47 Best Bars in Charleston

“The best, freshest seafood! Best fish taco i ever put in my mouth. And love the atmosphere!“

“Leon's is literally in my dreams! My boyfriend and I went there for the first time three years ago. It blew our minds! Affordable, delicious food, and such a fun atmosphere. We returned a couple of times on the same trip. We live in NJ... and set up a trip last year JUST to go to Leons. I am actually scared to post a review because I selfishly want to keep it a secret for my boyfriend and I. Man, if you like chicken and oysters... you cannot go wrong. Damn, now I need to set up another trip. :)“

“Simply perfection! The oyster selection is otherworldly. The chargrilled oysters the best Ive had in my life. (Florida born an culinary chef.) The peel & eat shrimp so plump and served ice cold I have craved them since I had them. The service was above and beyond. The atmosphere encouraged private chatter but also conversation with next table easily. Friendly and cheerful and above all excellent food served with smiles, suggestions, and ease. I will never visit Charleston again without making sure to dine here. (Do not eat the soup. I actually sent it back to the kitchen. Never have I had to do that. ) Highly recommend again and again for everything else.“

“Only tried the coffee and pastries for our first visit, coffee was 10/10 as was the cream puff, hands down the best I’ve ever had (it was overflowing with delicious filling)! With having a small child I really appreciated that they find & bring your order to you! Can’t wait to go back to try the other menu items!
Oh I also have to give a shoutout for the terrific napkins, they’re not the wimpy ones where you need 10 to wipe one finger!“

“I have a long, productive day where I celebrating accepting a new job with CPI Security and hanging out with Dad today who lives adlund the corner on Society. Both my parents came here back in the 60's. It was phenomenal and very enjoyable! They staff killer - very friendly. Also, I'm a former craft cocktail bartender with a fairly refined palette and that Manhattan was fire! 🔥✌🏼“

“Jenn was the best waitress I have ever had and I go to restaurants for fun. She was caring and was passionate! The buffalo Brussels sprouts were amazing and the shrimp Gnocchi was to die for!!! 10/10 would recommend and ask for Jenn!!!“

“Always a stop for me while in Charleston to see what new bottles they have on the bar. Neta was lovely. Cheers LS staff 🙏🏻

Edit:
Still my favorite spot to grab a drink and chat with friends. Staff still doing an awesome job“

“Had a great experience and stay… we enjoyed our time at the pool bar. Bartenders were very engaging and friendly.. great group and they make great drinks. Cozy and quaint.. just wish they played music around pool and not just on the bar side.“

“Get the ricotta gnocchi with the truffle service!“

“Hmmm I really enjoyed bar George but a few things probably keeps it from being one I’ll frequent. First they only had one variety of oyster. And it was ok. But then they didn’t have horseradish for it. I get that everyone wants to be fancy with mignonette but have a lil on the side for us common folks. LOL

Now all that said I also had a small peach Caesar salad that was delicious and the drinks have the best curly straw around!“

“I can't believe Legami wasn't on my radar until recently! We had an incredible dinner with outstanding drinks. The Legami Martini truly made its mark with the burrata-stuffed olives.

We tried the oysters, which were uniquely paired with pickled onions. The added crunch gave them an unexpected texture that actually worked surprisingly well together. The Shrimp Kataifi was another favorite. I had never had anything like it before but I do wish the portion included more than three shrimp for the price.

This was the best Gnocchi dish I’ve ever had. It was both creamy and flavorful. If Gnocchi isn’t your style, I highly recommend the Pappardelle Al Ragu. Overall, it was a great dinner with exceptional service and beautiful presentation.“

“Great food, prompt service. The polenta was wonderful!“

“What a perfect spot for some Saturday lunch!! Our waitress was the best! Emily took great care of us even though the place was super busy!“

“The Dewberry Charleston's rooftop Citrus Club is stunning, and I am totally obsessed with this place. I recently visited with my boyfriend + some friends of ours while in Charleston, SC and we had the absolute best experience!! Our waitress was so sweet - she was attentive, kind, and took excellent care of us during our visit. The atmosphere inside of the Citrus Club is so chic and luxurious, but their outdoor rooftop space is the reason you must visit. There are perfect views of Charleston's incredible architecture from every single angle of their rooftop (as pictured in this review). You are at the best spot in the house, regardless of where your table is located. For cocktails, I highly recommend their Spicy Margarita. Regarding their food menu, their Grilled Seasonal Vegetables and Hamachi Tataki are both excellent! :-) We will be back, Citrus Club - thanks for the hospitality!“

“Alex was just as superb as the food. Recommend this restaurant without a doubt!“

