Charleston

Charleston loves a good party, and the city boasts an ever-growing array of choices for a night on the town. The more mature crowd goes to the sophisticated spots, and there are many wine bars, clubs featuring jazz groups, and trendy lounges with craft cocktail menus. Rooftop bars are a particular Charleston tradition, and the city has several good ones. Many restaurants offer live entertainment on at least one weekend night, catering to crowds of all ages. The Upper King area has grown exponentially in recent years, overtaking the Market area in terms of popularity and variety of bars and lounges. A city ordinance mandates that bars must close by 2 am, so last call is usually 1:30.

Sort by: 7 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
Loading...
  • 1. Babas on Cannon

    Upper King

    Order a pomegranate, juiced on the spot and spiked with the liquor of your choice, at this casual but stylish hangout for wine, cocktails, and tapas (try the pickled shrimp with fennel). It's a coffee shop by day and bar at night, but both iterations are distinguished by excellent service and impressive extras to go with your drinks.

    11 Cannon St., Charleston, South Carolina, 29403, USA
  • 2. Graft

    Upper King

    Two of Charleston's most respected sommeliers co-own this wineshop and oenophile haven that spins classic records and hosts live bands on weekends. The walls are lined with carefully curated bottles that can be taken to go or popped and enjoyed on the spot.

    700B King St., Charleston, South Carolina, 29403, USA
    843-718--3359
  • 3. Bin 152

    Lower King

    Husband and wife Patrick and Fanny Panella ply their guests with selections from more than 130 bottles of wine and 40 varieties of cheeses and charcuterie, freshly baked breads, contemporary art, and tasteful antique furniture. All of it is imminently available, too, from the Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz to the tables and chairs. Cast in low lighting, the wine bar serves as a comfortable backdrop for a pre- or postdinner drink or for an entire evening.

    152 King St., Charleston, South Carolina, 29401, USA
    843-577–7359
  • 4. Doar Bros.

    Market

    A tiny space belies big flavor at this classy cocktail bar that serves up custom drinks like the Bourbon & Clyde, melding Woodford with fernet, pistachio, and green chartreuse. The fancy amalgams are complemented by charcuterie and caviar, in an elegant, dimly lit room framed by wood and leather.

    225 Meeting St., Charleston, South Carolina, 29401, USA
  • 5. Local 616

    North Central

    A neighborhood hangout with plenty of bar games, Local 616 also doubles as Charleston's best soccer bar, with TVs generally tuned to whatever match is commanding the rest of the world's attention. Befitting its sporty slant, bottled beer is a constant at Local 616, but the bar is also known for its smart cocktails.

    616 Meeting St., Charleston, South Carolina, 29403, USA
    843-414–7850
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Spirit of Carolina

    Dine and dance the night away aboard the wide-beamed, motor yacht Spirit of Carolina. Dinner is three or more courses and includes a choice of five entrées, from shrimp and grits to New York strip. Live musicians perform blues and beach music during the cruise. This three-hour excursion appeals to an older crowd, but everyone enjoys seeing the twinkling lights of the harbor. The ship departs from Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Reservations are essential for evening cruises.

    40 Patriots Point Rd., Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, 29464, USA
    843-722–2628
  • 7. VIP Bistro

    North Central

    The owners here had already demonstrated at Black Diamond in North Charleston that they could put on a party when they opened this downtown lounge they describe as a "toast to the South." VIP has a more extensive food menu, including shrimp and grits that rate among the city's best, but it also caters to the nightlife crowd with generous drink specials.

    616 Meeting St., Charleston, South Carolina, 29403, USA
    843-203–3135

No nightlife Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName }} Nightlife in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video