The establishment on Washington Street off the square once known as Rich & Savvy Cigar and Bourbon Lounge has officially rebranded as 1442 Cocktails and Café.
After around a week of renovations, Richard Avirett, sole proprietor of 1442, was working the bar alongside employees as the business saw its first opening day on Monday, March 10.
Avirett said he expects to see a gradual grand opening, which will last through the week until Friday.
“We’re still getting the kinks out,” Avirett said Monday. “We’re still figuring out portion sizes and what works and what doesn’t work…it’s been hectic, but I’ve had lots of help. I’m thankful for it.”
With the reopening as 1442, the focus will shift from cigars and bourbon tastings to exceptional finger foods, superior drinks and live music. According to Avirett, the decision was largely shaped by his patrons – particularly the 56% of his female clientele, many of whom, he says, “all say the same thing,” in that they were deterred by the scent of smoke.
The name 1442, Avirett explained, comes from the establishment’s address there on Washington Street.
Background: From cigar lounge to café and superior cocktails
A native of a suburban area just outside Tampa, Avirett served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the 1990s and deployed to multiple combat zones during various campaigns. Following his military service, he built a career in the security industry before he launched Rich & Savvy in July of 2023. His goal: To fill what he saw as a gap in the Habersham and Clarkesville community.
Now, with the new transformation, Avirett is ready to elevate the experience even further.
1442 will open as a café during daytime hours (11 a.m.-10 p.m. – with lunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.), when guests can order coffee, charcuterie, oysters, shrimp cocktail, cakes, pies, desserts and other pastries.
After 11 a.m., the focus will shift to craft cocktails, made with what Avirett describes as “a high-end Atlanta mixology” approach – without the high-end prices.
“All of my recipes are handmade,” Avirett said in February. “We’ve invented them, so when you come here, you’re going to get a drink that you couldn’t get anywhere else.”
Live music will take center stage in the later hours of the day and nighttime hours, Avirett said, as he aims to bring in emerging talent from across Georgia and the broader Southeast. He also hinted that stand-up comedy shows could in 1442 Cocktails and Café’s future.
Future expansion
Looking ahead, Avirett envisions opening a modern-day speakeasy in the downstairs space – though access may come with an exclusive monthly membership. The area will also be available to rent for private events and gatherings.
As planned, 1442 Cocktails and Café will operate Tuesday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. until around midnight, in its 2,400-square-foot location in Clarkesville.
Ultimately, Avirett is clear about one thing: 1442 will not be a bar. Instead, he describes it as a welcoming space built on camaraderie and community – a place where people can come together to enjoy great food, drinks, and entertainment in a positive and inviting atmosphere.
