Bar Vauté — Restaurant in Charleston

We had an absolutely amazing experience here for dinner a few weeks back. If you’re looking for an intimate speakeasy experience, head downstairs below Brassiere La Banque where you’re able to order the full menu in a cozy environment.

The Good: obviously the ambience as I mentioned above. The service was fantastic! Cokie (sp?) worked the room like an absolute pro greeting each person in a friendly manner, remembering every food/drink order, and offering helpful suggestions. She also came up with delicious, inventive cocktails based off personal preferences that weren’t on the menu. Such a talented mixologist! We loved every drink she came up with. I know that’s kind of Gin Joint’s thing - but go here for the same experience! Also, the food was delicious. The menu is smaller but we enjoyed everything. We got the duck meatballs, crab cake, and steak frites and weren’t disappointed in anything. I don’t like duck and never order it but Cokie convinced us to try it and I’m so glad because it’s out of my norm!

The Meh: nothing

The Bad: definitely nothing

Restaurants like this are part of what make Charleston a foodie city! While many visitors frequent the seafood places, I encourage you to try this French-inspired cuisine below street level and...

I've only visited Bar Vauté once and it's not because I didn't like it. In fact, I had one of my best dinners ever in Bar Vauté. I was visiting Charleston for one day on a business trip (don't ask what I do for work because it's more like a none-of-your-business trip!) and stumbled into Brasserie la Banque. We didn't have reservations, so they suggested we check out the bar downstairs (Bar Vauté) that also offered the full dinner menu. We were sat immediately and the service was extraordinary. I wouldn't even dream to use the term "extraordinary" lightly. Our server checked in with the exact right amount of frequency and helped us parse out the best items to order. While dining, a woman dining in Bar Vauté had a head-related accident. The restaurant handled the accidentally so calmly that we had no idea anything had happened in the cozy Bar Vauté until our server mentioned that paramedics would be coming. The whole situation was swiftly and kindly dealt with and proved an interesting evening. I hope no one would ever have an accident while dining, but if they did I hope it'd be...

This is our second visit to the Bar Vauté and we aren’t jaded at all. We figured we couldn’t get a table at La Banque without a reservation so we arrived at the blue-hair hour(5:20!) and asked if we could order from the menu downstairs in the wonderful bar. We started with a superior cocktail each- a Boulevardier and a Vieux Carré. We each ordered a NY Strips a la carte with plates of haricots verts and fries to share. The steaks were succulent, well seasoned and perfectly grilled to temp. The sides were delicious and just enough. A glass of Cremant de Bourgogne each and a to-die-for chocolate crème brûlée to top it all off. The service in the bar is great-not stiff or formal, but still attentive. The atmosphere is lively, lots of happy conversations overlapping from the bar and other small tables. The small round tables are first come first serve, set at the base of the stone wall with seating on surprisingly comfy upholstery cubes. It’s dimly lit, cool, and fun. Don’t miss this spot...