Complete guide

Rooftop Bars Charleston

2024 update
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Country United States
Currency US Dollar
Best time to visit March - October
Rooftop grade 8/10
Rooftop Bar Charleston
Courtesy of Citrus Club

Charleston Rooftop Guide

By:Rikard Fredricson
Updated:September 2, 2023
Charleston rooftop map

Voted as one of the top cities in the US ∧ the world on several occasions, Charleston in South Carolina sure has a lot to offer, including a wide range of fantastic Charleston rooftop bars.

What better way to enjoy the balmy Charleston weather and views over the city's rich history, than at a rooftop bar Charleston? This complete guide will take you straight the very best venues, complete with all info you need about every rooftop Charleston worth a visit: opening hours, dress code, pictures, maps and much more.

From swanky downtown rooftop lounges on top of luxurious hotels, to charming riverside terraces overlooking the water. Just scroll down and find the rooftop bars Charleston best suited for you.

The list

17 best rooftop bars in Charleston

Rooftop bars Charleston The Rooftop at the Vendue in Charleston
1

The Rooftop at the Vendue
$$$ | 4th floor | French Quarter
  • Highlights
  • Lively & stylish
  • Sweeping views
  • Lunch, dinner & drinks

Branded as Charleston’s original rooftop bar, The Rooftop is perched on top of The Vendue in the heart of the historic French Quarter. Set over two levels, mixing covered and open-air seating, the vibrant rooftop offers playful installations and sweeping views, including the Charleston Harbor, Waterfront Park and The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. A lively haven of good times, the rooftop is open seven days a week, serving international dishes daily as lunch and dinner, as well as imaginative specialty cocktails and local beer.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston Citrus Club in Charleston
2

Citrus Club
$$$$$ | 8th floor | Wraggborough
  • Highlights
  • Sophisticated yet relaxing
  • 360° views
  • Citrus-inspired cocktails

The swanky mid-20th century boutique hotel The Dewberry is home to one of Charleston's most gorgeous and exclusive rooftops, called Citrus Club. Perched on the 8th floor, the rooftop has a chic and sleek interior space, but it is the outdoor terrace that is the true gem. Among olive trees and palms, you can enjoy amazing 360° views over Charleston. The rooftop menu includes a nice selection of fresh small plates, beer and wine, but the the main attraction are the crafted and citrus-inspired cocktails.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston Revelry Brewing & Rooftop in Charleston
3

Revelry Brewing & Rooftop
$$$ | 2nd floor | East Central
  • Highlights
  • Great brews
  • Sunset views
  • Dog friendly

Found just north of the Cooper River Bridge, the spacious Revelry Brewing & Rooftop is made for mixing great brews with great views. Open, airy, friendly and vibrant, the rooftop terrace is casual yet modern, and offers spectacular sunset views. The rooftop bar offers a wide range of great beers to choose from, as well as a crafted selection of global food. With an unpretentious atmosphere, often surrounded with live music, this all-are-welcome venue is pretty much perfect for cold ones in the sun.

Everything you need to know
Play

10 Spectacular Rooftop Bars in Charleston

Rooftop bars Charleston The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits in Charleston
4

The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits
$$$$ | 7th floor | Harleston Village
  • Highlights
  • Restaurant & bar
  • Panoramic views
  • Local & crafted

The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits offers you a chance to taste Charleston while you also look out over the city. Up here you find an industrial-chic interior dining room, complemented with two sleek outdoor terraces, all surrounded by a breathtaking panorama of Charleston’s architectural history. The rooftop restaurant takes a cue from the rich history and coastal location, artfully serving modern American food with low country and global influences, while the rooftop bar offers crafted signature cocktails, plenty of zero proof, and a nice selection of wines.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston Pour Taproom in Charleston
5

Pour Taproom
$$$ | 9th floor | Cannonborough
  • Highlights
  • Pour-your-own
  • Panoramic views
  • Casual & fun

Located in the heart of downtown, Pour Taproom offers a unique way to enjoy craft brews, wines, ciders & cocktails, along with panoramic views over the city. Perched on top of the Hyatt House Charleston, this pour-your-own and casual-fun tap room comes with an airy interior, and an even more open-air rooftop terrace, that put you on eye-level with some fantastic Charleston views. From the long line of taps you can try a little of everything, and discover something new. Mostly different kind of brews, but also a range of cocktails and a few wines.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston Stars Rooftop & Grill Room in Charleston
6

