From cozy wine bars to gritty watering holes and everything in between, Charleston is a wet town. Those who love a good drink, whether it’s a craft cocktail or just a cold can of beer, are spoiled for options. For when you want to get a little sinful in the Holy City, here are ten spots for some of its best late-night libations.
The Gin Joint
The Belmont
Charleston is full of vintage charm: colonial homes, horse-drawn carriages, and art deco bars like the Belmont on Upper King Street, where you order a throwback cocktail like a Pimm’s Cup or Vieux Carré from a bartender in a button-down with a skinny black tie. Come for the drinks, stay to watch a classic black-and-white film, projected on the back wall of the bar.
Visit 511 King Street | Website
The Gin Joint
An ode to the liquor of choice for many Southerners, The Gin Joint serves bespoke cocktails and small plates. Naturally, there’s plenty of gin here, but there’s lots more too, including a robust list of nonalcoholic options. “Bartender’s Choice” means patrons choose two adjectives from a list (refreshing, tart, smoky, etc.) to inspire their libations, then watch what happens. No need to overthink your order – just trust the process.
Visit 182 E Bay Street | Website
The Commodore
The Commodor
This iconic bar and music club was once the “Touch of Class” jazz club, and while the name and space have changed, it remains just as swanky. Think disco ball, velvet curtains, glossy black tile, and pink lighting. It’s a place designed for dancing through the night, or tucking into a corner booth and sipping on a G&T while you take a breath.
Visit 504 Meeting St | Website
Cutty's
This divey punk bar in the Cannonborough-Elliotborough district is as gritty as Charleston gets. You won’t find espresso martinis here, but what you will find is a wildly fun, dimly-lit space covered nearly wall to wall in graffiti and Mardi Gras beads, with some kitschy dolls behind the bar for good measure. Come to Cutty’s for a beer, a game of pool, bingo night, weekly trivia, or just great people-watching – and if you’re feeling adventurous, one (or several) of their famed Jell-O shots.
Visit 227 St Philip Street | Instagram
The Windjammer
The Recovery Room
Without a doubt one of the most lively hang-out spots in Charleston, the Recovery Room doesn’t look like much on the outside, but inside it’s bustling with an eclectic crowd. There’s a pinball machine and pool and foosball tables, but it’s the Friday and Saturday night DJs that really get things moving. That, and beer; this windowless shack had a ten-year streak as the country’s number-one seller of Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Visit 685 King Street | Instagram
The Windjammer
One of life’s simple pleasures is drinking on the beach, and Charleston has plenty of places to do it. One of the best is the Windjammer, on Isle of Palms, with a deck overlooking the water and picnic tables set up in the sand. Since 1972, people have been coming here to get their fix of plastic cup daiquiris, pina coladas, Long Island iced teas, and cold cans of beer. They hold events like karaoke nights and line dancing, and their outdoor live music stage has hosted many local acts over the years. There’s even a beach volleyball court out back.
Visit 1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms | Website
Rosemary Rose
Bar Daniel & Rosemary Rose
A cozy, vintage-inspired hideaway in the lobby of The Nickel Hotel, Bar Daniel feels more like a candlelit den than a cocktail bar. It’s a great spot to wind down with a craft cocktail, but if it’s a nice night, and in Charleston it often is, you’ll want to head up to the Rosemary Rose rooftop bar and lounge and enjoy your Hugo Spritz or old-fashioned al fresco. With its plush lounge seating, French bistro chairs, scallop-edged umbrellas, and wooden wall fountain, it’s a little slice of the French Riviera in the middle of the Holy City.
Visit 529 King Street | Website
Forte Jazz Lounge
A late night in Charleston wouldn’t be complete without a lick of jazz, and Forte Jazz Lounge has it live every single night. The bar brings in some of the best musicians in the city, and its little bistro tables, plush VIP couch seating, and moody blue lighting make for the perfect setup to hear them. While Forte is family-friendly– all ages are welcome at shows– it features a full bar with beer, cocktails, and wine.
Visit 477 King Street | Website
The Griffon
Graft Wine Shop
While it’s mostly a bottle shop, Graft’s nine-seat bar fills up fast with locals who love their wine. It’s a cozy, unpretentious spot with DJs spinning vinyl and serious wines by the bottle or glass. You’ll often find the owners there talking terroir with their friends. The wines are relatively affordable, so you’re free to experiment – and maybe take home a new favorite bottle.
Visit 700b King Street | Website
The Griffon
One of the most famous pubs in the city, The Griffon is a Charleston classic for a reason. Smack in the middle of the historic French Quarter, it’s open til 2AM Thursday-Saturday, making it the perfect spot for a late-night beer and bite. There’s a slate of local craft beers on draft and a small bar menu of nachos and such, but the fish-n-chips are what you really want to order. Not a spot of this bar is left uncovered by dollar bills stapled to the walls and ceiling, but occasionally staff will take some down and “pay it forward” by donating them to a local cause. Cheers to that!
Visit 18 Vendue Range | Website