Charleston has no shortage of booze-filled options with its thriving brewery scene, growing number of distilleries and assortment of dive and craft cocktail bars. Want a PBR? Head to Recovery Room, City Paper readers’ pick for Best Cheap Beer Deal and Best Cold Beer. Plus, don’t forget newbies like Best New Bar Tobin’s Market, a downtown outdoor watering hole.
In a year where folks were drinking more at home, locals were fortunate enough to have easy access to Best Local Spirit Firefly sweet tea vodka, and when it was time to return to local bars and restaurants, Best Bartender Shana Swain and Best Sommelier Sam Cooper welcomed us back with socially distanced open arms.
So without further ado, let’s raise a glass to the Drinking winners as voted on by City Paper readers. —Parker Milner
Best Adult Establishment
King Street Cabaret
1337 King St. Downtown.
(843) 789-4488
kingstreetcabaret.com
Runner-up:
Cheetah Gentleman’s Club
Best Authentic Pub
Blind Tiger Pub
36-38 Broad St. Downtown.
(843) 872-6700
blindtigerchs.com
Runner-up:
Seanachai Whiskey & Cocktail Bar
Best Bar Staff
Low Tide Brewing
2863 Maybank Highway. Johns Island.
(843) 576-9194
lowtidebrewing.com
Runner-up:
Moe’s Crosstown Tavern
Best Bartender
Shana Swain, Zen Asian Bistro
2037 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. West Ashley.
(843) 766-6331
zenasianrestaurant.com
Runner-up:
Chelsey Donnahoo, Hotel Bennett
Best Beer Retail Selection
Total Wine & More
1820 Ashley River Road. West Ashley.
(843) 763-7034
1501 N. Highway 17 #C-6. Mount Pleasant.
(843) 375-8999
totalwine.com
Runner-up:
Edmund’s Oast Exchange
Best Beer Selection on Tap
Bay Street Biergarten
549 E. Bay St. Downtown.
(843) 266-2437
baystreetbiergarten.com
Runner-up:
Gene’s Haufbrau
Best Bloody Mary
Page’s Okra Grill
302 Coleman Blvd. Mount Pleasant.
(843) 881-3333
pagesokragrill.com
Runner-up:
The Darling Oyster Bar
Best Bottled Beer
Edmund’s Oast Exchange
1081-B, Morrison Drive. Downtown.
(843) 990-9449
edmundsoast.com/exchange
Runner-up:
Gene’s Haufbrau
Best Bouncers
AC’s Bar & Grill
467 King St. Downtown.
(843) 577-6742
acsbar.com
Runner-up:
Uptown Social
Best Cheap Beer Deal
Recovery Room Tavern
685 King St. Downtown.
(843) 727-0999
recoveryroomtavern.com
Runner-up:
AC’s Bar & Grill
Best Cocktails
The Gin Joint
182 E. Bay St. #2169. Downtown.
(843) 577-6111
theginjoint.com
Runner-up:
Felix Cocktails et Cuisine
Best Cold Beer
Recovery Room Tavern
685 King St. Downtown.
(843) 727-0999
recoveryroomtavern.com
Runner-up:
Gene’s Haufbrau
Best College Bar
AC’s Bar & Grill
467 King St. Downtown.
(843) 577-6742
acsbar.com
Runner-up:
Uptown Social
Best Dance Club
The Commodore
504 Meeting St. Downtown.
thecommodorechs.com
Runner-up:
Trio
Best Daniel Island Bar
Daniel Island Grille
259 Seven Farms Drive. Daniel Island.
(843) 377-8750
dighospitality.com
Runner-up:
Dockery’s
Best Distillery
Firefly Distillery
4201 Spruill Ave. North Charleston.
(843) 557-1405
fireflydistillery.com
Runner-up:
High Wire Distilling
Best Downtown Bar
Blind Tiger Pub
36-38 Broad St. Downtown.
