Charlestonians know how to celebrate a holiday, and July 4 is always done right in the Lowcountry. From kid-friendly events to catering options for your at-home party, local restaurants, hotels and attractions offer delicious and festive ways to honor Independence Day!
Bay Street Biergarten’s 4th Of July Block Party begins at 11 a.m. and this all-day downtown celebration offers everything from jousting to stein hoisting. Cookout-style food and Biergarten favorites as well as drink specials are on the menu with local vendors on-site from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tastings and exclusive swag will be available from sponsors Bulleit Bourbon and Casamigos Tequila (while supplies last). More: baystreetbiergarten.com
From July 1 through 6, The Charleston Place will celebrate “In Pursuit of Liberty and Leisure” in the Market Street Circle from noon until 6 p.m. This festive nod to the red, white and blue will offer food items, specialty patriotic cocktails, live music, and backyard lawn games for all ages. Ice cream treats will be served each day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and flavors include Madagascar vanilla gelato, dark chocolate, Madagascar vanilla with gold nugget mandarin and 1/2 oz of Osetra Caviar, Madagascar vanilla with gold nugget mandarin and 1/2 oz of Kaluga Caviar and dark chocolate with extra virgin olive oil and Bulls Bay smoked sea salt, with the option to make any flavor a cookie sandwich. More: charlestonplace.com
Élevé at the Grand Bohemian offers sweeping views of Charleston’s fireworks, festive cocktails in partnership with Beam Suntory and an all-you-can-eat buffet. Tickets include one complimentary drink, with a full cash bar available, plus a live DJ and photo booth. Menu items include hot dogs and burger sliders, sides including potato salad and baked beans and pecan pie and banana pudding for dessert. The event is 21+ only and tickets are $75 per person plus tax and 20% gratuity (hotel guests are $49 per person). More: elevecharleston.com
The Daniel Island and Isle of Palms locations of Jeff’s Bagel Run are offering specials on Independence Day. These include a red, white and blue vanilla sprinkles bagel and “Summer of Sips” drink specials including Pop Rocks lemonade and ice cream sundae latte. The grand opening of the Johns Island shop is on July 11. More: jeffsbagelrun.com
For the entire holiday weekend, Lillian’s Petite Market & Eatery will be featuring limited-time menu items, hamburger sliders and hot dogs — perfect for a festive bite. The team will also be serving up a specialty Fourth of July cocktail alongside housemade red, white, and blue cupcakes courtesy of Lillian’s pastry team. Guests can enjoy views of the fireworks from the terrace, no reservation needed. More: lillianschs.com
Melvin’s BBQ caters every type of event: birthday parties, corporate luncheons, family reunions and Fourth of July gatherings. The catering menu offers pulled pork, chicken, turkey or brisket combos in addition to a la carte items like smoked wings, ribs or pulled pork sliders. Sides include homemade mac ’n cheese and Southern potato salad, and the banana pudding is the go-to dessert. Pick-up is available from its Mount Pleasant or James Island locations (10-person minimum), and delivery or full service available for 25 people or more, with the option for Melvin’s staff to set up and maintain the buffet. More: melvinsbbq.com
If you’re heading up U.S. Highway 17 North, Middleton’s Village BBQ in Awendaw is a great pit stop for a delicious dine-in meal or for carry-out. Pitmaster Eliot Middleton uses his great-great-grandmother’s barbecue sauce from 1892 and other sauce options include lemon pepper, honey mustard and teriyaki. Ribs, pulled pork and chicken are paired with all the classic sides, and for those looking for seafood, there is a whiting sandwich as well as fried shrimp. Family sized sides, platters and party packages are available for larger groups. More: middletonsvillagebbq.com
Patriots Point’s annual 4th of July Blast takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. This ticketed event gives attendees access aboard the USS Yorktown where they will enjoy live music, local food and beverage vendors, family-friendly activities and the 20+ minute fireworks show over Charleston Harbor. Food and drink will be available for purchase from vendors including Cici’s Pizza, Fed Up Truck, Holy City Popcorn, J.A.R. Chili Dogs, JMACS Cheesesteaks and More, King of Pops, Lowcountry Taps and Nino’s Italian Ice. More: patriotspoint.org
Rudy Royale will be offering a one-day-only holiday takeaway special on July 4th, perfect for groups looking to feast while watching the fireworks. The $85 meal feeds four people and includes a whole chicken (ten pieces), cucumber salad, cole slaw, watermelon salad, mashed potatoes, choice of cornbread or cheddar biscuit and a choice of brownies or banana pudding, with the option to add on macaroni and cheese for an additional $15. This special is available for takeaway only and pre-orders are preferred. More: rudyroyale.com
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