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    Elsies

    4.5 (10 reviews)
    Closed 2:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Robert C.

    Last March I wrote a review for Elsie's, this new speakeasy in Rock Hill. Unfortunately it wasn't recognized as being for a new cocktail bar and it was instead posted as an Update for its "sister" restaurant, Kounter. I am now reposting this in its rightful place. (Fingers crossed, it remains here this time.) Rock Hill now has its own Speakeasy. In downtown rests a new clandestine hideaway. Elsie's is a wonderful place to spend an hour or an evening with guests. Part of the fun is finding Elsie's. It's next door to Kounter, directly across the Freedom 9 mural alley. But it's well-disguised, hidden behind a small sandwich and deli "bodega". The question to ask is "how do we get in?". Easy, just walk into the deli and give the cashier the secret password (hint -it's available on the Facebook and Instagram sites). You'll then be led through - no, I won't say, that's all part of the fun and adventure - and into the bar. The atmosphere is dark, romantic and serene (caution, cell phones must be kept on silent and no calls are allowed within the club). One side of the carpeted hall has a long bar counter with upholstered chairs, small tables are on the other side and larger group seating is available in the back. There is ample and attentive service, we sat at the counter and were well cared for. Elsie's has an excellent cocktail, wine and beer menu and also a selection of small food plates. We were greeted with a complimentary goblet of olives and almonds- classy! My wife asked for "something with mezcal" and was treated to an off-menu cocktail called "Naked & Famous". Delicious! (And now part of my home cocktail repertoire.) Elsie's is a great group or date-night opportunity just waiting for those of us who hate battling interstate traffic in and out of Charlotte. Check it out!

    Lavender dream
    Ashley J.

    Chris and Chelsea are the best bartenders!! They are so knowledgeable and will make you a cocktail custom to your needs/wants. This was my first time here and I had such a great time!! The vibe and atmosphere is so nice, very quiet like it should be and great for an intimate setting!! Such a great first experience!!

    Brittany M.

    If you are looking for a fun and unique experience in Rock Hill, SC, you've found the place! Delicious cocktails and great vibes, the entire staff is amazing! I come here often and never leave disappointed. Whether you are coming here for a beverage after work or out on a date, this is the place to go in town. 10 out of a 10. Highly recommend!

    Tiki Haze and Lavender Dream

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    3 months ago

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    15 days ago

    This place acts like you are not supposed to drink. We were having a great time then they decide we are not to be served.

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    Alicia F.

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    Ask the Community - Elsies

    Review Highlights - Elsies

    A friend recommended we do dinner at Kounter first and put our names on the list early for Elsie's.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Elk Ave Tavern - Yummy Brussels

    Elk Ave Tavern

    4.6(104 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    We had such a great experience here! We came in during the last hour before closing (which always…read moremakes me a little nervous), but everything was still super fresh, came out quickly, and never felt rushed. Ashley was our server and she was amazing -- very attentive, friendly, and gave great recommendations. She really made the experience even better. We started with the pork belly skewers topped with ranch, BBQ, crushed cashews, and pickled red onions -- 10/10. Huge portion and packed with flavor. The balance of sweet, tangy, and crunchy was perfect. The chicken Caesar sandwich was sooo good. It's a massive sandwich with a crispy chicken cutlet topped with Caesar salad, pickled red onions, and chickpeas. Fair warning: it's a little hard to eat because of the size, but completely worth it. The dressing leans more vinegar-forward than creamy, which I personally loved. I'd honestly order it again just as a salad. The truffle parm fries were another 10/10 -- loaded with parmesan and full of flavor. The stout braised beef melt was amazing. Tons of meat and the flavors blended together perfectly. Definitely a standout. The pub chips with added Cajun seasoning were okay -- not bad, just nothing super special compared to everything else. As longtime fans of their previous food truck, we're so impressed with what they've grown into as a restaurant. It's clear they've kept the quality while elevating the whole experience. We'll absolutely be back!

    came from Charlotte to try Elk Ave Tavern after seeing a TikTok food review claiming it had one of…read morethe "top five cheesesteaks," so I went in with pretty high expectations. Unfortunately, I left feeling very disappointed. I ordered the cheesesteak, which was the main reason for my visit, and it just didn't live up to the hype. The bread was soggy, the meat was very small diced instead of the ribeye-style cuts you'd expect from a good cheesesteak, and the cheese tasted more like Kraft than anything premium. Overall, it was very bland and lacked the flavor I was hoping for. For $18 and about a 20-minute drive, I honestly expected much more. On the positive side, the Brussels sprouts were amazing -- easily the standout item from my visit. They were flavorful and cooked really well. The fries were fine too, but fries are fries and it's hard to mess those up. The staff were very nice and attentive, and the food came out in about 10-15 minutes, which I appreciated. The restaurant itself is a small, quaint place located in downtown Rock Hill across from the public library. I didn't have trouble parking, but it was around 12:30 on a Wednesday and the lot and nearby street parking were both pretty full, so I could see it being tighter during busier times. I also noticed this location used to be called Sweet Tea back around 2020 when they served chicken and waffles, so it was interesting to see how the space has changed. The menu overall isn't very large, and since I mainly came for the cheesesteak and it didn't meet my expectations, I don't see myself returning. In my personal opinion, Cheat's Cheesesteak Parlor still has the best cheesesteak in Charlotte and the surrounding areas. I really wanted to love this place, but based on this visit, it just didn't deliver for me.

