the local girls’ guide to a night out in Charleston! (updated 2023)
Just like they say in the real estate biz, going out in Charleston is all about location, location, location! Because there’s so many niche neighborhoods offering their own vibe and blend of urban southern charm, it helps to start with a tentative plan to hit multiple places in a night. Charleston is a surprisingly big city, so this is a great way to minimize the cost of Ubers or avoid walking in the blistering summer heat (or lately, the winter chill). In these Night Out Guides, we’ve selected a few restaurants close in proximity and uncompromisingly distinctive in what they offer, so you can enjoy a unique night catered to your mood and make the most of your time in the holy city.
Updated in 2023 for your going out pleasure.
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Upper King Street
Drinks: Felix or Bourbon n’ Bubbles
Appetizers: Wine & Co
Dinner: Fuji
Get rowdy: Uptown Social
Upper King is a special place. Nestled almost exactly between Cannon St and Spring St is an abundance of bars and restaurants, many of them having opened within the past few months! Get a drink at French-inspired restaurant Felix or bougy Bourbon n’ Bubbles (both complete with Happy Hours). Walk a block over to Meeting St and have a cheese or charcuterie board at Wine & Co, then back over to Fuji for sushi. The two light dishes fill you up perfectly so you can finish your night at Uptown Social. If they look busy, don’t worry—there’s a whole upstairs, including a rooftop bar.
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Wentworth Street
Drinks: Circa 1886 Restaurant
Appetizers: Basic Kitchen
Dinner: The Watch: Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits
If Circa 1886 looks a little far on Wentworth—it’s worth it. Get there early before this small bar fills up because their “$7 Before 7:00” happy hour is such a steal. Then head over to Basic Kitchen for amazing cocktails or appetizers like buffalo chicken cauliflower. Across the street, take the Restoration Hotel elevator up to their rooftop restaurant, the Watch (they have an amazing deal on Veuve Clicquot for Wine Wednesday) and enjoy the breathtaking views of Charleston.
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Market Street
Drinks: The Spectator Hotel
Dinner: Church + Union (formerly 5Church)
Get rowdy: Henry’s Restaurant, Bar & Night Club
Drink masterfully crafted specialty cocktails while sitting on the plush couches of the Spectator Hotel bar. Pick from a plethora of food options at Church & Union under the cathedral ceilings. Then, you’ll never get bored at Henry’s as you choose between the leather-bound whiskey lounge, multiple rooftops, and bumping night club.
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Upper Upper King
Pre-dinner drinks: Graft Wine Shop
Appetizers: Little Jack’s Tavern
Dinner: Melfi’s
Dessert: Leon’s Oyster Shop
Get rowdy: The Recovery Room
Little Jack’s classic tavern is the king of small plates. Garlic knots, brussels sprouts, and more, and you can even get a mini 4 oz tavern burger. Cross the street and get carb-wasted at Melfi’s with bruschetta, pasta, and pizza. At Leon’s, order a typical Southern dessert of fried chicken and oysters. Wait, not everyone does that!? Don’t worry, you can also get a milkshake, soft serve ice cream, or a rosé slushie. Waddle over to dive bar Rec Room for the sticky floors and arcade games that locals flock to.
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NoMo (North of Morrison)
Drinks: Edmund’s Oast Restaurant
Dinner: Lewis Barbecue or Home Team BBQ
Get rowdy: Revelry Brewing Co
Chill on Edmund’s Oast’s delicately lit patio for a glass of wine or a cocktail. Then choose between two amazing barbeque places: Lewis or Home Team. Honestly, it may just depend on the night—Lewis has a different special every day and the wait for a table at Home Team can creep up easily! Either way, just walk a block down the street afterwards to Revelry Brewing for wine or beer at the close-knit bar or up on the spacious rooftop.
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Spring Street
Drinks + dinner: Estadio
Get rowdy: Uptown Social is opening a new spot on the corners of St. Philip + Spring — stay tuned for it to open! In the meantime, Uptown Social is our top pick (just around the corner on King Street).
Drunk food: D’Allesandro’s Pizza
Start your night with a drink + tapas at Estadio. From there, head down the street to Uptown Social or their new spot on St. Philip + Spring (name tbd!). After you’ve danced and checked out all the cute boys, head up to D’Allesandro’s for the best drunk food in the city.
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Broad Street
Drinks: Gaulart & Maliclet (Fast & French)
Dinner: Oak Steakhouse or The Establishment
Get rowdy: Blind Tiger Pub
Feel like a Frenchie at Fast & French and get fondue with wine (or come back later for chocolate fondue). This place takes their European roots seriously—you don’t even have to tip! Then SPLURGE on a fancy steak dinner at Oak or seafood at the Establishment. If you’re not in the mood to spend the money, just go straight to Blind Tiger. They have plenty of plates, like the Pub Burger or Truffle Duck, in addition to their expansive courtyard bar.
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Johns Island
Drinks: The Royal Tern
Dinner: Wild Olive
Dessert: Fat Hen
Get rowdy: Tattooed Moose
Or chill: Low Tide Brewing
This list is solely what I would do, but on Johns Island, you pick the order. Go to the Royal Tern for seafood, Wild Olive for Italian, or Fat Hen for French Lowcountry cuisine. It’s all about what you’re in the mood for that night, including what happens after dinner. Go to Tattooed Moose and write on the tables in Sharpie or chill at a picnic table at Low Tide Brewing. Charleston is your oyster!!
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