After Hurricane Katrina slammed into Hayley Smith’s hometown of New Orleans when she was in middle school, her family relocated to Charleston. As the daughter of a restaurateur, Smith grew up in and around the food and beverage industry.
Destined for a career as a bartender, Smith worked in dive bars through college and beyond. Then eight years ago, in 2017, one of her regulars told her she would love the community and camaraderie at O’Brion’s Pub & Grille in Mount Pleasant’s I’On neighborhood. Once she made the move, she never looked back.
“It’s homey and comfortable here,” Smith said. “I love seeing the familiar faces of our customers. Plus, the team all gets along so well; we’re more like a family than coworkers. We have a great crew and our boss Chad is really down to earth. He cares about the employees and is easy to work with.”
When it comes to bartending in general, Smith said, “Since I can’t sit still for too long, I love the physicality of it.”
Being a foodie is a perk of the job as well, Smith said. While her customers enjoy savoring classic Irish cuisine like fish and chips and shepherd’s pie, French onion soup, sandwiches and salads, her favorites include the best-selling Philly cheesesteak and the chicken fingers, paired with a Guinness. As she noted, “There’s nothing better than a perfectly poured Guinness.” While the stout is her go-to year-round, she also enjoys a Smithwick’s red ale or an Oktoberfest brew during the cooler months.
In her spare time, Smith takes her dog Zoe to Hampton Park for picnics, visits art museums, goes antiquing for furniture, thrifts at the Pickers Hullabaloo and other flea markets and experiences new restaurants with her boyfriend.
Smith also loves entertaining at home, where she concocts seasonal and festive cocktails. This time of year, her signature drink is a red wine sangria with cloves, cinnamon, Grand Marnier and orange or a white Russian as something sweet for her girlfriends. During the warmer months, she makes white wine sangria with thyme and fruits or a blood orange margarita with her favorite spicy chili lime tajin rim. She said she is looking forward to hosting over the holidays again this year with her best friend.
O’Brion’s Pub recently completed a major renovation, transforming the former dive bar into a revamped pub with new bathrooms, ceilings and patio areas. The project aimed to update the restaurant’s aesthetics while keeping some menu favorites.
To view the menu at O’Brion’s, visit obrionspub.com or stop by at 361 N. Shelmore Blvd.
By Sarah Rose
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