    Photos
    Elk Ave Tavern
    Elk Ave Tavern - Wedge salad

    Wedge salad

    Elk Ave Tavern - Buttermilk Fried Chicken

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    Buttermilk Fried Chicken

    Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails - Ahi tuna salad

    Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails

    4.1(258 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    We arrived at an odd hour, hungry and tired from a day of driving from early morning until about 3…read morepm. We were a little confused as to how to enter the restaurant, but I chalk that up to being tired. The space is wide open and airy, with large windows and skylights. The restaurant was nice and clean, save for something that was splashed on the wall in our booth - but it's a restaurant. There's going to be little picky things here and there and I'm sure it was wiped down by the end of the day! Our hostess was also our server and she was so knowledgeable about the menu. I took her suggestions at every turn and did not regret it. We started off with the Bang Bang Brussels Sprouts app and let me tell you - I could've eaten that as my entire meal. They are SO delicious and I'll be dreaming of them until I can return to Rock Hill. Holy cow, they were good - crispy on the outside, loaded with flavor and just enough spice to give the sweetness a little bite. So good. My husband had the country fried steak and he said it was very good. Not the best he's ever had, he said, but good enough. He wished there'd been more steak and less crust, but the flavor was right on. They were out of the salt and pepper flounder, so I changed my order to the ranch chicken. Ummmm....excuse me. Who says not to order chicken breasts at restaurants? The portion size is SO generous and the chicken is SO DELICIOUS that I, the girl who rarely bothers to take leftovers, boxed up what was left and brought it back to my hotel and ate it as a midnight snack. The grilled zucchini served on the side of it was delicious. If I ever get back, I'll ask if I can skip the potatoes in favor of more of that zucchini! We didn't really have room for dessert, but when we heard about the warm banana pudding, we were curious. DO NOT SKIP THIS DESSERT. If you're a banana pudding fan, this will blow your mind. Absolutely incredible! It's both warm and cool at the same time, caramelized bananas and a torched meringue topping were bowl-licking delicious. All in all, this was a fantastic experience and I wouldn't hesitate to go back.

    Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails in Rock Hill was such a great find and definitely earned a spot on our…read more"we'll be back" list! We started things off with the Louisiana Shrimp Toast and the Bang Bang Brussels Sprouts--both packed with so much flavor and the perfect way to kick off dinner. We also had to take advantage of their $2 frosé, which was absolutely perfect for these warmer days. For my entrée, I went with the Parmesan Ranch Chicken served with the most perfect mashed potatoes--comfort food at its finest. My husband ordered the Salt and Pepper Fried Tilapia with grits, topped with the most delicious tomato stew that had us both sneaking bites from each other's plates. Everything was absolutely delicious, and we already know we'll be back... because I still need a slice of that peach cheesecake! If you're in Rock Hill and looking for your next dinner spot, this one is definitely worth the visit!

    Photos
    Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails - Dinning room

    Dinning room

    Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails - Smoked Chicken Wings

    Smoked Chicken Wings

    Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails - Old Fashioned and Signature cocktail

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    Old Fashioned and Signature cocktail

    Kounter - Seared scallops

    Kounter

    4.4(312 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Brandy was our server and this was our first time visiting and she kept that in mind while serving…read more We were seated at a table about midway down the counter against the wall. It was a little dark though it was more quiet than the sunlit front. I ordered the Old Town Cobb and my husband ordered the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf and a Caesar salad. The focaccia croutons in the salad were out of this world delicious and different. Their flavor of the croutons burst in our mouth. The meatloaf's presentation was superb. Hubby said he would order meatloaf again. I had a bite and it was crispy and smoky tasting. My husband ordered 2 beers and the bill was under $50 which we thought was a good value. Pros: water served in glass tumblers. Menu is very creative. Food is really delicious. Location. Plenty of other spots to grab a coffee, tea or hot chocolate while walking around Main Street after eating. Cons: tomatoes under ripe in Cobb salad. Caesar salad dressing was more sweet than anticipated. Depending when you come, parking will be challenging if a person is unable to walk. Parking is generally plentiful around downtown Rock Hill within a short walk. Verdict: Both dishes were good. Would come back and would order them again.

