Where to Drink Cocktails in Charleston Right Now

Annex @ Last Saint is a bar within a bar that caters to cocktail lovers by going off-menu — literally. The veteran bartenders inside The Annex, located behind a door in the back of Last Saint, operate without a menu and query you on your preferences. Give them a booze you like and a few descriptors — Tequila, frothy, light — and they’ll mix a classic cocktail they think you’ll like. Say you want a bitter slow sipper made with gin or rye, and you might get a Chin Up, with gin, Cynar, vermouth, and a slice of cucumber. That frothy, light Tequila drink? It might end up being a Cavalier. On a recent night, local favorite Hunter Lee was working the small room — with just six bar stools and three tables — making labor-intensive cocktails like Ramos Gin Fizzes and delighting guests with his skills. For serious cocktail lovers who appreciate the care that goes into a great drink, The Annex @ Last Saint might just be the most entertaining front-row seat in town. 

Celebrating more than a decade on King Street, Proof is getting close to institutional status — and deservedly so. The craft cocktail bar is owned by Craig Nelson, a longtime food and beverage insider in Charleston and an excellent bartender in his own right. He designed Proof to showcase top-shelf spirits and cocktails for those who like the nightlife but prefer nursing an Old Fashioned to guzzling vodka and soda. Proof specializes in classic cocktails with a creative twist. A stellar example is the Smoldering Manhattan, made with Lapsang Souchong tea-infused bourbon, Jerry Thomas Bitters, and Madeira, Charleston’s historically beloved fortified wine. Another favorite is the Proof Gin and Tonic, made with Hendricks and lemon bitters, a perfect capper to end a hot summer day in Charleston. No reservations. More info here.

When an accomplished bartender opens a restaurant, you know the cocktail program will be a highlight. At Coterie, owner Jeremy Buck and partner Viraj Borkar teamed up to create an Indian restaurant that serves more than mango lassis. Buck’s cocktail menu hits hard with traditional Indian spices and flavors worked into drinks creatively — and effectively. The Carlita is their version of a margarita made with aged Tequila, Citron Sauvage, and a dash of cardamom. The Masala Mule uses spice-infused ginger beer. That same local soda maker has also created a special curryleaf tonic that can be mixed with your choice of spirit. The cocktail menu changes seasonally and also features specialty cocktails from bartender pals around the world, making it worth stopping in here regularly to sample their latest. If you see the Okroni, give it a try. It’s Coterie’s vegetal take on the negroni, using a housemade okra amaro.  

Estadio is a tiny tapas bar that delivers big on Spanish-themed drinks. They have 10 vermouths by the glass, each more interesting than the last, served on the rocks or in cocktails like the Bamboo, made with fino Sherry, dry vermouth, chamomile, and bitters. Most of the vermouths are from Spain, but one or two might surprise you, like the Oka Kura, a red sake vermouth from Japan. Then there are the Gin Tonicas, made with herbaceous Spanish gins and locally made Sweatman’s tonic. And if you’ve ever wondered what red wine mixed with Coca-Cola would taste like, they have the classic two-ingredient Spanish kalimotxo, a perfect happy hour concoction that pairs surprisingly well with Estadio’s savory tapas menu.      

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. And if you’re a martini fan, The Ordinary’s martini is a must-order. The housemade ocean vermouth, infused with spent oyster shells, dried shiitake mushroom, and kombu, adds a touch of brininess as does the salty, crunchy sea bean garnish.   

Do you know how to spot a regular at Le Farfalle? Chances are, if they’re cocktail fans, there’s 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).

Melfi’s is known for its crispy crust pizza and delectable pasta, but it’s hard to miss the sleek, wooden bar that 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 place 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. 

What more can you ask for on a hot summer day than a cocktail bar with a pool. The breezy indoor-outdoor space at the Ryder Hotel attracts just as many locals as it does hotel guests. Tropical vibes are the order of the day, and the drink menu is all about Late Checkouts, Paid Vacations, and Seven Day Weekends. The cheeky names belie the seriousness of these expertly designed cocktails, which incorporate interesting flavors (strawberry soda, cinnamon, papaya) and unexpected combinations. Bring your swimsuit, order a frozen Irish coffee, and enjoy the day poolside at Little Palm, whether you’re on vacation or just looking for a daytime escape. 

Charleston’s first distillery since Prohibition has been at the forefront of the craft distilling renaissance, transforming heirloom grains into expertly crafted spirits. High Wire moved to a bigger and better location not too long ago and expanded its tasting room offerings after lobbying for a law to allow bigger pours and direct sales. Now you can taste straight spirits and some carefully crafted cocktails too. Start with a flight to get a feel for the flavor profiles of their unique liquors, like Jimmy Red Straight Bourbon. The story behind this bourbon, made from moonshiners’ preferred corn, is best heard while sipping it, so we won’t spoil it for you here. High Wire is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with tours offered throughout the week. We highly recommend booking a tour. Not only will you see how the mash is made, but you’ll also get a peek at the owners’ impressive folk art collection, which has been installed on the back wall of the distillery — a hidden delight.

Basic Kitchen’s focus is healthy, locally sourced food, so many folks would be inclined to dismiss their cocktail list as an 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 cocktails such as the Famous Frozen Paloma or the technicolor-tinted Beet Margarita. Whichever we choose, they all seem to pair perfectly with those spicy cauli-wings and some locally caught shrimp.