Between downtown and Folly Beach. The Pour House books bands on two stages on Maybank Highway, and Bowens Island has been a fish camp at the end of its own road since 1946.
The Post and Courier describes casual American food with a reliable beer list ... soft pretzels, fried chili-spiced shrimp, bacon cheeseburgers ... and patio seating. City Paper readers voted it Best James Island Happy Hour in 2026.
The Pour House has been booking live music since 2002 and runs two stages on Maybank Highway, an indoor room and an outdoor Deck Stage. Its site lists Kwei Fei and Jack of Cups Bebop as the food on the property. City Paper readers named it Best James Island Bar for 2026.
Fam's is a James Island brewpub on Folly Road that makes both New York-style and Chicago-style pizza, plus wings and burgers. Its site says it has been open nine years. It was the Porter/Stout runner-up in City Paper's 2026 readers' poll.
Garage 75 is a James Island bar on Folly Road full of games: billiards, skeeball, Golden Tee, bowling, Mario Kart and dozens more. It was the Arcade Bar runner-up in City Paper's 2026 readers' poll.
Locals is a sushi restaurant that is also a sports pub, with nigiri and rolls beside tacos, hibachi and wings, and a sushi rolling class on the third Thursday of each month. The Post and Courier notes a patio and a second-floor loft at the Folly Road room. City Paper readers made it runner-up for Best Sushi in 2026.
Maybank Public House is a restaurant and tap room with burgers, ribs, tuna and mac and cheese. It asks parties of five or more to reserve.
