Exploring a new place can be thirsty work. At some point after all that driving, walking, hiking, shopping, and eating, you might just want to sit down to a cold beer, crisp glass of wine, or (depending on how long your day has been), a nice strong cocktail. As I trekked back and forth across the Old 96 District I found myself consistently impressed with the variety and quality of the drinks on offer, even in some of the smaller towns! Being the generous traveler I am, I thought I’d give a highlight of some of the best tipples I tossed back, from Abbeville to Laurens and everywhere in between.
Break on the Lake – Greenwood
This was my first stop on my tour of the Old 96 District, and after a few hours in the car, I was ready for a beer! Luckily, Break on the Lake, right there on Lake Greenwood, had me covered with an extensive tap and bottle list. A crisp local IPA paired great with my burger and hushpuppies, and was made even better by the view of the lake and the breeze coming off the water. I stuck to one since I was driving, but I could have sat there all day.
Sled Dawg Brewery – Greenwood
One of my favorite things to do when traveling is check out the local brewery scene. Breweries and brewpubs often serve as de facto community centers, and I get to meet all kinds of great people while sipping on some local beer. Sled Dawg, just a quick stroll off Main Street in downtown Greenwood, is just that kind of spot. I got a flight of four beers – all delicious, but the White Dawg IPA really stood out to me. Have some non-beer folks in your crowd? Never fear, Sled Dawg has a large offering of ciders, boozy seltzers, and wine.
Divine Your Space – Abbeville
If I had to invent my dream bar, it would have lots of great wine and be filled with plants. Luckily, I don’t have to invent that bar, because Kyle Fuller did it for me when he opened Divine Your Space in downtown Abbeville. Situated inside a restored service station is part home decor shop, part plant shop, and yes, part wine bar! Plants and decor out front, wine (including wine slushies!) in the back. There’s a wine club you can join if you like, or you can do what I did – order a glass of wine to sip on while you stroll around the shop. If you end up leaving with another bottle of wine to take back to your room, plus three houseplants as souvenirs of your trip, well, don’t blame me.
Buenavista Latin Cafe – Greenwood
I’m a big fan of Cuban food, in fact, for my 18th birthday, when most of my friends were getting cars or cash, I asked for and received a trip to Havana. It was my first solo trip, and I spent a week reveling in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Old Havana. Don’t tell my parents, but it was where I had my first Cuba Libra and my first Mojito. You don’t have to travel all the way to Cuba to get your Cuban cocktail fix though, because Buenavista Latin Cafe in Greenwood has got you covered. I had both a Cuba Libre and a Mojito with my lunch, and when the drinks met the delicious food, with Latin music pumping from the speakers in the background, I could close my eyes and be transported back to my Havana holiday.
Good Times Brewing at The Mill House – Greenwood
For over ten years now, Good Times Brewing has been serving up stellar brews at The Mill House and in the Upstate area. Their taproom has an industrial feel and is the perfect spot to enjoy a flight or a pint. Some of their popular beers include their Blood Moon Ale, Hot Chocolate, and their Irish Whip, but their menu is always changing. Never know what you’ll find here! The best way to enjoy Good Times Brewing is along with food from The Mill House or their on-site restaurant. Their on-site spaces serves things like wings, sandwiches, and salads, but they also do brunch on Saturdays. This is when you can grab your favorite brunch cocktails like Mimosas and Bloody Marys! At The Mill House next door, you can get fantastic brick oven pizza.
Tap & Table – Laurens
If you love live events and fun outdoor spaces, then add Tap & Table in Laurens to your list. They have a variety of beer on tap with many choices brewed in North and South Carolina, and they also have canned beer to choose from. Not into beer? They’ve got a handful of wines to choose from. People typically love their burgers, but their food and drink options are always changing so check their menu before going if you want something specific. One of the big draws here is the variety of live events that they host. From live music and karaoke to stand-up comedy and trivia, they’re always doing something fun here. You can find the weekly schedule posted on their Facebook page.
The Lumberyard – Clinton
Located in a historic building in downtown Clinton, I’m sure you’ll love this lively craft beer & wine bar. The Lumberyard’s taps are always rotating with new options for local and regional craft beers, but they also offer some wine choices, including a couple from the nearby South Bend Winery. Visit on a Friday evening and you can enjoy some live music, but they also host events during the week like trivia, karaoke, and music bingo. Check out their Facebook page to learn which food trucks will be there!
Three Star Vineyard – Johnston
Three Star Vineyard is the perfect place to enjoy a wine slushie or a glass of chilled muscadine wine. This 100-acre vineyard is the largest grower of muscadine wines in South Carolina and has been family-owned and operated for over 30 years. They have over ten slushie flavors (yes ten!) plus a non-alcoholic flavor for the kids. You can even get a slushie flight if more than one flavor catches your eye. If you aren’t a fan of muscadine wine, they also have a few dry wine options to choose from. Their Bingo nights are very popular, and they also host live music on the weekends. In their gift shop, you’ll find specialty food items, home decor, and more to choose from.
This article was revised by Anna Cook in April 2025. She loves outdoor adventures and showcasing her trips across the US. You can follow her latest exploits on her blog.
