50 Best Cocktail Bars near North Charleston

“Gave it a five but the food a four because of the spice. They did say it was spicy but wasn't expecting that level.The drinks were delicious, I'm glad they were pricey because I would have tried every drink on the menu.Bartender was nice and friendly. Will go back next time I visit area.“

“This place is great! Under new management so I’d avoid the old reviews since it just reopened and is no longer smoke filled. They have a limited food menu of common bar food, we had the the mozzarella sticks and jalapeño poppers and those were some of the best I’ve ever had. Nice pool tables, and the owners were there cooking and serving and were the coolest dudes ever! Great music too! I look forward to stopping by again.“

“You just have to get your butt up there and see for yourself. The people, the atmosphere, and of course…the more the merrier!! Attentive Bartenders and the owners are just the best! They’re sisters and ‘Oh So Country’ and so so sweet. You should know that smoking is an actual thing there. If u smoke, you can smoke inside at the bar, tables by the pool table, out on the back patio, anywhere, everywhere…u can smoke. And even if you don’t smoke….just know they will be. Smoke Eaters are up there doing what they do The girls crack the doors open and will turn on the turbo fan, whatever it takes to keep the air clear of as much smoke as possible..:. But, it’s seriously so chill there, always a good time, good laughs and memories that will make for some great stories to tell around the fire later and for years to come. I can say, I have never had a bad time or less than an awesome, fun experience there. And as you may have already gathered YES! I go there often!! Maybe u should too!!Parking: Just know there’s plenty!!“

“I went with 3 others on a sunny Saturday after attending Brewvival nearby. We were seated immediately, right at the front of the restaurant by the big windows that were streaming light into the bar area. This is a fantastic date spot and venue for small groups of friends who want to enjoy some good conversation. I am sure I will be back soon!“

“Try it try it try it only thing I did not like was the consistency of their version of hot sauce It was very thick like salsa The food was good and the restaurant was clean.Parking: The parking lot is shared with a grocery storeKid-friendliness: Hi chairs were available“

“I have been here several times for the live band and outside ambiance. Very nice what they have done with the place. My all time favorite item on the menu is the fried shrimp! They are so huge and delicious. One of my go to spots if I am out on the town.“

“I dined at Delaney oyster tonight, and had an incredible experience. Our server was Charlie (easy to remember, we have the same name) and he gave us an experience we could never forget. 10/10 I will be back and I will be asking for Charlie!“

“High-end steak/seafood restaurant vibe seems contrived. Waiter as much into selling as serving though attentive, informative and professional. Very busy but never felt rushed. Main dishes were very good, sides, part of entre, too salty to eat. Fast tempo pop music playing so more upbeat than quiet relaxing dinner. Large bar. My drink was strong and fairly priced so 5 stars there.“

“If you’re looking for great seafood in Charleston… look no further. Their staff were amazing and the food was great. Some stand outs: seafood tower, Hushpuppies,Shrimp, scallops, fried platter, and drinks. Being a family obsessed with seafood this was a stand out in our opinion.“

“Yes, it is as amazing as the others mentioned. You can stop looking for another cocktail bar now, this is on your must-see/try short list. With some of the best well-crafted balanced cocktails you'll find anywhere, coupled with an amazing staff, you'll want to visit again, trust me.“

“We devoured the most epic dinner at Azur Charleston last night to celebrate our anniversary! If you haven't been, get ready for a taste bud explosion! We started with fancy cocktails that made us feel like high rollers, then feasted on an Azur burger with beef braised in burgundy on a croissant bun - it was like a party in our mouths! And don't even get me started on the lamb wrap with Boston lettuce and crème fraiche, it was like a flavor bomb went off! The service was top-notch, especially when we sat at the bar and got entertained by the bartender's fancy mixology tricks. What a night to remember in downtown Charleston!“

“The burger and fries were DIVINE!! There was an outdoor patio by the bar. The bartenders were very knowledgeable and excited to talk about the building and city’s history- it was so nice to talk with them!! I didn’t catch their names but thank you to both of you for all the additional information and conversation!“

