Bar Rollins Brings Natural Wines to East Side in Charleston

Natural wine spot Bar Rollins officially opens the doors at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 24, at 194 Jackson Street in Charleston. The bar offers a selection of natural (wines made with the least amount of modern manipulations) whites, reds, and rosés by the glass with a few non-alcoholic options and snacks of meats and cheeses.

Owners Chris Rollins and Jess Vande Werken spent the past few years drumming up excitement for their bottle selections in Charleston with pop-ups featuring prominent chefs like FIG’s Jason Stanhope. They finally found an address for their “wine dive bar,” and it’s a charming establishment with mismatched bistro furniture, exposed brick, and shelves of colorful bottles.

Mike Ledford

Mike Ledford

Mike Ledford

The team renovated the space on their own with the help from architects and designers Evan Smith González and Diego A. González. The room was down to the studs when Rollins and Werken found the building. “It’s the first time I’ve done limewash or painted floors or ceilings,” says Rollins. Now it’s a spot for friends to gather in a casual, yet hip, room to sip selections handpicked by Rollins.

Mike Ledford

Mike Ledford

Mike Ledford

Located on Jackson Street with a slew of newer businesses like casual bar Tobin’s Market and fancy barbershop Circa, the recent establishment openings highlight the rapid changing of the East Side neighborhood, which historically housed lower income families and a large percentage of downtown Charleston’s Black population. With the lease prices soaring on King Street and in the Cannonborough/Elliotborough neighborhood, it’s expected that more businesses will begin to move into the East Side.

Bar Rollins is open Thursday through Monday, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.