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: Love Best of Charleston? Help the Charleston City Paper keep Best of Charleston going every year with a donation. Or sign up to become a member of the Charleston City Paper club.
The Royal American
