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:
The Royal American


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