7 Best Bars in Charleston, South Carolina

Babas on Cannon

Upper King Fodor's choice
Order a pomegranate, juiced on the spot and spiked with the liquor of your choice, at this casual but stylish hangout for wine, cocktails, and tapas (try the pickled shrimp with fennel). It's a coffee shop by day and bar at night, but both iterations are distinguished by excellent service and impressive extras to go with your drinks.

Graft

Upper King Fodor's choice
Two of Charleston's most respected sommeliers co-own this wineshop and oenophile haven that spins classic records and hosts live bands on weekends. The walls are lined with carefully curated bottles that can be taken to go or popped and enjoyed on the spot.

Bin 152

Lower King

Husband and wife Patrick and Fanny Panella ply their guests with selections from more than 130 bottles of wine and 40 varieties of cheeses and charcuterie, freshly baked breads, contemporary art, and tasteful antique furniture. All of it is imminently available, too, from the Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz to the tables and chairs. Cast in low lighting, the wine bar serves as a comfortable backdrop for a pre- or postdinner drink or for an entire evening.

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Doar Bros.

Market
A tiny space belies big flavor at this classy cocktail bar that serves up custom drinks like the Bourbon & Clyde, melding Woodford with fernet, pistachio, and green chartreuse. The fancy amalgams are complemented by charcuterie and caviar, in an elegant, dimly lit room framed by wood and leather.

Local 616

North Central
A neighborhood hangout with plenty of bar games, Local 616 also doubles as Charleston's best soccer bar, with TVs generally tuned to whatever match is commanding the rest of the world's attention. Befitting its sporty slant, bottled beer is a constant at Local 616, but the bar is also known for its smart cocktails.
616 Meeting St., Charleston, South Carolina, 29403, USA
843-414–7850
www.local616.com

Spirit of Carolina

Dine and dance the night away aboard the wide-beamed, motor yacht Spirit of Carolina. Dinner is three or more courses and includes a choice of five entrées, from shrimp and grits to New York strip. Live musicians perform blues and beach music during the cruise. This three-hour excursion appeals to an older crowd, but everyone enjoys seeing the twinkling lights of the harbor. The ship departs from Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Reservations are essential for evening cruises.

VIP Bistro

North Central
The owners here had already demonstrated at Black Diamond in North Charleston that they could put on a party when they opened this downtown lounge they describe as a "toast to the South." VIP has a more extensive food menu, including shrimp and grits that rate among the city's best, but it also caters to the nightlife crowd with generous drink specials.