10 Best Rooftop Bars in Charleston

Give us an overview of the space. There’s a formal/casual symbiosis going on at this ninth-floor rooftop Champagne and cocktail bar. The Bennett Hotel is one of downtown Charleston’s more refined spots, and the main bar interior reflects this. A regal dark purple palette dominates the space, with panelling that lands somewhere between Regency-era finery and a colorful spaceship. Patio doors lead to the far less buttoned-up terrace, and a deep blue pool surrounded by cabanas and seating. Views of Marion Square, King Street and St Matthews Lutheran Church stretching out below.

How’s the crowd? As well as hotel guests topping up their cocktails as they lounge by the pool, there’s a buzzy, post-work crowd of locals who are in-the-know enough to head straight here rather than the lobby bar. The somewhat-premium prices mean that it’s a natural choice for special occasions, with birthday and anniversary drinks driving the popping of Champagne corks. It’s mostly a well-dressed clientele, with swimming gear becoming less and less prevalent as the evening progresses.

How are the drinks? The house cocktails skew light and citrus-influenced, with infused vodkas and gins leading the way, perfect for hot and humid Charleston summers. Playful names—one of their signature drinks is called Don’t Kale My Vibes—abound, and esoteric ingredients such as strawberry jam and dragon fruit make appearances. A compact but serviceable wine list and a host of locally-brewed beers back up the mixed drinks list.

What do they have for food? Complementing the cocktail list, the kitchen has a choice of light bites. A mezze platter, charcuterie and a poached pear salad are typically fresh options, and there’s a couple of sandwich and burger options for bigger appetites. Their shrimp salad croissant combines the best of both worlds, and Belgian frites elevate their fry game nicely.

Did the staff do you right? The bar staff are relaxed and can confidently lead the curious through their cocktails, even suggesting bespoke creations if it’s not too busy. Originals with whimsical touches such as edible gold glitter stars and activated charcoal delight the more adventurous imbibers. A friendly, casual professionalism is the order of the day, and it creates a welcoming, unpretentious ambience.

Wrap it up: what are we coming here for? This bar feels quite idyllic as you order your second cocktail, the sun going down and the bells of St. Matthews ringing. You definitely get a downtown oasis vibe, and the luxe status of the hotel extends to the design of the bar. It’s a good option when you want to up the stakes a little for a date or a celebration, and the choice of indoor and outdoor spaces along with the views complete a great night out.

What were your first impressions?
The ‘rooftop’ aspect is—unusually—right there in the name, so you’d expect something special and you’d be right. Echoing the wood-forward décor of the dining room below is a hardwood-enclosed rooftop bar that boasts the only 360-degree views in the city. High quality timber and simple wicker furniture create a classy but casual space.

So who’s there?
A steady crowd of pre- and post-dinner drinkers amble out of the elevator from the late-afternoon opening time, some cleaned up for a special occasion, others in shorts and polo shirts, perhaps taking a look at the neighborhood they’ve just explored for the first time since arriving from out of town.

How are the drinks?
There’s a pleasing selection of cocktails, and the specialty menu has a lightness to it that recognizes that customers are probably eating a square meal somewhere else. Light spirits such as gins, flavored vodkas, and even wine cocktails feature prominently. The wine and beer selections are solid, with the latter featuring notable local brews.

Worth ordering something to eat, too?
The rooftop bar doesn’t currently serve food, but with the restaurant right downstairs, it’s not a concern.

Did the staff do you right?
It’s an in-demand spot for sure, but the bar staff copes with the volume spikes with considerable aplomb, even navigating the cocktail-hungry hordes without dipping into the weeds, making for an upbeat atmosphere the whole evening through.

Wrap it up: what are we coming here for?
Being one of the few people on the roof as they open up feels good, and if you’re a visitor, you can make good on the 360-degree view without the encumbrance of the crowds that filter in. It’s one of a kind in the city, so well worth squeezing in, even at the busier times.

What will we notice when we walk in? The elevation of this rooftop bar isn’t anything to write home about as you’re only a couple of stories up. However, its location on the tip of Patriots Point in the Charleston Harbor Resort delivers some seriously alluring views, with the harbor, Ravenel Bridge, the Battery and panoramas all the way out to Fort Sumter all laid out for your approval. An aesthetic shaped by the reclaimed wood interiors parlays into a casual seaside chic, the open-plan design meaning that the bar area opens out onto that scenic terrace.

