The Charleston, located at 2460 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, recently launched a new happy hour with items from $3-$10 seven days a week from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
For live music fans, the venue has a popular Sunday Jazz Brunch from 10:30 am to 3 pm. It also recently opened for Saturday Brunch (no jazz band).
The Charleston will also be opening for lunch at a soon to be announced date in January.
General manager Brianna Carter spoke to The Mirror about The Charleston, which has been operating since March 2012.
What is the story of how The Charleston came about?
The Charleston was started nearly two years ago. The space is very beautiful with a vintage 1920s speakeasy feel. However, the space had formerly changed hands many times. In the last eight years alone it was Lincoln Steakhouse, West Side Holly’s, and Angel’s Piano Bar.
The concept was dinner and a show with live music along many genres including jazz, funk, cover bands, and DJs etc. We wanted the food, mixology drinks, service, and ambiance of the space to set us apart from the competition. We felt that with a better food product and service, and entertainment geared more toward professionals, the concept was something the westside sorely lacked and would embrace.
The evolution of The Charleston has been a rededicated commitment towards the dining, service, and interior space. In the inception, we focused mainly on the live entertainment and nightlife aspects of the concept. Live music can be very expensive and tends to get very loud as well. It also can be very polarizing.
Some guests would come for the live music, while many others preferred a venue where they could get great food and drink at reasonable prices and could interact with their friends, dates, and peers. By using the live entertainment more sporadically and selectively, we have been able to provide a higher end food and beverage product at a better price point.
What is the theme of the menu?
The overall theme of the menu is American comfort food with an international twist. After experimenting with a variety of menus and chefs we have settled into a consistent menu with additional seasonal offerings.
For happy hour our most popular selections are our short rib tacos, salmon tacos, Charleston burger, and a variety of salads and flatbreads. Happy hour prices range from $3-$10 with a bottomless hospitality beer or wine special offered as well.
For dinner, our seared pork chop and shrimp raviolis are a couple of our top choices. We also offer a Saturday brunch and Sunday jazz brunch in which the chicken and waffles are a must.
What is The Charleston doing for New Year’s Eve?
While our renewed focus is on the food, service, and beverage, we still do love nightlife. Check out our NYE Black and White masquerade with great hor d’oeuvres, open bar, DJ’s, and magic show. Visit http://blackwhitenye2014.eventbrite.com/?aff=efbevent.
For menus, reservations, special event calendar, or to sign up for its mailing list, visit www.charlestonla.com or like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thecharlestonla.
