AC’s Bar and GrillThis old favorite has been around for 20+ years and draws a more hardcore crowd than back in the day.
39 Rue de JeanThe 30-and-over clientele looks beautiful at this “French bistro,” evening-out staple where the bartenders remember what you drink, the atmosphere is festive, and a limited menu is served until closing.
Big John’s TavernThe least downtown feeling of all peninsular drink-easies, this old institution is really gritty, but the patrons (often Citadel cadets and grads) and graffiti are entertaining.
Blind TigerThis busy pub by night has re-opened its kitchen in the last year and now serves a great casual lunch and dinner.
BlossomA seafood restaurant with a Northern Italian spin serving lunch, brunch, and dinner and featuring a softly lit bar and a spacious dining room
Chai’sServing up tapas, wine and jazz, this scene-thick, scenester-rich bar draws a 30-something crowd who come for the vibrant refreshment and refreshing vibes.
Charleston Grill & The Thoroughbred Club:Charleston Place Hotel, 205 Meeting St. 722-4900. The two hotel bars of Charleston Place both offer live music nightly in an elegant, quiet setting. Food is served until 11 in each, and the desserts and after-dinner drinks are also a draw. The Thoroughbred Club offers tea from 2 to 4. website
Club Habana:177 Meeting St. 853-5900. This staid cigar bar serves great martinis and other libations in a refreshingly unpretentious manner and is a great spot for a drink before or after dinner. The thoughtful owners have taken care of everything, including the air—a state-of-the-art cleaning system removes any annoying smoke effluvia. Altogether, the good feeling is [...]
Club Pantheon:28 Ann St. 577-2582. A raucous dance hall option that opens only on the tail end of the week (F–Su from 10pm until) and caters to folks who don’t mind long, beat-driven house music and lots of guy-on-guy dancing. website
Coast:39-D John St. 722-8838. Grilled seafood, fish tacos, and friendly service are among the treats available at this renovated warehouse with 40-ft. ceilings and coastal decor. The efficient bartenders, surf movies, and deeply discounted wine on Sunday until 8pm open often make this a nightlife hot spot as well. No worries— the dining area, while [...]
