Although artists and venues across the tri-county area did everything they could to keep the sounds, paint and more flowing, there’s something to be said about live entertainment (check out Bangkok Lounge for some karaoke) and a night out at the movies (Terrace Theater is everyone’s favorite). This year’s Best of Charleston may feel a little different, with many of its winners being sorely missed, but we know they will be back in person soon.
Best Party of 2020
Charleston on the Water
Runner-Up:
Skinful Halloween
Best Local Visual Artist
Matt Wilson
Runner-Up:
John Reese
Best Art Gallery
Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
161 Calhoun St. Downtown.
(843) 953-4422
halsey.cofc.edu
Runner-Up:
Redux Contemporary Art Center
Best Club DJ
DJ Natty Heavy
Runner-Up:
DJ Trevor D.
Best Jazz Band
Ranky Tanky
Runner-Up:
Charlton Singleton Quartet
Best Jazz & Blues Club
The Commodore
504 Meeting St. Downtown
thecommodorechs.com
Runner-Up:
Club Prohibition
Best Local Hip Hop Artist
Mason Jar Muzik
Runner-Up:
Benny Starr
Best Local Band
The Midnight City Band
Runner-Up:
Southbound 17
Best Local Comic
Brandy Sullivan
Runner-Up:
Hagan Ragland
Best Male Vocalist
Darius Rucker
Runner-Up:
Randall Fowler
Best House/Cover Band
The Midnight City Band
Runner-Up:
The Reckoning
Best Trivia Night
Charleston Sports Pub
Various Locations
charlestonsportspub.com
Runner-Up:
Mex 1 Coastal Cantina
Best Drag Show
Dudley’s on Ann
42 Ann St. Downtown.
(843) 577-6779
dudleysonann.com
Runner-Up:
Tabbuli
Best Local Podcast
Holy City High
Runner-Up:
Charleston Time Machine
Best Karaoke Night
Bangkok Lounge
353 King St., 2nd floor. Downtown
thebangkoklounge.com
Runner-Up:
Tin Roof
Best Art Instruction
Gibbes Museum of Art
135 Meeting St. Downtown.
(843) 722-2706
gibbesmuseum.org
Runner-Up:
Redux Contemporary Art Center
Best Recording Studio
Coast Records
coast-records.com
Runner-Up:
Truphonic Recording Studio
Best Local Theater Company
Theatre 99
280 Meeting St. #B. Downtown.
(843) 853-6687
theatre99.com
Runner-Up:
Charleston Stage
Best Movie Theater
Terrace Theater
1956d Maybank Highway. James Island
(843) 762-9494
terracetheater.com
Runner-Up:
Cinnebarre
Best Theater Show of 2020
Over the River and Through the Woods, Flowertown Players
Runner-Up:
I Love You — You’re Perfect — Now Change, Footlight Players
Best Female Vocalist
Lauren Hall
Runner-Up:
Quiana Parler
Best Music Concert of 2020
Charleston on the Water
Runner-Up:
Safe Sounds at Firefly Music Series
Best Place to See Local Music
Charleston Pour House
1977 Maybank Highway. James Island
(843) 571-4343
charlestonpourhouse.com
Runner-Up:
The Windjammer
Best Local Author
Mary Alice Monroe
Runner-Up:
Marcus Amaker
Best Museum
Gibbes Museum of Art
135 Meeting St. Downtown.
(843) 722-2706
gibbesmuseum.org
Runner-Up:
The Charleston Museum
Best Musician
Darius Rucker
Runner-Up:
Charlton Singleton
Best Exhibit of 2020
Building a Legacy, The Vibrant Vision Collection of Jonathan Green and Richard Weedman, Gibbes Museum of Art
Runner-Up:
The Water is Rising, John Gaulden, Avery Research Center
Best Place to See Local Hip-Hop
Charleston Pour House
1977 Maybank Highway. James Island
(843) 571-4343
charlestonpourhouse.com
Runner-Up:
The Purple Buffalo
Best Local Actor
Cullen Moss
Runner-ups:
Gabriel Wright & Paul O’Brian
Best Local Actress
Madelyn Knight
Runner-Up:
Nakeisha Daniel
Best Cultural Event
MOJA Arts Festival
Runner-Up:
Charleston Pride
Best Rock Music Club
Charleston Pour House
1977 Maybank Highway. James Island
(843) 571-4343
charlestonpourhouse.com
Runner-Up: Stay cool. Support City Paper. City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.
The Royal American
