The Best Cocktail Bars In Charleston, South Carolina

Elaine Elliott

Charleston is known for its great architecture, rich history and wonderful restaurants. It also has some classy cocktail bars. Here we list our favorites where you are guaranteed top quality drinks and service.

Interior

The Gin Joint

With over 24 signature cocktails of different themes and seasonal selections, visitors can’t go wrong with The Gin Joint. New to cocktails? Never fear; The Gin Joint has everybody covered. Guests can pick two words from their list of cocktail flavors (such as herbal, tart, spicy, strong, licorice, etc.) and the bartender will make exactly what they’re looking for without having to look at the extensive menu. The Gin Joint is true to the seasonal quality of their cocktail drinks. If it’s summer, cranberry drinks aren’t offered. If it’s winter, pineapple is out. Only the freshest ingredients and house-made juices and syrups are permitted at The Gin Joint.
The Gin Joint, 182 East Bay St, Charleston, SC, USA +1 843 577 6111

Interior Bar

Built in 1778, McCrady’s is one of the only restaurants that can boast serving a 30-course dinner to President George Washington. Since the 1700s, McCrady’s has been used for various industries, until in 2006 the building was once again restored as one of the finest dining establishments in Charleston. Guests can enjoy an authentic farm-to-table meal or enjoy cocktails at the large bar. McCrady’s serves classic cocktails, American and international scotches and whiskeys, or their own creatively made house cocktails. Guests can try something different like the Incan Affair made with tequila, aloe, and dill, or the Parisian Pantsuit with sake, pink peppercorn, and elderflower.
McCrady’s, 2 Unity Alley, Charleston, SC, USA +1 843 577 0025

Cocktails

The Cocktail Club

Open until 2 am every night, The Cocktail Club takes liquor drinking to another level. Enjoy views of King Street from this upper level lounge secluded from most city strollers. Guests will step back into the 1950s in this upscale bar full of shiny leather sofas, dark lacquered wood paneling, and romantic low lighting. The bar has been featured by Fox News Magazine, Garden & Gun, and Charleston media for becoming a hot spot for cocktail sipping and mingling. The Cocktail Bar offers shared punch bowls and 12 signature cocktails.
The Cocktail Club, 479 King St, Charleston, SC, USA +1 843 724 9411

The Vendue Inn

Rooftop At The Vendue Inn

Drinkers can enjoy the beautiful Charleston skyline while drinking eclectic cocktails at the Vendue Inn. Whether visitors want to take a break during lunch, happy hour, or watch the sunset, Vendue is the perfect spot to sit on plush furniture and relax in a breezy environment. Since 2007 it has been rated the Best Rooftop Bar by Charleston City Paper. Their cocktails are prepared with a variety of flavors such as rosemary, mango, Root Beer, hibiscus, house made strawberry lemonade, and more.
Rooftop at the Vendue Inn, 19 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC, USA +1 800 845 7900

The Warehouse Bar

Warehouse

The Warehouse is a stylish bar offering a variety of house cocktails, shared cocktails, and beer cocktails. This fun bar includes billiards, shuffleboard, Foosball, and bar food while drinking from a large selection of innovative drinks. Try the Back In Black beer cocktail, which includes the bold flavors of a porter, bourbon, and maple syrup mixed into one.
Warehouse, 45 1/2 Spring St, Charleston, SC, USA +1 843 202 0712

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