Already well known among North Strand dining patrons, Jeff Martini and family, owners of Midtown Bistro and Coconuts Tiki Bar & Grill, opened Bar 19 Twelve in late December 2019, adding sophistication and something out of the ordinary for North Myrtle Beach foodies and spirit lovers. With interior design by wife Amy Martini and under the management of son Chance Martini, in just a few short months Bar 19 Twelve has already made converts of demanding locals as well as casual passersby on U.S. 17 who are intrigued by something new.

Named for its location (1912 U.S. 17 S.) the tapas restaurant and craft cocktail bar is the result of a major renovation of the defunct Together Forever Wedding Chapel that had served the area for decades. Bar 19 Twelve melds ultra modern with vintage and urban-chic, remaining cozy and comfortable, with plenty of tables, high-backed booths and a large bar on the first floor. Upstairs, an event room and overflow area can accommodate private parties of up to 30 with a bar and stunning view of the Azalea Sands Golf Course. On the ground level, a large patio sits beneath shade trees and offers the ultimate relaxation spot for cocktails, dinner and romantic sunsets.

As beautiful to behold as Bar 19 Twelve is, the food, craft cocktails, high-end spirits and wine list are the real stars. Chef Vincent Tumminello expertly pulls from a variety of international cuisines to create his small plates, most priced between $8 and $15, with a few less expensive and some of the heartier plates with choice cuts of meat or seafood reaching $19.

The jalapeno bacon wrapped shrimp start with five jumbo shrimp, wrapped in spicy (but not overly so) jalapeno bacon, served on sweet corn relish. The Maryland style crabcake is easily twice the thickness of most area restaurant crabcakes with the perfect blend of lump crabmeat and seasonings, finished with a light panko crust. It’s served with a fried green tomato and chipotle tartar sauce. The carne asada tacos come two to an order and meld marinated flank steak, Mexican slaw (on the side), pickled red onion, cilantro and lime crema.

Around 22 small plates, including salads, seafood, chicken, beef, pasta and even pulled pork poutine, make choosing difficult. A couple seated at the bar ordered three, sharing between them.

An ever-changing craft cocktail menu, curated under the watchful eye of mixologists, adds to the speakeasy fun of blending exotic flavors into the classic drinks of yesteryear or something altogether new. Though one TV hangs from the wall in the corner, Bar 19 Twelve is the antithesis of a sports bar. A mix of jazz and instrumental music drifts pleasantly through the air, encouraging conversation and the enjoyment of something quite different on the North Strand.

Bar 19 Twelve
1912 U.S. 17 S., North Myrtle Beach
Open 7 days for dinner at 4 p.m. until.
(843) 281-0997
Visit them on Facebook: Bar 19 Twelve