50 Best Cocktail Bars in Charleston

“OMG, The food, service and overall experience was amazing. Dan and the guys behind the bar made sure it was an excellent experience. Will be going back every year on St. Patrick’s day.🍀“

“What an amazing place! Went without reservations..told them it was my 70th birthday! Got a great table for 2 in back dining room…food was amazing! Our waiter Brian was the best! When I was disappointed that the didn’t have an apple dessert I wanted he had someone go across the street to get me one with a candle on it! And Josh brought us a glass of champagne… they didn’t know us …just met us.. and treated us to make my night extra special! Try High Cotton you will love it! ( we had the Filet and crab cakes)“

“10/10 experience at Doar Bros! Trinity was genuinely one of the best bartenders we’ve ever had.

Rick ordered cocktails from the menu, while I basically gave Trinity free rein to make mine straight from her brain—and every single one was incredible. 😂 She made multiple cocktails for us throughout the night, and somehow each one was better than the last. She was creative, knowledgeable, personable, and clearly knows her craft.

The drinks were amazing, but Trinity truly made the experience. If you’re in Charleston and appreciate a really great cocktail, go to Doar Bros and sit at the bar. And if Trinity is working, you’re in very good hands.

10/10 drinks, 10/10 service, 10/10 Trinity. We’ll absolutely be back!“

“Had brunch today. Food was good. The chicken and waffle was really tasty.“

“This is a MUST!! It’s like a beautiful art museum as soon as you enter, beautiful exhibits!! It’s definitely a VIBE, mature crowd and the food was delicious!“

“Fabulous. And if you're impatient, the sro.. best service in the house!“

“Another fancy rooftop bar. It's nice and I'm sure it's great for hotel guests. Never got to try the food because the people I asked weren't my server and he just didn't bother to come by for half an hour or more despite everyone saying they would send over a server. Ended up going elsewhere to finish out our evening. Plenty of staff but not much ownership of customer experience.“

“We enjoyed oysters, yellowfin tuna, clam chowder, steak and the fish basket plus some delicious drinks! Service was amazing as well as the entire experience. Highly recommend!“

“The staff was amazing. It was our anniversary and the GM personally came to our table and poured us a glass of Champaign to celebrate. They also gave us a free dessert. The hostess, wait staff, and GM all took time to wish us a happy anniversary. The food was amazing as well! Overall it was a great dining experience!“

“Exceptional wine selections in self serve machines and an owner that is extremely knowledgeable about wines throughout the world! Great service and a wonderful positive vibe. I can't wait to go back!“

“Stepped out of our typical places to eat to try Azur and we were really impressed. Food, drinks, and service were all top tier. Pedro and Chris were great bartenders who made sure our experience was absolutely excellent.“

“Had a fish sandwich. Collard greens, slaw, fried oysters, and calamari. Outstanding. Collards off the chart. Service even better. 15/10 recommend.“

“We're from Louisville so we're used to southern hospitality and charm. Hyman's were above and beyond. Genuinely amazingly friendly and hospitable. The gm was on the floor, as I understand he is most nights, and personally came by and personally thanked us for coming in and choosing them. The service was fantastic and the food was great. They have an extensive menu and 4 different fresh fish on the menu that can all be prepared almost any way you want. fried, broiled, Cajun, scampi, jerk. Choose whatever you want. The hush puppies are fantastic and everything was well presented and well cooked. Pricing is very reasonable but not cheap, nor should it be for the quality of food and the exceptional service. Meals were about 25 to 30 bucks a person. That's pretty typical for a slightly higher end experience in most Midwestern towns and far far cheaper then the 40 to 50 a person you would pay at a more say "exclusive" restaurants. If you want posh elegance that's not what they offer. If you want great food, amazing hospitality, reasonable prices, and straightforward seafood you'll regret it if you don't visit Hyman's at least once during your time in Charleston. It's located right down by the old market, so spend the day/afternoon walking the battery and shopping the market, and then stop in for an excellent dinner. Expect about a 45 min to 1 hour wait. Since it's literally 3 min from the market you can put your name in and then browse the market. There is a convenient public parking garage about 4 minutes walk away. Thanks for the hospitality!!! Most friendly dining experience my family has had in years!“

“Dining at Living Room at The Dewberry is less about simply having a meal and more about experiencing Charleston hospitality at an elevated level. From the moment you enter, the atmosphere feels intentional, refined, and remarkably calm, making it one of the most inviting dining spaces in Charleston.

