"Azul 17 Mexican Cuisine & Tequila Lounge brilliantly personifies the restaurant-lounge concept with its sophisticated offering & modern design. The contemporary décor is complete with iridescent ocean blue tiles adorning the walls & sleek white leather lounge seating areas which create a cool and inviting atmosphere, reminiscent of hot spots found in South Beach.
We are very excited about bringing a refreshing vibe and dining experience to the area which we feel will allow our clients to relax, enjoy themselves and just escape for awhile without the need to catch a flight or travel into the city.
Of course, this cosmopolitan lounge would not be complete without the sensual sounds of downtempo-midtempo grooves to set the mood. Bring an open mind as our resident & guest DJ’s provide an eclectic mix of musical flavors that will move your mind, body & soul.
Azul 17 specializes in contemporary authentic Mexican cuisine which essentially means that our recipes are made from scratch staying true to the authentic flavors of Mexico and our Executive Chef, Damian Portuguez, prepares dishes using the latest culinary techniques. We are proud of our vibrant menu and guarantee that you will find many unique Mexican dishes at Azul 17 that you will not find at your garden variety tex-mex restaurant. Some of the contemporary cuisine you will find on the menu include a variety of tableside prepared guacamoles, sushi grade ceviches (citrus marinated seafood cocktails) and delectable small plates served family style. They are complimented by the authentic flavors and original recipes that Chef Damian learned from his grandmother in Mexico. Just like you would find in his grandmothers kitchen our empanadas, tamales, hand-pressed mini tortillas and desserts are made fresh daily in house.
Why Azul 17? “Azul” in English means “blue” which is the color of the Agave plant, the main source of Tequila and “17” is the owner’s life-long lucky number. Azul 17 is the vision of Owner, Julio Soto, a Cuban American and his wife, Lily Soto, who is from the tequila region of Jalisco, Mexico. Their vision has come to life as they incorporate their appreciation for culture and exceptional tastes in food, tequila, fine wines, design and music to create the ultimate dining destination. As true entrepreneurs this is not their first business venture however it is their first personally owned restaurant. For the past 10 years Julio & Lily have worked with other Mexican restaurants to gain experience and prepare for the opening of their own restaurant. They have owned a country western apparel store and still operate Lily's Latin Market on Dobbin Road in Columbia. They have always prided themselves in only using the freshest ingredients and quality products. The Soto's look forward to exposing and educating their guests about the cultivating and distilling of their collection of over 100 premium tequilas. You will find the number "17" throughout our offering, starting with our 17 fresh hand squeezed margaritas & international cocktails. Julio & Lily understand the importance of quality and that is why the Azul 17 Traditional Margarita is guaranteed to be the best in town because we use premium silver tequila, fresh hand squeezed lime juice and organic agave nectar! We also feature an eclectic wine list that has been hand selected by Owner, Julio, to pair beautifully with our cuisine.
As small business owners they are excited to finally provide a new hot spot in their community for dining, dancing, nightlife and a great ambiance for families & business professionals alike. The Azul 17 team of passionate professionals is dedicated to consistently providing our guests with superior service and a memorable experience that will only leave you yearning for more!
Mexican Cuisine our specialty, Tequila Lounge our distinction.
Salud!"