Nightlife

Charleston loves a good party, and the city boasts an ever-growing array of choices for a night on the town. The more mature crowd goes to the sophisticated spots, and there are many wine bars, clubs featuring jazz groups, and trendy lounges with craft cocktail menus. Rooftop bars are a particular Charleston tradition, and the city has several good ones. Many restaurants offer live entertainment on at least one weekend night, catering to crowds of all ages. The Upper King area has grown exponentially in recent years, overtaking the Market area in terms of popularity and variety of bars and lounges. A city ordinance mandates that bars must close by 2 am, so last call is usually 1:30.

Today, Charleston nightlife can be rowdy and more youth-oriented, though there are still venues that cater to more mellow evenings. Here the nightlife begins at happy hour, which can start as early as 4 pm. Several bars and restaurants have incredible happy hour deals, and a night of barhopping generally includes grazing on small plates. Long lines outside an establishment can indicate a younger crowd, and/or mean that a good band is playing, like at the Music Farm.