What immediately stood out was the balance between sophistication and comfort. The lighting, seating arrangements, textures, and overall pacing of the environment create a space that encourages conversation, relaxation, and presence. It feels luxurious without ever becoming overwhelming or performative.

The food and cocktails were beautifully prepared, thoughtfully presented, and aligned perfectly with the atmosphere of the property itself. Every detail, from service timing to presentation, felt polished and consistent.

What many people may overlook is how well the Living Room transitions throughout the day. During daylight hours, the space feels airy and restorative, while evenings settle into a richer, more intimate atmosphere that works beautifully for date nights, executive meetings, wedding weekends, and quiet gatherings alike.

As someone who works within photography and hospitality environments professionally, I pay close attention to atmosphere, guest experience, and presentation, and The Dewberry continues to execute all three exceptionally well.

For anyone searching for one of the best luxury dining and cocktail experiences in Charleston, South Carolina, the Living Room at The Dewberry is absolutely worth experiencing.

Perspective by
Monifa Basdeo with Picture Perfect Photography

#TheDewberry #CharlestonDining #CharlestonRestaurants #LuxuryHospitality #CharlestonSC #FineDining #LuxuryTravel #CharlestonFoodie #CocktailLounge #HistoricCharleston #CharlestonLife #RestaurantReview #CharlestonPhotographer“

“We had the most amazing night celebrating our 10th anniversary. The entire team went above and beyond and we left feeling so filled with joy—and OUTSTANDING food. Flavors that we never will forget and memories for a lifetime. WC team, thank you for making our first night in Charleston one we will never forget.“

“I found out about Southbound, through my job. I had to go do some work there, and found the owner and everyone there, super friendly. Most people at restaurants ignore working people while they are there. As my 42nd anniversary was quickly approaching, I decided to give this place a try. Some of my past picks, have not been the best. Southbound cleared EVERY hurdle I have about restaurants. From the moment we approached the restaurant, great service began! While coming thru the gate, the hostess yelled out, "HEY LARRY" and then said, "This must be your beautiful wife"! Like CHEERS, it felt great to go somewhere, "Where everybody knows your name" We were seated and got to view the open fire oven. I had dropped off 42 roses the week before for them to put on our table, for my wife. Tropical storm Debbie, and downtown flooding prevented us from going exactly on our anniversary. I was worried that store bought roses, would not last thru the weeklong delay, Joel assured me everything would be taken care of, and not to worry. As we were seated, there on the table, sat 42 roses. Fresh, and arranged with baby breath flowers included. I was told the young lady with the hostess had arranged them. They were gorgeous! They also had an anniversary card on the table from them, not something I had dropped off. The service was tremendous, the food indescribably outstanding! I have only had steak Tar Tar once before in my life, and was greatly afraid to try it again, as the first time was awful. It was superb! They take great pride in the presentation of their food products. I felt like I was in an episode of Master Chef. We had the steak, as well as the Sea bass, okra, corn, sweet potatoes, and the Caramel cake. Everything absolutely wonderful! This was a truly wonderful and memorable dining experience!! I would give 100 stars, and a Siskel and Ebert two thumbs up! There was only one thing I was disappointed about. No sweet tea! Were In Charleston SC, no sweet tea. Everything else totally made up for it though. The staff even had everyone present sign a menu, wishing us a happy anniversry1 I will most definatly go there again for a special occasion. Thanks to Andrew, Joel, and the entire staff, for making this night special!!“

“Stopped by on a whim. Excellent drinks, good food. Corn bread WONDERFUL surprise.“

“Unique cocktails; friendly knowledgeable waitstaff“

“Best seafood ever and I don’t particularly like seafood, but this was exceptional“

“Absolutely loved this place! The atmosphere is fun and welcoming, the drinks were fantastic, and the bartenders were friendly, fast, and really knew what they were doing. You can tell they put a lot of care into creating a great experience. Whether you're stopping by for a casual drink or a night out with friends, it's definitely worth checking out. Can't wait to come back!“

“Natalie was amazing. Great food recommendations! Nice conversation and vibe. Enjoyed the experience.“

