What to Do in Charleston
This list was compiled from Charleston City Paper's readers' and editors' top picks.
Restaurants
39 Rue De Jean
(French, Bar)
39 John St. Charleston SC
(843) 722-8881
(843) 722-8881
My wife and I went in for a late supper Saturday night close to ten o'clock, pre-Built to Spill at the Farm, after the Grocery messed up our reservations. We had the foie, the beef tartar, the sweetbreads and the
More...
A.C.'s Bar and Grill
(Pubs + Taverns, Bar, Music Venue)
467 King St. Charleston SC
(843) 577-6742
(843) 577-6742
Sometimes overly crowded. Doesn't stop me from going. Can't beat the champaign list.
More...
Acme Lowcountry Kitchen
(Seafood, Bar, Music Venue)
31 J. C. Long Blvd. Isle of Palms SC
(843) 886-0024
(843) 886-0024
Great food Great Service and One Heck of a Great place. I always like the opinion of curstormers that complain about the little things. Always blow nothing into something, because they have nothing better to do. Maybe take a deep
More...
Amen Street Fish and Raw Bar
(Seafood)
205 E. Bay St. Charleston SC
(843) 853-8600
(843) 853-8600
Locals don't have to go to upper King to have fun anymore. Amen Street is a bar with great food. It's all about fresh seafood. There's no chicken on this menu. If you want to have fun with the beautiful
More...
Black Bean Co.
(Cafés, Vegetarian + Organic, Breakfast)
429 King St. Charleston SC
(843) 277-0990
(843) 277-0990
Five stars! This place has the freshest and most deliscious food! Not only is it healthy for you, but it tastes amazing!
More...
Blind Tiger
(Pubs + Taverns, Bar, Music Venue)
38 Broad St. Charleston SC
(843) 577-0088
(843) 577-0088
We eat here every time we are in Charleston and have never been disappointed. The tilapia with garlic spinach, the shrimp salad, the crab cakes, and anything that happens to be the special of the day will be outstanding. We
More...
Carolina's
(New Southern, Bar)
10 Exchange St. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 724-3800
(843) 724-3800
I love this place for happy hour or dinner. For happy hour you really can't beat their french fries with parmesan & truffle oil...plus 1/2 price bar menu & drinks. LOVE it!!
More...
Charleston Beer Works
(Pubs + Taverns, Bar, Sports Bar)
468 King St. Charleston SC
(843) 577-5885
(843) 577-5885
great beer selection, great games to play while there, always have every game on TV, and there is always a ton of good looking coed's there.
More...
CO
(Thai + Vietnamese)
340 King St. Charleston SC
(843) 720-3631
(843) 720-3631
I lived on the west coast for years where Vietnamese and Thai restaurants were cheap, plentiful, and authentic. It's rare to find the same level of tastiness here. I wish I could remember the name of the shrimp and noodle
More...
Coast
(Seafood, Bar)
39-D John St. Charleston SC
(843) 722-8838
(843) 722-8838
Always a great meal at Coast, the interior and outside dining areas are fun and really well done. Its a great place to go with a small group, service is excellent. Its def. on the high side with prices, but
More...
Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ
(Bar, Barbecue, Music Venue)
2209 Middle St. Sullivan's Island SC
(843) 883-3131
(843) 883-3131
Gene's Haufbrau
(Bar, Music Venue, Pubs + Taverns)
817 Savannah Hwy. Charleston SC
(843) 225-4363
(843) 225-4363
Nice bar with friendly people and a large beer selection, but there are too few pool tables and dart boards. I think that there should be a time limit on games.
More...
Hank's Seafood Restaurant
(Seafood)
10 Hayne St. Charleston SC
(843) 723-3474
(843) 723-3474
oh yeah--- top rating.
Jestine's Kitchen
(Southern)
251 Meeting St. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 722-7224
(843) 722-7224
Madra Rua
(English + Irish, Bar, Music Venue, Sports Bar)
1034 E. Montague Ave. North Charleston SC
(843) 554-2522
(843) 554-2522
Great place for a pint o' beer... good atmosphere for hanging with friends (4+ stars). The food is good, but not wow, fairly typical (3 stars).
More...
