Hundreds of folks have a lot to smile about today for being picked by Charleston City Paper readers as the Best of Charleston. Congratulations! Woo hoo!!
These winners deserve to be proud for putting in long hours of hard work, performing extraordinary customer service and doing all that it takes to be recognized for being at the top of their game.
In addition to today’s 48-page newspaper, look for our 128-page celebration of Best of Charleston winners in a special section available at any of the 700 locations where you pick up the newspaper throughout the tri-county area.
Inside the special Best of Charleston issue — we recommend that you keep it all year as a reference — you’ll find readers’ picks on everything from the best new place to find a cocktail to dozens of great restaurants by cuisine and location. Or you might want to figure out the best place to buy a cigar, shop for antiques or grab a new garment.
Among this year’s big winners are familiar names, such as the Charleston Animal Society, Halls Chophouse, Guilty Pleasures, Germain Dermatology, Lewis Barbecue and Holy City Brewing.
And then there were some new picks. Readers tapped former Congressman Joe Cunningham, who isn’t even in office any more, as best politician. Congrats also to this year’s big sponsor, Crantford Costa Ulm Plastic Surgery for being picked for the first time as best plastic surgery practice.
For the second year in a row, readers picked WCBD meteorologist Rob Fowler as winner in two categories — best weatherman (which he’s won several times) and best Charlestonian who is not Bill Murray or Darius Rucker!
Also look for these winners, some new, some familiar:
- Best locally based cannabis product: High Rise Seltzer
- Best indoor adventure/experience: Lumber Jill’s Axe Throwing Lounge
- Best place to buy local seafood: Crosby’s Fish and Shrimp Co.
- Best smoke shop: Smoke ’N Brew
- Best vintage clothing store: Red Rose Vintage
- Best dog-walking service: Brown Dog Walking Co.
- Best dance club: The Commodore
- Best local band: The Yacht Club
- Best do-gooder/activist: Kelly Carroll
- Best non-alcoholic bar: Sweatman’s Garden
- Best local podcast: Nic Butler’s Charleston Time Machine.
Finally, we would be remiss if we did not mention the generous sponsors and friends who helped us to put on a rocking winners’ celebration Thursday night as the City Paper took over Building 64 at the Navy Yard in North Charleston.
Thanks to everyone who voted in this year’s Best of Charleston contest. The 2026 edition is just around the corner!
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