PAWLEYS ISLAND — When Erin Carachilo and George Eddis decided in May to buy Pawleys Tap House & Grill, they didn’t expect to also take over the smaller space next door.
But it gave them the opportunity to open The Crooked Cork — Pawleys Island’s only English pub.
The space was formerly occupied by Bourbon and Burnz, a cigar and bourbon bar. It’s now been transformed, with sports team banners hanging from the ceiling and a back room with four dartboards and Golden Tee, a golf arcade game.
It’s the kind of place where the couple first met in Philadelphia.
"This is how I met my husband," Carachilo said. "My husband worked in a sports bar."
The Crooked Cork is set to have a soft opening next Friday, and a grand opening will follow.
Carachilo described the pub as "casual, no-frills and fun," with simple and convenient food offerings. At first, the menu will include just five entrees: fish and chips, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, a pub burger with caramelized onions and whiskey aioli, and a pub salad with pickled beets, pickled asparagus and deviled eggs.
Appetizers will include Bavarian pretzels with beer cheese, Reuben egg rolls and potato nachos.
Carachilo said they had to trim the menu down to less than half of what Mike Cady, the pub’s chef, had originally proposed because the kitchen is small. But that’s alright with Carachilo — she’s of the mindset that less is more, especially if it’s done well.
Cady joined the Crooked Cork crew after working at Pawleys Tap House & Grill. He’s been a chef for 35 years and has worked in both the restaurant and hotel industries. He also opened a Cajun restaurant in Charlotte.
He said he’s confident the pub will be a hit with residents and visitors.
"Come summertime, it’s going to be busy. There’s no doubt, I mean in my mind, that this place is going to do well,” he said.
The Crooked Cork’s beer selection will range from a $2 brew to higher-end offerings such as Guinness. Customers can also order the Shabby Hammock, a pilsner brewed by Tidal Creek Brewhouse for Pawleys Tap House & Grill. Carachilo said 15 percent of Shabby Hammock sales go to a new local nonprofit each month.
In November, proceeds went to an organization that assists veterans. In December, sales will benefit the Waccamaw Neck library.
The building’s patio has been extended to allow for more outdoor seating, and TVs have been mounted so customers can watch sports from the deck.
Eddis and Carachilo are sports fanatics and plan to broadcast soccer, baseball, football and other games customers might request.
The pub will have special hours during soccer season. Because the games are often early for U.S. fans, Carachilo said it will open at 6 a.m. to serve beer and breakfast when soccer is on.
“When we lived in Florida, there was an English pub near our house and, like, (our) Saturday and Sunday ritual was to go to that at like 6:30 … in the morning for kegs and eggs, which is what we’re going to do here," she said.
When soccer isn’t in season, the pub will be open from 3-11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Thursday through Saturday, it will be open at least until midnight.
Eventually, the pub will host live music and dart tournaments, although it will be casual competition.
"You win pride," Carachilo said.