Here are 15 things you can do at night while in Charleston:
1. The Rooftop
The Rooftop Bar at the Vendue, at the Charleston’s Art Hotel, offers breathtaking views of the Charleston Harbor, The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the East Bay Street architecture, all of which you can admire as you sit and sip on some cocktails, wine or craft beer. They are known for their hospitality, and their delicious sandwiches, burgers, salads, and fries are served to you while you soak in all that the Historic District has to offer. This outdoor dining area is also ideal if you wish to watch the sunset.
Address: 19 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
Timings: 11:30 am to 11:00 pm
Prices: USD 10 and upwards
2. Revelry Brewing
Revelry Brewing is the place to be if you want someplace casual yet fun. With an outdoor space equipped with heaters, covered areas, bar seating, and picnic tables, it is great for bringing a crowd. Open to people above the age of 21, they are well-known for their award-winning locally brewed beer, such as Gullah Cream Ale and Oh My Darlin’ Scotch Ale. Besides choosing something from their wide selection of drinks, you can grab something to eat too, like tacos, rolls, burritos, sushi and even a charcuterie plate.
Address: 10 Conroy St, Charleston, SC 29403, United States
Timings: 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm (Sunday- Thursday), 12:00 noon to 11:00 pm (Friday- Saturday)
Prices: USD 4 and upwards
3. The Cocktail Club
A speakeasy-style bar, The Cocktail Club on upper King Street specialises in craft cocktails and strives to offer various house-made beverages. Set in a building dating back to the 1880s, it features a rooftop with a custom garden as well which is great for a night out with a view, and the interiors, with leather couches, fireplaces, salvaged doors, exposed walls and wooden barrel accents, provide a rustic ambience. Some of the most popular drinks served here include After The Disco, Big Tasty, Lumber Jane, Fat Tire Amber and more.
Address: 479 King St #200, Charleston, SC 29403, United States
Timings: 5:00 pm to 2:00 am
Prices: USD 4 and upwards
4. Red’s Ice House
Situated in Mt. Pleasant, Red’s Ice House serves a wide assortment of seafood including shrimp, calamari, crab, oyster, scallops and more. With its casual ambience, the House is ideal for watching the sunset and the waters of Shem Creek. You can do all of this as you sit and sip on some cold beer at the regular bar, the waterfront bar, or even the outdoor patio. What’s more, if you want to catch a football game while you are there, they have a special menu featuring different offers on food and drinks.
Address: 98 Church St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, United States
Timings: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Prices: USD 5.95 and upwards
5. Cure Nightclub
Head over to Cure Nightclub for a night of some dancing and popping music if you are over the age of 18. Often known as the LGBT epicentre of downtown Charleston, the club is the ideal choice if you are in the mood to go dancing and catch a drag show featuring some local artists. Dress up and move on over to their large dance floor that can fit a large number of people or take advantage of their wide selection of house liquor and cocktails.
Address: 28 Ann St, Charleston, SC 29403, United States
Timings: 10:00 pm to 2:00 am (Friday- Sunday)
6. MESU
This downtown restaurant in the Historic District with its artistic interior serves a combination of Mexican and Asian delicacies along with a variety of drinks. Make sure to visit this unique restaurant if you are craving some queso, tacos, sushi, rolls, or even delicious dessert-like churros or ice cream cakes. Go over to the bar and grab yourself something to drink from their wide assortments, like tequila, wine, sake, beer, rum or a cocktail.
Address: 570 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, United States
Timings: 4:00 am to 10:00 pm (Wednesday- Sunday), Monday- Tuesday closed
Prices: USD 4 and upwards
7. Night Tours
A great way to familiarise yourself with the city and have some fun is to take a night tour of Charleston. Several companies offer their services and include tour guides who provide you with interesting bits of information about the area. The horse-drawn carriage tours are excellent for a romantic night out, while the twilight carriages are ideal for summers. If you love the supernatural, opt for a ghost tour where you would visit supposedly haunted sites like graveyards and learn about ghosts that haunt the city.
Companies: Palmetto Carriage Works, Old South Carriage Company, Charleston Carriage Works etc.
8. The ArtWalk
In order to allow both locals and tourists to experience all that downtown Charleston has to offer, specifically in terms of art, the ArtWalk is organised on the third Thursday of every month from March to December. It is basically a free self-guided tour of the various shops, galleries and businesses (like Mountain State Distillery, Chet Lowther Studio and Bear Wood Company) in the area beginning at 5:00 pm. While on the Walk, you discover different artworks such as paintings, photographs, sculptures and even music.
