Charleston Inside Out » Bar Guide

AC’s Bar and Grill

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:49:31 +0000

This old favorite has been around for 20+ years and draws a more hardcore crowd than back in the day, but barflies of all types still find their way here late night for a final drink. A long list of folks who call themselves “old school” are always around. Food is served until the wee hours, and the fries and fried fish sandwich taste as good at noon as at midnight.

39 Rue de Jean

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:02:45 +0000

The 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 Tavern

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:51:05 +0000

The 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. The comely coeds raise the bar atmosphere a notch.

Blind Tiger

admin — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:40:25 +0000

This busy pub by night has re-opened its kitchen in the last year and now serves a great casual lunch and dinner. The small menu includes fresh ground burgers, crabcake salad, fresh daily specials and some of the best french fries in town, (hand cut on the premises and perfectly salted). Enjoy the fare outside in the shady courtyard.

Blossom

admin — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:47:10 +0000

A seafood restaurant with a Northern Italian spin serving lunch, brunch, and dinner and featuring a softly lit bar, and a spacious dining room with views of the open kitchen. Gourmet pizzas and pasta are big sellers. Don’t miss the signature Bellini cocktail. Free, tended parking.

Chai’s Lounge & Tapas

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:55:05 +0000

Serving 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 reverberating from the lovingly lit room. The live music on Sunday is highly recommended and the newly opened outdoor patio has been quite the rage.

Charleston Grill & The Thoroughbred Club

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:59:22 +0000

Charleston Place Hotel. 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.

Club Habana

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:02:18 +0000

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 contagious.

Club Pantheon

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:10:07 +0000

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.

Coast

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:11:26 +0000

This renovated warehouse with 40-ft. ceilings, a comfortable little side porch, surf movies, and unfinished wood achieves a comfortable “coastal” mood, which is just right for a cold beer or a good glass of wine. Sunday night is all the rage when the deeply discounted wine and fish tacos draw droves of people; other days the crowd is quite easily negotiated.