913 Whiskey Bar and Southern Kitchen

Located at 913 South Chapman Street in Greensboro, 913 Whiskey Bar and Southern Kitchen specializes in whiskies, bourbons, cocktails, and Southern-inspired sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, and plates. Limited outdoor seating is available, and drink specials change frequently. The establishment is open Wednesday through Saturday.

For those who enjoy a good drink, the draw here is obvious: there are more than two dozen whiskeys (to say nothing of ryes and scotches and bourbons) from near and far and enough appealingly creative cocktails to inspire a mad quest to try them all. But even those who don’t imbibe can find a lot to like at 913. Don’t let “I’m not a whiskey drinker” keep you from giving this establishment its due.

To begin, 913 is a very comfortable place to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. Three different seating areas (bar, main, and patio) ensure that there is enough space to go around. The ambiance is classy without being stuffy: think somewhere between sports bar and martini bar with the friendliness of the former and the panache of the latter.

Service is another plus here. Steven, one of two bartenders on duty during our visit, proved to be quite knowledgeable and helpful in guiding my fiancée toward a whiskey. Instead of trying to upsell, he took the time to listen and explain and ultimately made a very good impression. Wait time for food proved to be minimal as well. Though it wasn’t crowded during our visit, all indications are that 913 runs a very tight ship.

Further, the food gives credence to the idea that “southern kitchen” is more than just an afterthought. The menu offers up both tried-and-true classics (wings, collards, okra, pulled pork, chicken and waffles) as well as some novel combinations (a gouda/mushroom/okra/garlic sandwich). My fiancée rolled the dice with The Farmhand (a pesto/tomato/mushroom/okra flatbread topped with two cheeses and various herbs) while I opted for a smoked mac and cheese (with pulled pork and tomato onion jam) sandwich on sourdough and tater tots. Neither of us regretted our decision. The sourdough held the sandwich together well, and the mac and cheese within was creamy without being overbearingly rich (the tomato jam added a hint of sweetness). The flatbread likewise offered a great fusion of flavors and textures. At $8 and $10 respectively, both dishes were reasonably priced and well worth the money spent.

Honestly, there is very little not to like here. The hours are somewhat limited (5 p.m. to 11 or midnight, four days a week), and if you don’t luck into a space across the street, finding parking can be a guessing game. That aside, 913 offers a good combination of food, service, ambiance, and affordability for whiskeyphiles and teetotalers alike.

8.75/10