“Lowlands was a fantastic find! I chose it because it was within walking distance to an event, though it wasn’t initially recommended. I was pleasantly surprised by the ambiance, food, and exceptional service. We sat at the upstairs bar, where Avery took great care of us. Thank you, Avery, for making such a great first impression! We’ll definitely be back.“

“The atmosphere was nice the food was amazing and the drinks were delicious! Also the dessert was yummy! Nice place to relax eat good food and unwind!“

“Amazing birthday celebration dinner.“

“Rosemary Lounge delivers a relaxed, inviting atmosphere with a touch of elegance. The cocktails are well-crafted and balanced, and the staff is attentive without being overbearing. It’s a great spot to unwind, whether you’re meeting friends or enjoying a quiet evening. Definitely a place worth returning to.“

“Share Our Suzy is incredibly grateful for Swig & Swine and their continued partnership in presenting our annual Denim & Diamonds event. Their commitment to supporting local breast cancer patients and giving back to the community means so much to our mission. Because of partners like Swig & Swine, we are able to provide real support to women in the Lowcountry during treatment. We are thankful for their generosity and for standing with us year after year.“

“Gin in my favorite libation…I’ll have to frequent this tiny bar more often.“

“Great music, happy hour, and staff!“

“This was our first time and will definitely not be our last. My father in law was in town and we came here and the experience was 12/10. The food was amazing, the drinks were beautiful and delicious and the staff was very kind and attentive.“

“Wonderful ambiance and service. Fantastic drinks!“

“Always amazing!! Cooking class with Chef Tyler was so fun!! Zero George is our go to in Charleston!“

“Thank you for having Charleston Society of Horror yesterday for our monthly meeting! We had a wonderful time. The food was great, service was even better and we will be back.“

“Absolutely the best steak and service anyone could ask for. We came across the country from an area where fresh steak is our dinner on a bi-weekly basis. This was a delicacy and Michael was amazing. I will recommend this restaurant on repeat!“

“We really wanted to give this restaurant the benefit of the doubt, but unfortunately, the service fell short. We had to go up to the bar a couple of times to get drinks even though we were seated at a table. Our server didn't seem very familiar with the special and mixed up tables a few times. We were also there for a special occasion, and the overall service felt a little impersonal. After having phenomenal service at another local restaurant recently, it made us feel like the experience here could have been much better. That said, the food was great, and we had absolutely no complaints there!“

“We visit Le Farfalle every time we visit Charleston, as it is a tradition for me and my son. We love the food and the atmosphere. We can’t wait to have many more trips together to enjoy there.“

“The food was incredible and our server, Courtney B was outstanding!! Courtney helped us select the perfect items and she made it fun!! Awesome!“

“My daughter and I stopped in tonight for a light dinner. It didn’t disappoint. The staff was amazing, especially Eric & Jacob. The food was tasty and my espresso martini (with peanut butter tequila) was a hit. Thanks for the hospitality and good times.“

“We were seated upstairs. Very pretty view! We ordered the bread, strawberry salad, I had the short ribs and husband had the steak and frites. For drinks-I had an expression martini and husband had a beer. Dinner was delicious! Short ribs were so tender and the potatoes were spot on. Our waiter was extremely nice and very helpful. Great experience and highly recommend. We will be back. Also got to see the stained glass ceiling on the way out. Very pretty!“

“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.“

“Absoluetly phenominal tacos. Too many great options to try in one trip, so no doubt you'll be back. I grabbed 3 diffefent ones but the the firecracker shrimp and fried chicken ones absoluetly stand out and I wish i lived closer. Great service, friendly an attentive staff, and a clean, welcoming environment. Well worth the trip!“

“This place has a very 50s classy vibe. They play old black and white movies on a TV in the background and the music sound system is great. Hands down, had one of my most amazing cocktails that i have ever tasted, Breakfast at Tiffany's. It is impossible to describe the flavor exactly but it had a slightly creamy texture and citrus flavors. And it was topped with a biscuit!! Love at first sip. I still dream about this drink. Bartenders were nice and helpful. I would not recommend the food. We ordered some sort of cheesy bread with a marinara sauce. Took way too long to come out, felt over baked, and very basic. Very dark inside in the evenings.“

“Little Jack's Tavern was such a treat! The staff was attentive without hovering. The seating was intimate and I really felt as if I was dining in the 1940's.