Stars Rooftop & Grill Room
$$$ | 3rd floor | Radcliffeborough
  • Highlights
  • Popular
  • 360° views
  • Vibrant yet laid-back

Found on Upper King Street, Charleston’s iconic downtown dining and entertainment district, the popular Stars Rooftop & Grill Room mixes an American grill restaurant with an elevated rooftop bar. The downstairs restaurant is the place to go for seasonally inspired cuisine prepared on a live fire wood grill, while the classy yet casual rooftop above is made for artisan tap wines and crafted signature cocktails with amazing 360° views over historic Charleston, served in a vibrant yet laid-back atmosphere.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston The Mill Street Tavern in Charleston
7

The Mill Street Tavern
$$$ | 2nd floor | Shem Creek
  • Highlights
  • Southern restaurant
  • Creek views
  • TVs & live music

Located along the banks of historic Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant, The Mill Street Tavern offers a picturesque and charming venue to gather and socialize. And at the modern rustic rooftop deck, you can do so with panoramic views over the local marshes, the Ravenel Bridge, and boaters sailing by on the creek. Open for brunch, dinner and drinks anywhere in between, Mill Street Tavern serves a menu filled with everything from shareable snacks and burgers to sushi and seafood, along with a fine selection of local brewery and distillery offerings.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston Fiat Lux in Charleston
8

Fiat Lux
$$$$ | 9th floor | Wraggborough
  • Highlights
  • Elegant
  • Sweeping views
  • Rooftop pool

Set on the 9th floor of Hotel Bennett Charleston, Fiat Lux is one of the more refined rooftops to enjoy the city from above. With a prime location in the heart of town, the rooftop bar follows the elegant aesthetic of the hotel, especially at the sleek interior lounge. The adjacent outdoor terrace is a bit more casual, and the prime feature here are the views: sweeping panoramics over the Charleston skyline. From the rooftop bar you can enjoy a palyful selection of specialty cocktails, an expansive spirit selection, locally-brewed beers, and a Chef's selection of bites.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston Uptown Social in Charleston
9

Uptown Social
$$$ | 2nd floor | Cannonborough
  • Highlights
  • Tavern & sports bar
  • Vibrant
  • Sunday brunch

Found in the heart of upper King’s entertainment district, Uptown Social is a multi-level neighborhood tavern and sports bar, filled with a festive and social vibe. The colorful and quite unique rooftop doesn't offer any real views to brag about, but instead you are surrounded with beautiful foliage, a striking mural wall and comfy string lights. A vibrant venue with a vibrant menu, Uptown Social offers everything from signature cocktails and frozen drinks, to thin-crust pizza and upscale pub fare.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston Élevé Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge in Charleston
10

Élevé Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge
$$$$ | 4th floor | Ansonborough
  • Highlights
  • Artful& elegant
  • Downtown views
  • Coastal-inspired cuisine

The top floor of the Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston offers something special, with the artful, whimsical and elegant rooftop restaurant & lounge Élevé. Overlooking the cobblestone streets of downtown Charleston, here you can enjoy inventive coastal-inspired cuisine with Southern heritage and rooted in French culinary techniques, along with a playful drinks menu. With several distinct spaces to choose from, Élevé works great for anything from happy hour with friends, to more intimate gatherings.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston The Cocktail Club in Charleston
11

The Cocktail Club
$$$$ | 3rd floor | Radcliffeborough
  • Highlights
  • Speakeasy-style
  • Housemade infusions
  • Upscale

Tucked away on the bustling Upper King Street, The Cocktail Club is an upscale and intimate lounge, dedicated to the art of the craft cocktail. Darkish and sleek on the inside, the venue also holds a more secret and more airy Charleston rooftop deck. While the views might be quite covered, the rustic and cosy lit terrace is still a prime spot for some of the best alfresco drinks available in town. Upscale and trendy in vibe, The Cocktail Club works on a first come, first served basis, and it is recommended to be in goof time to avoid the lines.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston Ritual Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge in Charleston
12

Ritual Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge
$$$$ | 3rd floor | Wraggborough
  • Highlights
  • Tulum-inspired
  • Skyline views
  • Live entertainment

Nestled high above King & Calhoun Street, Ritual is a stylish addition to the Charleston rooftop scene. Filled with inspiration from Tulum, the sleek, spacious and jungle-urban rooftop mixes dining tables with comfy lounge spots, as well as covered and open-air seating, all surrounded with fantastic views over the Charleston skyline. Aiming to provide a truly elevated experience, the rooftop serves a modern international menu focused on shared plates, along with both a curated wine list and artisanal craft cocktails. Enjoy evening live entertainment that turns up into late night DJs.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston Red's Ice House in Charleston
13

