Nights You Won't Forget

Discover Why Charleston is the East Coast's Premier Party Destination.

Find Out Why Explore the Guides

Explore Party Charleston

Four guides cover the whole Charleston party scene. Start with the one that fits your trip, or jump straight to a page below.

Charleston Party Scene

Where Charleston goes out at night: clubs, live music, dance floors and spots for every age group.

Party Scene Guide

King Street Bar Crawl

A route down Charleston's busiest street, with rooftop bars for sunset and late-night food for the walk home.

Bar Crawl Guide

Parties

Guides for group celebrations in Charleston, from college formals to a night out with the girls.

Party Guides

A City for Every Celebration

Sunny day at a Charleston area beach

Don't Forget the Beaches!

The party starts long before sunset. Charleston is minutes away from classy beaches that are destinations in their own right. Don't forget the Charleston nightlife scene is upbeat as well.

Head to Folly Beach for a laid-back, bohemian surf vibe with lively beachfront bars, or visit Isle of Palms for a slightly more upscale scene with great restaurants and wide, sandy shores. They're the perfect places to day-drink, catch some sun, and get the party started early.

Planning a bachelorette across the bridge? See the Mount Pleasant bachelorette guide for Shem Creek and Isle of Palms.

Top 4 Reasons Charleston is Your Ultimate Party Destination

The Legendary Bar Scene

From the bustling nightlife of King Street with its rooftop bars and high-energy clubs to the cozy, historic pubs in the French Quarter, Charleston offers a bar for every mood and every crowd. The options are endless and the drinks are always flowing.

Plan a King Street bar crawl

Day Parties & Beach Vibes

The party doesn't wait for the sun to go down! Head to Folly Beach or Isle of Palms for legendary beach bars and day-drinking culture. Boat parties on the harbor are a local favorite, offering booze cruises with stunning views of the city. Everyone goes to the beaches at least once while in the lowcountry.

Browse boat parties and experiences

World-Class Events & Festivals

Charleston's calendar is packed with reasons to celebrate. From the Spoleto Festival USA to the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, there's always a large-scale event happening that brings an electric, celebratory energy to the entire city. Even down to local events like dance shows, theater or private party performances like events at the Music Hall, or Best of Broadway

Shopping All Day

During the day take a stroll down King street to visit the many vibrant clothing and gift shops. Charleston is full of places to buy nice clothing fashion, food snack treats and of course places to eat.

Where to eat late on King Street

More Than Just a Party: Charleston, The Traveler's Choice

While the nightlife is second to none, it's just one piece of the puzzle.

Historic Charm

Cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and pastel antebellum houses make it one of the most beautiful and historic cities in America.

Culinary Capital

Charleston is a foodie paradise, boasting James Beard award-winning chefs and a culinary scene that's celebrated globally. It's the perfect place to refuel after a long night out.

Easy to Reach

With a major international airport (CHS) and its position as a top-tier destination, people from all over the world flock to Charleston for its unique blend of history, food, and unforgettable party atmosphere.

Charleston Nightlife Punches Above Its Size

For a city this small, Charleston goes out hard. You won't find a giant club district. The scene is rooftop bars, cocktail lounges, dive bars and live music, packed into a downtown you can walk end to end. Spring and fall weekends are the busiest, when bachelorette and wedding groups fill the sidewalks. Bars close at 2 am, so nights start early: sunset drinks at one of the rooftop bars, dinner, then a band at The Commodore or the Pour House. Our Charleston party scene guide covers it neighborhood by neighborhood.

Where to Go Out in Charleston

Most nights start on Upper King, north of Calhoun Street. Uptown Social, Prohibition and Republic Garden & Lounge are a few blocks apart, and Trio on Calhoun handles the late DJ crowd. Our King Street bar crawl maps the route. Locals tend to head off the main strip to The Royal American on Morrison Drive for backyard shows, or across the river to James Island. Under 21? See Charleston nightlife under 21.