Five Must-Visit Bars on King Street in Charleston, SC

So, you’re planning to go bar hopping on King Street, and you don’t know where to start? Look no further, because I know some great places for you. Read further for my Top 5 Bars to Visit on King Street!

1.     Uptown Social

This was by far our most visited bar during our trip to Charleston! Whether it was day drinking or for the nightlife, we came back again and again. Not only was our bartender during the day amazing (she made so many random, fun drinks for us), but the appetizers were delicious, and the music at night was phenomenal.

This bar does tend to get a little crowded at night, so be prepared for a busy bar if you are planning to come here. If you want a break from the crowd, venture upstairs to the rooftop to grab yourself a couch and a table. The rooftop has everything you could want. It has a cute little bar, places to sit, and if you’re lucky there might even be a DJ playing or there will be a game projected on the wall.

Don’t forget to check out and snap a pic in front of the butterfly wings!

2.     El Jefe

This was another bar we came back to a couple of times throughout our weekend in the city. First, we went to watch football in the back patio. With an entire TV wall, this is the perfect place to watch any game you’re looking for. So, if there’s a game you want to watch, but you also want to have a night out on King Street, pop into El Jefe and see if the patio has what you’re looking to watch!

But the fun doesn’t stop there, because you can’t get to the back patio without walking past the massive mechanical bull up front. It was so fun watching all of our friends hop up and give the mechanical bull a try. So, if you want to do something a little more active, or to have a good laugh, El Jefe might be a great stop for you.

3.     Prohibition

Another multi-visited stop for us on King Street! Not only did my boyfriend find his new favorite drink here, but the food is just so dang good too. We came here for drinks and appetizers the first evening in Charleston, and everything we tried was amazing. And beyond the food, every single person who works here was so friendly. The host not only took our soaking wet rain jackets and hung them up for us, but she also took the time to share the story of the different items on their menu.

Because we loved it so much, we came back the next day to have drinks again. But this time, we ventured to the back patio which is just as fun as the front. Since we were there on a chilly rainy day, the patio was pretty much empty despite the tent giving us cover. The friendliness of the staff proved not to be a one-off, because our experience with everyone there was just as amazing the second time as it was the first.

I definitely recommend popping into this bar if you are looking for a good atmosphere and a good drink.

4.     King Street Dispensary

Fall themed cocktails and espresso martinis on tap? Yes please! Don’t be confused by the name because King Street Dispensary is such a good stop on a King Street bar crawl. But the real standout here was the food. We ordered their dry rub wings and HOLY SMOKES, they were good! I had to fight myself to not get a second order despite being full from the first, because they were just that good. They are the type of wings I’m going to still be craving for ten years down the road.

But other than the wings, this bar is a little bit quieter than all the rest I’ve mentioned to this point. It served as a great stop to slow down, have a sip and a snack, and regroup before heading to the next bar.

5.     A.C.’s Bar & Grill

This was definitely a favorite for the boys in our group! This bar gives more of a divey, hole in the wall compared to the other bars you can stumble into on King Street. And that is exactly the type of bar our boys like to go to. The drinks here are simple -- beer, seltzer, liquor, and mixers, and that’s about it. Nothing too fancy, but the vibe in this bar is great!

Plus, the pool tables at the back of the bar provided the perfect stop for some entertainment and activity while we bar hopped down this iconic and busy street. I definitely recommend adding this stop to your list to change up the pace and energy from the other bars on this list.

I hope this list gives you a jumping off point if you’re planning a trip to King Street. Whether you take my advice or not, I hope you have a fun and safe time!