50 Best Bars near James Island

“The Pour House is one of my favorites venues in the country! The sound and staff are on point. The atmosphere is fun and full of local artists both music and paint. 10 outta 10 I do recommend. Thank you Pour House for all that you do for us!“

“This place is ok. We got the oyster, and I was surprised how unflavored it tastes, and I've eaten oysters around the world. The only reason I am giving this place a 4 star is because of the gumbo. OMG, the best I've ever had. Can't stop thinking about it. A must for everyone.“

“Thought I would be out of luck here attending a group outing as a vegan with severe lactose intolerance, but our group's organizer let Hall's know beforehand and our server spoke with me about my needs before taking drink orders. She offered me 2 options after speaking with the chef, and I got the salmon salad minus the salmon & cheese. It was one of the better salads I've ever had! I can't tell you how appreciative I was to have a filling, flavorful salad even after having to remove some items, when usually I'm just left with lettuce & tomato. Very appreciative of our server as well who was kind, friendly & attentive throughout. My only suggestion would be to consider adding another item or 2 that can be made vegan other than salads, not just for vegans but for people with common food allergies & intolerances to things like dairy, eggs, fish, & shellfish.“

“Bar 167 is everything you love about Charleston food and drinks in one chill, intimate space. Leave the packed tourists at 167 Raw and book a reservation at this gem from the same team right around the corner. Excellent cocktails and wine pair with creative and delicious seafood dishes meant to share. Bar 167 masters the vibe factor that always narrowly eludes 167 Raw. Come thirsty and often. Best downtown spot for lunch, ‘bar’ none.“

“The restaurant seems to be showing its age. The gnocchi is still great. The atmosphere, service, and other dishes are in decline. At the price point there are better options in Charleston. They have removed the lime cream puff from the menu, if you are/were a fan of it.“

“Fantastic food and service. We had the hush puppies, clam wraps, char grilled oysters, dark fried chicken. Also a couple beers and frozen gin tonics capped with a chocolate shake. All were fantastic. Only negative was the chicken was a little too bland for my liking. Oysters were incredible!Our server, Dorey was friendly and very helpful. Exactly the type of server I truly appreciate!“

“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!“

“Nico has amazing seafood and drinks. As well as dessert. Their service is amazing and very welcoming. Thank you for Noah our server for being great and helpful with all of his recommendations. Definitely eat their ice cream and brownie for dessert!!“

“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!“

“This is not one bar, but two-in-one. The first one (last saint) is a very relaxed, easy going bar with great cocktails a la carte. Once you are on there, you can ring the bell to the Annex. This is a more upscale cocktail bar, with a very talented bartender, who will mix a cocktail based on your personal taste - one among the best I have ever had.“

“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.“

“Really great Chicken Caesar salad and great outdoor area for a balmy evening bite. The Salmon BLT was solid too. Hidden favorite was their house honey mustard which we used on our fries. Service was great and the porch as I said, was lovely.“

“Really cool vibe! Lots of graffiti on the walls, murals on the outside, great selection of beer and nice signature cocktails. There are games inside and the bar opens up to the outside. We had chickens sandwiches, pork rinds and the Mexican corn was a must try. Food was hot and delicious and the service was friendly and fast.“

“I had Saturday brunch with my parents here while visiting Charleston. It was a lovely spot that felt very hip and had a cool vintage aesthetic to it. The food was amazing and tasted very fresh! We ordered the lamb burger, surfer delight, cauliflower wings, and a cocktail. I loved the cauliflower wings and the lamb burger came with sweet potato fries which were my favorite! The service was great!! Our waiter was so friendly and helpful with choosing dishes. We were also sat very quickly despite it being a Saturday and a busy crowd. The ambiance is so cute and I loved the vibe. It's a bright space with nice windows, a bar, and outdoor seating. Great spot that I'm glad we came across while visiting!!“

“In addition to excellent food, the waiters, Brandon and Nolan, were amazing. They provided fantastic service, were friendly, cordial, and always smiling. Simply stated, they provided a congenial atmosphere. The owner, Carly, came to our table introduced herself. She, too, was lovely.“