“Absolutely fantastic experience at The Establishment. The food was really awesome, but what really set this restaurant above its competitors was the level of service. All the wait staff, everyone, was phenomenally well trained and did an exceptional job. This was our first time going, but it's now on my short list of favorite restaurants in Charleston. Very, very highly recommended.“

“When you walk into High Cotton, you immediately feel like you are having a quintessential Charleston experience. It's a very pretty restaurant in the heart of downtown. All staff is very attentive, friendly and accommodating. It's quite popular and was very crowded and noisy on a Saturday night. It does have a fun vibe. There was even a live band.Now, for the food. Unfortunately, the food is underwhelming. We give it 4 stars because the ingredients are obviously high quality and fresh. The lapse comes in the cooking.She crab soup was nice and creamy, but lacked crab flavor. The addition of some salt helped, but it just wasn't spectacular. Broiled oysters were too salty, and the combination of flavors with the Serrano ham and manchego didn't quite work. Halibut was a beautiful piece of fish, but came with a rather small amount of very subtle lemon butter sauce. It depended almost entirely on the smoked trout roe that topped it for flavor. The tile fish special was also very fresh, but the "leek sauce" accompaniment was so paltry, you didn't even notice it. The potatoes on the side were bland. Interestingly, the sautéed spinach that came with it was very tasty. Shrimp and grits was fresh, but also bland. We've had better at the pub across the way. The duck was interesting - smoked. It was tasty, but again, all one predominant flavor. Bread was fresh and warm but did not have much flavor. Desserts sounded great but were unremarkable. Chocolate silk pie was rich, but we've had better. The passion cake, which should have been a riot of flavors with mango, passion fruit and pineapple, was bland. You could barely taste the fruits.Overall, it felt like the chef's main purpose was to serve fresh food very simply. However, the cooking showed no finesse, and generally lacked flavor. Things were oversalted or undersalted, and nothing had a complexity of flavors. For the price point of this restaurant, you can do much better at several other Charleston restaurants. As friendly as the staff was, we will likely not go back, unless the food improves.“

“I come here all the time and have nothing good to say about the servers, food, and atmosphere. Sometimes they have live music which is really a plus!!! Located right on king with a great happy hour and great cocktails!!! Rachel was my server/bartender tonight and she did a great job! The cassara is best in town!!!!“

“Absolutely love this place. Service was amazing the staff have a family type vibe. I felt right at home after sitting down. The atmosphere is really light and beachy with a great DJ to go along. Some of the best seafood in chsrleston the oysters and fish won't disappoint.“

“Made a reservation at Maison for our last night in Charleston. It was a wonderful meal from start to finish. Our server Allie was fantastic, lots of detail about flavors and highlights of the menu. The food was great, chef had different takes on classic French dishes. Maison will definitely be on the list of restaurants to visit when we return to Charleston.“

“Wish I could give 10 stars! The food was elevated but comfortable! I felt like a local as soon as I walked in with my group! Barkeep service and drinks spectacular. fyi if you go order the torch cooked bacon … something I didn’t know I needed in my life!“

“10/10 experience and we will definitely be back! Our server was wonderful and the entire staff was very friendly and helpful. The food was top tier and the scallops were the best I've ever had! We shared the mixed berry cobbler with strawberry cheesecake ice cream and it was out of this world! I cannot say enough about The Peacock..absolutely amazing!“

“Out of this world. If you are looking for the best spot in Charleston for a wonderful dinner with your partner, this is the only option. The varied dining locations provide plenty of reason to go back for round 2 as well.All of the staff are super professional and knowledgeable. We were greeted with champagne, a rose, and a card since it was our first anniversary. We dined on the back patio which was nice and secluded with only three tables. Every course was top notch and we paired it with a different one of their phenomenal cocktails for each.Seriously this place can't be beat. Stay at 86 Cannon and go here for as many meals as you can.“

“It was our first time at the Citrus Club and we were quite impressed. The roof top is intimate and very comfortable and offers a 360 degree view of the water and Charleston. We had the warm crab dip that was completely lump crab meat and delicious. We also enjoyed , and would highly recommend the rice bowl with jerk chicken and the perfectly prepared grouper sandwich. Kudos both to the chef and our server, Bree, who greatly enhanced our wonderful dining experience. Having been to several others, we vote this the best rooftop bar in Charleston.“

