Leva Bonaparte SLAMS Craig & Austen’s New Bar, Accuses Them of Betrayal, While Austen Fires Back at ‘Untrustworthy’ Claims

Southern Charm stars Craig Conover and Austen Kroll are making waves in Charleston, South Carolina, by opening a new "neighborhood tavern" called By the Way (BTW). After collaborating on various ventures, including their Pillows and Beer podcast and investing in New York City's Carriage House restaurant, the duo is now partnering with Uptown Hospitality Group (UHG) to launch their bar on the city's trendy King Street. However, the excitement around their new business venture has sparked some controversy, particularly with fellow Southern Charm cast member, Leva Bonaparte.

In a recent interview, Craig and Austen shared their vision for BTW, which aims to cater to both locals and visitors in Charleston. Craig emphasized that the new venue would be an intimate space with an upscale tavern vibe, offering elevated bar fare and approachable cocktails. "Charleston has grown so much in the last few years, and we wanted to create a space where locals and travelers could hang out together and enjoy the neighborhood," Craig told Entertainment Tonight on January 19.

Austen also reflected on his longstanding desire to partner with Craig on a food and beverage project. “I just knew it had to be the right concept and the right time,” he said. “Uptown Hospitality Group is a huge part of Charleston’s social scene, and we’re thrilled to be able to work together to create a new cornerstone in the Charleston community.”

However, the announcement has not been met with universal support. On social media, Leva Bonaparte, who owns several bars in Charleston, including the popular nightclub Republic, made it clear that she didn’t see Craig and Austen’s new bar as friendly competition. In response to a fan who asked for her opinion on the upcoming venue, Leva initially took a positive stance, commenting, “We are very proud of our guys! None of us think that way! The more the merrier!”

But when a fan questioned whether she thought Craig and Austen’s new project was a real threat to her business, Leva’s tone shifted. She took to Instagram to express her frustration with the pair’s latest venture, claiming that they were using her business model to compete with her. “They’re using my blueprint to compete with me,” she said, suggesting that the new bar was a betrayal.

Leva’s remarks didn’t go unnoticed. Austen, who has long been known for his fiery personality, responded directly to accusations of being a bad business partner. A fan on Instagram had previously questioned his trustworthiness in business, and Austen fired back, saying, "Maybe him and Gandhi will go into business together!" before cheekily adding, “Until then, see ya at the bar!”

Despite the tension, Austen and Craig are standing firm in their excitement for the project. They’ve emphasized that BTW will be more than just a bar—it’s designed to be a place where people can hang out, lose track of time, and enjoy good company. They plan to bring in talented musicians to create a lively atmosphere.

With Southern Charm currently on hiatus, the drama between Leva, Craig, and Austen is adding a new layer of intrigue to the Charleston social scene. Fans are eagerly watching to see how the rivalry unfolds and whether Leva’s feelings of betrayal will affect her business relationships in the long run. While Craig and Austen are focused on their new venture, the tension between them and Leva could stir up more drama as the business world and personal relationships collide in the competitive world of Charleston’s nightlife.