Med Bistro
(American, Bar, Gallery, Music Venue)
90 Folly Road Blvd. Charleston SC
(843) 766-0323
(843) 766-0323
Good food. Cool atmosphere
Mellow Mushroom
(Pizza, Bar, Music Venue)
309 King St. Charleston SC
(843) 723-7374
(843) 723-7374
PHENOMENAL PIZZA!!! Mellow Mushroom makes fanatic pizza, and the restaurant itself is pretty cool. The new rooftop patio is very cool and with the addition of restrooms upstairs you no longer have to walk down a set of stairs and
More...
Sesame Burgers & Beer
(Burgers)
2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. Charleston SC
(843) 766-7770
(843) 766-7770
love the west ashley location! the BEST burger in town, good service, fun times!
More...
Southend Brewery & Smokehouse
(Bar, Music Venue, American)
161 East Bay St. Charleston SC
(843) 853-4677
(843) 853-4677
The Grocery
(Modern American)
4 Cannon St. Charleston SC
(843) 302-8825
(843) 302-8825
Wow, wow, wow! I was initially intimidated by the set up of the Grocery's menu, but a friend had been raving about it, so we broke down and went for restaurant week. So glad we did! After reviewing the menu
More...
The Ordinary
(Seafood)
544 King St. Charleston SC
(843) 414-7060
(843) 414-7060
We went in March and everything was absolutely spectacular. The swordfish was the best preparation of fish I've ever had. Went with my parents and a friend, and the bill was totally appropriate for what we ordered (plenty of food
More...
The Recovery Room
(Pubs + Taverns, Bar)
685 King St. Charleston SC
(843) 727-0999
(843) 727-0999
Hot chicks good munchies plenty of parking. a life style created under a connecter.
More...
Tommy Condon's Irish Pub & Seafood Restaurant
(English + Irish, Bar, Music Venue, Sports Bar)
160 Church St. Charleston SC
(843) 577-3818
(843) 577-3818
Great place to go for Beers and Music. Best part about this place is the Band, Bartenders, and Beers. It is not the best place to eat nor the best "Irish Bar" but the music and atmosphere has always made
More...
Vickery's Bar and Grill
(American, Bar)
1313 Shrimp Boat Lane Mt Pleasant SC
(843) 884-4440
(843) 884-4440
Thank you Vickery's! I am a local and dine at Vick's often, but this was my first time with a large group. I organize monthly dinners for a women's group. Our outing at Vickery's was one of our tastiest and
More...
Wild Wing
(American, Karaoke, Music Venue, Sports Bar, Bar)
36 N. Market St. Charleston SC
(843) 722-9464
(843) 722-9464
Local Food
The Green Door
(Local Foods, Fusion + Eclectic)
251 East Bay St. Charleston SC
(843) 754-9914
(843) 754-9914
Unique place with excellent food!!!
Bars + Clubs
Circular Congregational Church
(Church, Music Venue)
150 Meeting St. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 577-6400
(843) 577-6400
Dunleavy's Pub
(Bar, Music Venue, English + Irish)
2213-A Middle St. Sullivans Island SC
(843) 883-9646
(843) 883-9646
Family Circle Tennis Center
(Music Venue, Sports Venue)
161 Seven Farms Drive Charleston South Carolina
(843) 849-5300
(843) 849-5300
Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ
(Barbecue, Bar, Music Venue)
1205 Ashley River Road Charleston SC
(843) 225-7427
(843) 225-7427
Love this place! It was recently reviewed on What's Eating Chuck.
More...
Gene's Haufbrau
(Bar, Music Venue, Pubs + Taverns)
817 Savannah Hwy. Charleston SC
(843) 225-4363
(843) 225-4363
Nice bar with friendly people and a large beer selection, but there are too few pool tables and dart boards. I think that there should be a time limit on games.
More...
Halls Chophouse
(Steakhouse, Music Venue)
434 King St. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 727-0090
(843) 727-0090
We had a wonderful dinner at Halls Chophouse. The atmosphere was pleasant, the food was great, and the staff was very attentive. I disagree with other postings regarding the staff. We found it refreshing to have a host and waiter
More...
Henry's House
(Bar, Music Venue, Pubs + Taverns)
54 N. Market St. Charleston SC
(843) 723-4363
(843) 723-4363
henry's kicks major ass!new years eve was a blast! SOOO many people, and the band three-legged wheel is the coolest act i've seen around here! they wore SUITS and the singer/bass dude sounds JUST like JOURNEY and AC/DC!! P.S... the
More...
