Charleston has more bars than one trip can cover. Start with one of each kind.
- A rooftop. The Rooftop at The Vendue, the readers' pick again in 2026.
- A dive. The Royal American, in an old ironworks, with the kitchen open until 1am.
- A hidden door. Scotty Doesn't Know, behind the fridge in a custard shop on East Bay Street.
- A brewery. Holy City Brewing in Park Circle, voted best local brewery in 2026.
Where Charleston bartenders drink
Recovery Room Tavern is where people who make drinks go for one. Readers voted it best late night bar in 2026. For wine, readers picked Graft on Upper King.
Silver Dollar on King Street is closed
Silver Dollar closed on 23 August 2026 after 26 years. Old bar crawls still list it.