Restaurant
Unclaimed profileHickory Tavern
Spartanburg, SC · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Hickory Tavern runs a beverage program built for range rather than niche depth. Eight specialty cocktails, all with branded spirits, cover rum, bourbon, vodka, and tequila bases. The wine list spans California, Italy, and New Zealand with 13 options by glass or bottle, and the beer side pairs 13 drafts with 13 cans and bottles. Non-alcoholic drinkers get five NA beers and a Cheerwine Dirty Soda.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Classic Old Fashioned, made with Maker's Mark and available smoked. For something lighter, the Carolina Copper Mule uses Tito's, ginger beer, and fresh lime, with flavor additions for $2. Beer drinkers should ask about local craft drafts.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Groups looking for a broad, approachable drink list with clear pricing will find plenty here. The mix of cocktails, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options suits varied preferences without forcing anyone into a single lane.
- When should I go?
- A good fit for game days and casual gatherings, especially when the group wants cold beer or a straightforward cocktail. Weekly beer bucket specials give an easy order for a crowd.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Specialty cocktails run $10.50–$13.50, with flavor additions at $2. Wine by the glass is $7–$16, bottles $25–$49. Draft beers are $4.95–$7.95, cans and bottles $4.25–$5.95, hard seltzers $5.95–$7.95, and non-alcoholic beers $5.75 each.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The combination of a full specialty cocktail list, a multi-region wine selection, a deep draft and packaged beer roster, and a dedicated non-alcoholic section with five NA beers and a Cheerwine Dirty Soda gives this program unusual breadth for a tavern-style restaurant.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Eight named specialty cocktails with branded spirits span rum, bourbon, vodka, tequila, and coconut water rum bases. Prices sit between $10.50 and $13.50, and the Carolina Copper Mule and Lowcountry Margarita offer flavor additions for $2. The Classic Old Fashioned can be ordered smoked.
Menu strengths
- — Eight named specialty cocktails with spirit brands and prices.
- — Cocktails include rum, bourbon, vodka, tequila, and coconut water rum bases.
Standout selections
- — Classic Old Fashioned — Maker's Mark bourbon, brown sugar, bitters, orange peel, cherry; available smoked — $13.50.
- — Not Your Mama's Cheerwine — Cheerwine, Bacardi rum, RIP cold-pressed tropical juices, cherry, orange — $12.50.
- — Carolina Copper Mule — Tito's handmade vodka, ginger beer, fresh lime juice; flavor add +$2 — $11.50.
Pricing: Specialty cocktails $10.50–$13.50; flavor additions +$2.
Wine
Thirteen wines are offered by glass and bottle, with 6oz and 9oz pours. Selections span California, Italy, and New Zealand and include sparkling, white, red, and rosé-style options. Bottles range $25–$49, and the list leans on familiar California labels alongside a few Italian and New Zealand picks.
Menu strengths
- — Wine list includes 13 named wines by glass and bottle.
- — Wine by the glass is offered in 6oz and 9oz pours.
- — Wine selections span California, Italy, and New Zealand.
Standout selections
- — Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay — California; 6oz, 9oz, bottle — $13 / $16 / $49.
- — Bisol "Jeio" Prosecco — Italy; 6oz, 9oz, bottle — $9 / $12 / $35.
- — Mohua Sauvignon Blanc — New Zealand; 6oz, 9oz, bottle — $10 / $13 / $38.
Pricing: Glass $7–$16; bottle $25–$49.
Beer
Thirteen draft beers with ABV and origin are joined by 13 cans and bottles, with hard seltzers listed separately. Draft pours come in 16oz and 22oz sizes. Local craft drafts are available by asking the server, and weekly specials include beer buckets.
Menu strengths
- — Draft beer list includes 13 named beers with ABV and origin.
- — Cans and bottles list includes 13 named beers.
- — Local craft draft selections are available by asking the server.
Standout selections
- — Wicked Weed Pernicious IPA — 7.3% NC; 16oz, 22oz — $6.95 / $7.95.
- — Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing IPA — 6.7% CA; 16oz, 22oz — $6.50 / $7.95.
- — Guinness Stout — 4.2% Ireland; 16oz, 22oz — $6.25 / $7.75.
Pricing: Draft 16oz $4.95–$6.95; 22oz $6.25–$7.95; cans and bottles $4.25–$5.95; hard seltzers $5.95–$7.95.
Nonalcoholic
Five non-alcoholic beers are listed at $5.75 each, alongside a non-alcoholic Cheerwine Dirty Soda. Coca-Cola products, sweet tea, unsweetened tea, lemonade, coffee, and Red Bull round out the non-alcoholic options, giving abstainers more than a token choice.
Menu strengths
- — Non-alcoholic beer list includes five named options.; Non-alcoholic Cheerwine Dirty Soda is listed.
- — Coca-Cola products, sweet tea, unsweetened tea, lemonade, coffee, and Red Bull are listed.
Standout selections
- — Athletic Run Wild IPA — non-alcoholic beer — $5.75.
- — Heineken 0.0 — non-alcoholic beer — $5.75.; Cheerwine Dirty Soda — Cheerwine, sweet cream cold foam; non-alcoholic — $7.
Pricing: Non-alcoholic beers $5.75; Cheerwine Dirty Soda $7.
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