Red's Ice House
$$$ | 3rd floor | Shem Creek
  • Highlights
  • Laid-back
  • Creek views
  • Live music

Red’s Ice House offers a laid-back and multi-level mix of indoor and outdoor space to enjoy cold beers and fresh local seafood, right on historic Shem Creek. The true gem here is the elevated, rustic and charming 'tree house' rooftop, which is a prime spot to watch the action on the creek and enjoy scenic Charleston sunsets. Serving everything you need when it comes to fresh local seafood, sandwiches, burgers and refreshing drinks, you can expect a fun-filled and happening atmosphere.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston Aqua Terrace Rooftop Bar in Charleston
14

Aqua Terrace Rooftop Bar
$$$ | 3rd floor | Harleston Village
  • Highlights
  • Comfy
  • River views
  • Spacious

Located at the Charleston Marriott in the heart of downtown, Aqua Terrace is a comfy and laid-back rooftop bar, perfect to gather with friends for drinks, views, Southern charm hospitality and conversations. Recently renovated, the spacious rooftop comes equipped with modern wicker chairs, heaters, fire pits and a stylish bar, all surrounded with cool views over the city, including some amazing river sunsets. The rooftop menu includes both crowd-pleasers and more creative cocktails, as well as a nice selection of American dishes perfect to share.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston Pavillion Bar in Charleston
15

Pavillion Bar
$$$ | 5th floor | French Quarter
  • Highlights
  • Rooftop oasis
  • Amazing views
  • Rooftop pool

Perched on top of the Market Pavilion Hotel in the French Quarter of downtown Charleston, the Pavillion Bar is a swanky rooftop oasis, filled with both charm and views. Sharing space with the impressive rooftop cascading pool, the terrace mixes a resort-ish and classic luxurious setting, complemented with amazing views over the Charleston harbor and skyline. Up here you can indulge in a menu featuring a fine selection of wine and champagne, crafted cocktails, with a special focus on mojitos and martinis, as well as eclectic cuisine offerings.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston Charleston Harbor Fish House in Charleston
16

Charleston Harbor Fish House
$$$ | 2nd floor | Hog Island
  • Highlights
  • Charming
  • Skyline views
  • Southern fare

Located conveniently on Patriots Point, the charming Charleston Harbor Fish House offers Southern fare from the land and sea over several levels. The venue holds an indoor/outdoor downstairs restaurant with great views over the entire historic Charleston skyline, the USS Yorktown and Marina. But it gets even better at the rooftop Bridge Bar one floor above, where the vistas are even more panoramic, and the sunsets spectacular. Here you can indulge in a menu filled with local favorites and a fresh selection of drinks, from signature cocktails to beer and wine.

Everything you need to know
Rooftop bars Charleston The Loutrel Rooftop Terrace in Charleston
17

The Loutrel Rooftop Terrace
$$$$ | 5th floor | French Quarter
  • Highlights
  • Exclusive
  • Panoramic views
  • Beautiful

Set in the heart of historic Charleston, The Loutrel is an exceptional and elegant hotel, equipped with an equally elegant rooftop terrace. The expansive and open-air terrace comes ornamented with verdant greenery, and surrounded with panoramic views over the historic French Quarter. Perfect to settle down in one of the comfy lounge furnitures, sip on signature cocktails and take it all in. However, it is unfortunately not available to anyone, as it is exclusive to hotel guests, and guests of guests.

Everything you need to know
Rikard Fredricson
Rikard Fredricson

Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.

Charleston Rooftop Map
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City info

Rooftop bar Charleston

Rooftop-grade: 8/10

Prime season: March-October

Which are the best rooftop bars Charleston? This complete guide will help you find the all the top Charleston rooftop bars and terraces. The largest city in the state of South Carolina, located right by an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, which means that the elevated bars can offer both skyline and water views.

With long and warm summers, and quite short and mild winters, Charleston offers a great climate for alfresco dining and drinks. And this really shows in the large number of great rooftop bars found in the city. The sky-high venues range from swanky lounges on top of luxurious hotels, to more laid-back and charming terraces filled with Southern charm.

About Charleston

Charleston is the largest city in South Carolina, but only the 174th largest in all of the US. So less of an urban metropolitan, and much more of a charming city filled with history. Founded in 1670, it is one of the oldest cities in the US, and here you find cobblestone streets, beautiful buildings and churches, as well as an easy-going Southern laid back style.