A Guide to Charleston Music Venues

This section of our forum is for logged-in members only. Log in or register to view this post. Or, click here to read the blog version of this article on the main site.

  • 4
    #6900
    chubes
    HMFIC
    Local Scene: Austin, TX
    Rank: Flurry
    Points: 21019

    A Guide to Charleston Music Venues
    Published: July 22, 2024

    Nordista Freeze at Charleston Pour House. Extra Chill Fest 2023. Photo by Clif Rhodes.

    On this page you will find a directory of Charleston music venues and other places to see live music. We’ve done our best to include every venue in the greater Charleston area that hosts live, mostly original music on a semi-regular basis, plus festival venues. Venues are in ABC order, organized by local area, with key info about each venue right after it.

    Also check out our Charleston live music calendar, which is auto-populated with concerts in Charleston from venue websites.

    Downtown Charleston Music Venues

    Bar Mash

    701 E Bay St Ste 00-2, Charleston, SC 29403
    instagram.com/barmashchs

    Known for the Mash Music Mondays series featuring a rotating cast of local talent.

    Bay Street Biergarten

    549 East Bay St, Charleston, SC 29403
    baystreetbiergarten.com

    Mainly a restaurant and taproom, this German-style spot on East Bay is also known to host local musicians for both indoor and outdoor live music events.

    Big Gun Burger Shop

    137 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC, 29401
    bigguncharleston.com

    Centrally-located dive bar and burger shop known to host heavy rock shows and alternative genres. Also known for delicious burgers.

    Burns Alley

    354 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
    burnsalley.com

    A dirty dive bar in the heart of downtown Charleston with a small stage hosting occasional rock concerts.

    Charleston Music Hall

    37 John Street, Charleston, SC 29403
    charlestonmusichall.com

    The Charleston Music Hall is an iconic 1000 seat theater located in downtown Charleston. Known for being classy and for having some of the best sound in town, this is one of the best places you can see a show in Charleston.

    The Commodore

    504 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
    thecommodorechs.com

    One of the best spots for dancing in downtown Charleston, The Commodore is located in the historic former site of “Touch of Class” jazz club, and hosts live music almost every night.

    Cutty’s

    227 St Philip St, Charleston, SC 29403
    instagram.com/cuttyselliotboroughbar

    Cutty’s is one of the diviest dives in all of Charleston, and they sometimes host local

    Elliotborough Mini Bar

    18 Percy St, Charleston, SC 29403
    instagram.com/elliotboroughminibar

    The name says it all — this is a tiny bar located in a residential part of Charleston, hosting occasional singer-songwriters and other intimate musical showcases.

    Gaillard Center

    95 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401
    gaillardcenter.org

    A high-end venue hosting orchestras, ballets, and big-name music & comedy acts.

    Home Team BBQ

    Downtown Location – 126 Williman Street, Charleston, SC 29403
    West Ashley Location – 1205 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29407
    Sullivan’s Island Location – 2209 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
    hometeambbq.com

    Home Team has three locations in the Charleston area, all of which have live music and excellent food (try the wings!).

    Music Farm

    32 Ann Street, Charleston, SC 29403
    musicfarm.com

    The Music Farm has been a mainstay for live music in Charleston since 1991. The venue closed in 2020, and reopened in 2022 after a full renovation. This 650 capacity room brings mid-tier touring artists to Charleston on a weekly basis.

    Forte Jazz Lounge

    475 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
    fortejazzlounge.com

    A genuine jazz club located on King Street in downtown Charleston, with live music 6 nights per week.

    The Frontier Lounge

    135 Calhoun St, Charleston,SC 29401
    instagram.com/frontierlounge

    Bar on Calhoun Street known for intimate live performances.

    JohnKing Grill & Bar

    428 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
    johnkinggrill.com

    Two story King Street bar with an upstairs 90 capacity venue.

    Local 616

    616 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
    instagram.com/local616

    Dive bar on upper Meeting with a small stage, which hosts occasional rock & roll music.

    Palmetto Brewery

    289 Huger Street, Charleston, SC, 29403
    palmettobrewery.com

    Palmetto Brewery is one of the most popular brewers in Charleston, which also has a large outdoor patio area with a stage that is often used to host live local artists.

    Prohibition

    547 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
    prohibitioncharleston.com

    This is a sweet bar that also has a stage. They have live music there almost every single night, from a rotating cast of locals.

    The Recovery Room

    685 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
    recoveryroomtavern.com

    This dive bar is not only the number one seller of 12oz Pabst Blue Ribbon cans in the world. It also hosts occasional concerts featuring local artists who frequent the bar.

    The Riviera Theater

    227 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
    therivierachs.com

    600 capacity theater located on King Street in downtown Charleston.

