PSA: These Are the 10 Best Rooftop Bars in Charleston, South Carolina
Cocktails with a view > literally everything else.
Rooftop szn is officially here, and there may be no better place to ~drink it in~ than Charleston, South Carolina. The steamy city is filled with all sorts of incredible rooftop watering holes, all perched high above the very cobblestone streets and historic pathways that make it one of the most charming cities in the country.
Whether you want to day drink your Saturday away with a Charleston Fizz, or spend a balmy, breezy evening chilling out on low lounge furniture with herb-infused cocktails and a live band, Charleston’s rooftop scene will 100% deliver. But just to be sure you have the best experience while you’re there, we rounded up the top rooftop bars that know how to serve up a good atmosphere as much as a good cocktail.
And P.S. If you're really feeling these rooftop vibes, may we suggest booking a trip to Charleston with CosmoTrips, our new travel-booking biz where we do all the planning for you? Don't you worry, rooftop bars ARE involved (along with so many other fun things).
The Citrus Club at The Dewberry Hotel
This mid-century cocktail club is the highest rooftop bar in Charleston, and it’s also the only bar that serves an actual backscratcher (yes, that Dollar Store stick that lets you scratch your own back) with one of its signature drinks, the Tropical Itch. There aren’t reservations at the Citrus Club, so arrive early to score a seat among the steeples.
The Little Palm at The Ryder Hotel
This open-air bar may only be a flight of stairs from ground level, but that doesn’t make it any less of a rooftop bar. It’s actually one of the only poolside bars in the city, and is without a doubt one of the chicest as well, with Jack Kerouac-esque vibes and equally retro cocktails.
Fiat Lux at Hotel Bennett
The pink-hued Champagne lounge in the Hotel Bennett gets all the Insta-fame, but it’s actually the luxe hotel’s rooftop bar that provides the best backdrop for a night out in Charleston. Don’t worry, there’s Champagne up there, too…and duck fat French fries!
The Watch at The Restoration
You can have your breakfast on the roof of this King Street building, but we recommend coming back during cocktail hours to test out their Pink Starburst Party Pouch (booze + candy = the ultimate rooftop experience). They also have a full menu of zero-proof cocktails for anyone who prefers a NOgroni over a Negroni.
The Rooftop at The Vendue Hotel
This is *the* Charleston sunset viewing spot…which means come early if you want a seat during magic hour. Ridiculous harbor views, amazing cocktails (looking at you Strawberry Basil Lemonade with honeysuckle vodka), and crave-worthy shareable plates make this one of the most popular bars in Charleston.
Stars Rooftop
Selling your crew on spending the night on top of Stars Restaurant should not be hard: Just start with its laid-back feel and 360-degree views. You’ll find bar stools for sure—and wines on tap!—but stake out the wicker furniture to go full Charleston with one of Stars’ signature cocktails in hand (the tequila-based El Matador is a solid choice).
Pavilion Bar at the Market Pavilion Hotel
There’s zero chance you’ll forget you’re in Charleston while sipping poolside at this elevated hotel bar. Corinthian columns? Check. Southern shrimp salad served on a croissant? Yep. Boozy punch? Only the booziest.
The Cocktail Club
Like the name suggests, this upper King Street bar is a haven for true cocktail geeks, especially anyone who values housemade infusions and hard-to-find liquors. There’s also a rooftop garden on top of this historic 1881 building, and it’s where the bartenders prune fresh herbs and garnishes for their hand-crafted cocktails.
Élevé at The Grand Bohemian Hotel
If Alice in Wonderland lived in Charleston, she’d 100 percent hang out among the trippy-chic turf of Élevé. Their aesthetic is magnetic, and will ~influence~ you to be a lil more tarte flambé and French rosé than...pizza and white zin.
Revelry Brewing Co.
Food trucks gather at street level, but you’ll need to head to the roof for live music, shared plates, and legit good beer. Sip on their custom flights if you can’t decide on one, but just know that the Lazy Lover Belgian blonde will satisfy you way more than the name suggests.
Kristy Alpert is a lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering travel, health, food, home, and more. She has visited all seven continents—paid rent on three—and takes far too much pride in her spice cabinet, which includes juniper berries from Norway, cardamom from Nepal, and a prized ras el hanout from Morocco. Before joining Cosmo, she was a freelance travel writer for Men’s Health, Food & Wine, Esquire, Fodor’s Travel, Wine Enthusiast, and more. She is also a certified yoga instructor and rookie surfer. Follow her on Instagram.
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