Husk Restaurant
(New Southern, Bar)
76 Queen St. Charleston SC
(843) 577-2500
(843) 577-2500
These stars are for the burger.
Joseph P. Riley Jr. Stadium
(General Location, Music Venue, Sports Venue)
360 Fishburne St. Charleston South Carolina
Kickin' Chicken
(Chicken, Bar, Music Venue)
337 King St. Charleston SC
(843) 805-5020
(843) 805-5020
Med Bistro
(American, Bar, Gallery, Music Venue)
90 Folly Road Blvd. Charleston SC
(843) 766-0323
(843) 766-0323
This restaurant was by far the best restaurant I have been to in years. Our waitress was lovely and the atmosphere couldn't have been more perfect. My husband and I enjoyed a delicious dinner, while remaining intimate, yet somewhat casual.
More...
Moe's Crosstown Tavern
(Pubs + Taverns, Bar)
714 Rutledge Ave. Charleston SC
(843) 641-0469
(843) 641-0469
Awesome burgers
Monster Music & Movies
(Music Venue, Store)
946 Orleans Rd. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 571-4657
(843) 571-4657
Nice to find, friendly, accommodating, huge selections all types of music... and even used CD DVD and VCR sections. They'll order what you can't find.
More...
Morgan Creek Grill
(Seafood, Bar, Music Venue)
80 41st Ave. Isle of Palms SC
(843) 886-8980
(843) 886-8980
Poe's Tavern
(Pubs + Taverns, Bar, Music Venue)
2210 Middle St. Sullivans Island SC
(843) 883-0083
(843) 883-0083
Once again, Poe's rocks! I'm just posting again to get that effin dive Montreaux off of the CP home page! What a piece of work!!
More...
Social
(Wine Bar, Bar, Restaurants + Bars)
188 East Bay St. Charleston SC
(843) 577-5665
(843) 577-5665
Great time we had at social wednesday. Friendly hostess, accommodating wait staff, and great food & drinks!
More...
Southend Brewery & Smokehouse
(Bar, Music Venue, American)
161 East Bay St. Charleston SC
(843) 853-4677
(843) 853-4677
Squeeze
(Bar, Music Venue, Cocktail Bar)
213 East Bay St. Charleston SC
(843) 937-6210
(843) 937-6210
Squeeze is the best bar downtown...fun, unpretentious, and you can meet the famous Captain. The bartenders are amazing...the music is great...and the bathrooms are the best in the city. We love it! ~ Brian and Melissa
More...
The Ice House
(Bar, Karaoke, Music Venue)
104 E. Doty Ave. Summerville SC
(843) 875-5500
(843) 875-5500
Hello Danica, My name is Woody. I am the owner of the Icehouse. I would like to inform you that you should not complain about an $18 tab you did not pay! After complaining about not being able to pay
More...
The Mill
(Pubs + Taverns, Bar, Music Venue, Open Mic, Sports Bar)
1026 E. Montague Ave. North Charleston SC
(843) 225-2650
(843) 225-2650
one of the best bars in charleston, without a doubt. i love the hairy guy
More...
The Pour House
(Bar, Music Venue, Dance Club)
1977 Maybank Hwy. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 571-4343
(843) 571-4343
Best atmosphere for a music venue in town and continues to bring in top notch acts for a very good price. The deck may be my favorite bar in town
More...
The Recovery Room
(Pubs + Taverns, Bar)
685 King St. Charleston SC
(843) 727-0999
(843) 727-0999
Boston and his staff make this the place to head to in whatever your attire. The patrons are eclectic, the drinks are awesome, Buck Hunter is the best and the shake weight Boston has behind the bar says it all.
More...
The Windjammer
(Bar, Music Venue, Open Mic)
1008 Ocean Blvd. Isle of Palms SC
(843) 886-8596
(843) 886-8596
Tommy Condon's Irish Pub & Seafood Restaurant
(English + Irish, Bar, Music Venue, Sports Bar)
160 Church St. Charleston SC
(843) 577-3818
(843) 577-3818
Great place to go for Beers and Music. Best part about this place is the Band, Bartenders, and Beers. It is not the best place to eat nor the best "Irish Bar" but the music and atmosphere has always made
More...
