura, along with organization associates Zach Dennis and Chef Matthew Greene, opened the 13,000 square foot entertainment complicated in mid-August.

The location, which is comprised of a few flooring and a rooftop lounge overlooking the Charleston Harbor, provides eating and leisure for locals and visitors alike, with live new music and topic nights.

“The one matter we definitely wished to carry to our town was a greater wide range of amusement and special experiences, so we uncovered the great spot, curated amazing art, glamorous decor, and employed some of the finest expertise to carry it all to lifetime,” mentioned Van Jura, who admits that the undertaking was a large elevate manufactured lighter by the self-assurance she experienced in her associates.

“The longest component of the process was obtaining the setting up,” reported Van Jura, remarking on her partners’ bona fides. “Zach Dennis is an operational genius and Matthew Greene, who hails from Halls Chophouse in Greenville, assisted the restaurant get started their well-liked signature situations,” she said.

And it does not damage that Van Jura herself has a track record in general public relations. “We’re like the perfect partnership, each with main competencies that enhance each individual other,” she provides.

These who take a look at the intricate will find dining and an intensive bar on ground a person. The room on floor two regarded as “V’s @ the Behavior,” serves as a speakeasy and amusement area, with dwell audio on Fridays and Saturdays.

“We’ll be growing our programming afterwards to contain comics,” stated Van Jura, incorporating that they’re filling a market with their tunes choices. “So quite a few of the locations cater to the college learners, but there is a demographic that wishes to get out and dance to Motown, jazz, yacht rock, disco and 80-90s music. We wished to present that option,” Van Jura mentioned.

The Habit is also having reservations for non-public occasions like corporate meetings, Christmas functions, marriage ceremony rehearsals and extra.

Van Jura describes the decor as a throwback to the 1920s’ art deco allure and elegance, with shades like indigo blue and emerald green, enhanced by warm lighting.

“It’s a decadent environment with prosperous leather-based, sumptuous velvet and item d’art, generating the place an beautiful mix of Americana, European and Asian aesthetics,” she said.

As for the foods, Van Jura describes it as American cuisine with worldwide flair and flavors. Attendees will be in a position to tuck into items like hash browns with caviar, poutine and shakshuka. Lunch and dinner solutions will include burgers, sandwiches, a tomahawk ribeye, pan- seared chef’s fish, a charcuterie and cheese board and a sturdy salad range, which will fluctuate in accordance to the year.

Wines are made available by the glass and bottle and cocktails harken back again to a easier era. “We’re bringing again some of the outdated drinks, like The Harvey Wallbanger and the Vesper,” explained Van Jura.

“We are hoping the word spreads about almost everything we offer you and more clients … will make our venue a behavior,” reported Van Jura.  

Stephanie Kalina-Metzger is a contributing writer for SC Biz News.