    The Royal American

    970 Morrison Drive, Charleston, SC 29403
    theroyalamerican.com

    This dive bar music venue has served as a central hub for the Charleston music scene since opening its doors in 2011. Not only that, it has some of the best bar food in downtown Charleston. The Royal American is an excellent hangout spot for music fans who want to discover the Charleston music scene.

    Tobin’s Market

    195 Jackson St, Charleston, SC 29403

    Opened in 2020, this spot off upper meeting street is located in a cozy space with a large outdoor patio area and outdoor stage, with a capacity of 140.

    Trio

    triocharleston.com

    139 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401

    Trio is a downtown Charleston night club that hosts frequent EDM and DJ events.

    James Island Music Venues

    Charleston Pour House

    1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston, SC 29412
    charlestonpourhouse.com

    The Charleston Pour House is one of the finest independent music venues on the whole east coast, let alone in Charleston. Family owned and operated since 2002, this place is a hub for the city with concerts every single night. They have two stages, a 500 capacity main room plus a 350 capacity outdoor deck stage.

    Mosquito Beach

    sunsetjamz.com

    Mosquito Beach Rd, Charleston, SC 29412

    Historic beach venue on James Island focused on local, community driven live music events.

    Sweatman’s Garden

    90 Folly Road Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
    sweatmansgarden.com

    Sodary and ramen lounge on James Island that hosts live, local musicians on a weekly basis.

    Johns Island Music Venues

    Krazy Owls

    3157 Maybank Hwy Johns Island, SC 29455
    krazyowls.com

    Steampunk-themed restaurant and bar with frequent live music.

    Low Tide Brewing

    2863 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455
    lowtidebrewing.com

    A local brewery known for its craft beers and regular live music events, often featuring local bands and solo artists.

    Tattooed Moose – Johns Island

    3328 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455
    tattooedmoose.com/events

    Johns Island location of the locally-beloved Tattooed Moose, with live music on a weekly basis.

    West Ashley Music Venues

    Tin Roof

    1117 Magnolia Road, Charleston, SC 29407
    charlestontinroof.com

    Opened in 2007 Tin Roof is a 200 capacity dive bar venue located off Highway 61 in West Ashley. A longtime staple of the Charleston music scene and a hub for loud rock & roll music.

    The Roost

    825 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407

    roostcharleston.com

    Avondale restaurrant and bar with frequent live music.

    The Garden

    1331 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29407
    chsfermentory.com/charleston-charles-towne-fermentory-the-garden

    A taproom and beer garden owned by Charles Towne Fermentory, the Garden opened in 2023 and quickly became a favorite spot for live music and local hangs in West Ashley.

    The Pub on 61

    2366 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414
    pub61.com

    A bar located out on highway 61 with a stage, that often hosts local rock and country artists.

    Monster Music & Movies

    946 Orleans Rd, Charleston, SC 29407
    monstermusicsc.com

    Charleston’s most iconic independent record store is known to host live, in-store performances on special occasions.

    North Charleston Music Venues

    The Burgundy Lounge

    3245 Rivers Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405
    starlightchs.com/bar-restaurant

    Located at the Starlight Motor Inn on Rivers Ave. the Burgundy Lounge hosts live, local music on a weekly basic.

    Firefly Distillery

    4201 Spruill Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
    fireflydistillery.com

    Firefly Distillery started hosting large scale concerts on the field beside their North Charleston location in 2020, and has become one of the premier large event spaces in Charleston. The 5000 capacity venue hits the sweet spot for many acts touring the Southeast.

    Holy City Brewing

    1021 Aragon Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
    holycitybrewing.com

    A brewery that frequently hosts live music events in its spacious taproom and outdoor area.

    Jungle’s Bar and Grill

    5267 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC

    facebook.com/people/Jungles-BAR-and-GRILL/61561676114077

    North Charleston bar known for DJ and hip-hop nights.

    The Mill

    1026 E. Montague Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
    bookingforthemill.wixsite.com/themill

    Park Circle dive bar and music venue, with pool tables.

    North Charleston Coliseum

    5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418
    northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com

    The Coliseum is the largest capacity arena in the Charleston area. It can hold up to 14,000 people. This is where many of the city’s biggest concerts happen.

    North Charleston Performing Arts Center

    5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418
    northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com

    Right next door to the Coliseum is the performing arts center, a smaller theater that holds around 2,300 people.

    The Purple Buffalo

    2702 Azalea Drive, North Charleston, SC 29405
    facebook.com/thepurplebuffalo843

    Artsy dive bar and hub for the underground hip-hop, EDM, and hardcore scenes.

    Rebel Taqueria

    1809 Reynolds Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
    rebeltaqueria.com

    Taco truck turned brick-and-mortar restaurant Rebel Taqueria also has a stage and an excellent soundsystem. Known as a hub for the hip-hop scene.

    The Ritz Bar & Grill

    3557 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405

    instagram.com/theritzbarandgrill

    Bar and music venue known for hip-hop and DJ events.

    Stuart’s House

    DM @stuartshouse on IG for address on show days.