“Swig and Swine has the best barbecue in Charleston! The food and the service are amazing. I usually get the brisket or pork and it is delicious. The staff are very hospitable as well. I’d definitely recommend trying it out if you’re in the area.“

“An old quaint building in Charleston that was beautifully updated. I would recommend to sit at the bar with a view of the kitchen! The food was creative and balanced…everything was excellent. The wine pairing was amazing and exceeded the value of what we paid! Definitely will be back!“

“My husband & I decided to have date night here a few nights ago & it was such a wonderful dining experience! The food was so delicious - full of yummy spices & flavors. The cocktails were also some of the best we've had in Charleston!! The bartender didn't disappoint with several sweet designs in the cocktails, too! :) Make sure you ask for Kristin when booking a reservation! She made our dining experience even more fantastic!“

“We had Fantastic service and amazing steak. The Hot Rock appetizer was fun!Best steak and mashed potatoes I've ever put in my mouth and beer on tap was delicious. The very best though was the service, I hate I forgot his name but he was a gentleman in his early 30s, with glasses and dark hair. Give that man a raise! What a great waiter.“

“My wife and I stumbled upon this great place in the heart of the French Quarter. Exceptional service, great food, and a very cool Charleston pub. We shared the fish and chips, and also the house chips with their ranch dressing for dipping. Wonderful.“

“Do yourself a favor and eat here! I happened to locate Bearcat on a whim and my wife and I decided to eat here for our 1 year anniversary. From the food to the cocktails, there was not one item that we disliked. We started with the Grilled Oysters, Smoked Maitake Mushrooms & Duck Liver Toast. The oysters were perfectly cooked and had an incredible earthy/savory taste. The maitake mushrooms were tender with a hint of smoke & the duck liver toast was point blank the best I have ever had in terms of quality, texture and taste. We then moved on to the Hamachi Crudo, Crab Rice & Pork Belly. My wife could could not get enough of the Hamachi Crudo & Crab Rice with the uni hollandaise. The pork belly was perfectly cooked with a fantastic amount of fat cap that made it melt in your mouth. For cocktails, please do yourself a favor and order the "That's My Jam" as every sip will make you feel like you are biting into a PB&J (if you are into that thing). Thank you again Bearcat + crew for making our 1 year anniversary dinner nothing short of perfect!“

“London was amazing. Friendly, and fast! She anticipated our needs, made great suggestions for our entrees and was very timely with our refills. Thank you for the excellent service!An unexpected surprise was the staff singing happy birthday to my daughter. Thank you again.“

“Wow, what an incredible restaurant! From the service to the atmosphere to the food, gee, it really hits all the marks! I want to express my gratitude to the incredible staff for making my visit absolutely incredible. I’ve talked so highly of this restaurant, and I haven’t even mentioned the incredible, high quality cups. From top to bottom, this may be the best restaurant ever!“

“Need reservations , this is an upscale restaurant and to enjoy the experience always nice to dress well but casual is fine here as well. The tables are well spaced out and the bar and tables are well spaced out They have a number of great waiters to help decision making as there are many interesting signature dishes The drinks and desert menu was good as well We had the steak verde and the cauliflower as the appetizer and the gnocchi, potato crusted grouper and peel Milanese as our main course Great service !“

“Wonderful meal prior to our show! I had the clams with house made linguine and the pasta, buttery seasoned sauce was delish. My husband had a lamb meal and it was excellent. My daughter had a small plate as her meal and her girlfriend had a Cesar salad! Drinks were phenomenal and so was the service. Our waiter was very attentive and we even got a visit from the Maitre d! We will definitely be back.“

“Great bar/lounge in a relaxed setting on King's St. Nice ambiance to kick back with friends over modern cocktails. They take pride in their house made infusions and unique cocktail recipes. Over the top mixtures and formulas make up some of their wild flavorful concoctions! Bartenders are nice as well as the wait staff.“

