Where to Find Charleston’s Best Bars for a Fun Night Out

Two cocktails from one of the best Charleston bars

Rounding up a batch of the best Charleston bars for a fun night out in the Holy City

If you’re planning on eating and drinking your way through a city, you could do worse than Charleston. Somewhat ironically, the Holy City is a great place to imbibe thanks to its walkable downtown core and plethora of fun drink options (not to mention happy hour, which I miss dearly as a North Carolina transplant).

But, of course, not every bar is created equally, and when you’re spending your hard-earned vacation time and travel dollars somewhere, you want it to be worth it. With that spirit in mind, today I’m rounding up eight great Charleston bars for cocktails, wine, and more, across a range of styles and price points.

Looking for more South Carolina guides? Find all of my coverage of the Palmetto State in one place.

What makes a great bar? In my opinion, both the atmosphere and the quality of the drinks are of equal importance. A truly excellent bar is one you’d want to hang out with friends in for hours or a place you might take a date you really want to impress. The drinks are expertly curated or prepared by attentive (but not overbearing) bartenders, and the price has to be reasonable enough to order a second round.

Like all other travel roundups on this website, the bars on today’s list are not only handpicked by me, but vetted with a firsthand visit (a friendly reminder that you should always verify that your travel advice comes from someone who’s actually been there!). So whether you’re visiting for your bestie’s Bachelorette weekend or seeking a swanky spot for a date, here are eight can’t-miss bars in Charleston:

EIGHT ESSENTIAL CHARLESTON BARS

Dalila’s

Take a quick detour to the Caribbean with a tropically-inspired cocktail at Dalila’s on Spring Street. This petite bar is perfect for enjoying a handcrafted cocktail and conversation with a loved one or a friend or two at any hour, but it would be especially lovely during Happy Hour, which runs from 5 – 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday with killer cocktail deals.

Regrettably Michael and I missed the window by a large margin, but ordering from their rotating menu of specialty cocktails was the loveliest consolation. Toasting with a Del Sol (like a margarita, but with more kick) and the Vice Prez (as if a Manhattan took a Caribbean vacation), was the perfect reminder that yes, we were on vacation. Any time you start to find yourself reaching for your laptop or tempted to make a work phone call, head straight here for the remedy.

→Dalila’s // 441 Meeting St Suite F, Charleston, SC 29403

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People gather outside Graft Wine Bar in Charleston

Graft Wine Shop & Wine Bar

I love a good wine bar, but sometimes they can be intimidating (you feel that way too, right?). Thankfully, Graft Wine Shop & Wine Bar eases the pressure with a well-curated list of reds, whites, rosés in a comfortable and relaxed space. It’s the perfect excuse to ask for some guidance and to try a new-to-you variety, or you can always settle in with an old favorite.

Not into wine? All good! There’s more than just wine on the menu here; in addition to beer and non-alcoholic options, there’s a crowd-pleasing selection of cheese, meats, tinned seafood, and super chill snacks like potato chips and pimento cheese. But we considered ourselves super lucky to time our visit to coincide with Good Neighbor Sunday—the wine bar’s weekly parking lot party—and found the team from Dough Boys Pizza pulled up in the lot outside. Grabbing a pie and an excellent glass of orange wine, we headed inside and joined the large groups gathered around standing tables for a daytime party atmosphere.

Before your visit, sign up for their Cellar Gang mailing list, especially if you’re serious about wine. It’s the easiest way to be notified about rare releases. Or if you’re local, there’s always the Extra Sauce wine club (save a bottle for me?). In any case, you can keep the good vibes going long after the bottle runs dry with the wine shop’s playlist.

→Graft Wine Shop & Wine Bar // 700b King St, Charleston, SC 29403

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Doar Bros.

Serious about spirits? Doar Bros. is ready and waiting for you every day but Monday. This Meeting Street cocktail bar has a sleek menu of modern cocktails and select spirits ready to enjoy at a cozy booth or bar seat.

After a trip to Louisville earlier this year, I couldn’t resist ordering the Bourbon and Clyde (Woodford, Old Forester 1897, Genepy, Fernet Branca, vanilla, cinnamon, egg white-orange foam, and crushed pistachio) and soon found myself sipping through a layer of citrusy foam to find a holiday-esque cocktail and gaining a slight mustache in the process. Wine and beer are both available, as is a largely Mediterranean inspired menu of bites. Be sure to make a reservation if a weekend visit is on your itinerary.

→Doar Bros. // 225 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403

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Entrance to Faculty Lounge in Charleston

Faculty Lounge

Gather around, my dive bar friends, because I’ve got a bar for you: Faculty Lounge is an essential casual bar in Charleston, but it’s admittedly a little hard to find late at night. Once you locate the somewhat nondescript rectangular building at the corner of Huger and Senate, ring the doorbell for entry and discover a dark den that’s perfect for losing track of time in.

