Charleston Nightlife

[jamesons]

Group of 16 guys heading to Kiawah in May. We will be going to Charleston one evening for drinks and dinner and I don’t know anything about Charleston. I’m looking for a rooftop bar, good atmosphere, walking distance from other bars and also close to a restaurant with good food. We are older (Late 40’s +) so we’re not looking for bar food. Actually we’re looking for a private room for dinner. I’ve browsed online and some names are Stars, Vendue, Fleet Landing, Poogan’s.

 

Anyone have anything to share? What’s a fun part of town, good rooftop bars, good food all within walking distance?

 

Thx!

[randyfitz]

Coast, Rue de Jean, Halls, Fig, Hominy Grill

 

Google it - there are literally 50 places you can pick from. I know Rue has a private room or two.

[CheckJV]

Good golly. You can’t swing a dead cat in downtown Charleston without hitting a great restaurant.

 

On our last trip we really enjoyed Hank’s.

[hangontight]

Coast, Rue de Jean, Halls, Fig, Hominy Grill

 

Google it - there are literally 50 places you can pick from. I know Rue has a private room or two.

 

This is right . You want to be in the upper King Street area. There is a restaurant called STARS , has a great rooftop bar. There are also several others. Even if you don’t eat at Halls Chophouse, stop in for a drink or two, it’s a great scene.

 

I would avoid Fleet Lansing. Food is fine/average, but it’s really a touristy kind of place. Vendue is also down in the “market” area, which is the traditional tourist area (think your usually “crab house”, “bubba gump shrimp co”, and all the usual tourist things). I think you will be better fit spending your time on Upper King, lots of great options and variety. More fitting for what you are after and Much livelier scene too. Tip - make reservations as early as you can- it’s tough to get a table in Charleston anymore at best restaurants.

[krtgolfing]

I would avoid Hymans for food. Overrated tourist trap with mediocre at best seafood.

[dcmidnight]

I know we have a lot of guys that live in the area who can talk to this better than I can. But be careful making that drive back after a night out. It might be the longest, darkest, most boring hour long drive you've ever seen. Especially after a night of eating/drinking downtown.

 

If you're doing a big group night out, consider doing it on your last night and maybe stay in a hotel near the airport.

 

I love Charleston and got married at the Ocean Course. But - personal experience/opinion - I'd never do that drive again after a night out.

[MichiganMan]

Coast, Rue de Jean, Halls, Fig, Hominy Grill

 

Google it - there are literally 50 places you can pick from. I know Rue has a private room or two.

I would avoid Hymans for food. Overrated tourist trap with mediocre at best seafood.

 

I second Coast. Hands down the best meal I've had during my trips to Charleston. But as others have said, King St is where you want to be for nightlife.

 

Also second this opinion on Hymans. WAY overrated.

[SC-TX 88]

I grew up on the SC coast and spent a lot of time in Charleston and still go back there 3-4x a year. I’m not a fan of coast I think it’s overrated (I think high cotton is as well). Poogans is always great, husk next door is also very good but more pricey. As far as bars, the cocktail club on king is my favorite bar in charleston. It’s on the northern part of King, second floor bar. Map yourself to it even walking or you will pass it the first time you try to find it.

 

I like fleets during the day, one of the only places on the peninsula I can sit on the water and have a cold drink and eat some shrimp. The food is nothing special, the location is cool though.

 

I haven’t made it to Grill 225 on east bay yet, but my buddies all have thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

 

[AMM315]

Stars sounds like exactly what you’re looking for. Very lively area so plenty to do after dinner, but more of a younger scene that part of King is. You could do grill 225 at market pavilion hotel which also has a rooftop bar. Down in more touristy area, but gin joint is nearby and one of my favorite cocktail bars in the city. If I were you, having never been to the city I’d be more inclined to try some traditional southern food (magnolias, SNOB, McCrady’s) vs. a traditional steak house. Hard to go wrong here really. While E bay st. Is pretty touristy, it is a lovely walk for someone new to the city. As others have said, definitely don’t make that drive back after a night out. Uber will be expensive there and back. Probably easier to hire a driver.

[Driver Eight]

Some great advice in prior posts. Would recommend R Kitchen (https://www.rutledgekitchen.com/) for dinner which would be a slight walk to Upper King bars but offers a unique group dining experience. 5 course meal where menu changes daily and chef introduces/customizes each course based on your liking. Otherwise would mention The Ordinary if you like seafood (as mentioned Hanks good as well).

[AppAlum]

I would avoid Hymans for food. Overrated tourist trap with mediocre at best seafood.

 

True, but 25 years ago I had a stuffed flounder with crab that I still think about. Just not the same anymore.

[barksdal87]

Not sure if too late or not. Go to Club Citrus atop the Dewberry for a drink. Amazing view. Dinner at Halls. Also you should get off property to Royal Tern on Johns island one night for dinner. It’s on the way to Kiawah and it’s amazing.

[golfkid33]

Surprised no one mentioned Peninsula Grill. Expensive but awesome food and experience, especially if you can get a table in the courtyard area. And agree with dcmidnight on the drive between downtown and Kiawah; I just did the reverse after playing Kiawah and it was a struggle. There were also deer all over the place on the drive away from Kiawah that I'm sure cause some terrible accidents at night.

[hangontight]

> @golfkid33 said:

> Surprised no one mentioned Peninsula Grill. Expensive but awesome food and experience, especially if you can get a table in the courtyard area. And agree with dcmidnight on the drive between downtown and Kiawah; I just did the reverse after playing Kiawah and it was a struggle. There were also deer all over the place on the drive away from Kiawah that I'm sure cause some terrible accidents at night.

 

Peninsula Grill is great...but has been around for a long time. You know how restaurant hype is...its all about the latest and greatest. Peninsula Grill is also on Market Street, which had always been the hot nightlife area until about the last 5-7 years that has shifted up to Upper King. Now Market Street is largely "touristy".