50 Best Cocktail Bars near Sullivans Island

“the food and the staff are all amazing! thoroughly enjoyed it!!“

“The food was pretty good.“

“Exceptional friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Wait staff extremely knowledgeable. Food delicious and well presented.“

“Group of 7 with 2 birthdays, and we were greeted with a complementary round of mini frozen painkiller shooters! Our server was incredibly knowledgeable and helped us through the menu, she clearly enjoys her job!! I ordered the Wreckfish special; incredible! Others in our group loved their meals as well. We will certainly return on our next visit.“

“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.🍀“

“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!“

“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!“

“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!“

“Great rooftop bar at The Dewberry Hotel. Hostess checks you in fro the Guinness and gives you a “pass” to take the elevator to the 8th floor. Another hostess greets you and seats you. Just outdoor area with panoramic views of the city. Small intimate seating indoors with a few booths, bar and counter seating. They do have sharables , sandwiches, salads, and sweets but we were there for the beverages. Great place for a real cocktail. I had “white Album”. It was the perfect cocktail. Large, clear ice cube, appropriate glass ware, and garnish…and the flavor! One of the best cocktails Ive had in a very long time. Great mix of flavors; not too sweet, not too boozy. Refreshing and yummy. My husband was also very pleased with his selection, the pineapple-jerk Old Fashioned. Again, great mix of flavors. Enjoyable without any one component overpowering the other. And did I mention the ice? It’s amazing. If you’ve ever tried to make clear ice cubes, you know it’s quite the task. They have mastered it. The ice was (almost) as amazing as the cocktails. Staff was friendly and professional. We will definitely be back for another round… or two! Check it out, you wont be disappointed!“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“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.“

“I was visiting my daughter in Charleston and we had dinner, the drink menu had great choices and I particularly enjoyed the Gold Rush, the crab stuffed cannoli appetizer was the perfect starter before the outstanding ribeyes we both had! The real star of the show here is the Assistant Manager Jacqueline, she was very accommodating and her smile and pleasant demeanor made you feel right at home. I will be back every visit to Charleston in the future, well done👏🏻“

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

“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!“

“Amazing birthday celebration dinner.“

“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!“

“Great food! You can tell the products are fresh and made with pride! Had the tuna eggroll special, best one I've had! Sat outside but fans were on and was a nice night. Service was good. Will go back when visiting SC again!“

“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.“

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

“Great music, happy hour, and staff!“

“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.“

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

“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!“

“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.“

“Wonderful ambiance and service. Fantastic drinks!“

“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!“

“I had high hopes for this restaurant as this was my first visit here. As you approach it from the outside it is very nondescript with tinted windows. It is a bit off to the side and down a small road which opens to a few places of business. Once you open the door you enter into a beautiful dining room with a glass hostess stand and well appointed tables and chairs. The lights appear to be a blown glass with led lights in them and they give a really nice appearance. We had made a reservation and they had a nice corner table waiting for us. Initially the service was excellent. One server came immediately and gave us water and a few minutes later the primary waitress came to ask for our drink order. We were ready to place our order and selected the raviolo al uovo, something I have never tried before. It was one ravioli about 2 inches in diameter with mushrooms, a nice ricotta cheese filling, egg yolk, and brown butter. While not listed on the menu it seemed to be topped with pancetta, something I don’t eat. This should be listed on the menu.
The appetizer was quite good and was served very quickly. Almost as quickly as we finished it a young man came and immediately cleared the small plates and silverware, replacing it with new silverware; something many restaurants no longer do.
The food seemed to take a short while but since we already had an app we just enjoyed people watching. When the entrees came out my wife and I noticed the nice presentation and the good portion size. I had chicken parmesan and she had beef bolognese tagliatelle. While both dishes were ample portions the chicken parm was a bit overcooked. It had a light coating which seemed to be egg based. When you cut into it the coating separated from the chicken and fell to the side. This is not common with this dish. The coating was a bit overcooked and dark. The bucatini was as is typical al dente. I was looking for more flavor from this dish however. The marinara sauce was quite light and I requested pepper flakes and parmesan. They give you ample portions of both.
My wife’s beef tagliatelle was much more flavorful and richer in taste. We always like to switch meals half way through so we can each try different things. She liked my bucatini and I enjoyed her tagliatelle more. It was very light and had a nice flavor to it. This dish had a lot more creativity to it than the chicken parmesan.
The service was quite good throughout but did seem to slow down once our entrees came. I had to ask for ice tea a couple of times. Here is where it gets a bit strange. We enjoyed our meals and when the bill came I was shocked to see a charge for 3 unsweetened ice teas. I travel all over the world and I don’t recall ever seeing something like this. I thought maybe it was a mistake. The waitress told us they have to key it in each time they get a new glass and there is no way to ring it up without a charge. She claimed they make it in small batches from scratch. I am unaware of how you make ice tea any other way. Being charged $9 for unsweet tea in a glass that is 50% ice (appreciated since it is very hot out) just does not make sense. Most restaurants today charge $3 - $4 for tea. If for some reason you need to charge more for it charge $5 but to charge $9 for unsweetened tea makes no sense.
The owners have clearly put a lot of thought and effort into the restaurant layout and atmosphere. I would recommend making a change when it comes to the tea. It was not listed on the main menu and we can’t find it online on the drinks menu. Since we don’t drink alcohol we did not open that menu and usually you don’t find soft drinks or tea on an alcohol menu anyway.

I wish them continued success but doubt I would return.“

“A group of us from a conference ate there tonight and had a wonderful experience. We sat on the porch and our server Alex was superb. He was very warm and welcoming and gave great recommendations. Our entire table thought he was excellent. Everyone really enjoyed their food and we thought the music was excellent. I would definitely go back.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!“

“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!“

“I always have The Belmont at the top of my list when people ask me which bar to try next in Charleston. It’s a very appealing place for a 30 and up crowd, although 21+ are welcome. This is where you go for well-crafted cocktails and a high quality of ingredients, all made in house.

Fresh squeezed fruit juices and home-made specialty syrups make all the difference for a great drink. They carry a well-curated liquor selection and really care about what they serve to their guests.

They refresh their house cocktail menu seasonally, so there’s always something new to try along with all the classics.

Vincent is your favorite bartender’s favorite bartender!“

“I don’t even know where to begin to describe how amazing Ty’s was… my fiancé and I stopped in here with my parents on day 1 of our trip to the area and it did not disappoint whatsoever. From the apps to the dessert, all of our choices were a 10/10!! Our waiter Scott was the best, he alone deserves 5 gold stars! ⭐️ we were even lucky enough to meet Ty and found out we were at the “magic table” that earned us dessert on the house!! Now whether you’re lucky enough to get the magic table or not, you CANNOT pass on the churros!!“

“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!“