50 Best Cocktail Bars near Johns Island

“I won't repeat what everyone else has said; I want to say this place is great for vegetarians. Only one veggie entree -- the cauliflower with harrisa -- and it was one of the most delicious things any of us, even the meat eaters, had ever had. Four of the five appetizers, which are generously portioned, were meat free, so everyone feasted.“

“We recently visited Charleston and forgot to make dinner reservations, that’s when we happed on to The Royal Tern. Despite no reservations, they gladly seated us at a great table. The food was exquisite, everything from the Raw Bar, the fried shrimp, to the halibut. The halibut was prepared perfectly and was so unique; the ingredients worked together in delicious synergy. My cocktail was on-point, too. As a home cook, being able to watch the chefs prepare the meals was fascinating. Mad respect for their craft. Met one of the owners as he was making his rounds in the dining room, and he was a lovely person. He even printed a map w/shortcuts for us since traffic is so bad in the Charleston area. Highly recommend, will definitely be back next time we’re in town.“

“Don't let the casual look of this place fool you. The food and drinks are top notch. Excellent burgers, shepherds pie, house made ranch dressing, and wagyu sliders. The Brussels sprouts with goat cheese are a favorite. Prices are reasonable, and the service is excellent. Treat yourself to the cheese curds with gravy.“

“We had a wonderful time with our tasting and dinner during our trip to Charleston! They have some very uniquely flavored liquors. Additionally, Scotty, the bartender, and Chef Kiet were so welcoming, and knowledgeable about the food and drinks. We will definitely be back for future visits!“

“Love sitting outside and watching the boats come in and go out… ♥️“

“From the second we entered, the attentiveness and atmosphere of Doar Bros truly spoke for itself. Warm and welcoming paired with directness that was appreciated. They took time to take us through the drinks and food, and did not shy away from any questions.

Cannot wait to join them for another round soon!“

“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)“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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“

“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!“

“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“

“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!“

“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.“

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

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

“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.“

“come in as a stranger and leave as a friend!“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“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!“

“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! 🔥✌🏼“

“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.“

“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!“

“Great food and service!!!“

“Absolutely recommend if you are in the area! We hosted a private function of 20+ people in the upstairs dining area with a designated waitstaff and personalized menus. There was so much food and it was all so delicious we could not stop eating!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“