“Delicious food, great atmosphere and unique drink options. Highly recommend.“

“amazing food amazing staff get the fried chicken“

“I’m a Texas gal living here in Charleston and I’m particular about my Tacos! Had some friends stay at an Airbnb across the street and it was convenient so I finally went. I’ve now been twice in less than a week. Everything is so fresh. Well flavored. Delicious. Cocktails are lovely. Staff was helpful and attentive both times. Casual, fun, and yummy for my tummy! Go!“

“We visited Halls Chophouse for our first anniversary dinner last night. We were greeted by Billy and his staff with open arms! The service combined with the amazing food and atmosphere was a 5 ⭐️ experience. We are already planning our next visit!“

“Everything was a hit! Cheddar bacon fries with the cheddar dust, amazing. Black and blue burger, fried shrimp, and the Harlow, the best hands down. Then there’s the MASSIVE banana pudding. We live in Summerville, but will for sure be making the trip back!“

“Absolutely love this place! Zachary’s Daiquiris is one of the best hidden gems in downtown Charleston. The atmosphere is laid-back but lively, and the staff are always friendly and quick to serve. The daiquiris are perfectly mixed — strong enough to feel it, but smooth enough to enjoy every sip. My personal favorite is the Edisto, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of their flavors.

The music’s always good, the crowd’s fun, and it’s the perfect spot to stop by before a night out or just to relax after a long day. Definitely one of my go-to places in Charleston — highly recommend if you’re looking for great drinks and even better vibes. 🍹“

“Had the steak & cheese eggrolls, pulled pork nachos and pineapple passionfruit marg. All so good! Would def come back and recommend to others! 😁“

“Tucked away behind an unassuming facade, this spot is pure Charleston magic. Dim lighting, impeccable cocktails, and lowcountry charm create an unforgettable experience. The thoughtfully crafted drinks and a whispering vibe make you feel part of a well-kept secret. A true hidden gem—if you know, you know.“

“To the owner: the AC is set on 68 and pulling to 79. While the fans in the corners (moving air = imperative), you gotta upgrade the AC. Your staff is great…amazing. But these working conditions should have OSEA in here. Invest in AC…!!!! 😘“

“Dive vibes are off the charts here, such an awesome little gem. There was a live band playing and they were super fun. PBR is mandatory here as they are one of the largest sellers of 12oz cans in the country I believe. Crushed some tots here as well and they were perfectly crispy“

“Our server Tiyonna was incredible and we had an amazing time! The decor was so cute and the atmosphere was such a vibe. Drinks and truffle fries were delish and a dj performed started around 9/9:30 which added to the already amazing atmosphere!“

“This was the most amazing experience on our 10 day road trip! We needed "adventures " and they allowed us to put a a sign above their bar for our beloved deceased friend. it stayed up the entire weekend we were there. you have no idea how much we love amd appreciate you amd your kindness!!“

“Had a great time. I’m not someone who interacts with people unless I’m talked to first. But regardless of that they made me feel very welcome. Service was great. People watching was just as great. And I had a gorgeous girl who sat next to me and didn’t make me feel weird for existing. 10/10 recommend. Music isn’t too loud so you can have an actual conversation. And drinks are very reasonably priced. I’ll be back again.“

“An authentic neighborhood pub feel!!!!! Very friendly atmosphere!!!!! Nice beer and whiskey selection Wonderful food“

“Great ambience and open mics on Wednesdays“

“I went here with my cousin while visiting Charleston for the first time. We could not have picked a better place to eat. HIGHLY recommend the dumpwings and the pretzel appetizer as well as the Bubba burger. Incredible amazing food coupled with amazing service. Made us feel right at home. If I visit charleston again, I will be coming back.“

“We went to the Terrace Theatre's special showing of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me for my birthday and wanted to grab a bite first, but I wanted to stay REAL CLOSE to the Theatre on Maybank Hwy. I asked my foodie group for recommendations and read reviews here and chose this place because they have a Sushi Ninja popup on Wed-Thur-Fri. We LOVE SUSHI! And hubs loves whiskey!

Traffic was SO BAD it took an hour and a half to get to the Terrace from Goose Creek. Left at 4:45, parked at 6:15. Show at 7:30. This is why I stick close to home. But we hit Paddock & Whiskey and had the best time, great drinks, and excellent Sushi Ninja sushi! Best in Charleston? That's a high bar. But wow. This was excellent sushi. I ate a piece before the pic, it looked so good.

We got the Nigiri Mori at the recommendation of the amazing bartender, and I also got her favorite gin and tonic. Local, very fruity and naturally sweet. Lovely! The drink was good too LOL Seriously, though, the Tropical Gin from Beyond Distilling Company is sweet and fruity-good.

