1
90 Folly Rd Blvd, Charleston
Sweatman’s Garden
Folly Road barbecue joint with live music, cold beer, and a loyal local following built on slow-smoked meat.
4.7118 ratings
Open
From a Gullah supper club in Hanahan to a speakeasy steak house on Hutson Alley, these six newcomers hit the ground running with 4.0+ ratings inside their first 60 days.
Sixty days in, these eight new Charleston spots have racked up enough honest reviews to separate the real thing from the opening-week hype.
Layton Meacham brings a blend of reggae and soul to the Deck Stage at the Charleston Pour House on James Island. It's an early evening show — doors open at 5 pm, with music kicking off at 6 pm, making it an easy weeknight option before the summer heat gives way to a cooler night on the deck. The Pour House is one of Charleston's most beloved live music venues, and the outdoor Deck Stage is a particularly good setting for this kind of laid-back, groove-forward sound. Grab a drink, find a spot, and settle in.
Randomonium brings their trio set to The Dinghy on Isle of Palms for a Thursday evening show starting at 6 p.m. The beachside bar is a natural fit for live music as the summer season kicks into gear, and an early evening slot means you can catch the set with a drink in hand while the island winds down. Whether you're coming off the beach or just looking for a low-key spot to start the night, this is the kind of laid-back live music experience that makes IOP summers worth sticking around for.
Beach + dock bars, dive bars, cocktail rooms, live-music late nights.
Old Mervs headlines this three-band bill at the Pour House's Deck Stage, joined by The Ocho and Ra Ra Viper for a night of indie, alternative, rock, and pop. It's a solid mid-week lineup at one of Charleston's most beloved live music venues, with the outdoor Deck Stage offering that easy, open-air vibe James Island regulars know well. Doors are at 6:30 PM, so there's plenty of time to grab a drink and settle in before the music kicks off. Tickets are available in advance if you want to lock in your spot.
French bistro and cocktail bar on Market Street, with live music and a menu leaning toward classic European technique.
Narrow King Street bar with live music and cocktails, drawing a loyal local crowd most nights.
Industrial event space and bar on upper Meeting Street pulling double duty as a live music venue with free parking.