(843) 872-6700
blindtigerchs.com
Runner-up:
The Royal American
Best Folly Beach Bar
Taco Boy
106 E. Ashley Ave. Folly Beach.
(843) 588-9761
217 Huger St. Downtown.
(843) 789-3333
tacoboy.net
Runner-up:
Surf Bar
Best Folly Beach Happy Hour
Surf Bar
103 W. Cooper Ave. Folly Beach.
(843) 588-2009
surfbarfollybeach.com
Runner-up:
Taco Boy
Best Frozen Drinks
Home Team BBQ
126 Williman St. Downtown.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 4
2209 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island .
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 3
1205 Ashley River Road. West Ashley
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 2
hometeambbq.com
Runner-up:
The Co-Op
Best Happy Hour
Water’s Edge
1407 Shrimp Boat Lane. Mount Pleasant. (843) 884-4074
waters-edge-restaurant.com
Runner-up:
Pearlz Oyster Bar
Best IOP Bar
The Windjammer
1008 Ocean Blvd. Isle of Palms.
(866) 540-3548
the-windjammer.com
Runner-up:
Coconut Joe’s
Best IOP Happy Hour
The Windjammer
1008 Ocean Blvd. Isle of Palms. (866) 540-3548
the-windjammer.com
Runner-up:
The Dinghy
Best James Island Bar
Charleston Pour House
1977 Maybank Highway. James Island.
(843) 571-4343
charlestonpourhouse.com
Runner-up:
Bohemian Bull
Best James Island Happy Hour
Bohemian Bull
1531 Folly Road. James Island.
(843) 225-1817
bohemianbull.com
Runner-up:
Garage 75
Best Johns Island Bar
Tattooed Moose
1137 Morrison Drive. Downtown.
(843) 277-2990
3328 Maybank Highway. Johns Island.
(843) 952-7591
tattooedmoose.com
Runner-up:
Seanachai Whiskey & Cocktail Bar
Best Johns Island Happy Hour
Tattooed Moose
1137 Morrison Drive. Downtown.
(843) 277-2990
3328 Maybank Highway. Johns Island
(843) 952-7591
tattooedmoose.com
Runner-up:
Seanachai Whiskey & Cocktail Bar
Best Late Night Bar
Recovery Room Tavern
685 King St. Downtown.
(843) 727-0999
recoveryroomtavern.com
Runner-up:
Uptown Social
Best Local Beer
Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co., Something Cold
1505 King St. #115. Downtown.
(843) 718-3224
edmundsoast.com/brewing-co
Runner-up:
Low Tide Brewing Aloha Beaches Pineapple Wheat
Best Local Brewery
Holy City Brewing
1021 Aragon Ave. Charleston
(843) 459-2948
holycitybrewing.com
Runner-up:
Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co.
Best Brewery Taproom
Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co.
1505 King St. #115. Downtown.
(843) 718-3224
edmundsoast.com/brewing-co
Runner-up:
Holy City Brewing
Best Local Cocktail Mixer
Charleston Bloody Mary Mix
charlestonmix.com
Runner-up:
Jack Rudy Tonic Syrup
Best Local Spirit
Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka
4201 Spruill Ave. North Charleston.
(843) 557-1405
fireflydistillery.com
Runner-up:
High Wire Hat Trick Gin
Best Margarita
Mex 1 Coastal Cantina
817 St. Andrews Blvd. West Ashley.
(843) 751-4001
1109 Park W. Blvd. Mount Pleasant.
(843) 352-9699
2205 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island.
