Nightlife · Charleston · United States
Charleston nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Charleston, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Charleston's nightlife is centred on cocktail bars, rooftop terraces and late restaurants rather than clubs. Upper King Street is the main strip, while the Market area has older pubs and Folly Beach has casual beach bars. The main areas are Upper King Street, East Bay Street and the Market, Folly Beach and Shem Creek.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Upper King
- Local drink
- Sweet tea
Where to go out
Upper King Street
The densest stretch of cocktail bars, breweries' taprooms and late kitchens, busiest on Friday and Saturday.
East Bay Street and the Market
Hotel bars, rooftop terraces and long-running pubs within a short walk of the main hotels.
Folly Beach
Casual beach bars and live music along Center Street near the pier.
Shem Creek
Waterfront decks for sunset drinks in Mount Pleasant.
Nightlife tips
- Bars generally close around 2am downtown.
- Open containers of alcohol are not allowed on downtown streets.
- Use ride-hailing between Upper King and hotels late at night; DASH shuttles stop in the evening.
What to drink
- Sweet tea — Iced black tea brewed and sweetened while hot, served by the pint with lemon. The Charleston Tea Garden on nearby Wadmalaw Island grows tea commercially, unusually for the United States.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 23°C (73°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:36 | 4°C (39°F) | 9 |
| April | About 19:49 | 12°C (54°F) | 7 |
| July | About 20:29 | 23°C (73°F) | 14 |
| October | About 18:47 | 14°C (57°F) | 6 |
Getting home late
- Walking — Brick and slate pavements are uneven and tree roots lift the stones; wear flat shoes.
- Bus — Check DASH routes at the visitor centre on Meeting Street, where many routes start.
- Ride-hailing — Uber and Lyft are widely used for the airport, Folly Beach and Mount Pleasant, and for late evenings on Upper King.
Late-night bites
- Fried green tomatoes — Brunch spots and Southern restaurants throughout downtown.
- Pimento cheese — Cafés, delis and bar menus; good as a picnic sandwich for the Battery.
- Benne wafers — Bakeries and gift shops in the City Market; sold in tins that travel well.
Staying safe at night
Downtown Charleston is generally comfortable to walk, but use normal city precautions late at night north of the tourist core and do not leave valuables visible in parked cars. At the beaches, rip currents are a real hazard, and summer heat and humidity cause exhaustion — carry water and plan around midday. Follow official guidance if a hurricane threatens.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for nightlife, food lovers, solo travellers and shopping
Upper King
King Street north of Marion Square, and the side streets of Cannonborough-Elliotborough to the west, is where much of Charleston's restaurant and bar scene has grown since the 2010s. Hotels here are newer and slightly better value than the Market area, and the Charleston Museum, Aiken-Rhett House and visitor centre are a short walk away. Weekend nights are loud along the main strip.
- Good
- Best concentration of bars and new restaurants; Free DASH shuttle routes pass through; Walkable to the historic district
- Watch out
- Weekend noise and bachelorette crowds; A 20–25-minute walk to the Battery
- Nearby
- Marion Square, Charleston Museum, Aiken-Rhett House, King Street shops
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Charleston?
Upper King Street, East Bay Street and the Market and Folly Beach. The densest stretch of cocktail bars, breweries' taprooms and late kitchens, busiest on Friday and Saturday.
+Which area of Charleston is best for nightlife?
Upper King: Restaurants, cocktail bars and design shops north of Calhoun Street.