Top Charleston, SC Attractions & Museums

The Rooftop will be offering a Private outdoor lounge, set away from the crowd enjoy your own private space to enjoy cocktails with friends. The Private space holds 8-10 people. Please email info@vendueinn.com for more information

by Jason Zwiker originally published in DISH 2009 Winter

Sara Carter
The Library Restaurant at Vendue Inn Downtown. 23 Vendue Range (843) 577-7970

Long before arriving at the Library at Vendue, Sara Carter found her calling in a place called Humble Pie. Back in the early 1990s, this Raleigh, N.C., restaurant had a groovy, organic vibe, and locals were happy to wait in line for a table night after night.

Carter started on the wait staff, but ended up on the line in the kitchen, eventually buying fresh produce and fish at the farmer’s market and learning step by step how a meal comes together.
From that point on, a career in the culinary arts was a given. Specifically, she craved the heat of the kitchen. “I like the pace of the line, the action,” she says. With a laugh, she adds: “In the summertime, you could lose five pounds a night on the line.”

At the urging of a mentor, Carter applied to culinary school. She was accepted into the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA), but decided against the New York school after reading a description of students doing ice carvings on the Hudson River. “My southern bones weren’t going to take that,” she says. Instead, she attended the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Program at the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in the far warmer climes of Arizona.
Charleston’s southern element attracted her to town along with the city’s rapidly growing reputation in the culinary world.

Carter worked at Carolina’s and Duvall Catering prior to taking her current position in the summer of 2008. She has already caught the attention of many a food lover with outstanding presentations of classics like shrimp and grits and crab cakes. But that’s just the beginning, she reminds us.

“I’m ready to gain more recognition for the kitchen here at Library at Vendue,” she says. “I’m a southern girl, so that’s going to be reflected in the menu, but I’d also like to bring in some real creativity as well.”

Chef Sara Carter celebrates the Lowcountry and its food in a great way, and also serves a great selection of standards — from the classic shrimp and grits to a pan roasted free range chicken she will not disappoint.

NEW Happy Hour Mon-Fri 5-7pm

$2 Domestic Beer
$3 Import Beer
$3 Well Drinks
$4 Firefly Sweet Tea Drinks
1/2 Price Appetizers

There is no better place in Charleston to take in the panoramic views of the harbor and the French Quarter than from our unique rooftop bar.

The Rooftop Bar at the Vendue Inn is Charleston’s most scenic setting to meet for lunch, dinner, cocktails at sunset and music after dark. A landmark gathering place without the clatter and blare of clubs, its tempo is upbeat but doesn’t stop conversations. Bring good friends or make new ones as you enjoy your favorite drinks, the gentle harbor breezes and city lights set to music. Nightly Entertainment is available from 6pm to 9pm Wednesday thru Sunday.

This weeks entertainment line up is:
Monday July 12: Trivia Night with William White!

Wednesday July 14: Calvin Taylor

Thursday July 15: Grimm Bros Duo

Friday July 16: Soulfish

Saturday July 17 : Green Levels

Sunday July 18 Chris Sullivan

USA Today ranks Vendue Inn as 10 greatest places to rekindle connubial passion.

Article from San Francisco Chronicle

Hear what Reba McEntire had to say about her recent stay at the Vendue Inn…

Also, check out the reviews our Rooftop Bar recieved all the way from the West Coast!

One of Few Charleston Hotels Going GREEN

Vendue Inn Recently Featured in a Book Published about the history of Beach Cruisers!

Take in the giant oaks and surrounding antebellum mansions as you stroll through this historic park and gardens where pirates were once hanged.

Explore the grand grounds and home of this stately southern plantation where you can also picnic or join one of the marsh or river walks.

Discover the history of the first English settlement on the Carolina coast during costumed demonstrations or ranger led walks at this state historic park and working archaeological site.