45 Best Bars in Charleston

“Excellent cocktails!! We didn’t get a chance to try out the food.“

“Excellent cocktails and oysters.“

“Had a spectacular lunch at another restaurant and went over the top with dinner at FIG. Arugula salad + ricotta gnocchi with lamb bolognese + desert of strawberry profiteroles with greek yogurt. Off-the-chart meal capped off an unbelievable food day in Charlestown. If I eat another meal this good in this city I may never leave Charlestown. Wow!“

“This is a down home funky southern restaurant serving primarily oysters and fried chicken in a converted garage. So for that reason they get 5 stars. The food was good, the roasted oysters were great, beer was cold, sides were enough to share service was attentive. They don’t take reservations for party less than six so you can expect to wait if you go at prime time. It a pretty popular place.Parking: Primarily a residential neighborhood so parking can be sparse. They do have a free parking lot but it’s small. Neighborhood not the best so be aware walking at night“

“Service was fast and friendly. Food was fantastic! Best smash burger I've ever had. Fries were perfectly salted and crispy.“

“Highly recommended by cocktail loving co-workers, I visited the Last Saint twice - once in the main bar and once in the Annex. I loved this place. Located just a little off the people heavy King Street Last Saint had a front room which is very grandma-chic, like a bar met an antique store and had a kid, and a back room, the Annex, which is mellow, intimate, and delightful. The difference is that the front bar has a fixed menu of delightful cocktails and the Annex doesn't believe in menus. They need no menus because they are awesome. Both visits I had a great time. The Last Saint offers amazing, inventive cocktails while acknowledging the classics with all the hospitality I enjoy in Charleston. I was shocked to find that I was remembered from my first trip. I don't consider myself noteworthy, so I was taken off guard with the recognition. It was such an amazing experience!“

“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.“

“Amazing food and the owners are great. Drove 800 miles just to eat there and would do it again“

“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.“

“"Xiao Bao Biscuit is a culinary gem in Charleston, offering a unique fusion of Asian flavors with Southern comfort. The eclectic menu features inventive dishes that are bursting with bold flavors and creativity. Standout dishes include the Okonomiyaki, a savory Japanese pancake loaded with flavor and texture, and the Fancy Boy Rice, a delightful combination of aromatic rice, tender pork belly, and flavorful toppings. Both dishes showcase the culinary prowess of the chefs and are must-try options. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, making it a great spot for a relaxed meal with friends or family. The service is friendly and efficient, adding to the overall enjoyable dining experience. Xiao Bao Biscuit is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore adventurous and delicious cuisine in Charleston."“

“Alex was just as superb as the food. Recommend this restaurant without a doubt!“

“Ms. Roses is a fantastic place for lunch or dinner in West Ashley! Location is convenient for anyone around Charleston, which makes it a great place for meeting friends who live all over town. My friend and I met for lunch. I had the Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich with Sweet Potato fries. Our server was very friendly! Excellent customer service. Looking forward to visiting here again for another special occasion.“

“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.“

“Hall’s Chop House is simply the best of the best. The food, service and atmosphere are all impeccable. We went for our anniversary and we were treated with such care and hospitality. We will always have Hall’s as our go to for any occasion!“

“Uptown Social is a great spot for watching sports, I typically go at least a few times during the NFL season and it's also a really good for March Madness. Along with the super large main floor, they also have an upstairs rooftop bar with a few TVs as well. The food is pretty standard bar food along with some pizzas and other options. One perk is that they have gluten free bread available to sub out for the sandwiches. I had a buffalo chicken sandwich with fries on the gluten free bread. It was pretty good and hit the spot while watching some basketball.“

“Wonderful atmosphere. Friendly staff…“

“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!“

“Tried Swig & Swine for the first time and hands down the best BBQ on the beach. Portion size was huge, service was excellent and very affordable. absolutely will be back!“

“I would have given this restaurant 5 stars for the food except for the preparation of the garlic shrimp…the taste was spot on but the texture was a little mushy because of all the delicious sauce (the bread dipped in the sauce with lots of capers was a revelation). Maybe there is a way to have the majority of the sauce on the side so the shellfish doesn’t suffer. Caesar salad was among the most unique and delicious I’ve ever had. Really solid meal and the service was superb. Prices were reasonable as well.“

