Johns Island cocktail spot Bar Copa offers flavors of the Mediterranean through creative libations and small plates. The work of F&B vet Roderick Groetzinger, the newcomer is a place for neighbors to gather over a limoncello spritz, a Jungle Bird, or an Italian mojito.

With more than 25 years of experience working in the food and beverage industry, Groetzinger has an idea about what types of bars and restaurants work, as well as the kinds of cuisines and drink cultures he’s interested in.

“There are a lot of people in my demographic that want that downtown-caliber experience of food and drink and vibes and culture without having to leave the island,” Groetzinger said.

Roderick Groetzinger wants his new Johns Island restaurant to be fun.

Inside a 1,600-square-foot space with tall, gaping windows, the island resident envisions a place where diners can share an assortment of small plates over craft cocktails. He hopes the food and drinks will spur conversations, with diners cutting into crudos or mushroom conserva here and taking a bite out of a Calabrian crab roll there.