Best Bars in Charleston

Repurposed shipping containers turned walk-up bar on Mt. Pleasant Street, with outdoor seating and dogs welcome.

Folly Beach dive bar on Center Street with live music, cold beer, and dogs welcome on the patio.

Wine bar & retailer offering charcuterie, craft beer & desserts, plus sidewalk seating.

Neighborhood wine bar in a Mount Pleasant strip mall, pouring by the glass for groups without the downtown markup.

Whiskey-forward bar on East Bay with a deep bourbon list, pub bites, and live music most nights.

Pint-sized speakeasy with eclectic local art, chill music, small plates & a hipster feel.

Dog-friendly wine bar tucked into Johns Island's Halcyon development, pouring focused selections with food to match.

Retro arcade bar on Montague Ave with free-to-play machines, cold beer, and enough neon to keep North Charleston weird.

Waterfront dive bar on Shem Creek with cold beer, live music, and a front-row seat to the shrimp boat traffic.

Low-key spot offering global wines from self-service dispensers, plus gourmet cheeses & meats.

1920s-style hotel bar on State Street pouring classic cocktails in a velvet-and-brass room that takes the era seriously.

Unpretentious neighborhood bar on upper King with cold beer, wine, and a no-fuss crowd.

Laid-back Park Circle bar on Montague with cold beer, live music, and a loyal North Charleston crowd.

Neighborhood bar and kitchen on the Meeting Street corridor, pulling a loyal crowd with straightforward food and well-made drinks.

Craft cocktail bar and event space on Montague Avenue in North Charleston, with a neighborhood tavern feel and rotating programming.