The Rooftop at The Vendue, named Best Rooftop Bar by the Charleston City Paper every year since 2007, sits above Waterfront Park with a sweeping view of the harbour and the Ravenel Bridge.
Tip: No reservations taken; lunch through late evening seven days. Live music on weekend nights; arrive before 18:00 to claim a bridge-side rail seat.
Address: 19 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401
The Gin Joint on East Bay is the long-running craft cocktail room from MariElena Raya and Joe Raya, with a no-reservations house rule and a dealer's choice menu built around a written flavour brief.
Tip: No reservations or call-aheads; walk-in only, first come first served. Closed early on Sunday at 20:00.
Prohibition on Upper King runs a 1920s speakeasy theme across a 300-seat room, with the 547 Manhattan and a Bacon Maple Old Fashioned anchoring the bar list and a dance floor that opens after dinner.
Tip: Brunch Thursday to Sunday 11:00 to 14:30; dinner nightly until 22:00. DJs Friday and Saturday 22:00 to 02:00, 23+ on the dance floor.
The Gin Joint on East Bay is the long-running craft cocktail room from MariElena Raya and Joe Raya, with a no-reservations house rule and a dealer's choice menu built around a written flavour brief.
Tip: No reservations or call-aheads; walk-in only, first come first served. Closed early on Sunday at 20:00.
The Cocktail Club on Upper King runs an upstairs cocktail room in an 1881 building, with reclaimed timber, a rooftop garden of cocktail garnishes and a Thursday to Saturday live music slot.
Tip: Tuesday to Sunday 17:00 to 02:00. Live music Thursday to Saturday from around 21:00; walk in early to grab the back room sofas.
The Belmont on Upper King is the wood-panelled cocktail room with a chalkboard list of classics, a no-reservations house rule and a happy hour that pulls bar industry crowds early.
Tip: Open daily from 17:00, Friday to Sunday from 15:00. Happy hour Monday to Friday 17:00 to 19:00; walk-in only, no reservations.
Bourbon N' Bubbles on Upper King is the bourbon and champagne lounge with a 200 expression whisky list, a chef-driven small plates menu and bar service running until 02:00 every night.
Tip: Bar daily 16:00 to 02:00; Sunday brunch 11:00 to 15:00. Last-Thursday-of-the-month bourbon tasting is the order if you want a guided pour.
Dudley's on Ann is downtown Charleston's longest-running gay bar, open for 28 years on Ann Street with happy hour every weekday, karaoke Mondays and drag shows Wednesday through Sunday.
Tip: Open 16:00 to 02:00 seven days. Karaoke Monday 21:00 to 01:00; shows Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 22:00, Friday and Saturday 20:00.