A Music Lovers Guide To Charleston South Carolina

Charleston’s nightlife is dominated by bars and restaurants, so if you’re looking for something different to do while visiting the city, try exploring the underground music scene. Dive bars and cafes often host pop-up performances while more spacious venues welcome higher profile musicians from Charleston and beyond. In recent years, several Charleston natives have gained national attention, including Shovels and Rope, Susto and NEEDTOBREATHE, among others. Whether you’re lucky enough to catch one of these beloved artists in their hometown or you’re interested in hearing something fresh, you won’t be disappointed by the unique music scene.

Music Farm

Hosting shows and events that encompass everything from electronic dance and hip-hop to alternative and reggae, Music Farm is one of the most popular venues in Charleston. If a well-known artist is coming to the city, it’s likely that they’ll be playing at this unassuming establishment. The inside is relatively small but roomy enough for dancing. During certain shows, patrons are permitted to stand on a second-story platform for a unique vantage point overlooking the stage and crowd below.

The Royal American

Pour House

Fans of jam bands should venture off the downtown peninsula to experience James Island’s Pour House. With live music every night and a free Wednesday-night tribute to the Grateful Dead on the back deck each week, this venue tends to welcome more experimental musicians. Some nights, the Pour House will host one show inside the venue and another on the funky back deck, which bears a resemblance to an oversize tree house.

The Commodore

Boasting its own house band, this refurbished jazz club also hosts other musicians several times a month. On weekend nights, the bar’s band performs funky renditions of modern hits, while Tuesdays welcome the talented soul group The Black Diamond Band. Check The Commodore’s schedule for a list of upcoming performances by visiting and local musicians.

Bars with Live Music

While there are plenty of venues specifically designed for live performances, many other bars make room for musicians on a weekly and monthly basis. Downtown you can catch live music at Big Gun Burger Shop, Republic Garden & Lounge, Prohibition and JohnKing Grill + Bar. If you head off the peninsula to West Ashley, you can hear local bands like Youngster and Dumb Doctors at Tin Roof and 3 Matadors. Head to North Charleston for live performances at The Purple Buffalo and The Sparrow. If you’re looking for beachy vibes, check out the live music at The Windjammer on Isle of Palms.

Awendaw Green

The place where many Charleston bands got their start, Awendaw Green is an outdoor venue best known for a weekly series called the Barn Jam. Taking place in a repurposed barn, the shows host performances by local and traveling musicians from around the country, and audience members are encouraged to BYOB, build small campfires and shop the local vendors’ booths. Boasting a very communal vibe, this weekly event is a vital part of the town of Awendaw and an intriguing snippet of the music scene.

Music Festivals

A handful of notable music festivals crop up in Charleston annually, along with several art festivals that incorporate musical elements. The week-long PBR Dirty Southeast Music Festival hosts free and $10 shows at venues throughout the city during the spring. Summer ushers in the popular High Water Fest, which takes place at North Charleston’s beautiful Riverfront Park and has welcomed big-name acts like The Shins and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.

Stage Awning at North Charleston Riverfront Park l

To learn more about local bands and upcoming shows, check out Charleston music blog Extra Chill.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.