The Aburi scallop is not to be missed! I swear I got an almost Bleu cheese taste from it, in the most pleasant and pungent way. The A5 Wagyu was also a hit. The Bluefin Tuna, Hamachi, and regular scallop with smoked sea salt were all so fresh and delicious. It was all so good. The sushi chef came out since he was told it was our first time and was so kind and genuine in his appreciation for the fish. I am impressed.

The sushi was gone in a minute so we ordered another round and hubby was offered a discount dram (or 2) of a special bourbon and of course he couldn't say no. It was worth it.

The space is tight but that makes it cozy and sincere. I would totally hang out all the time if I were local. The outdoor seating is great, too.

This is an incredible locals bar tucked away in an art theater strip mall with an amazing sushi meal three nights a week. Where do I sign up? If you're in the area, check 'em out! If you're on the way, be patient and turn up the music. It's all waiting for you.

Would brave the horrific traffic again for it.“

“Best cocktails in Charleston!“

“Great service and food. Live music was awesome. Will be back!“

“Hotel Bennett is like a Ritz Carlton. Superior in every way.“

“Some gal pals and I went here the other month and from start to finish it was an absolute delight. As a seasoned veteran of sampling culinary delights I have got to admit it was one of the best meals and experiences of my days. Absolutely no notes.“

“Amazing food! My family and I went here yesterday during our trip to Myrtle Beach based on some recommendations I saw online...and this place exceeded all expectations!! All of us were beyond satisfied with our meals. Delicious flavors and good portion sizes too! We said we will come back to Myrtle Beach (from PA) just to come back here 😂. Great service, nice atmosphere, and the food is absolutely amazing! We wanted to get photos of our meals but we were so excited to dig in when it came out that we forgot all about photos! Go check this place out and see for yourself.“

“The aqua terrace bar is a really nice spot for a cocktail. The view is nice. The atmosphere is great. The bartender was awesome. Super friendly. They were having technical difficulties the night I was there so they didn't have food. So I can't rate that. But the drinks were great. The location was great.“

“We went just for drinks on the rooftop bar, but the service was wonderful and the rooftop was a very relaxing space! We went around 9pm on a Wednesday, so it was pretty slow. The drinks were fantastic! I suggest taking the elevator up if you’re a bit tired from the heat though, it is 3 flights up! I would definitely go back.“

“I went into this after flying in from CA. I wasn’t sure what to expected given there aren’t that many vegan options in Charleston, but wow! This place was great! The staff were kind. The food had so many flavors packed into it. I couldn’t believe it! And the cocktails were really good.“

“Silver is a great spot for cheap drinks, amazing staff, and great entertainment from live music to DJ’s late night. When you get tired of king st. Prices def make silver one of your stops it won’t disappoint. The outdoor patio was a great addition that was added in the last year“

“Among the best Keylime pie that I’ve ever tasted! The shrimp Poboy was delicious, and the scallops were amazing. Lightly breaded perfectly prepared!“

“Very good food and friendly staff.“

“We came for cocktails, so I can only speak to the drinks, service and atmosphere.

I had the Café Mole and the server warned me that it was more of a winter beverage, but I loved it!! It was just what I needed. I wanted an espresso martini but with a bit of a twist and this was it! I was worried there might be too much nutmeg or spice for my liking but all the flavors came together perfectly! You can only taste the chili in the after taste and it's very subtle. I would 100% get this drink again!

My husband had some sort of latte with bourbon and he thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not much of a bourbon fan, but I would've had that one as well. 🤣 Subtle notes that came together for a great combo!

Our friends had the Cosmos that were on happy hour and seemed to enjoy them.

The patio is kind of situated on an open lot across from a bus stop, so be aware that it's not super private. The indoor seating looked chic and clean.

We'd visit again!“

“Awesome place & great bartenders“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We had an unforgettable experience at the Thoroughbred Club inside The Charleston Place, and it was all thanks to our amazing waitress, Karla. From the moment we sat down, she went above and beyond. She knew we wanted to share an entrée and had it beautifully plated on two separate dishes without us even asking (a small touch that made a big impact).

But the highlight? Karla surprised us with a complimentary dessert to celebrate our anniversary, and it was genuinely one of the sweetest, most thoughtful gestures we’ve had while dining out.

The atmosphere was elegant, the service was top-tier, piano played in the background, and Karla made us feel truly celebrated. She’s the kind of person who elevates the entire experience, warm, attentive, and totally on it. 10/10, highly recommend requesting her if you’re lucky enough to visit!“

“Second time there visiting Charleston. We love the margs and service!“