Slushies, ‘Trashcans’ and good vibes at Breakers Bar & Grill in Five Points

When Bradley Morgan opened Breakers Bar & Grill in 2012, he thought the bar formerly known as Dr. Rocco’s needed a few things: a thorough cleaning, some cosmetic work and a new name.

But the one thing he knew he would not change was the location’s signature drink – slushies made with grain alcohol.

“It’s a great drink to start off the night downtown with,” said Morgan. “They have been around for over 16 years at this locations – 12 with Dr. Rocco’s and 4.5 with Breakers.”

Flavors include strawberry, watermelon, mango and the original Blue Roscoe, which is not only a Dr. Rocco’s original but “the most popular by far,” said Morgan. “I don’t know if it’s the flavor or the color blue that draws people to it, but it outsells the rest by a long shot.”

Another popular slushy is the frozen version of a shot that’s a secret concoction of a variety of liquors, cordials and one can of Red Bull known as, well, “The Trashcan.”

“All of the slushies are made with grain alcohol except for the frozen Trashcan, which has just about everything but grain alcohol,” said Morgan. “The trick to taking it as a shot is the two straws. The liquor, cordial mix is poured over ice and topped with a can of Red Bull. As you slam the shot with the two straws you squeeze and pull the Red Bull can out – it has become a crowd favorite.”

Morgan said the bar’s busiest time of year is now, during football season.

“Anytime the Gamecocks are playing football at home we draw large crowds,” he said. “We charged a cover one Friday night before we played UGA. Our capacity (inside and out) is just over 225 people and we flipped it four times that night.”

And it’s all thanks to those delicious, and intoxicating, slushies.

“The slushies are a staple in Five Points,” said Morgan. “On a busy night when the weather is right we serve around 250 and on a good week we can sell over 800.”

As for the future of Breakers, Morgan said the goal is to continue providing a fun, safe atmosphere that caters to the college market and to strive to be the best bar in Five Points.

“In five years, I see Breakers still going strong,” he said. “I think as long as we keep doing all of the things mentioned above, Breakers can have a very successful future.”