(843) 882-8172
mex1coastalcantina.com
Runner-up:
Taco Boy
Best Martini
Halls Chophouse
434 King St. Downtown.
(843) 727-0090
hallschophouse.com
Runner-up:
The Gin Joint
Best Mount Pleasant Bar
Saltwater Cowboys
130 Mill St. Mount Pleasant.
(843) 856-0700
saltwater-cowboys.com
Runner-up:
Red’s Ice House
Best Mount Pleasant Happy Hour
Red’s Ice House
98 Church St. Mount Pleasant.
(843) 388-0003
redsicehouse.com
Runner-up:
Water’s Edge
Best Neighborhood Bar
Moe’s Crosstown Tavern
714 Rutledge Ave. Downtown.
(843) 641-0469
moescrosstowntavern.com
Runner-up:
Madra Rua Irish Pub
Best New Bar
Tobin’s Market
197 Jackson St. Downtown
(843) 793-4130
tobins.jacksonstreetcottages.com
Runner-up:
Caroline’s Aloha Bar
Best No Frills Watering Hole
The Royal American
970 Morrison Drive. Downtown.
(843) 817-6925
theroyalamerican.com
Runner-up:
Moe’s Crosstown Tavern
Best North Charleston Bar
Madra Rua Irish Pub
1034 E. Montague Ave. North Charleston
(843) 554-2522
Runner-up:
DIG in the Park
Best North Charleston Happy Hour
Madra Rua Irish Pub
1034 E. Montague Ave. North Charleston
(843) 554-2522
Runner-up:
DIG in the Park
Best Pet Friendly Bar/Restaurant
The Barrel
1859 Folly Road. James Island.
(843) 732-2337
thebarrelcharleston.com
Runner-up:
Red’s Ice House
Best Rooftop Bar
The Rooftop at the Vendue
19 Vendue Range. Downtown.
(843) 577-7970
thevendue.com
Runner-up:
The Watch at the Restoration
Best Sommelier
Sam Cooper, Halls Chophouse
434 King St. Downtown.
(843) 727-0090
hallschophouse.com
Runner-up:
Sarah O’Kelley, Edmund’s Oast Exchange
Best Sports Bar
Home Team BBQ
126 Williman St. Downtown.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 4
2209 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 3
1205 Ashley River Road. West Ashley
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 2
hometeambbq.com
Runner-up:
Charleston Sports Pub
Best Sullivan’s Island Bar
Home Team BBQ
126 Williman St. Downtown.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 4
2209 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 3
1205 Ashley River Road. West Ashley
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 2
hometeambbq.com
Runner-up:
Poe’s Tavern
Best Sullivan’s Island Happy Hour
Home Team BBQ
126 Williman St. Downtown.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 4
2209 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island.
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 3
1205 Ashley River Road. West Ashley
(843) 225-RIBS Ext. 2
hometeambbq.com
Runner-up:
Mex 1 Coastal Cantina
Best Summerville Bar
Madra Rua Irish Pub
2066 N. Main St. Summerville.
(843) 821-9434
Runner-up:
The Icehouse Restaurant
Best Upscale Bar
Halls Chophouse
434 King St. Downtown.
(843) 727-0090
hallschophouse.com
Runner-up:
The Belmont
Best Waterfront Bar
Saltwater Cowboys
130 Mill St. Mount Pleasant.
(843) 856-0700
saltwater-cowboys.com
Runner-up:
Tavern & Table
Best West Ashley Bar
Gene’s Haufbrau
817 Savannah Highway. West Ashley.
(843) 225-4363
genes.beer
Runner-up:
The Roost Bar N’ Grill
Best West Ashley Happy Hour
Gene’s Haufbrau
817 Savannah Highway. West Ashley.
(843) 225-4363
genes.beer
Runner-up:
Triangle Char and Bar
Best Wine Selection (Bar/Restaurant)
Avondale Wine & Cheese
813 Savannah Highway # B. West Ashley.
(843) 769-5444
avondalewc.hrpos.heartland.us/menu
Runner-up:
Graft Wine Shop & Wine Bar
Best Wine Selection (Retail)
Total Wine & More
1820 Ashley River Road. West Ashley.
(843) 763-7034
1501 N. Highway 17 #C-6. Mount Pleasant.
(843) 375-8999
totalwine.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.
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