Timings: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Day: Third Thursday of each month
9. The Music Farm
Opened in 1991, The Music Farm near King Street is a popular music venue and not just a regular nightclub. It hosts over 200 live shows every year featuring multiple music genres like country, EDM, hip hop, rock and more. Most of the shows are open to people to all age groups, and it is advisable to buy the tickets online. Several bands from all over the country have performed here over the years including Widespread Panic, Our Lady Peace, Iron & Wine, Owl City and Slightly Stoopid.
Address: 32 Ann St, Charleston, SC 29403, United States
Timings: 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm (Thursday)
Fees: Depends on the show
10. Baseball
Whether you enjoy baseball or not, catching a Charleston RiverDogs game at the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park is a fun experience. You can watch the Minor League Baseball team compete against several other teams and choose between single game tickets or group ticket packages. You can munch on some snacks as you watch the game and make your way over to the shop to buy some souvenirs or apparel once it is over.
Address: 360 Fishburne St, Charleston, SC 29403, United States
Tickets: USD 19 and upwards
11. The Alley
The Alley is the only bowling alley in Charleston’s downtown neighbourhood. It is prevalent due to the wonderful bowling experience to its visitors and its bar, delicious food, arcade, and massive TVs and projection screens perfect for watching some sports. With its 8 bowling lanes, the alley has a retro aesthetic and is suitable for hosting parties and private events. You can grab some scrumptious burgers, sandwiches, or even some locally brewed craft beer as you take a break from bowling or play some games at the arcade. If you aren’t in the mood to bowl, you can always go and sit at the sports bar and watch the game.
Address: 131 Columbus St, Charleston, SC 29403, United States
Timings: 4:00 am to 11:00 pm (Monday, Wednesday), 11:00 am to 11:00 pm (Thursday- Sunday), Tuesday closed
Fees: USD 35-45 per hour
12. Water Dog Paddle tour
A treat for water sports lovers, Water Dog Paddle, offers a SUNSET kayaking and paddleboarding tour over the Bohicket Creek. You would go looking for dolphins, birds and other wildlife as the sun sets, and you get to take in the gorgeous view of the sky changing colours. The tour lasts about 2 hours, and you would need to wear your swimsuit, and paddleboarding is done barefoot while kayaking with water shoes. At the end of your tour, you will be provided with a digital photo album documenting your experience.
Address: Bohicket Marina, 1880 Andell Bluff Blvd, Johns Island, SC 29455, United States
Fees: USD 49-USD 55
13. The Royal American
The Royal American is located on Morrison Drive and offers its visitors a comfortable yet somewhat festive ambience. It has an outdoor deck and an indoor seating area with live music playing most of the time. The walls around the stage are adorned with band posters and string lights. Prop yourself up on one of the bar stools and drink some affordable beer or munch on some tasty beef jerky, beef tips or chips, while you enjoy the live show.
Address: 970 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403, United States
Timings: 11:00 am to 2:00 am
14. Republic Garden and Lounge
Popular for setting the gold standard of Charleston’s nightlife, Republic Garden and Lounge feature great live music every day and a luxurious atmosphere for a fun night out. At the Lounge, you can enjoy the live DJ; all you need to do is book a table while at the Garden, you can take advantage of the outdoor bar, the live music and of course, the food and drinks. Some of the most liked items on the menu include fries, shrimp, cheeseburgers, charcuterie and cheese plates, beer, champagne, wine and more.
Address: 462 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, United States
Timings: 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm (Wednesday- Thursday), 12:00 noon to 11:00 pm (Friday- Sunday), Monday- Tuesday closed
15. Shaggin’ on the Cooper
The Shaggin’ on the Cooper event at the Mount Pleasant Pier is a wonderful opportunity for you to go out dancing under the stars with a view of the Charleston Harbor. At the event, you would be able to enjoy the ocean breeze as you dance into the night with various local bands performing in the background. While the event is open to people of all ages, chaperones are a must for those under the age of 15, and you can either register online or purchase the ticket at the gate.
Address: 71 Harry M. Hallman Jr Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, United StatesCharleston’s nightlife is far from uneventful with so much to do, and you will undoubtedly have a blast exploring the various nighttime activities that the Holy City has to offer. Make sure to check out some of the options mentioned above if you are in the mood to have some fun during the night time while visiting Charleston.
Timings: 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Fees: USD 8-USD 10