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The Rarebit

13 Essential Charleston Happy Hours

It’s 5 p.m. somewhere

by Parker Milner
View as Map
by Parker Milner
The Rarebit

Charleston is and has always been a “happy hour city,” with establishments providing discounted libations and appetizers to get the party started in the late afternoon. When looking for the ideal happy hour, patrons are after the best quality, price, and an environment made for unwinding. Sip and socialize at one of these 13 proven Charleston hot spots known for elevated beverages and crave-able after work munchies.

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On Forty-One

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Find an extensive happy hour Tuesday through Saturday from 4-7 p.m. just past Boone Hall Plantation at On Forty-One. From $2 domestic beers to $5 Moscow Mules, this neighborhood eatery has late afternoon-drinkers covered. The entire appetizer menu, which is filled with Southern favorites, like hush puppies and fried oysters, is also $2 off. 

1055 SC-41 #600, Mt Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 352-9235
(843) 352-9235
On Forty One

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The Royal American

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The Royal American is the dive bar that dreams are made of. During happy hour, four George Washingtons will get patrons Gennesse and a shot of whiskey or a pitcher of Miller High Life. Enjoy on the spacious outdoor patio and stay into the night for live entertainment, as the bar doubles as a music venue.

970 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 817-6925
(843) 817-6925

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Moe's Crosstown Tavern

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This casual Rutledge Avenue hangout has a generous weekday happy hour in addition to their renowned Tuesday Burger Night. The unpretentious service features PBR for just $1.75 and appetizers like mac and cheese bites and jalapeno poppers for $5.

714 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 641-0469
(843) 641-0469
Moe’s Crosstown Tavern

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Rappahannock Oyster Bar

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No Charleston happy hour list is complete without oysters, and Rappahannock Oyster Bar, located in the converted Cigar Factory on East Bay Street, features $1 bivalves weekdays from 4-7 p.m. Oysters from their farms are also half off, and selected bar snacks, beers, and wines are offered at reduced prices.

701 E Bay St No. 110, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 576-4693
(843) 576-4693

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492 King St

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$4.92 — that’s how much each happy hour beverage costs Tuesday through Friday at King Street eatery 492. Scrounge up some loose change and head in for handmade cocktails, local drafts, and the 492 Roots, Rock, Rum Punch.

492 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

The Rarebit

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Most Charleston residents would name the Moscow mule at The Rarebit as the best in town, and the beverage is just $5 at the Tuesday-Friday happy hour. There’s a drink for everyone at The Rarebit’s happy hour, as greyhounds, house wines, cava, and draft beers are also offered at discounted prices. The atmosphere is trendy yet comfortable, and breakfast is available all day

474 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 974-5483
(843) 974-5483
The Rarebit

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The Macintosh

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The Macintosh Bacon Happy Hour is renowned for providing patrons with refined small plates. Currently find a street food series at the eatery, weekdays from 5-7 p.m., featuring sliders, tots, and a pork belly BLT. Enjoy the fare and discounted beverages while feeling fancy in the classy Macintosh setting.

479 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 789-4299
(843) 789-4299
The Macintosh

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O-Ku

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The Monday, Wednesday, Friday O-Ku happy hour is a tough ticket to punch, so patrons should try to book ahead of time. All 18 makimono sushi rolls are half off from 5-7 p.m., and specialty cocktails like the habanero-infused Sugar and Spice martini are $3 off. 

463 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 737-0112
(843) 737-0112
Remy Thurston

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CO Restaurant

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The happy hour specials at CO are plentiful and ideal for those looking to snack alongside a glass of wine or sake. The $3, $4, $5 food menu consists of Southeast Asian bites like pork belly buns, edamame gyoza, and beef and kimchi dumplings. Happy hour at CO can easily turn into a full dinner, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

340 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 720-3631
(843) 720-3631

Craftsmen Kitchen & Tap House

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This hidden French Quarter tap house has a focus on local beers and sophisticated pub food.  The weekday local’s happy hour offers up half-priced local flights, drafts, and “beer food” appetizers. Additionally, the restaurant hosts nightly food specials, like the Tuesday $6 burger night, from Monday to Thursday.   

12 Cumberland St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-9699
(843) 577-9699
Craftsmen Kitchen & Tap House

Circa 1886 Restaurant

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Patrons looking for a memorable happy hour should head to fine dining establishment Circa 1886, which is located in the carriage house of the historic Wentworth Mansion. The stunning restaurant offers a “5 for $5 at 5” happy hour special featuring five selected wines and specialty cocktails like the Matilda, a combination of honeysuckle vodka, grapefruit, and prosecco.   

149 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 853-7828
(843) 853-7828
Circa 1886

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The Gin Joint

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Every drink is an adventure at this dimly lit East Bay Street cocktail bar. The Monday-Thursday happy hour menu is sure to be filled with delicious libations containing ingredients patrons have never heard of. Stop in with an open mind ready to be wowed by a made from scratch, locally sourced cocktail.

2169, 182 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-6111
(843) 577-6111
the gin joint Emma Humphries

Also featured in:

Minero

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Sometimes the day just calls for an afternoon margarita alongside snacks that are difficult to put down. On these occasions, head up the stairs to Minero on East Bay Street for a 3:30-6 p.m. weekday happy hour boasting discounted margaritas, $3 PBR pints, and $2 tequila shots. Dive into $5 wings and guacamole once the buzz hits.