How’s the crowd? The resort is a relatively luxurious waterfront hotel, and so there’s a steady stream of vaguely affluent guests drinking here at any one time. Despite the upscale backdrop, though, there’s a casual, vacation-friendly vibe and outside of occasional couples celebrating an anniversary at the attached restaurant, formality levels are low. It’s a slightly more mature crowd than some of the downtown rooftop spots, with a civilized appreciation of the wonderful vistas preferred to noisy rounds of tequila shots.

How are the drinks? As an annex to the seafood restaurant next door, the bar has a suitably versatile and comprehensive wine list that draws heavily on bubbles and whites. A good number of French wines mix with Californians, the latter making up more of the reds. The cocktail menu is a solid selection of classics such as mojitos, margaritas and Moscow Mules, and the draft beer selection rotates regularly along with a couple of bottles for craft connoisseurs.

What do they have to eat? The bar serves a pared-down version of its wonderful seafood menu, and guests can eat at the bar. Many of them order the incredibly fresh ‘peel and eat’ shrimp, or the fried shrimp platter. A light but tasty crab cake sandwich is also a winner, and there’s even the healthy(ish) fusion of a tuna poke tostada. Burgers and chicken tenders round out the options, but the seafood is where the kitchen shines.

Did the staff do you right? Any traces of formality fade into the distance, and the bar staff create an ‘island time’ ambience without tripping into tackiness. They’re knowledgeable and professional but happy to indulge a whimsical journey into their own cocktail creations by way of a few questions about preferred flavors.

Wrap it up: what are we coming here for? In terms of sundowners against a backdrop of spectacular sunsets, the Bridge Bar really sets the standard in Charleston. The sheer breadth of the views is among the best in town, and the harborside setting elevates the place in terms of relaxation and calm. Add to this a solid drinks menu and plates of fresh seafood, and you’ve got a prize catch right there.

Give us an overview. If you take just a ten minute drive from downtown, you’ll be rewarded with a pleasing change of scenery. This tavern trades urban rooftops for pastoral river views from its roof deck, with the panoramic greenery of Shem Creek laid out before guests. The deck itself has a modern rustic aesthetic, with simple but comfortable wooden and wrought iron furniture and an open design that shows off the sunsets to full effect. It’s a welcoming, unpretentious spot that makes the most of its bucolic setting.

How’s the crowd? The crowd here skews slightly more mature, the short drive out means fewer boozy bachelorette parties and more couples just looking for a relaxed terrace. People here are mostly happy just to gaze out over the riverside scenery and enjoy the reds and oranges of the sunsets each evening.

How are the drinks? The cocktail menu is solid, varied, and doesn't stray into any arcane territory. There are good iterations of the classics—margaritas, palomas, mojitos—bolstered by a few house creations. A cucumber mint cooler seems like a perfect start to a warm Charleston evening, while the Mocha Peppucino will appeal to sweet-toothed drinkers. The wine cellar provides a good choice of American favorites, and the beer and spirits lists both benefit from local brewery and distillery offerings.

What do they have on the food menu? The deck is limited to a dedicated sushi menu. There’s a selection of familiar rolls such as spicy tuna, fresh crab, and California, and left field innovations such as their Sweet Potato Roll. The seafood is wonderfully fresh, as you might expect from this corner of the world.

Did the staff do you right? With clientele volume lower than many of the downtown bars, the staff have time to chat and will indulge your questions and taste preferences and chat about whatever sporting event is showing on the TV screens. It’s a relaxed, professional and genial service.

Wrap it up: what are we coming here for? Those creek views are well worth the very short diversion from downtown, and it feels like a real escape from the urban clamor. Coming out for a cocktail before or after dinner in the tavern itself makes for a tranquil preamble or nightcap, and the sense of pastoral serenity is palpable.

What'd you think of the place?
No ordinary rooftop bar, this. The Vendue Hotel lures in its cocktail-drinking prey with a two-tiered rooftop experience, both levels encompassing different covered and uncovered levels, with the entire environs enlivened by playful Pop-Art installations that will keep the Instagram generation snap-happy. Wooden decking and sun-shaded wicker furniture mixes with chic lighting and gleaming bar tops for a high-end rooftop adventure. The harbor views don’t hurt.