“Absolutely love Bar George!! Neat, retro decor with an open kitchen concept accompanied by fantastic cocktails. Highly recommend the Spanish Fly or their house dirty martini! Haven't tried all of the food options yet but so far the oysters and salads have been fantastic.“

“An absolute lovely experience. The waitress was very knowledgeable of the menu and made great recommendations. The she-crab soup and fried green tomatoes were great. The bourbon glazed salmon and low country seafood pirlou were absolutely amazing. One of the best dinners in Charleston. The ambiance has an old southern feel, with brick walls and old wide plank hardwood floors. You must try Amen Street Fish and Raw Bar while you are visiting Charleston.“

“Park & Grove is in the upper downtown Charleston area near Hampton Park. The location is not too crowded and they have a large lot available for parking across for the restaurant which makes it very convenient. The restaurant is decorated very nicely with Charleston themes and pictures and has a great romantic ambiance. For food, I really enjoy their daily specials, of which the bottomless mussels on Mondays and the smash burger deals on Wednesdays are my favorite. Great beer and wine selection available as well. Excellent choice for a date night outside of the busier part of town in a calmer relaxed environment.“

“Talk about a great time with amazing eats and even better hospitality. The gang at Bedford Falls are just stellar! Bar tender Roscoe is a top notch lad and the owner Brendan made us feel right at home. Can’t say enough about the food…just perfection. Try the Fried Chicken Sandwich! Hands down a place to visit if you are in town.“

“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!!“

“Visited Coleman Public House on Sunday afternoon. Great burger and Beet Salad. Great beer selection.Service was great too.I like a clean restaurant but my eyes were watering from the cleaning solution they use and the smell of it made it hard to enjoy the meal.Also, I can't help but mention that the silverware was what you might expect at Golden Coral not at an upscale Public House.“

“It's a nice hipster looking place with indie and alternative music in the background ? the staff is super friendly and you can see that they work as a team and get along ?‍♂️I tolerate spicy very little and well ? this place has very few menu options and several of them are, guest what? spicy ?️? however the good reviews and photos made us come ? the little I tried from my boyfriend's dish (Pad Kra Pao) it seemed to me that the meat was very well seasoned, and he was fascinated by his dish, the buns we ordered to share were delicious, sweet and soft, both the bun and the meat ?; my greens tasted sooooo good, we were impressed; the Jiao Zi were a surprise, I had never tried that flavor profile and I It seemed very interesting honestly but I also started to burn my mouth our waitress Natalie saw me struggling with water and my ginger beer and brought me ? milk like ❤️ it was the freakin’ sweetest and most considerate gesture on the ? because I knew that it would be spicy and I still took the risk and didn't ask for help but she was watching our table so she noticed it honestly super attentive not only with that but with her whole service during our stay, I am so pleased whenever I get actual quality services, 5 stars for Natalie ⭐️?We were satisfied in our tummies and our hearts ? (and had some leftovers to go ?)“

“I don’t go all the time because I don’t like spending money like that but I really like it here. I don’t love talking I just grab my tea give a nod and take a sip and give a thumbs up it’s an introverts dream. It’s never wrong so I never have to say anything.It’s nice to have somewhere so peaceful next to work. Makes me remember I’m human again or something.“

“Love LowLife and visit frequently. Recently had a baby and brought her today after the Sea and Sand Festival. The place was understandably packed. We didn't have a table and needed to change our baby's diaper. They don't have a diaper changing station on site. I changed her on the ground outside the front door on our changing mat. I don't mind doing that but it seems like a minor detail to accommodate the numerous families that visit locally and as tourists.Kid-friendliness: No changing tables on site.“

“Excellent service. Food was mostly fantastic. We had a variety of raw oysters, baked oysters, shrimp on a flavorful broth, fish of the day (Tile fish w an incredible cream sauce), shrimp and grits and flounder Milanese. The Flounder was breaded, crispy and pretty thin, so not very moist and frying kills many a fish. The tile fish was fantastic w asparagus and peas and that wonderful sauce, but the portion was tiny- maybe 3 oz, tops? Moist, flavorful but just not enough for $40+ . Maybe a cup of vegetables? Shrimp and grits were seasoned well- not overly salty, generous portion. My son, a crab cake expert, loved the slaw that came with the dish and scored the crab cake at 7.5/10 . A little too shredded, missing moist lumps of crab. Drinks were creative and good. Desserts were very tasty (a very good, moist cheesecake) but over-priced. Dinner a drinks for 4 of us was $400.“

