The charming city of Charleston is the perfect vacation spot. It’s got everything: world-class restaurants, vibrant nightlife, and Southern hospitality. For bourbon aficionados, there are plenty of spots in Charleston to enjoy a creative cocktail or sip a classic. Check out this list for our recommendations of the best bourbon bars in Charleston, South Carolina.
437 King Street
Proof is located right on the main drag of downtown Charleston. The bartenders there create innovative drinks using local and far-flung ingredients. The result is a perfectly unique cocktail experience. It’s a cozy spot that offers plenty for drinkers of all kinds to enjoy. It’s been around since 2012, when bartender Craig Nelson opened the space for folks to start their evening with a thoughtful cocktail or to keep the party going late into the night.
225 Meeting Street
This sexy spot is focused on elevating the cocktail game. It’s a luxurious, intimate bar with an on-trend menu and an eye toward indulgence. You can sip a carefully-crafted cocktail alongside caviar service. Consider the Bourbon and Clyde, a confection of a cocktail using Woodford Bourbon, Green Chartreuse, and Fernet. Those rich liquors are balanced by vanilla bean and a delightful orange foam topped with crushed pistachio. Its vessel? A cut crystal teacup.
76 Queen Street
So Husk isn’t strictly a bourbon bar like the rest on the list here. But it is a restaurant with an extensive bourbon menu and cocktails featuring bourbon. Their Husk Old Fashioned uses both bourbon and rye with a hint of Byrrh to bring a fruity spice quality to the glass. If drinking bourbon neat is your thing, take a moment to read through the page and a half of bourbon offerings. With so many to choose from, you’ll be glad you’re drinking where you can also get a full meal!
570 King Street
Fashionable and vibrant, you can get more than just what’s offered in the name at Bourbon N’ Bubbles on King Street. This is another spot where you can have dinner with your swanky cocktail. Try your favorite bourbon with the chai tea-infused ice cube or go all-out with a flight of rare Whistle Pig Boss Hog I, II, and III. Other bourbon flights are available, and the bartenders are happy to craft a custom bourbon cocktail.
547 King Street
There’s something for everyone at Prohibition, a rustic, jazzy place with an extensive food and drinks menu. The enormous bourbon list may seem daunting, but a friendly bartender can help you get exactly what you crave out of the collection. On beautiful evenings, head to the outdoor bar and patio for a drink and bite to eat. There’s also an indoor, temperature-controlled patio in addition to the regular bar and restaurant. So each visit to Prohibition can be tailored to the weather and your mood.
Among the palmettos and pineapples are wonderful bourbon bars in Charleston, South Carolina. Grab some classic Southern cuisine and then relax with a cocktail or two the next time you visit The Holy City. Which of these bourbon bars are you planning to visit first?