“Stepping into Neon Tiger is like stepping into a dream world. The vibe is so wonderous! It's almost like stepping into a relaxing vegan tron-like world. If I am having a bad day, all I have to do is go to Neon Tiger and it is instantly all better! The food is amazing! I have enjoyed all of the staples and the specials and I have tried every item I could. I absolutely love that I don't have to ask for no straw in my drink! I love all the decor! Even if you can't get a table here, sitting at the bar is a pleasure! The staff are so friendly and do a great job of juggling all their duties while giving awesome service! I should have left this updated review ages ago but sometimes words are hard to come by when a feeling is not fleeting. Below you will find my original review in 2020 right after Neon Tiger opened. I will never forget you Neon Tiger! You have definitely been a beacon of hope for animals and helped steer me in the right direction! Thank you!!Been looking for a vegan pepperoni pizza. Surpassed my expectations! Not only is it vegan but it's the best (NY style) pepperoni pizza I've ever had!!!“

“Can't beat a double espresso for under $3. $2.50, in fact, which is why we went (and why we went a second time later that day) . Staff is friendly and unpretentious, along with the rest of the vibe. Bagel sandwiches looked amazing. Clean bathrooms and great outdoor seating, too. An amazing find! I hope they keep it real.“

“Everyone already knows about the glory of Babas on Cannon where it all started, but this new GEM Babas on Meeting will be a Charleston Staple for years to come. They have way more space to have a little more intimate conversations and also have outside seating.You MUST try the bottled cocktails such as the Aperol Spritz or Gin & Tonics.I also say they have the best chocolate brown butter cookie in all of charleston hands DOWN.Thank you all sooo much for all that you do for us every day!“

“Izzy was the best!! The entire time, she checked on us many times, came by after we settled up to see if we changed our minds and gave us multiple options for the most popular drinks and her favorites. Izzy is the kind of server you want every time you go ANYWHERE!!!The owner also came by numerous times to ensure we were comfortable and cared for.My family and I will 100% be back to see her and the staff again next time we come to Charleston! Best bar in the C-Town!!“

“Foodie here. This place is really spectacular if you’re into French food with a southern twist. The Mac and cheese is outrageous. The restaurant is very cool. Great music. Bordeaux by the glass. Nice bartender. Classy but not pretentious. From what I’m told this is more a locals fav. Surprised I don’t see it on more lists.“

“This was the final restaurant that I ate at with a group of friends while we were on Sullivans Island last week. This very well may have been the best restaurant that we ate at. It’s definitely hard to get a reservation here so act early. For good reason because the food is excellent as is the service. I enjoyed the seafood curry dish. Located right off the main strip. We rode bikes up there and had Aab experience. Overall five star review.!????‍♂️“

“Lost Isle is a gem! Unique ambiance and patio / fire pit vibe pairs well with the all wood-fired menu. Open kitchen concept is fun to watch. Delicious, innovative cocktail menus and cocktails on tap. The chicken is to die for, as is the curry collards, polenta, and the whipped ricotta. My wife said one of her favorite spots in Charleston at any price! Of course, picking the right night/weather to go is crucial, as this is entirely outdoor seating. Dress appropriately. This is THE woodfired vibe in charleston (most definitely not Southbound, this is half the cost and twice a good!)“

“Amazing tour by Alexander! We went to Louisville and went on a bunch of tours and this tour was 1000x better! Whiskey lovers will really enjoy this. Go at 2pm when they're still distilling. Really interesting to hear how they started and picked the red corn grain. Good drinks too in general. Gin gin bang bang was a good gin drink!“

“This place is a gem! Awesome local taproom. Great selection of beers - IPAs, stouts, sours, they have it all. The bartenders really know their stuff, and is a Bills fan, who helped me pick out some winners. The vibe is chill and friendly. Definitely a cool spot to kick off a night on King Street! ??“