    DIY house show venue.

    Tua Lingua

    2701 W Surrey Dr, North Charleston, Sc 29406

    instagram.com/tualingua

    DIY venue known for being alcohol-free.

    Tattooed Moose – Park Circle

    4845 Chateau Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
    tattooedmoose.com/events

    Park Circle location of the quirky Tattooed Moose restaurant, which hosts frequent live, local music.

    The Wonderer

    Upper Peninsula Music Venues

    Not quite downtown, not quite North Charleston.

    Lo-Fi Brewing

    2038 Meeting St., N. Charleston, SC 29405
    lofibrewing.com

    Independent brewery and concert venue known as a hub for the local community.

    The Refinery

    1640 Meeting St Rd, Charleston, SC 29405
    therefinerychs.com

    Open in 2022, the Refinery offers a 2,000 capacity space with a large concrete amphitheater-style stage setup. This is one of several venues in Charleston that have the capacity to attract big name artists to the city. It is also the home of Ohm Radio 96.3 and several restaurants and bars.

    Riverfront Park

    1061 Everglades Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
    northcharleston.org/visitors/attractions/riverfront-park/

    Home of High Water Festival and more, the 15 acre Riverfront Park venue holds up to 15,000 people with idyllic waterfront views.

    Folly Beach Music Venues

    The Bounty Bar

    15 Center St, Folly Beach, SC 29439
    thebountybar.com

    Owned by the same people who own The Royal American, the Bounty Bar opened on Folly Beach in 2022 as a pirate dive bar with free, live, local music every week on the small corner stage.

    Chico Feo

    122 East Ashley, Folly Beach, SC 29439
    chicofeos.com

    Chico Feo is a Caribbean food and live music joint out on Folly beach that has live music a few nights per week, including an open mic every Monday night. One of the best places to hang out on Folly Beach.

    Loggerhead’s Beach Grill

    123 W Ashley Ave, Folly Beach, SC 29439
    loggerheadsfollybeach.com

    A beachfront bar & grill that frequently hosts live music events.

    Planet Follywood

    32 Center St, Folly Beach, SC 29439
    planetfollywood.com

    A chill Folly Beach dive bar that often hosts live music.

    The Washout

    41 Center St, Folly Beach, SC 29439
    thewashoutfollybeach.com

    The first bar on the main strip of Center Street on Folly Beach, The Washout frequently hosts live music on their outdoor patio area.

    Mt. Pleasant Music Venues

    The Dinghy

    8 J C Long Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
    dinghyiop.com

    Casual bar and restaurant on Isle of Palms that hosts live music, providing a relaxed beachside atmosphere.

    Mainland Container Co. Kitchen & Bar

    1528 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
    mainlandcontainerco.com

    Casual kitchen and bar with live, local music every week.

    My Father’s Moustache

    1405 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Ste 103, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
    myfathersmustache.com

    My Father’s Moustache is an English pub in Mt. Pleasant that often hosts live music from local artists.

    Patriots Point

    20 Patriots Point Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC

    partyatthepointcharleston.com/schedule

    Known for the “Party at the Point”, Patriots Point teams up with hosts live music on a waterfront stage at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina on Fridays, from late spring into early summer.

    The Windjammer

    1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle Of Palms, SC 29451
    the-windjammer.com

    The Windjammer has been a staple in Charleston’s independent music scene since 1972. They host regular concerts from both local and touring musicians on their two stages: one inside the bar (550 capacity) and the other on the beach out back (1,100 capacity).

    Greater Charleston Area Venues

    Awendaw Green

    4853 N Highway 17, Awendaw, SC 29429
    awendawgreen.com

    Known for the weekly Barn Jam on Wednesday evenings, Awendaw Green has been a homegrown staple of the music community in Charleston since opening in 2008.

    Credit One Stadium

    161 Seven Farms Drive, Charleston, SC 29492
    creditonestadium.com

    Credit One Stadium is an outdoor venue located on Daniel Island with seating for 10,200 people, bringing some of the biggest names in music to Charleston.

    New Realm Brewing

    880 Island Park Dr, Daniel Island, SC 29492
    newrealmbrewing.com/charleston

    Large Daniel Island brewery and music venue with frequent live music events.

    1
    #6920
    QRiSG
    Moderator
    Rank: Ice Cube
    Points: 295

    So many great venues .. I think they lend themselves optimally to different situations and scenarios.  Give me a Secret Guest, 2 Slices, Dear Blanca, The Simplicity, etc at The Royal American any day of the week.. Death Row Show, if you will.. I love a stacked double header at The Pourhouse between the deck and main stage with all my Jam Band homies. I really love and appreciate a sit down show at The Music Hall, etc.. The point is that each venue lends itself to different bands/situations in their own way, and sometimes you just gotta be in the right place at the right time.

  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

Users Currently Online: 0

Most Ever Online: 8 on 02/06/2024

Total Members: 340