10 Best Rooftop Bars in Charleston, SC
Charleston is a unique, historic city surrounded by timeless architecture and serene ocean waves. If you want to experience the best of these views while enjoying some of our best local foods and cocktails, you need to make time to visit at least one of the endless list of rooftop bars in Charleston. While there are many rooftops to choose from with varying decor styles, foods, and views, keep reading to discover 10 of our favorite picks.
Best Rooftop Bars in Charleston
- The Citrus Club
- The Vendue
- Pavilion Bar
- Uptown Social
- Eleve Rooftop Restaurant
- Aqua Terrace Rooftop Bar
- Fiat Lux
- Pour Taproom Charleston
- Stars Rooftop & Grill Room
- Charleston Harbor Fish House Bridge Bar
The Citrus Club
Located at The Dewberry Hotel, The Citrus Club is a modern rooftop bar that is a perfect spot for a night out in the Holy City. This 21+ lounge serves cocktails and delicious plates, so it can be a great destination for a date night or a girls’ night out. While inside, there’s a classic, vintage feel with red velvet stools, the outdoor rooftop gives a different experience. This rooftop bar is bright, open, and has a coastal theme to its decor. With perfect cityscapes of downtown, you’ll be able to have drinks with a view and a breeze.
The Vendue
With unobstructed views of the Charleston Harbor, it’s no surprise that this rooftop bar is one of Charleston’s most popular locations for a night out. With a deck-style rooftop, The Vendue’s tan and peach furniture is engulfed by colorful coastal plants and an ocean breeze. If you come ready to order, you will not be disappointed. They have a grand menu including delicious, modern Southern meals and their own twists on classic cocktails that will give you a new experience.
Pavilion Bar
Found at the top of the Market Pavilion Hotel, your experience at the Pavilion Bar will be unlike any other. With its sophisticated checkered tiles, Charleston-themed architectural details, and dim lighting, this scene is classy and unique. With a drink menu that focuses on perfecting two classics – mojitos and martinis – you’ll get the full tropical feel when visiting the Pavilion Bar. However, the most notable piece of this rooftop bar is its cascading pool, the only rooftop lounge in Charleston that has one. With this, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled to a resort with the open sunlight, sun lounge chairs, and the pool with a cityscape view. Visit to relax and embrace the full vacation feel!
Uptown Social
Uptown Social is a much faster-paced rooftop bar than the others on this list, especially on game days or when they have DJ events. However, if you make your way up the stairs, you’ll be greeted with a little more space and relaxation. In the middle of King Street, the views are full of plants and grand foliage. For those looking for a picture-worthy moment during a night out, check out their beautiful mural wall. It’s a great, fun time with great music and even better drinks.
Eleve Rooftop Restaurant
With both an indoor and outdoor rooftop bar experience, you can visit the Grand Bohemian Hotel on Wentworth Street to dine at the Eleve Rooftop Restaurant. Start inside where classic decor takes on an unusual, eclectic theme. Lime green and black colors mixed with chandeliers give this rooftop restaurant a bright, chic style. As you work your way to the very top to the outdoor rooftop lounge, you’ll find a radiant, vibrant setting lit up with colorful neon lights to fill the night sky. The eccentric furnishings are comfortable and make for an adventurous outing perfect for unique pictures.
Aqua Terrace Rooftop Bar
At the Charleston Marriott, you’ll find one of Charleston’s best rooftop bars and best sunset views overlooking the Ashley River and Marina. From Aqua Terrace Rooftop Bar, you can watch boats pass by under the orange and pink night sky while you enjoy conversations and cocktails. You’ll experience great dining, drinks, and experience a spectacular view of some of the best nature Charleston has to offer.
Fiat Lux
Found on the ninth floor of Hotel Bennett, this champagne and cocktail bar emulates the same themes and styles found throughout the rest of the hotel. Fiat Lux’s blue and brown leather furniture mixed with the addition of handcrafted wicker chairs gives a beautiful coastal design. With beautiful royal blue walls, detailed wooden floors, and local plant life, you are guaranteed a great time, whether you sit indoors or outside while enjoying your drinks.
Pour Taproom Charleston
Walk up nine stories at the Hyatt House and you’ll find yourself walking into the highest rooftop bar in Charleston – Pour Taproom Charleston. This unique bar gives some of the best city views while offering one of the biggest drink menus. With over 70 drinks on tap, they carry meads, ciders, fruit beers, and sours. Its decor is simple, yet elegant, with beautiful dim lighting that allows the colors of the sunset to shine through.
Stars Rooftop & Grill Room
The only rooftop bar in Charleston with a fully 360-degree view, Stars is definitely worth a visit. With a full drink menu of tap wines, signature cocktails, and so much more, Stars is a great place to have a night out on the town and gaze out over Charleston from every angle! The space is modern yet casually decorated with simple lighting and wooden furniture. The incredible open space gives you the feeling of being outdoors without being completely subjected to the hot Lowcountry sun.
Charleston Harbor Fish House Bridge Bar
While this Charleston rooftop bar is no higher than a couple of stories up, its location makes for one of the most unique outdoor bar experiences in Charleston. Located on the tip of Patriots Point in the Charleston Harbor Resort, you will get perfect views of the harbor, Ravenel Bridge, and the Battery, and you can even watch boats pass you by as you enjoy your drinks and fresh plates of seafood at Charleston Harbor Fish House Bridge Bar.