Arts
American Theater
(Music Venue, Theatre)
446 King St. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 722-3456
(843) 722-3456
Brilliant cast, funny performance.
Charleston Ballet Theatre
(Theatre)
617 Johnny Dodds Blvd. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 723-7334
(843) 723-7334
Charleston Museum
(Museum)
360 Meeting St. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 722-2296
(843) 722-2296
City Gallery at Waterfront Park
(Gallery)
34 Prioleau St. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 958-6484
(843) 958-6484
Corrigan Gallery
(Gallery)
62 Queen St. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 722-9868
(843) 722-9868
Dock Street Theatre
(Theatre)
135 Church St. Charleston SC
(843) 720-3968
(843) 720-3968
54 St. Philip St. Charleston SC
843-953-5604
843-953-5604
Eye Level Art Warehouse Gallery
(Gallery)
2143 Heriot St. Suite F Charleston South Carolina
(843) 425-3576
(843) 425-3576
Eye Level Art: 103
(Gallery, Music Venue)
103 Spring St. Charleston SC
(843) 425-3576
(843) 425-3576
Superb in every way.
Fort Sumter
(Attraction, Museum)
Charleston Harbor Charleston SC
(843) 883-3123
(843) 883-3123
Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
(Gallery)
161 Calhoun St. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 953-4422
(843) 953-4422
Med Bistro
(American, Bar, Gallery, Music Venue)
90 Folly Road Blvd. Charleston SC
(843) 766-0323
(843) 766-0323
Good food. Cool atmosphere
Memminger Auditorium
(Theatre)
56 Beaufain Street Charleston SC
The Groundhog Day Benefit Concert for the Halsey Institute featuring The Opposite of a Train was my first performance at Memminger Auditorium. I feel the hall has a nice resonance and an intimate yet spacious feel. I'm looking forward to
More...
North Charleston Performing Arts Center
(Music Venue, Theatre)
5001 Coliseum Dr. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 529-5050
(843) 529-5050
Powder Magazine Museum
(Museum)
79 Cumberland St. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 722-9350
(843) 722-9350
Sailing on the high seas takes a dedicated and seasoned sailor. Thank you to the crew and her captain for bringing her to Charleston.
More...
PURE Theatre
(Theatre)
477 King St. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 723-4444
(843) 723-4444
LOVED PURE Theatre's Waffle Haus Christmas! Run, don't walk, and see it before the play closes!
More...
Robert Lange Studios
(Gallery)
2 Queen St. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 805-8052
(843) 805-8052
Best art in town...
Sottile Theatre
(Theatre)
44 George St. Charleston SC
(843) 953-6340
(843) 953-6340
As good and as fun (and as offensive and as sexist -- as only Mel Brooks can get away with) as the Broadway show. The actors are all incredible (but 'Max', 'Bloom', 'Uma' and exceptionally funny 'Roger' deserve special note);
More...
Spark Studios and Gallery
(Gallery)
12 Hagood Ave. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 577-6906
(843) 577-6906
The Art Institute of Charleston
(Gallery)
24 N. Market St. Charleston South Carolina
Theatre 220, Simons Center for the Arts
(Theatre)
54 St. Philip St. Charleston South Carolina
Theatre 99
(Music Venue, Theatre)
280 Meeting St. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 853-6687
(843) 853-6687
Awesome, Love it , it's great.
Village Playhouse
(Theatre)
730 Coleman Blvd. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 856-1579
(843) 856-1579
Entertainment
Carolina Ice Palace
(Sports Venue)
7665 Northwoods Blvd Charleston South Carolina
(843) 572-2717
(843) 572-2717
Cinebarre
(Movie Theater)
963 Houston-Northcutt Boulevard Mount Pleasant SC
(843)884-7885
(843)884-7885
Citadel Mall Stadium 16 with IMAX
(Movie Theater)
2072 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. Charleston SC
(843) 556-4629
(843) 556-4629
I've been about 5-6 times and have always had a good experience. You aren't paying $2 "for the glasses", you are paying extra for the advanced technology and the fact that you are watching it in 3D is worth the
More...
