Rock Water Tavern is slated to reopen as a sports bar.
Mark Stewart has purchased Rock Water Tavern, across the street from the Chapman Cultural Center at 100 Wood Row in the former Spice of Life building.
Although the restaurant will retain its name, the switch in ownership should bring some major changes to its offerings.
Stewart said it will operate as a sports bar and serve traditional pub fare, such as hot wings, burgers and other sandwiches. He also will have a full selection of liquors, wines and craft beers.
Given that the location couldn’t be better — it’s right across the street from the Chapman Center and the under-construction USC-Upstate business school campus — I expect it’ll be a popular place. The sports bar thing doesn’t really appeal to me, but at least it’ll be another downtown option for a lot of people. And it does have a really nice courtyard, which will be a nice option for after-event drinks at the Chapman Center.
Steve Shanafelt
Great another SPORTS bar! Something I have no interest in! On the other hand, Spartanburg needs more businesses downtown. The courtyard is cool and the location is prime. I wish them luck!
This is exciting news. We need a real sports bar downtown and I imagine it will be pretty popular. Have you guys heard about the new jazz and blues club opening where Crossroads coffee used to be? That is pretty cool too. I’ve been reading on other Spartanburg forums that people are wanting an ice cream parlor downtown too. The former Sandwich Factory would be a great location for a Marble Slab or independent ice cream parlor. Next we need to start getting restaurants to open on our depressing Main St. between Church and Converse Sts.
John: Until it actually opens, I’m reserving judgment on what being a “sports” bar even means. I’m not sure if that means it’s going to have TVs tuned to ESPN (like Delaney’s, Nu-Way and Sonny’s do every time I go in) or if it means that they’re going for a Wild Wings kind of feel. But the term certainly doesn’t encourage me, either.
Ryan: Yes, I have heard about the new jazz place. I’m cautiously optimistic. Another late-night music venue is desperately needed downtown.
Steve –
I was in your old stomping grounds this weekend and enjoyed Firestorm Cafe (vegan coffeehouse/bookstore/restaurant downstairs from the Thirsty Monk) in Asheville. It reminds me a lot of Java Jive. JJ was obviously closed when you came to Spartanburg, but have you at least heard of it (was located on backside of Sonny’s, one door down)? Seemed to have a genuine Bohemian feel to it. Spartanburg leaders are trying so hard to create an arts town, but you can’t buy (or even plan, really) this kind of mood and spirit. Firestorm has it and JJ did too (at least a little).
I’m not surprised a sports bar is coming, but wish we had a place by the people and for the people. Nothing fancy. Cheap, used furniture, but an open-door policy for events (music, poetry, etc.) and the smell of revolution in the air (OK, “revolution” sounds corny … but you get the point). A place where big ideas are born and nurtured. Zapata’s was another place kinda like that. Anyone here besides myself miss Java Jive and Zapata’s?
“Anyone here besides myself miss Java Jive and Zapata’s?”
You are certainly not alone Lucas. I miss both profoundly. Still, there are positive things being thrown about here and there. Maybe one of them will pan out and be that great “people’s space” so many of us are looking for.
“I was in your old stomping grounds this weekend and enjoyed Firestorm Cafe (vegan coffeehouse/bookstore/restaurant downstairs from the Thirsty Monk) in Asheville.”
Firestorm is a great place, although it opened around the time I moved to Spartanburg and I’ve only been a handful of times. In the right low-overhead location, I think something not-unlike it could work here, catering to students and people like me who just love coffee and the coffeehouse-community thing.
1. Sports bar boo! However, I’m glad to see that such a beautifully remodeled building (including that bumpin’ courtyard) is going to be used for anything.
2. I’m not so sure how the jazz bar is going to work. Are there really that many local jazz bands? If not, how much $ will the bar have to kick out to get jazz bands to come to town? Seems to me that throwing a label like “Blues” or “Jazz” bar wasn’t the best approach. I personally would have gone with a more liberal and open platform.
3. There are plans in the works for a very open cafe with wonderful used furniture and an eclectic mix of entertainment at night. Any investors interested? I’m always lurking the spark, I’m easy to find. With the move of SCC to downtown and the USCUpstate business school as well, this actually may be turning into a college town and with that will come great things, or so I hope.
Was there any projected opening date for this?
The SH-J story was really unclear on that point. They may not know an exact date, as it sounds like they’re waiting on their liquor licence.
Thanks.