50 Best Bars in Charleston

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

“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! 🔥✌🏼“

“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“

“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!!!“

“Get the ricotta gnocchi with the truffle service!“

“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.“

“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!“

“Wonderful meal and fabulous service - looking forward to going back soon!“

“Love coming here for the Catfish Sandwich and frozen Cin and Tonic!“

“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.“

“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!“

“amazing food amazing staff get the fried chicken“

“One word for this restaurant's cuisine "DELICIOUS" and the customer service was "AMAZING". First time visiting Charleston, SC. I had the Bison, Sauteed Spinach w/ garlic and Mashed Potatoes. 😋 Recommended by my hotel, The Dewberry Charleston.“

“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!“

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

“Great little cocktail bar. Wide variety of drinks. Very intimate feel for friends or a date. I had a passion fruit Paloma which was good but a tad in the sweet side. The bartenders aren’t super chatty but they’re also super busy making drinks due to the variety. Would definitely come back to try more on the menu!“

“By far my favorite bar. I’ve been going here for years and have never been to a place quite like it. It’s my favorite spot for a night out dancing or just a drink with friends. I have always felt safe here as a queer person and know the staff will always have our backs to ensure our safety and wellbeing. My trans friends feel the most comfortable coming to this bar because of how amazing the staff is and the community within the establishment. I adore coming in to see Conner and David at the bar and they truly make my night. I will always recommend rec room to anyone that will listen. Thanks for making such a unique and inclusive space ♡“

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

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

“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!!“

“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.“

“We went to Peacock for my Birthday dinner and it was amazing! This was our first time here but we will definitely be back! Aaron was our server and was so attentive and gave us the best recommendations for food to try. He knew about everything! From the appetizer to the dessert, everything tasted great! We split the Steak Frites and got the Blistered Green Beans as well. Oh my goodness, they were both amazing! The flavor of the steak and green beans were so great. Finished up with lemon cheesecake with blueberry compote and it was so good! It was a fantastic birthday dinner!“

“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.“

“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.“

“Great BBQ. Fantastic sides.“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“Best cocktails in Charleston!“

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

“Awesome place & great bartenders“

“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!“

“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“

“Ella at the Thoroughbred Club was just lovely! She communicated clearly and kindly, making me feel welcome right from the start. Her attentiveness and warm demeanor truly enhanced my experience. I felt well taken care of the entire time. I genuinely enjoyed every moment. Highly recommend“

“The view is good! Service was ok at the bar and excellent at the table! “The most popular item on the menu” is Tuna Tower for $32 was just ok, really nothing special. However beef kebab was really good! Drinks are ok. Good for one-time visit and a few pictures!“

“I have been coming to Mex1 for about 10 years now. They have totally re-won our business by revamping the menu and food quality. The tacos are delicious and stuffed full, the variety of choices are better, and our experience the past 2-3 times going in person left us happy and our stomachs full. Highly recommend!“

“Very good food and friendly staff.“

“Went to the Pour House with my wife and a friend that lives nearby. What a find! I did not have any food there, but the drinks were very good, and the band was fantastic. We went on Sunday to see the "Motown Throwdown" and it was a blast. Kanika Moore was fantastic on vocals! Mike on sax and keyboard was a master as was the lead guitar player. He played 2 guitars and sometimes at the same time. One of the guitars was a regular guitar and one seemed to be digital. Corey on bass was very nice and a great bass player and the drummer was amazing too. They played Motown, Rock, R&B, jazz you name it. Great time was had by all, and we stayed until all their sets were finished. I will definitely be back!“

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

“Gorge was possibly the greatest host I’ve had At a bar. We mentioned it was our first time and he generously gifted us a shot that was absolutely wonderful. Each drink is so layered and personable that I feel like I’m tasting a story. Making this my weekly regular, even if just for Gorge’s superb company. What an incredible team and gem of a speakeasy. I understand what’s it’s like to really taste liquor instead of just consume. Amazing!!!“

“Was hoping to have a birthday party, but they don't do that anymore.. Now you pay per game per person cant bring any food only cake. It seems this place is only about money which I understand you gotta make money to be in business, but you should also be catering to your customer to a reasonable point I will never come back to this place again.“