    Kounter is a modernize restaurant that seems to be a renovation of an older soda jerk counter…read more Friendly welcoming and attentive staff . On the menu for today I chose the Blue plate Special ($23) OG, bacon wrapped meatloaf, swirl potatoes, veggie du jour, stewed, collards, steakhouse, vinaigrette, cilantro Crema. The dish was Tender medallions of meatloaf, wrapped in savory bacon. Topped with a steakhouse vinaigrette, tangy, and savory, which had an amazing flavor by itself, I just wish it added more to the main. Which was slightly bland. Unfortunately, this cilantro Crema had no hints of cilantro. The actual star of the show is the collard greens. The Collard greens has a subtle kick, which is amazing and flavorful, and gives that little extra punch. Hand slammed fries ($5) Parmesan - rosemary dusted, roasted tomato malt vinaigrette. Tasty especially with their house made ketchup, but unfortunately, the fries were a little on the soggy side. And a Blake's cider (5). crisp and refreshing. Perfect for a southern Carolina afternoon. Overall, food was delicious, but could use just a hint of attentions to flavor. I would definitely recommend you give Kounter a try. I would love to come back here again and try some more of their menu. Follow me on Yelp and Instagram @noodlesoupr as I travel the world in search of delicious food encounters.

    Photos
    Kounter
    Kounter
    Kounter - Cake stand slider Beef

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    Cake stand slider Beef

    The Pump House - Creamy scalloped potatoes

    The Pump House

    3.9(1.2k reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    It's been 9 year, NINE years since my last review so time for a re-fresh…read more It was a special occasion as Michelle got a job offer! We had a reservation for 5p on a Sunday. It was a bit chilly so we sat inside even though the outside patio was heated. It was a good choice because it was a little breezy. We shared the okra as an appetizer, it was as good as I remembered! They had a special which we both decided was good, surf & turf with NY strip and lobster tail. I also brought a bottle of Freixnet Cordon Negra which was so good! We were a bit disappointed that the steak we ordered as medium rare, came out rare on both our entrees. Overall it was a memorable evening and just what I had hoped for a special occasion!

    Came here for a graduation dinner and overall it was good. Early dinner time (4:45pm) and it…read morewasn't busy. We had a few issues though - I sampled two beers and never got to order a drink. Waitress just didn't follow up. My water sat unrefilled for a long time. Fried okra didn't taste like okra - but that suited a few of the party. But a few of us expected okra flavor only to be disappointed. Temp on the fried green tomatoes should have been warmer but overall it was very tasty. Our appetizer empty plates sat for a while - we even stacked them so it was clear they should be cleared. Ordered the salmon, which was good, but so did my mom. We ordered different temps and they couldn't tell which was which. Wife ordered a salad and for the price, there was barely anything there. Mac and cheese is still the star. Oysters were decent - I expected larger. The half chicken was a generous portion - nice crispy outside but a bit dry inside. I wouldn't order it (I almost did, but my one of our party did). One of our party ordered a stuffed leeks and it was so salty it was inedible. They did fix it and admitted it should have never left the kitchen. By the time the replacement came out it was after 6:05 (and they had to leave at 6:15). So they didn't get to eat their celebratory meal with the rest of us. Not the memory you want for a meal. Desserts were good. Tort was dense - honestly not sure if that's normal. Crème brûlée was very good. For a $400+ experience and our history with Pump House, I expected more.

    Photos
    The Pump House - All the pretty bar garnishes and bitters

    All the pretty bar garnishes and bitters

    The Pump House - Pork chop bone in with a port braised pears and crispy onions

    Pork chop bone in with a port braised pears and crispy onions

    The Pump House - The rooftop dining area

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    The rooftop dining area

    Ay Papi Tacos & Tequila

    Ay Papi Tacos & Tequila

    4.0(87 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    The Food: * Oxtail Taco: A disappointment--completely…read moreunder-seasoned. When you're paying for oxtail, you expect deep flavor, and this missed the mark. * Carnitas & Steak: Decent, middle-of-the-road options. Nothing to write home about, but they get the job done. * Chicken: Be warned--this has a serious kick. If you don't have a high heat tolerance, skip it. * Sides: The rice and beans were a major miss; way too much salt, to the point of being hard to finish. * Churros: Very good The Vibe & Service: The service was actually the highlight--awesome staff and a great atmosphere. They have a $5 drink special which is a steal, though it's definitely on the sugary side. The Bottom Line: It's a nice spot with fair prices, but the kitchen consistency just isn't there. If you're looking for a cheap night out and aren't a stickler for seasoning, it's fine. Personally, the quality of the food (specifically the salt and seasoning issues) means I won't be back.

    Heard a lot about this place from friends. We stopped by on Sunday late afternoon (open until 7pm…read moreon Sundays's). Waitress was superb! They had $5 Margarita special for the restaurants 5 year anniversary Some like it hot Margarita ( very flavorful ) Chips & salsa (tasted roasted) very good For tacos : The OG Heat wave (super spicy , be aware , I can handle spicy but this was over the top ) The Bruce Lee Roy La Bebe Verde El poker Churros It's located in downtown Rock Hill Free parking everywhere Nice cool place

    Photos
    Ay Papi Tacos & Tequila - Hair

    Hair

    Ay Papi Tacos & Tequila - Tequila selection

    Tequila selection

    Ay Papi Tacos & Tequila

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    Elsies - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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