“We were looking for a place for happy hour and oysters and have enjoyed the Bay St location so we thought we would give the West Ashley spot a try and so glad we did. We sat at the bar by the shucking area and learned more about oysters from Doyle than we thought possible. The oysters were all excellent and you must try the char-broiled oysters for an app. They were fantastic. All of the staff were very friendly and attentive and we really liked the home town, neighborhood atmosphere. If you're looking for a great place for oysters away from the tourists this is the place. Sit on the right side of the bar and visit with Doyle. You'll be glad you did.“

“A month ago, was able to reserve dinner for a big group of 20.Arrived this past Tuesday and Travis Parys (G.M.) did a great job in helping coordinate the 2 tables, staff (our server was Whitney and she did fantastic-sadly I can't remember the name of other gentleman at 2nd table). Everyone was thrilled with the drinks, service and excellent food. All stated they would return. Thanks for helping me make the start of our 3 day adventure in Charleston so perfect.“

“First ever and last ever review.. If you know you know. Long and short of it, this hotel is immaculate. Butler service, gourmet breakfast daily to the room, arrival cocktail's, complimentary mini fridge and one of the chillest, casual classy lounges I've been to. Imagine Johnny Cash, Karl Lagerfeld and Dean Martin opened a bar then hired the Kennedy's to Manage the hotel“

“Nice little place. Thanks to Jane, they were open, despite planned being closed for the night. Beer was cold and refreshing. Great conversation with the young lady. Despite her only working there once per week, she's certainly knowledgeable about the bar and the beers.“

“We had empanadas and Nikkei as our appetizer and they were so good! I can totally come and just eat on their delish empanadas.The kids ordered burgers and fries and we ordered their tacos and we enjoyed our meals! Come and check out this place if you are in Dorchester area.“

“Alex, the Exec Chef AWESOME!! She makes the best pickles in Charleston. Everyone at the Dewberry knows now how great they are now. Get them fast. She is due with their first baby in less than a month. Bought another quart.Thanks again Alex. Jim, St. Louis“

“It’s a dive bar but definitely the best bar we went to in Charleston. Strong pours, fun, happy patrons, friendly bar staff and just so good. If you are looking for a down to earth bar full of locals check it out and have a good time. Enjoy!“

“NEED SOME GITTY-UP?!Ms Roses specifically cocktails are an option. For brunch, highly recommend their Espresso Martini. Presentation is nice with moca colored froth & espesso beans on top. Nice balance of sweet, creamy, and bitterness of coffee underneath. Pleasant antidote for any carp fog you may experience after your delicious brunch meal.“

“Dropped by Fiat Lux to grab a cocktail in a state of depression which was the most rewarding decision of my entire life. The drink was standard but the service and friendship that the bartender Patty treated me to was a biblical experience. Not only is this handsome man a shining light with the most beautiful smile but he’s a beacon of wisdom and advice for anyone in need.I’m convinced he will go extremely far in any organization and any company will be blessed to acquire such an asset.P.S. Ladies, I think he’s single but the ice girl (Ryan) is pursing him aggressively, so move quickly“

“My girlfriend and I went there and had a little confusion on our bill. They looked into it, showed us what happened and everything was correct. But, they didn’t stop at “just correct”… the owner gave us two free beers just because WE were the ones confused. I can’t stress enough how kind the people who work there are. You can really tell they love what they do. They went above and beyond! We will definitely be back.:)“

“So glad I found this spot and only about 2 blocks from me! The food is amazing, I'm from Texas and they do their brisket just right! My favorite though was their pulled pork! They have so many sauces as well and all the employees I interacted with were so nice! I came during the masters golf thing and they had pimento sandwiches for sale as well ans they were spot on, I csnt wait to come back!“

“The dimly-lit interior is visually OK but not really conducive to a lively gathering. We usually get drinks here (top-notch service and sufficient pours) but have been slightly surprised by the few decent food options we’ve consumed. Live music here is very loud inside. The outdoor area is well-furnished and prime people-watching real estate.“

