A modern sports pub with a local flair has set an expected winter opening date at The Refinery, the new mixed-use development anchored by an amphitheater in the upper Charleston peninsula. Cleats is the second restaurant from founders of Charleston’s Daps Breakfast and Imbibe, Jeremiah Schenzel and Nick Dowling.
Online, Cleats dubs itself “a public house with a big sandwich and sports obsession.” In a comment to What Now Charleston, Schenzel shared that they’re taking a different approach to the sports bar environment. He says their goal is to “celebrate the community of sport – the idea of getting together and sharing something.” In addition to mainstream sports, they’ll spotlight nontraditional sports bar events like surfing tournaments, hockey, and women’s sports.
The new restaurant has been in the works for over a year, with initial announcements targeting a Spring 2023 opening which has since been delayed. In the interim, Schenzel and Dowling have been testing out menu items at pop-ups that they call “Stadium Eats” during Refinery concerts. “Although the delays were unforseen, it’s worked out because it’s allowed us to use the concerts as a kind of test kitchen,” said Schenzel.
Now, they’re gearing up for a December launch, and they’ve already built hype around signature items like their Pit Beef sandwich — a local take on a Maryland favorite — and garlic fries. The rest of the menu will feature a variety of sandwiches and shareables drawing on ingredients from local vendors like Daps partners Holy City Hogs and Fili West Farms.
For more updates, follow Cleats on Instagram.
