Image credit: Igor Starkov on Unsplash
Are you dying to get out of the house? Just to have a normal night out? Well, that’s why bars and restaurants with outdoor seating are so important right now. In the outdoors, a night out is a lot safer.
Five longtime staples of the South Carolina service industry are offering patrons a little relief from the indoor life. Bars with outdoor seating, restaurants with patios, and rooftop bars in Charleston and Mt. Pleasant provide a safer place to indulge, relax, and breathe easy.
These five establishments are some of our favorites for patio seating. Among them, you’ll find a range of different vibes and flavors, including some of the best Southern food in the country, a lively dance club, seaside or downtown Charleston views, and of course, some fine cocktails.
Tavern + Table Average Cost: $$ 100 Church St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 352-9510
Image credit: Tavern + Table
“T&T,” as the locals call it, in Mt. Pleasant offers low-country dining that’s a little more upscale than you’ll find in other Shem Creek establishments. With its charming seaside dock and its beautiful but low-key dining room, Tavern + Table is one of Mt. Pleasant’s best casual dining experiences.
Tavern’s dockside patio offers ample seating under ambient light, with a sunset view of the creek and marshlands that you’ll never forget. Parking for boaters is available just off the patio, and a school of dolphins makes an appearance nearby just about every day.
Drop by Tavern + Table to try some of the best deviled eggs in town, or grab a well-made cocktail on the dock.
Henry’s on the Market Average Cost: $$ 54 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401 (843) 723-4363
Image credit: Henry’s Events & Catering
Henry’s is the oldest continuous restaurant in Charleston. Though it opened in 1932, the current owners have thoroughly modernized this fixture of downtown Charleston.
This is possibly the only place in town where you can have low-country boil or a huge seafood platter on a rooftop patio, grab a cocktail, and then head just downstairs to enter an exclusive dance club that’s separate from the main dining room.
Still, you may not want to come inside after visiting the roof. Henry’s rooftop patio is charmingly Southern, with candle lighting, a romantic atmosphere, and a cute little speakeasy bar.
Visit Henry’s on the Market for one of the best rooftop views of central Charleston.
Vickery’s Bar & Grill Average Cost: $$ 1313 Shrimp Boat Ln, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 884-4440
Image credit: Vickery’s Bar & Grill
Overlooking one of the most breathtaking views of Shem Creek and the surrounding marshlands, Vickery’s Bar & Grill has long been a popular Mt. Pleasant hangout. Vickery’s is an ideal place to have a casual meal outdoors or a cozy drink at a waterside bar.
While the patio is large, open, and perched in front of a stunning low-country view, Vickery’s downstairs sand bar, Muddy’s, is a lot of fun. Patrons can sit at picnic tables right next to the water and watch the sunset, or head out onto the nearby dock for a better view.
Don’t miss their big winter oyster roast or their locally sourced menu! Find out more at VickerysMtP.com.
Uptown Social Average Cost: $$ 587 King St, Charleston, SC 29403 (843) 793-1837
Image credit: Uptown Social
Uptown Social is a lively bar and grill on Upper King Street serving comfort food made with fresh ingredients, including thin and crispy bar pies by Brooklyn legend Anthony Falco. The rooftop patio is spacious and inviting, decked out in warm wood tones and hand painted murals. You’ll also find a variety of events here.
On the roof, Uptown hosts a few fitness classes designed for groups, like Hump Day Yoga, happening every Wednesday this month. Throughout the week, the bar also hosts live bands, singer songwriters, and DJs to come and play outdoors.
To check out events or their mouthwatering menu, visit them online at UptownSocialCHS.com.
Red’s Ice House Average Cost: $$ 98 Church St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 388-0003
Image credit: Red’s Ice House
Red’s Ice House is truly a Charleston-area landmark. It’s one of the most popular pub-fare joints in Mt. Pleasant, partly because it offers the largest dockside patio seating on Shem Creek with an unbeatable view. It can get a little crowded at Red’s on the weekends, but it’s always an ideal place to have a drink, watch the game, and see some live bands.
From the crow’s nest patio bar upstairs, you get one of the top seaside views in Mt. Pleasant. Red’s books some of the best local singer songwriters to play on the patio, and the overall vibe here is unpretentious and relaxing. There’s limited dockside parking for boats, but a new parking garage has opened near Shem Creek, so there’s room for everybody!
Visit Red’s for some football season menu specials, good drinks, and a great atmosphere.
Your Rooftop Bars Live Streamed
Looking for the perfect outdoor scene to fit your mood? Using live stream technology, all the bars and restaurants on this list can give you a look at the crowd before you arrive, in real time. Download the BarGlance app from the App Store and see what’s happening.