This Charleston Bar Will Have You In Saint-Tropez In An Instant

If Brigitte Bardot found herself on this side of the Atlantic, we could bet you that there's a high probability we'd find her at Little Palm, the Saint-Tropez-inspired bar in Charleston's new Ryder Hotel located in the Historic District.

Immerse Yourself, Poolside

While you won't find a tarte tropézienne here, there's still plenty of elegance to whisk you away to the French Riviera—all while keeping you firmly rooted in the coastal charm of Charleston. This bar and swim club promises Lowcountry hospitality with a French twist. While immersing your body in the welcoming pool at Little Palm, you might notice their uplifting mantra on the bottom. "A good time state of mind" is theme of the day. Grab your bathing suit and jump in,

A 1950s Palette With A Modern Twist

The warm, pastel patinas—in this case, dusty shades of reds and pinks, greens and blues—evoke a stroll by the harbor on a sunny day, drink in hand. Slide yourself into a plush booth, kick back in a rattan chair, hop up on a bar stool, or lounge out by the pool with a colorful cocktail—ingredients like salted watermelon cordial, green cardamom, crème de pêche, and crémant promise something tantalizingly refreshing to ward off the summer heat.

Choose Your Experience

You might find yourself with a book under the shade of one of the dusty-red gingham umbrellas by the pool. But at the bar, a bubblegum-pink barstool awaits, as does the iced mint tea concoction. We're hedging a bet that Brigitte would have found herself on the second-story courtyard and pool deck. It's just the place to pop a bottle of champagne. In Saint-Tropez, you'll be hard-pressed to find a party that doesn't involve a healthy spray of it. Your view is trained on the swimmers below, where the glittering water beckons. With umbrellas dotting the patio, it feels a bit like something Wes Anderson might have cooked up.

What Are You Waiting For?

The best part about this new little jaunt? It absolutely delights at any time of day with fresh, seasonal dishes. The menu was developed by Gin & Luck of the cocktail institution Death & Co. in New York. If Charleston weren't such an interesting city, you'd have almost no reason to leave the property.

Your task now is to plan your trip so that you may plop down on one of those plush lounge chairs with the biggest, floppiest straw sunhat. It's not hard to imagine yourself floating through the French Riviera.