The cauliflower appetizer, house salad, crabs cakes, and cocktails were all delicious and expertly prepared. I wasn't expecting the cauliflower to be my favorite item and will dream of it until I can visit again (soon!). Easily shareable between three or four.

The crab cakes were tender, the salad crisp.

The cocktails - Corpse Reviver and Pims Cup - perfection! So many places have no idea how to mix or balance cocktails anymore. It is an art form and a mastered art form at Little Jack's Tavern.

Excellent experience on all front - atmosphere, service, quality, quantity.

We will be back and I'm getting that sweet little corner table for me and my sweetheart!“

“We adored this place! We accidentally found the downtown Charleston location during our stay there at a close AirBNB! We visited 3 times in our 2.5 days there. Then, we passed by the John’s Island location on our way to Kiawah and decided to make the 25 min drive the next morning for our coffee and pop tart fix! Great coffee, service, pastries, toasts and local drink and food finds!“

“Great food and service!!!“

“One of our fave places! They arguably have the best orange spritzes in the world! We're obsessed with the pickled shrimp toast and ham and butter sandwich! Oh and you must try the peanut drink. It's DELICIOUS! The staff is also always so friendly and consistent. 😍“

“My wife and I absolutely love this restaurant and come here as often as we can. It's a wonderful husband-and-wife-owned Italian restaurant, and you can truly feel the passion and care they put into every single dish.

I travel all over Europe and I've eaten at countless Italian restaurants along the way. I can honestly say this is the best pasta in the area—hands down. Every meal is consistently outstanding. The pasta is always cooked perfectly, the sauces are rich and flavorful, and every dish is made with care. We've never had a meal here that disappointed us.

The service is just as exceptional as the food. The staff is incredibly friendly, welcoming, and attentive, making you feel like family every time you walk through the door. It's the kind of place that genuinely appreciates its customers, and that shows in every interaction.

I honestly don't understand how anyone could leave anything less than a five-star review. This restaurant consistently delivers amazing food, outstanding service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. If you're looking for authentic Italian food made by people who truly care about what they do, this is the place. My wife and I will continue coming back again and again, and we recommend it to everyone we know.“

“A neat little speak-easy with delicious drinks and awesome service. Went here while on a pub crawl tour or else might not have found it! Had a Manhattan that was excellent and my friend had an Old Fashioned that he also highly recommends. It is a small area but very interesting and eclectic.“

“Had an absolutely amazing dinner at Matador! Delicious food and drink and we were SO lucky to be served by Sam! He told us incredible stories and gave us tons of tips of what to do! He absolutely made our dining experience something extra and I hope his manager knows what gem he is!“

“La Cave (next to Felix) completely lived up to the hype. The ambience is absolutely beautiful.. elegant without feeling stuffy, with gorgeous decor and cocktails that were just as impressive as the food.

Everything we ordered was incredible. The caviar biscuit was a fan favorite, and the filet tartine was by far one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life. It was a perfect balance of sweet, salty, spicy, crunchy, creamy, rich, and tender all in one bite. It was perfectly cooked and packed with flavor, I hope they never take it off the menu lol! Every cocktail was unique, well-balanced, and presented beautifully.

Also have to give a huge shoutout to our server, Tito, who was amazing all night. Super attentive, knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely made the experience even better. They also accommodated us adding two extra people to our reservation last minute, which we really appreciated❤

Hands down one of our favorite dining experiences in Charleston. Already looking forward to coming back!!!“

“If you're looking for dinner, this isn't it. This is an experience.

From the moment you step through the hidden entrance, you know you're in for something special. The intimate chef's counter, the interaction with the sushi chefs, and the attention to every detail make the entire evening feel personal.

The 17-course omakase was exceptional. Every course built on the last, showcasing incredible seafood, flawless technique, and creative flavor combinations( we opted out of the caviar and truffles but I can only imagine that took it to the next leve)l without ever feeling overdone. The pacing was perfect, and each dish was explained in a way that made you appreciate the craftsmanship even more.

Charleston has no shortage of great restaurants, but Sushi Bar has created something truly unique. It's the kind of place you book for a celebration, an anniversary, or simply because you appreciate world-class food and hospitality.

I've been fortunate to dine at some outstanding restaurants around the world, and this experience belongs in that conversation. Without question, one of the best dining experiences in Charleston, and one I'll be recommending often.“