When flames shot from the roof of Myrtle Beach’s beloved Collector’s Café in July 2020, the future for the iconic restaurant/bar and art gallery was uncertain. While some uncertainty remains, a new tenant has reimagined a portion of the former Collector’s space in the form of Neat Bourbon Bar, which opened in the late spring.
“We’re kind of casual-upscale,” said Lisa Dozier, who co-owns Neat with her husband, Howard Dozier, and another partner. The atmosphere, however, is completely unpretentious. “We are definitely ‘come as you are,” she added. “We’re at the beach.”
“Neat” is old cocktail terminology meaning, in essence, liquor straight from the bottle into the glass, but Neat Bourbon Bar accommodates individual preferences and serves all kinds of beer, wine, and spirits, with or without any mixer of choice.
The couple splits their time between the beach and the upstate, Greer and Greenville, where they own and operate two additional Neat Bourbon Bars and a handful of other ventures.
Neat offers nearly 300 varieties of whiskey, bourbon, rye and imports from the basic Jack Daniels Old No.7 to high end spirits including Mister Sam Tribute ($390 for a 2oz pour), Elmer T Lee, Pappy Van Winkle, Whistle Pig 21 Year and others. Nearly all the pours are a full 2oz, with a few exceptions, and most are priced between $8 and $15. Come during happy hour (4 – 7, Tue-Fri) and save even more, 25% off published prices on all food and drinks.
The ultra-premium Mister Sam may be for the elite and lottery winners, but most whiskey lovers are happier with other more affordable treats.
“My go-tos are probably Old Forester 1910, or Elija Craig if I’m going for something straight,” said Dozier, “but if I’m in the mood for a cocktail I love the Penelope bourbons, too.”
There are fruity punch drinks, creamy and sweet dessert drinks, craft and domestic beers, gin, vodka, tequila and wine. One-oz. half-price sample flights are available, too.
Though Neat’s dining options are limited, everything is cooked to order. Try the bourbon and bacon mac-n-cheese or hot brown turkey sliders (to honor the historic Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY.), and finish with a sweet ending by Priceless Desserts.
Enjoy brand tastings called “Bourbon 101” (the second Wednesday of each month), along with weekly specials such as Ten-Year Tuesday (take a $10 discount on most ten-year bourbons), Thursday ladies’ night (featuring a 50-percent discount on wine bottles and select martinis), plus early evening live music from acoustic soloists.
“Howard and I are really passionate about bourbon,” said Dozier. “It’s such a fun, cool, historic story, where you can learn about brands, their master distillers and their histories.”
At Neat you’ll get to try nearly every one of them without traveling to Kentucky.
---
Address: 7740 N. Kings Hwy in Myrtle Beach
Web: NeatBourbonBar.com
Hours: Open at 4 p.m.- ‘til, Tues-Fri and 3 p.m. - Midnight, Saturday. Happy Hour Tues-Friday, 4-7
