New bar seeks out local cocktail connoisseurs

ABC News 4, 2012

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — A new cocktail bar is aiming to fill a sophisticated Lowcountry niche.

The owner of the bar Proof, says the resurgence of the cocktail culture has mixologists challenging themselves to prepare inspired drinks.

Proof, which is located at 437 King Street, was a joint venture between Craig Nelson and co-owners of the TBonz Restaurant Group Mark Cumins and Jerry Scheer.

Nelson says the concept is to have smaller stylish place for people to savor cocktails, and not a place to “throw back a few.”

“I wanted to make a bar where my friends and I would want to go,” Nelson said. “Sophisticated cocktails, good beer and a great wine list. I felt like those were things you could get in a restaurant but not on a bar, so we wanted to fill that niche.”

Proof opens daily 4 p.m.