Urban Wren, Greenville Drive partner to bring ‘The Bellwether’ to former Liberty Tap Room site – UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

The team behind Urban Wren are partnering with Greenville Drive to bring an “elevated-but-unpretentious” concept into the West End space once occupied by Liberty Tap Room.

The Bellwether, planned to open in September, will offer a new take on comfort food in a casual setting, according to a release from Greenville Drive’s communications arm.

Urban Wren’s Nick Lincoln and executive chef Taylor Montgomery, together with McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture and Creative Builders General Contractor are working together to refit the 8,000-square-foot space at 941 S. Main St..

“Greenville embraced Urban Wren wholeheartedly when we opened two years ago, allowing our restaurant to thrive even amid a pandemic,” Lincoln said. “With that level of support, we are thrilled to expand with The Bellwether, a public house providing leveled-up pub food, seasonal ingredients, and a dependably top-notch experience at every visit. We hope our neighbors will join us for first dates, family meals, game-day gatherings; it will truly be a place where you can come as you are.”

Drive owner Craig Brown bought the space and announced plans in March to bring a new restaurant. He said Lincoln and Montgomery share his commitment to making the Flour Field experience everything it can be.

“This is a special day for Drive fans and the entire Upstate. Alongside Fluor Field’s 17 years of history, including the soon-to-be-completed conversion of Field Street into District 356, the Bellwether will add another layer to the ‘Entertainment District’ emerging in the West End,” Brown said. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome Nick, Chef Montgomery, and the entire Urban Wren team as our neighbors.”

Fun facts:

The Bellwether will be in the shadow — quite literally — of Flour Field, tucked in behind the left field fence.

It will offer a gastropub-inspired menu sourced in part from Taylor Montgomery’s 50-acre Montgomery Sky Farm.

What’s in a name?

“Bellwether” is meant to connote a trailblazing spirit of leadership.