Let’s be honest, happy hour never tastes as good as when it’s enjoyed alfresco with a tiny umbrella in your drink — preferably a tiny vintage umbrella in a thrifted Tiki glass that you’re almost 100 percent sure came from the original Don the Beachcomber bar. Luckily, the Lowcountry has plenty of outdoor spaces to imbibe.
Blind Tiger
blindtigercharleston.com
What’s more twee than a speakeasy? OK, sure knee-high socks, but beyond that? Not much. So put on your fanciest hosiery (pro-tip: American Apparel carries knee-highs in multiple colors) and head to Broad Street to sip drinks in the courtyard just like the rum runners used to do.
Leon’s Fine Poultry and Oysters
leonsoystershop.com
Your tattoo says it all: “You ain’t living unless you’re drinking rose.” With that motto in mind, head to your home away from home, Leon’s, and grab a glass of the pink stuff for some see-and-be-seen patio sipping.
Poe’s Tavern
poestavern.com
Remove your copy of The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe from under your glass cloche and head to this holstein homage to the author. From the porch you can recite your favorite lines from The Tell-Tale Heart while eating the tale’s namesake burger.
Rooftop Bar
thevendue.com
Thanks to a snazzy makeover, Rooftop Bar is more popular than ever. But cool kids, don’t let that dissuade you from visiting. The drinks are affordable and the Charleston skyline selfie options are bar none the best in the city.
Salty Mike’s
Sure the patio overlooking the marsh can smell of decomposing crab carcasses at low tide, but that’s just one of Salty Mike’s charms. This dive is one of the few bars where you can smoke a cigarette and watch the full moon reflect upon the harbor just feet from your next round of cold ones.
Taco Boy
tacoboy.net
We heard going to Taco Boy is the new not going to Taco Boy. Seated in the courtyard you can drink margaritas and make ironic jokes about the already ironic Taco Boy logo. Whoa, like meta.
Vickery’s Bar and Grill
poestavern.com
Earn your porpoise-spotting adventure badge from the decks of this Shem Creek restaurant. With a PBR in hand, you can count the dolphins as they swim in from the sea.
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