Coastal Carolina Fair
(Attraction, Music Venue)
Exchange Park, Hwy. 78 Charleston South Carolina
(843) 572-3161
(843) 572-3161
Sooooo much fun
Family Circle Tennis Center
(Music Venue, Sports Venue)
161 Seven Farms Drive Charleston South Carolina
(843) 849-5300
(843) 849-5300
Fort Moultrie
(Attraction, General Location)
1214 Middle St. Charleston South Carolina
Fort Sumter
(Attraction, Museum)
Charleston Harbor Charleston SC
(843) 883-3123
(843) 883-3123
James Island County Park
(Attraction)
871 Riverland Dr. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 795-4FUN (4386)
(843) 795-4FUN (4386)
Joseph P. Riley Jr. Stadium
(General Location, Music Venue, Sports Venue)
360 Fishburne St. Charleston South Carolina
Old City Jail
(Attraction, General Location)
21 Magazine St. Charleston South Carolina
S.C. Aquarium
(Attraction)
100 Aquarium Wharf Charleston South Carolina
(843) 720-1990
(843) 720-1990
Terrace Theatre
(Movie Theater)
1956 Maybank Highway Charleston SC
(843)762-9494
(843)762-9494
The Battery
(Attraction)
East Battery Street & Murray Blvd. Charleston South Carolina
Best in Green
Alluette's Café
(Cafés, Vegetarian + Organic, Restaurants + Bars)
80A Reid St Charleston SC
(843) 577-6926
(843) 577-6926
Blu Restaurant & Bar
(Seafood, Music Venue, Restaurants + Bars)
1 Center St. Folly Beach SC
(843) 588-6658
(843) 588-6658
A group of us went to Blu last week to try it out for the first time. The rennovations at the Holiday Inn are great. The Blu dining room is huge, which was expected because it is in a hotel.
More...
General
Charleston Beer Exchange
(Store)
14 Exchange St. Charleston SC
(843) 577-5446
(843) 577-5446
Ok, ok. After discussions with many about my review, maybe i overreacted. maybe i was the one having the bad day and i did the same thing that i myself complained about and took it out on an undeserving party.
More...
Fort Moultrie
(Attraction, General Location)
1214 Middle St. Charleston South Carolina
Freshfields Village
(Store)
149 Village Green Lane Johns Island South Carolina
(843) 768-6491
(843) 768-6491
Gaillard Municipal Auditorium
(General Location, Music Venue)
77 Calhoun St. Charleston SC
(843) 577-7400
(843) 577-7400
Generation XXX
(Store)
7219-A Cross County Road Charleston SC
(843) 552-9700
(843) 552-9700
Joseph P. Riley Jr. Stadium
(General Location, Music Venue, Sports Venue)
360 Fishburne St. Charleston South Carolina
Monster Music & Movies
(Music Venue, Store)
946 Orleans Rd. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 571-4657
(843) 571-4657
Nice to find, friendly, accommodating, huge selections all types of music... and even used CD DVD and VCR sections. They'll order what you can't find.
More...
North Charleston Coliseum
(Music Venue, General Location)
5001 Coliseum Drive Charleston South Carolina
(843) 529-5050
(843) 529-5050
Saw this on opening night. Definitely as good as I remember Cirque being
More...
Old City Jail
(Attraction, General Location)
21 Magazine St. Charleston South Carolina
40 Patriots Point Road Charleston South Carolina
Tomato Shed Cafe
(Southern, Store)
842 Main Road Charleston South Carolina
(843) 559-9999
(843) 559-9999
Just "discovered" this place last weekend & had lunch, my wife is now teaching school in that area. Unreal. Best crab cake (sandwich) I've had in my life (I've had a lot), excellent cuke/tomato/onion salad, and water/tea/lemonade for $7. Ended
More...
Community
Circular Congregational Church
(Church, Music Venue)
150 Meeting St. Charleston South Carolina
(843) 577-6400
(843) 577-6400
St. Michael's Episcopal Church
(Church)
71 Broad St. Charleston South Carolina
St. Philip's Church
(Church)
142 Church Street Charleston SC
(843) 722-7734
(843) 722-7734
Popular Events
-
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying @ Al Hirschfeld Theater
- Tue-Sat at 8pm, Wed, Sat at 2pm, Sun at 3pm
-
-
Avenue Q @ New World Stages
- Mon, Wed-Sat at 8pm, Sat at 2pm, Sun at 3pm, 7:30pm
-
Then She Fell @ The Kingsland Ward at St. Johns
- Tuesdays-Sundays, 7:30 & 10 p.m. Continues through June 30