“We were seated right away on a Monday night. The restaurant was about 3/4 full and appeared to be doing a brisk take-away. Donna was our server and was friendly and attentive. Our food arrived quickly and were quite good size portions! My salmon was cooked perfectly and the Thai chili sauce was a great compliment to it. My husband's roast beef sandwich was stuffed full and he even liked the horseradish mayo they used. This place is definitely going on the list of where to eat in Mount Pleasant.Dietary restrictions: They offer gluten free and vegetarian options.“

“Fun rooftop spot with a trendy vibe and great aesthetics. They have indoor and outdoor seating but the court yard is definitely worth it if weather permitting. There is a great fire place for the cooler nights and overall is an excellent pick for girls night, bachelorette parties or any excuse to get dolled up and have fun cocktails and raw bar! A bit pricey but all the trendy spots usually are.“

“Amazing hidden gem. This little restaurant is delicious and right on the water. The food was fast, fresh and so tasty. The staff were nice. The inside is super cute and they have a little area of assorted goods to shop. Plenty of beer and seltzer to choose from!! Like other posts say you do have to park down the road and walk but it’s not far at all. You also get to watch the marina workers move boats with a forklift which is pretty cool. Great place! Will go again!Parking: You must park down the street off the road if you don’t have a marina parking pass.“

“We are more of week night people but we can 100% appreciate this amazing place over the weekend as well. Jeff, Hannah and Claire have made our night over and over again with great conversation, a huge depth of knowledge and the best cocktails in Charleston. We come here for every occasion and they make it special.“

“For starters, the bartenders couldn't be better. They handled a busy crowd in the most efficient and kindest way I've seen. Plus the drinks were great and the glowing ice cubes were super cool. However the food is what takes the cake...I got the 'Reindeer Chili' and it was amazing. It was like home cooked chili w the perfect amount of sour cream and toppings...plus the rice it laid on made the dish perfect. It would be an amazing dip too I bet ...The ambiance was totally on par for Christmas too“

“This place is a true gem. It's everything you want from a neighborhood bar including a great staff, good drinks and awesome food options. The local community that Lucky Luchador serves is warm and welcoming--as an out of towner I felt completely embraced by them. I wish I had a great spot like this near where I live, and can't say enough nice things about it. If you're lucky enough to live in Charleston, you won't regret visiting Lucky Luchador.“

“I love Art's - it may easily be one of the best burgers in South Carolina (just a plain cheeseburger, yes!), and the rest of the food should be tested very soon. Art's apparently serves mean chicken wings (happy hour on Wednesdays!). Service is great, atmosphere classic ...“

“Dang - I wish I would have found this place earlier!Really great tap list and killer singles selection - if you're a craft beer person, make this a must visit in Charleston! Chris was super nice and helpful and his little foster puppy in the shop was the goodest boy. Thanks for the tasty beers!“

“Came across this place because it was close to our hotel, but it was so worth the visit! We had a group of 9 and everyone loved their food, especially the fries & sauce. In addition to the food, the service was above and beyond! Jessie took great care of us and the other 2 staff were incredibly kind and attentive as well! If you're in Charleston, definitely check this place out!“

“The food is amazing. Fresh squeezed juices make for extraordinary cocktails. The service is so refreshing- thank you sincerely Hank for making every visit one we enjoy immensely. For all visiting- and I hesitate just a little to admit this- this is where locals go. If you like dive bar meets great music, food, drinks, and service- this is your place.“

“Great little neighborhood bar that was within walking distance to my Air BnB. It has a decent beer and wine selection. They have snacks as well. Vivian was friendly and had several suggestions for restaurants in the area. I was here early so no one else was in here but I'm sure it's a popular place. Wednesday nights is open mike night and live music every Friday and Saturday. Come check it out!“

“Wonderful dining experience from start to finish. The hostess was polite. Tyler (server) explained the menu and specials right away. He checked on us in a timely manner after each course. Our desserts were delivered to us by the manager Don. It was our anniversary and everyone made sure to tell us Happy anniversary. We got the signature hot rock as our appetizer. It was delicious. My husband got the dry aged ribeye and ai got the scallops. Both were cooked perfectly. We will be back!“