“Being recently diagnosed w/ Celiac's, I was having a challenging finding great food that was gluten free and sage from cross contamination. This place is it! The food....AMAZING! The staff...equally amazing! I would give it 10 stars if I could. It's a cool, funky little restaraunt, w/ delicious food options. You will not be disappointed!“

“Best iteration of this space. West Ashley never gets the nice things, but we have a gem here. Attention has been paid: menu, service, and decor. Croissant is butter heaven with the egg and salmon. Macarons... so good.“

“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.“

“Stopped in for a few drinks after dinner and this place was perfect for our girls night.Live music was being played in the corner by a solo musician that set a quiet tone while an old Mel Gibson flick played on the wall on the opposite side of the bar. The mood was quiet , quirky and sophisticated. It was refreshing from the “college kid vibe you get from most places after 9pm DT .“

“My cousin and I were reading the menu outside when our waiter Michael, opened the door and invited us in! We had the best meal of our visit to Charleston! Everything was delicious and cooked to perfection!! The service was southern hospitality at it's best! On my next trip to Charleston Amen Street Restaurant will be my first stop for lunch or dinner or maybe both!“

“Fabulous Service, staff, atmosphere. Food is excellent..“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“Great place. The staff is welcoming and atmosphere fun. Whether you are looking for lunch with friends or want to enjoy a few drinks in one of their cozy and classy rooms it’s a sure win. Lots of history in Charleston. Don’t forget to visit Henry’s and view the sites from their rooftop bar.“

“Our valet recommended for a cool place with good food close to the Moxy Charleston. It is about a 2 minute walk from the hotel. GREAT FOOD and SERVICE! We were pleasantly surprised that such a small local place had such great food! We will make it a must visit on future trips!!“

“Very good food and friendly staff.“

“Great ambience and open mics on Wednesdays“

“My husband and I really appreciate this spot. Its one of the few indoor environments we can bring our little chihuahua pup and have a nice meal. Food has never disappointed, neither have drinks and sometimes there is a lovely pianist playing nearby. Fun to people watch and also usually never a long wait. I (almost) don't want to tell others about it because I don't want the secret to get out :). But I also came to leave a review for Darryl, who was our server on a late evening. He was incredibly hospitable and friendly and he was running around serving us alongside a large corporate group that came in late. He made sure our experience was still excellent despite how busy he got. Thank you Darryl and thank you Thoroughbreds for always being so accommodating! We will be back!!“

“I have been to dive bars all over!! This one is epic!! Gr8 staff!!“

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

“Awesome place & great bartenders“

“A better speakeasy here in Charleston. The atmosphere here on an afternoon is exceptionally relaxing with the low-light ambiance to it and chill music playing. The place is pretty clean, and the drinks are a fair price for Charleston. They do not skimp on the alcohol here, and they do have a wide variety of liquors, beers, and wines. It does look like a hole-in-the-wall place from the outside, but once you step inside, you'll find yourself in a great, calm, speakeasy environment. Just remember that you have to ring the doorbell to get in.Parking: Street parking avaliable.“

“Great place in Charleston for burgers and just a friendly atmosphere!!“

“great atmosphere. great wine and craft cocktail selections.“

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

“Nice bartender. Good location and it was little uncomfortable early part but as it got darker it cooled off. I had flat bread but wish there are better choices to spend a full evening vs going to different place for real dinner. Overall, it is good experience.“

“Super family friendly experience! They even had those bowling slides for the kiddos who find the ball too heavy. The place has also been significantly improved from a few years ago: renovated bathrooms with new facilities. Super clean. The bar is open and they have expanded their menu. Food is good. We need to go back here more often.“

“Probably the best bar I have ever been to. Although it was crowded, the bartenders hustled to make sure we were taken care of. The live music was also unbelievable. John Mayer happened to be there and joined the band for two of his popular songs and then added Jimmy Buffet's "Come Monday" for an encore. The crowd went wild! I'll never forget the night at the Silver Dollar!“

“Not a bar for everyone but we enjoyed ourselves. We ate jalapeños poppers that were excellent. Surprisingly fresh. The fried mushrooms were as equally good and both came with very tasty dipping sauces. A couple of drinks each and we were both content.“

“Cute corky place to eat at. Service was good and so was food. Wish we could try their ceviche and but by 7:30 pm they ran out of few staples and closed early. Pink cactus lemonade was good. Place has a nice vibe. We only sat outside so I am not sure how inside is. Pink cactus decor outside was super cute.“