Who else is there?
It’s a bar of two levels and a tale of two bars. During the week or pre-sunset on weekends, expect a more grown-up crowd of sophisticates chatting to the bar staff about barrel-aged bourbons and sipping eclectic drinks before heading out to dinner. Once the sun dips past the horizon, Fridays and Saturdays especially become more lively, with young professionals blowing off steam. But they don’t blow too hard, and the cross breezes keep things chill.

And the drinks? Anything special?
The cocktail list is at once recognizable, but then it has you looking again at the twists the staff have spun on the classics. Their margarita comes ‘picante’ and their mule is peach-flavored. The gin and Aperol freshness of the Gypsy Lips is a firm favorite as the weather warms up, as is their In Too Deep grapefruit-vodka concoction. Beers and wines run a reassuring gamut of international and local.

How was the food?
As with the drinks, the impressively diverse food offering is mostly favorites with a little something extra. The crab fritters are deviled, the sliders come with shrimp, and the steak salad has a Korean tinge. There’s a pleasing sandwich selection (the blackened salmon BLT is a treat—trust us), and sides from fries to tabouleh.

Was the service any good?
Knowledgeable bar and waitstaff smile through the vodka soda orders of roving bachelorette parties, and if you can slice out some conversation during quiet spells, they’re as friendly as can be.

So, why are we coming here?
The built-in variety of the two levels is a big draw, as are the views, of course. The cocktail list is just quirky enough without being intimidating, and don’t forget to take a photo posing as the couple from American Gothic in the interactive display by the downstairs elevator doors.

Most cities have them these days: that upscale lounge that’s marinated in the history of mixed drinks, and brags an ever-changing menu of inventive craft cocktails and their highly-skilled makers. In Charleston, that place is The Cocktail Club above the Macintosh. Note the red leather sofas and whisky crate side tables before stepping on onto the roof garden, where high wooden walls and comfy benches make a perfect, secret garden-esque setting for that muddled fruit sundowner. It’s first come, first served, and it gets a little crazy at peak hours, but you can buy into VIP membership, expect to jump all the way to the front of that line.

First impression? With its lofty perch up nine stories, this pour-your-own tap room enjoys the accolade of the highest rooftop bar in the city. Sat atop the Hyatt House Hotel, it’s a bar so casual that it can dispense with such formalities as bartenders, with the selection of ales (and ciders, wines and cocktails) available by the ounce and a self-serve ethos that the crowd really goes for. There are a few tables inside, but it’s on the terrace, with the lights of downtown Charleston slowly blinking on as the sun sets, where the real charm of this bar lies.

How’s the crowd? Fans of beer are the main clientele, with most of the 70-plus taps dedicated to different ales. The process makes for a lively, fun time and you can strike up conversations with fellow drinkers as you cautiously try a new drink. It’s a system that encourages experimentation, and it’s low stakes, as you can just try a few sips before finding a new favorite tipple, and that makes for a suitably relaxed atmosphere.

How are the drinks? The 70-odd drinks on tap skew beer-wards, but there’s a huge variety within that arena. Meads, ciders, fruit beers, and sours mix with IPAs, so there are plenty of options. There are a few red and white wines and a basic but serviceable list of cocktails that includes mojito and mule variations. The beauty is the freedom to mix and match, though, and try things that you may otherwise shy away from.

If there’s food, is it worth ordering something to eat? A set up this casual benefits from a similarly informal menu, and the elevated bar snack ethos is perfect for snacking and sharing. Cheese plates, nachos, and tacos head up the choices, with savory sides and sandwiches in the mix as well. Of the more decadent dishes on offer, the beer-poached shrimp and the marinated bacon gouda burger are the stand out selections. All in all it’s an easy breezy selection of bar fare.

Did the staff do you right? It's going to be an unfamiliar system for many when they first arrive, but friendly staff are on hand to take you through the process, and they know their way around the selections on tap.

Wrap it up: what are we coming here for? It’s one of the more unusual bars in town, but the novelty has a real charm, and it’s a lively, fun room to be in. It’s perfect for a first date scenario or to take friends from out of town. You might want to pace yourself, though, or those ninth-story city views might start to look hazy, and that would be a real shame given their allure.