This eclectic space (think disco balls, pool tables, worn leather sofas, and colorful holiday lights) offers that perfect combination of cheap lowbrow beer and actually amazing cocktails for everyone. Grab your crew and get ready to settle in, assured that if you get hungry you can always pick up some pizza from Renzo next door.

→Faculty Lounge // 391 Huger St, Charleston, SC 29403

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Sissy Bar

For an unpretentious friend outing in North Charleston, Sissy Bar is easily your best bet. This Park Circle bar is equal parts chic and relaxed, and the cocktail menu veers heavily toward Mexico with preference given to tequila and mezcal. The food menu follows suit, and the kitchen slings delicious-looking quesadillas, burritos, and ceviche.

But back to the cocktails, which balance out the heady agave spirits with bold, often fruit-forward flavors like banana or passionfruit. I wake up every day and thank my lucky stars to have a partner who loves to share, and we passed our Luscious Lu (tequila, ancho chili, passionfruit, citrus) and Mai Guapo (mezcal, rum, pineapple, orgeat, citrus) cocktails back and forth while seated at the bar. Pop in for just one, or stay until midnight on the weekend—it’s up to you!

→Sissy Bar // 1067 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

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Entrance to Little Palm bar in Charleston

Pink patio chairs at The Backyard at The Ryder Hotel in Charleston

Little Palm

It’s probably safe to say that if you’ve searched for “Best Bars in Charleston,” you’ve already seen photos of Little Palm, the Instagram-friendly bar at The Ryder Hotel. This poolside bar and restaurant is always camera ready, but we all know that taste matters more, so how are the cocktails here?

I’m happy to report that the hotel- and surf-inspired cocktails live up to the hype! Drinks here are slightly more expensive than at other places on this list, but both the Late Checkout and ¡Apurate! cocktails were plenty boozy to justify the price (though Happy Hour drinks run $8-12, for those looking to save a little). Not dressed for poolside hangs, we soaked in the A/C indoors for awhile before heading out to The Backyard, Little Palm’s spacious courtyard with lounge seating and a DJ.

To be honest, I’m not quite sure I’d want to stay at The Ryder at this stage of my life given how loud the music is, but as a bar, Little Palm and The Backyard are the perfect place to bring a crowd. Especially if you’re in Charleston for a bachelorette party, add this spot to your itinerary!

→Little Palm // 237 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401

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Last Saint

Last Saint feels more like a bar you’d find in New York City than one you’d find in Charleston, yet here we are. Dark and loud, it’s the kind of place you bring someone you’ve known for a long time—not necessarily a place you’d bring a first date. But the cocktails are fantastic and the vibes are immaculate, perfect for losing yourself a little bit in the fold of an evening out.

For a more intimate experience, consider booking a reservation at Annex, just beyond the yellow door in the back. I didn’t personally venture this far into Last Saint, but rumor has it that this is the place to be on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. If you decide to make a stop in, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

→Last Saint // 472 Meeting St B, Charleston, SC 29403

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Babas on Cannon

Look, most of the time I’d classify Babas on Cannon (and its sibling, Babas on Meeting), as an all-day café. That is, until 4 o’clock on a Friday or Saturday, when these spots transform into a Southern European-style bar. The counter is cleared to make way for a feast of delicious snacks (or snackies, per our household), all ready to graze with the purchase of a cocktail or glass of wine.

This tradition is a lovely way to sample a taste of Italian life by way of the Lowcountry, not to mention the perfect prelude to an indulgent night out. Not that I’m speaking from experience, or anything…

→Babas on Cannon // 11 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403
→Babas on Meeting // 804 Meeting St Suite 104, Charleston, SC 29403

LAST CALL: FINAL THOUGHTS ON CHARLESTON’S BAR SCENE

Menu on a table at Doar Bros. in Charleston

No matter your drink of choice, Charleston’s bar scene is well worth exploring during your visit to the Lowcountry. From chic cocktail bars to funky dives, there’s a little something for every kind of bargoer (and with the growing number of NA options on menus across the city, there’s plenty for the non-bargoer to enjoy too). But wherever your night takes you, please don’t drink and drive friends. Uber and Lyft are readily available, and if you’re staying somewhere downtown, most of the bars above can be reached on foot.

Cheers to a safe night out in Charleston, and to many more!

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Questions for you

What is your favorite “style” of bar—a classy cocktail bar, a funky wine bar, a sticky dive?

Do you have a go-to drink order?

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Raise a Glass: 8 Fun Bars in Charleston, South Carolina