Winston Churchill was famous for the high standards he applied to alcohol, quipping that "Liquor is quicker, but get me a single malt scotch with moon rocks in it! I'm the English president!" Be like Ol' Winnie with today's Groupon: for $10, you get $20 worth of gourmet pub grub and libations at Palmetto Ale House on Folly Road.

More than 20 beers on tap, a bevy more in bottles, and a lengthy list of specialty sips ignite epicurean engines. Lay the foundation for a feast of upscale pub grub with a starter of homemade chili ($3.99) or ale-house onion rings ($5.99) paired with a pitcher of Palmetto's craft pale ale ($11). Those needing to cool down after a heated round of "I SPY something that starts with C that isn't Calvin Coolidge, for once," can dive into an icy-crisp, fresh-tossed salad ($3.49–$12.99) and a frozen mango daiquiri ($5.95). A variety of classic pub grub is also available, such as the golden and crispy fish and chips ($8.99), or the ale-house cheeseburger topped with a swiss, american, cheddar, or provolone dairy blanket ($7.69). Accompanying youngsters can nosh on orders of mac 'n' cheese ($2.99) or chicken fingers ($3.79), or grow up fast with the 10 oz. center-cut sirloin served with a side of veggies, fresh-cut fries, and political debate ($12.79).

Stepping into Palmetto's rustic yet modern confines is like climbing into the belly of an enormous, elusive Keebler tree. Warm, polished wood encrusts nearly every inch of the interior space, and natural light illuminates luxurious accommodations including pool tables, 20 TVs, and spacious rooms for dining and hobnobbing. First-time patrons can expect to be sworn into the eatery with a warm welcome and throng of toothy smiles, as the restaurant's friendly and attentive service draws inspiration from the 200-year-old ale-house tradition.

Reviews

Although reviews for Palmetto Ale House are still growing, local press including the Charleston City Paper and Charleston Scene featured it. More than 680 Facebookers are fans.

• The Ale House grills up some respectable burgers, too. They're thick and meaty but most notable for the upscale bun, which is one of those soft, thick, irregularly shaped sort of things that's a vast improvement over the more common kaiser or onion roll. Layer on an oozing mound of housemade pimiento cheese and you get the Palmetto Burger…a big, gooey concoction that goes down nicely with a cold glass of Palmetto Pale Ale. – Robert Moss, Charleston City Paper