“Our son's wedding rehearsal dinner at Red Drum was truly exceptional, and I can't praise it enough. Every aspect of the evening exceeded our expectations. The staff was not only professional but also warm and friendly, ensuring that every guest felt welcomed. The food was outstanding, receiving numerous compliments for both its variety and quality. The manager went above and beyond to accommodate our requests, making us feel at ease throughout the entire event. Words can't express how pleased we were with our experience. Red Drum has certainly won us over as lifelong patrons, and I'll confidently recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience.Parking: Not a ton of parking at the restaurant, but plenty of on street parking in the surrounding neighborhood.“

“The cocktails are fantastic. Whatever your preferred libation pleasure, they can make it or have a rendition of it that's probably better than your standard.The one food option (a Cuban when we were there) was great and a nice little bit of substance to the belly while we continued to order their well crafted drinks.Like others have said, they make quality cocktails efficiently.Definitely hit this spot. You will be glad you did.“

“The Livingroom at The Dewberry is my go-to spot for a fantastic dining and hangout experience. The bar's beautiful ambiance, relaxing environment, and live music on Saturdays create the perfect setting for breakfast, dinner, or late-night drinks.The food is truly phenomenal, with the best vanilla latte and fresh daily pastries in the city. Chef Jenn's "From the Bakery" selection of three pastries is a must-try. Don't miss out on The Brass Bar's secret menu; the Sazerac is a personal recommendation.Having dined here numerous times, I can attest to the consistent excellence in service, food, and ambiance. The Livingroom at The Dewberry remains an outstanding choice for any occasion. Highly recommended!Dietary restrictions: The staff at The Livingroom at The Dewberry is exceptionally helpful with dietary restrictions, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable dining experience for all patrons.Parking: The Livingroom at The Dewberry offers convenient valet parking complemented by attentive bellhops, making your arrival and departure a seamless and enjoyable experience worth sharing with others.Wheelchair accessibility: The Livingroom at The Dewberry is wheelchair accessible on the ground floor, ensuring a welcoming dining experience for all.“

“The restaurant staff did a great job making accommodations for me and my wheelchair. Despite being busy, the bartender came around and helped me clean food off my chair and arm after one of my fits. Thanks to Abbi for a great first Yobo Cantina experience.Wheelchair accessibility: The space has enough flexibility to accomodate wheelchairs“

“Absolutely the best dining in Charleston!This is not just a meal, it is a full experience.Servers are so knowledgeable and the sommelier is extremely helpful in pairing cocktails and wine throughout the dinner.The food is decadent, so well thought out, and beautifully structured.My husband and I dined here on our honeymoon last October and I loved it so much that my girlfriend, who is having her bachelorette party in Charleston, and I are coming to town a day earlier than the rest of the group just so we can dine here!“

“We stopped by here for some fish tacos and had a such a great time, we came back a second day for the same thing.The first day we got a platter of two tacos - one Mahi-mahi, and one Fresh Cath, which was Red Snapper, with the street corn. Kaylor was most kind and knowledgeable.Day two we ordered 2 Red Snapper tacos (not pictured) on corn tortillas (highly recommend) with the rice and beans. At first, we were brought Mahi-mahi on flour tortillas, but Lucy figured it out and we ended up with two free tacos! The Red Snapper was more tender, less chewy, and more delicious. Service was awesome!Pineapple Habanero Margarita is magic.Wheelchair accessibility: Not“

“The shrimp omelet was absolutely amazing, I had to simply close my eyes and melt into my seat after the first bite. The Biscuit was a little dense for my liking and the grits weren't creamy, they were pretty watery and gritty. My husband liked his sweet heat chicken a lot and the sausage gravy biscuits he loved. The vanilla coffee was way too milky, couldn't even taste any coffee. The service was great, the young black male with braids who waited our table was friendly, attentive and quick. I would certainly go back.“

“This place is all about ambiance, the crafted bars and tables and decor are such a fresh treat for Charleston. And the food is fantastic! Great beans are proof of great food. The Tequila selection is probably the largest I have ever seen! Well Done!“

“Excellent meal. Service (Jane) and atmosphere. Seared tuna and salmon excellent. And unlike most places today very good sized portions. The pork belly dumplings were delicious. Could have eaten more..more..more of them. First time here but will definitely be back.“