Seneca has a new nesting place

Birds of a Feather is unique speakeasy Nestle in at Seneca’s newest hot spot

story and photos by Bill Bauer

{at top} Mary Tannery (left) is clearly happy to be working behind the bar at Birds of a Feather, her family’s latest business venture in the heart of historic downtown Seneca. • {above left} The popular charcuterie boards feature delicacies from Spotted Trotter Meats in Atlanta. • {above right} Birds of a Feather serves elevated bar bites including these hand-cut truffle fries with truffle oil and parmesan cheese (right), and a pimento cheese plate with pepper rings, crackers and mini-naan bread.

Cozy places … they’re everywhere.

My recent travel writer journeys have led me to more and more breweries, distilleries, wineries and cozy gathering places, where enjoying a craft beer, a glass of wine or a unique cocktail takes center stage. Tasty dining options also have been part of many of those discoveries.

Not be left out is South Carolina’s Upstate.

On Walnut Street in downtown Seneca, Jason and Mary Tannery recently opened Birds of a Feather, a fashionable cocktail lounge that is another example of the Tannery family’s commitment to being part of their beloved city’s revitalization.

While Birds of a Feather is new to Seneca, the Tannerys are not. Jason and Mary have owned M. Tannery & Sons on Ram Cat Alley since 1999.

“We were married in 1998 and bought a building housing a bridal salon before we even bought a house! We sold that one around 2010,” Mary said. “But Jason and I continue to invest in Seneca. We know how wonderful our community is and are passionate to continue adding elements to reestablish Seneca as the thriving downtown it was in years past.”

It’s not surprising that, in 2017, the couple bought the Lowery Byrd building (circa 1896) that houses Birds of a Feather. Renovations began in 2019. Their vision is aptly named “Seneca Reimagined,” and they cannot imagine living anywhere else.

Deciding on a name for their chic speakeasy was easy.

“Don’t worry ’bout a thing, ’cause every little thing gonna be alright,” from Bob Marley’s, ‘Three Little Birds’ was and is the theme song for the Tannery’s three sons, identical twins Calhoun and Lachlan, and Owen. Sadly, Lachlan succumbed to leukemia at age two, but during his life, the entire family found comfort in Lachlan’s affection for Marley’s classic song that was played during music therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina. “‘Three Little Birds’ for our three little birds,” explained Mary, noting that Birds of a Feather is also one of the family’s three businesses at 114 N. Walnut St. All are bird themed – The Nest, an Airbnb; Crown and Crest Events Center; and Birds of a Feather.

Throughout their travels, the Tannerys have frequented many quaint establishments, and the new eatery has all the elements of their favorite destinations. It is cozy and intimate, warm and friendly. It has personality.

Its seating for nine at the bar, table seating for 22 and soft seating for six affords everyone a place.

“We have so many great businesses in downtown Seneca, and we saw a need for something a little different. It’s all in the details. Once you’ve visited Birds of a Feather that statement will ring true, right down to our feather pens (we use) to sign receipts,” she said. “We strive to create a memorable experience for each guest.”

Birds of a Feather serves elevated bar bites, rare spirits and crafted cocktails.

The truffle fries are hand-cut and stacked using truffle oil and salt, and parmesan cheese. The charcuterie boards that feature delicacies from Spotted Trotter Meats in Atlanta are favorites of regulars who stop in for a bite and a libation from a crafted cocktail menu that changes seasonally. Sesame crusted tuna, seared and served over a bed of lettuce and avocado, and the pimento cheese plate with pepper rings, crackers and mini-naan bread should not be missed. For a finishing touch, one can add an assortment of desserts, several accompanied with berries and cream, and regular and spiked coffees.

Sunday brunch offers an assortment of traditional brunch items such as quiche, shrimp and grits, and daily features.

Whether one is looking in from Walnut Street or seated inside, Birds of Feather in Seneca has a “speakeasy feel” that is attracting even more folks to discover downtown.

SHADES • SHUTTERS CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS

“A new flock favorite is our waffle board. It has a Belgium waffle, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, freshly made whipped cream, maple syrup, preserves, butter and, of course, bacon,” Mary said. “You will not leave hungry, I promise.”

Birds of a Feather’s beverage menu includes beer and wine, in addition to its signature and crafted cocktails.

“We squeeze and cut fresh fruit daily for our crafted cocktails,” the owner said. “We’ve recently started making our own bitters, and we offer a beautiful array of glassware from vintage-inspired to our themed bird glass.”

Bourbon offerings are strictly top shelf and served neat, with a cube, or in specialty crafted cocktails. The Smoked Bourbon Old Fashioned, made with Bulleit Rye bourbon, soaked black cherries and smoked orange peels is outstanding, as is the Blood Orange Whiskey Sour concocted with the Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon, blood oranges, lemon and egg whites.

Muddled strawberries and raspberries combine with Tito’s Vodka to make the BOF Pink Lady. Figs, honey and blueberries are blended with vodka, gin, prosecco and ginger beer to create an assortment of distinctive cocktails. Espresso and chocolate martinis can satisfy the sweet tooth, but don’t overlook The Dude, which features Kahlua, Squirrel Peanut Butter Whiskey and heavy cream, all mixed to perfection and served in a peanut butter rimmed glass.

In short, “unique” is the only way to describe the signature cocktails at Birds of a Feather.

If you’re looking for a comfortable place to relax, imbibe and dine on lighter fare, stop in. For Sunday Brunch, call ahead to 864.614.8311 and reserve a spot. Birds of a Feather is open Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You can visit BOF’s website at tannerysbirdsofafeather.com or contact Mary by emailing mary@ crownandcrestevents.com or calling 864.723.4046. n

warm beetroot and goats ' cheese in shortcrust pastry with house salad

ANGELS ENVY - 17.00 BASIL HAYDEN - 14.00 courgettes, petits pois, fresh basil, tomatoes and mint wBASIL’S ith H lemonAYDEN TOAST - 19.00 dressed pea shoots BLADE AND BOW - 22.00 BLANTON’S - 35.00 slow-cooked beef in red wine, smoked bacon and mushrooms with roasted carrots, herb mash and crispy onions BUFFALO TRACE - 15.00 sea bream, mussels and king prawns in a tomato andBUFFALO saffron brothTRACE with rouille andKOSHER GruyèreRYE - 17.00 BULLEIT - 10.00 roast chicken suprême with mushrooms, courgettes, leeks andBULLEh IerbT wine saRYE uce- with10 mash .00 EAGLE RARE - 16.00 slow-cooked Brittany duck leg with dauphinoise potatoes,FO FrencUR h beans anROSEd S che rry or or8.0ang0 e sauce HIGH WEST - 18.00 fresh mussels steamed to order in cream, garlic & white wine with frites KNOB CREEK - 12.00 baked salmon & smoked haddock fishcake with tartare saKNOB uce and fritesCREEK or houseRYE sa - lad12.00 LEGENT - 11.00 MAKER’S MARK - 10.00 RIP VAN WINKLE 10 YEAR - 150.00 RIP VAN WINKLER 12 YEAR - 200.00 WELLER SPECIAL RESERVE - 18.00 WELLER 12 YEAR - 90.00 WHISTLE PIG 10 YEAR RYE - 30.00 WOODFORD RESERVE - 10.00 1792 - 15.00

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

114 N. WALNUT STREET SENECA, SOUTH CAROLINA 29678

When Experience Counts.

Serving Buyers & Sellers in the Upstate and Lake Keowee Since 2004