The Resy Guide to the Best Cocktail Spots in Charleston

The best rum bar in the city is hiding in plain sight at The Ordinary. Sure, you’re going to get something from their wine list for dinner, but before, allow the knowledgeable staff to steer you to a new favorite that is light years away from those frozen concoctions you whipped up in college, no matter if you think you recognize terms like “Mai Tai” and “Daiquiri” on the Classics list. There’s a New Kids on the Block list as well for those who are ready for a little adventure in a glass, as well as one of the most inventive lists of alcohol-free options for those not up for any of the aforementioned but who don’t want to be treated as an afterthought. 

Do you know how to spot a regular at Le Farfalle? Chances are, if they are cocktail fans, there is a Vertical Railroad in front of them. This cocktail, a smoky pineapple riff on a margarita, is a cult favorite with folks in the neighborhood, but it’s by no means the only ringer on the list. The offerings live on the brighter, botanical side of things, from gin to pisco to rum, and the open feel of the bar itself makes it a great spot to sample a few (and stay for dinner, of course). 

The Watch has revamped their menu, and added more times of the day the kitchen is open, which means breakfast with a rooftop view at The Restoration is a no-brainer for hotel guests. Beyond breakfast, the revamp extends to the cocktail menu as well, and a definite vibe weaves through the selections. From sour jelly bean syrup and Fruity Pebbles to lemonade Pedialyte, the style is definitely tongue-in-cheek. The punch these cocktails have, though, is no joke, so if you like your cocktails on the sweet side of fun, then this is your spot for sipping and sunsets. 

This indigo-colored building on King Street is a darling with Charleston’s creative set, and not only for their seasonal specials, frites, and the burger with a duck fat-and-sea salt bun. Their cocktails would be right at home in a 1950s Left Bank fever dream fantasy, including the Chartreuse Swizzle, a standout favorite made with green Chartreuse, genepy, and rhum agricole. The bar itself dominates the space, so follow the trend and eat there if you can’t find a seat. Chances are you’ll see the bartenders create another concoction that you simply must try. 

Call 843-990-9165 for reservations.

Jayce McConnell is a renowned bartender in the South (and beyond), and his office is this gastropub-meets beer hall-meets whole scene in the Half-Mile North complex. Here, he creates at his will and whimsy, working up frozen riffs on the 1970s Fuzzy Navel, teaching us all to love the nuances of apple brandy, and making the best Mint Julep we’ve ever had. The menu changes regularly, but what doesn’t ever leave it is the Red Wedding, McConnell’s hibiscus ice cube cocktail that continues to blow minds, much as it did when he put it on his first menu for the restaurant. 

We’re fudging a bit here, because the Bar at Husk is its very own entity in a building next to the restaurant, but we’d really be remiss to skip this spot for restaurant cocktail perfection. Many Husk guests wait for a table or stop by for a nightcap here, but you can make an evening (and a meal) at the bar. A limited selection of the restaurant’s seasonal hits are available, but there’s always the fried chicken, which goes with anything bar manager Justin Simko wants to put on the menu from the Grandstand Smash with Old Forester, lemon, and mint to the classic Barrel-Aged Manhattan. It’s hard to imagine having a bad drink — or a bad time — at this bar. 

Call 843-577-2500 for reservations.

Delaney’s seafood-centric menu should be evident in its name, and as far as cocktail pairings for all those fresh-caught favorites, bright and bubbly is the name of the game. The list is small but mighty with some spritzes and sours, including a sangria done exactly right, and although you can easily find bourbon behind the bar, the cocktail list is absent of it. What the cocktails do have in spades, however, is fresh flavors including many an herbal note, which pairs well with seafood and cools in Charleston’s often-sultry climate.

Basic Kitchen’s focus is healthy, locally sourced food, so many folks would be inclined to dismiss their cocktail list as afterthought. Those people would be wrong, and of course, that’s not you (or us). We know better, and cheers at Basic Kitchen with lovely classic cocktails such as the Paper Plane or Banana Daiquiri, or find new favorites like the technicolor-tinted beet margarita. Whichever we choose, they all seem to pair perfectly with those spicy cauli wings and some locally caught shrimp. 

Melfi’s is known for its crispy crust pizzas and delectable pastas, but it is hard to miss the sleek, wooden bar since it dominates one side of the room. Listen to its call and order a cocktail, whether an aperitif to start, an ice-cold martini (touted as the coldest in town, a good thing in a town like Charleston), or one of the Negroni selections. This restaurant riffs delightedly on the basics of Campari, gin, and vermouth to much success. And if you order the Dr. Melfi’s — a shaken Negroni sour — you just might understand that it is, indeed, just what the doctor ordered.