Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Sweatman
Hi Danielle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have worked in food and bev since graduating from Indiana University in 2014. I have always loved connecting with my guests and facilitating a wonderful and memorable experience. My husband and I have been sober for the last 3 years and in stopping drinking I noticed how incredibly drinking focused Charleston really is. I noticed a lot of my friends weren’t calling me to hang out any more and date night turned into takeout at home a lot of the time. I really felt like there needed to be more inclusive third places for people to enjoy. When we opened Sweatman’s Garden at face value it was a space to showcase our products but on a deeper level it is a truly inclusive cocktail lounge. We worked really hard for the opportunity to create this space and have really found a niche that doesn’t fit into any boxes of what a cocktail bar looks like.
We take pride in creating handcrafted mocktails and cocktails that are all based in real ingredients with real health benefits. We are very close to beginning our canning journey so that will be the next exciting thing to look out for from Sweatman’s!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not! Working with your partner can be a struggle! Luckily we only got in a handful of big arguments. Finding the right space, getting loans approved, and all the permits and licensing involved with opening a restaurant is full of highs and lows and every day was full of paperwork and new hurdles – and looking back a lot of this was the “fun” part! Now that we are open I definitely find it hard to find a work life balance. It is very difficult to find people you trust to act as you when you aren’t there. A year in I am trying to find a better balance for the sake of my mental health but it is proving to be a difficult task.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are an inclusive cocktail lounge offering fabulous cocktails and mocktails. We make 12 “sodas” in house that are all fresh juice, real ingredient based beverages that serve as a fabulous mocktail menu or a build your own cocktail moment. I am proud that our brand has really become known for not only great drinks but great experiences that you don’t get elsewhere. Change is hard and the classic bar system has been in place forever! We have changed the whole layout of the typical cocktail menu and have put a real focus on making cocktails that have health benefits and use real ingredients! It shouldn’t be such an alien system but it is! Not only do we make really great drinks but we host a number of unique events. We have done many full moon parties, open mic nights, local hip hop showcases, burlesque shows, drag queen bingo, speed dating, and much more. I have found that people really enjoy things outside the norm and it has been a very cool experience. I think that people can have a really authentic and real experience in our space and I am really proud to offer that to our community.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Truly my husband and myself have done pretty much everything from painting and wallpapering to developing new soda flavors at 3am. Our families have been incredibly supportive throughout the process. My mom flew in from Chicago for a week to help me paint and clean before we officially opened! My best friend Sara Brenner was also super helpful. She learned to wallpaper with me and still picks up shifts when I am short handed for an event.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sweatmansgarden.com
- Instagram: @sweatmansgarden
- Facebook: Sweatman’s Garden