153 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 789-2241
(843) 789-2241

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On Forty-One

1055 SC-41 #600, Mt Pleasant, SC 29466

Find an extensive happy hour Tuesday through Saturday from 4-7 p.m. just past Boone Hall Plantation at On Forty-One. From $2 domestic beers to $5 Moscow Mules, this neighborhood eatery has late afternoon-drinkers covered. The entire appetizer menu, which is filled with Southern favorites, like hush puppies and fried oysters, is also $2 off. 

1055 SC-41 #600, Mt Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 352-9235
(843) 352-9235
On Forty One

The Royal American

970 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403

The Royal American is the dive bar that dreams are made of. During happy hour, four George Washingtons will get patrons Gennesse and a shot of whiskey or a pitcher of Miller High Life. Enjoy on the spacious outdoor patio and stay into the night for live entertainment, as the bar doubles as a music venue.

970 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 817-6925
(843) 817-6925

Moe's Crosstown Tavern

714 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

This casual Rutledge Avenue hangout has a generous weekday happy hour in addition to their renowned Tuesday Burger Night. The unpretentious service features PBR for just $1.75 and appetizers like mac and cheese bites and jalapeno poppers for $5.

714 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 641-0469
(843) 641-0469
Moe’s Crosstown Tavern

Rappahannock Oyster Bar

701 E Bay St No. 110, Charleston, SC 29403

No Charleston happy hour list is complete without oysters, and Rappahannock Oyster Bar, located in the converted Cigar Factory on East Bay Street, features $1 bivalves weekdays from 4-7 p.m. Oysters from their farms are also half off, and selected bar snacks, beers, and wines are offered at reduced prices.

701 E Bay St No. 110, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 576-4693
(843) 576-4693

492 King St

492 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

$4.92 — that’s how much each happy hour beverage costs Tuesday through Friday at King Street eatery 492. Scrounge up some loose change and head in for handmade cocktails, local drafts, and the 492 Roots, Rock, Rum Punch.

492 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

The Rarebit

474 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Most Charleston residents would name the Moscow mule at The Rarebit as the best in town, and the beverage is just $5 at the Tuesday-Friday happy hour. There’s a drink for everyone at The Rarebit’s happy hour, as greyhounds, house wines, cava, and draft beers are also offered at discounted prices. The atmosphere is trendy yet comfortable, and breakfast is available all day

474 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 974-5483
(843) 974-5483
The Rarebit

The Macintosh

479 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

The Macintosh Bacon Happy Hour is renowned for providing patrons with refined small plates. Currently find a street food series at the eatery, weekdays from 5-7 p.m., featuring sliders, tots, and a pork belly BLT. Enjoy the fare and discounted beverages while feeling fancy in the classy Macintosh setting.

479 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 789-4299
(843) 789-4299
The Macintosh

O-Ku

463 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

The Monday, Wednesday, Friday O-Ku happy hour is a tough ticket to punch, so patrons should try to book ahead of time. All 18 makimono sushi rolls are half off from 5-7 p.m., and specialty cocktails like the habanero-infused Sugar and Spice martini are $3 off. 

463 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 737-0112
(843) 737-0112
Remy Thurston

CO Restaurant

340 King St, Charleston, SC 29401

The happy hour specials at CO are plentiful and ideal for those looking to snack alongside a glass of wine or sake. The $3, $4, $5 food menu consists of Southeast Asian bites like pork belly buns, edamame gyoza, and beef and kimchi dumplings. Happy hour at CO can easily turn into a full dinner, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

340 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 720-3631
(843) 720-3631

Craftsmen Kitchen & Tap House

12 Cumberland St, Charleston, SC 29401

This hidden French Quarter tap house has a focus on local beers and sophisticated pub food.  The weekday local’s happy hour offers up half-priced local flights, drafts, and “beer food” appetizers. Additionally, the restaurant hosts nightly food specials, like the Tuesday $6 burger night, from Monday to Thursday.   

12 Cumberland St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-9699
(843) 577-9699
Craftsmen Kitchen & Tap House

Circa 1886 Restaurant

149 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401

Patrons looking for a memorable happy hour should head to fine dining establishment Circa 1886, which is located in the carriage house of the historic Wentworth Mansion. The stunning restaurant offers a “5 for $5 at 5” happy hour special featuring five selected wines and specialty cocktails like the Matilda, a combination of honeysuckle vodka, grapefruit, and prosecco.   

149 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 853-7828
(843) 853-7828
Circa 1886

The Gin Joint

2169, 182 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

Every drink is an adventure at this dimly lit East Bay Street cocktail bar. The Monday-Thursday happy hour menu is sure to be filled with delicious libations containing ingredients patrons have never heard of. Stop in with an open mind ready to be wowed by a made from scratch, locally sourced cocktail.

2169, 182 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-6111
(843) 577-6111
the gin joint Emma Humphries

Minero

153 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

Sometimes the day just calls for an afternoon margarita alongside snacks that are difficult to put down. On these occasions, head up the stairs to Minero on East Bay Street for a 3:30-6 p.m. weekday happy hour boasting discounted margaritas, $3 PBR pints, and $2 tequila shots. Dive into $5 wings and guacamole once the buzz hits.

153 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 789-2241
(843) 789-2241

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