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Hop on the Charleston Brewery District Trolley This Saturday!

Featured Image Source: Charleston City Paper

Everyone’s heard of a pub crawl, but there’s a new way to enjoy drinks on the move. This Saturday, enjoy a ride on the Charleston Brewery District Trolley, a free(!) trolley that stops at nine different taprooms brimming with local craft beer. This delicious idea is the result of all nine breweries working together, providing a trail that winds through the Charleston Brewery District, located near the Neck Area of the peninsula.

The trolley began running in late February, and currently runs from 1-9 p.m. on Saturdays between the close-knit community of breweries. The route begins at Tradesman, followed by Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co., Cooper River, Palmetto, Baker & Brewer, Revelry, Fatty’s, Lo-Fi and Munkle.

Need advice on what to drink? Here are some recommended brews for each location!

Tradesman Brewing Company: Transmission Fluid Wheat Ale

Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co.: Bound by Darkness Black IPA

Cooper River Brewing: Barley Wine

Palmetto Brewing Co.: Huger Street IPA

Baker & Brewer: Lake Hopper Cider

Revelry Brewing: Gullah Cream Ale

Fatty’s Beer Works: Sea Dog Gose

Lo-Fi Brewing: Glitter Pony

Munkle Brewing Company: Pout House Hoppy Ale

Eat & Drink

coffee

5 Awesome Coffee Shops in Charleston

Just because the weather is warming up doesn’t mean that we love this hot drink any less. For the best beans around, look no further than these five cozy coffee spots here in Charleston.

Located in West Ashley since 2006, Charleston Coffee Exchange offers six fresh-roasted coffee brews every day, seven days a week. Talk to co-owner and master roaster Paul Kelly to hear how he learned coffee growing while visiting plantations in Costa Rica, and sip on coffee flavors like Bourbon Pecan, Rainforest Crunch, or Costa Rica Black Honey.

Looking for a place that satisfies the desire for malted brews as much as cold brews? Look no further than Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer, a shop in the heart of downtown that offers both. Stop in during the morning for a chocolate croissant and a cappuccino, then come back in the evening for pours from local breweries like Holy City Brewing Co., Charles Towne Fermentory, and Freehouse Brewery.

Bitty and Beau’s is a beloved Southern coffee chain that strives to give back to the community. The Wilmington location exclusively employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism. Named after two of the founders’ children, every sip you take in this wholesome shop will make you feel great.

For a small interior with a cozy atmosphere, head over to Muddy Waters Coffee Bar off Maybank Highway. This shop offers a variety of fair trade coffees (try the spicy Chai latte for a kick!), as well as teas harvested from the Charleston Tea Plantation and pastries delivered from local sweet shop Wild Flour Bakery.

Broom Wagon Coffee is a micro-batch, specialty coffee roaster that sources single-origin coffee beans from around the world. Packaged bags show the flavor profile and origin country for different varieties, sometimes even naming the farm they were harvested from. Head to Ashley Hall Road to enjoy a cup of coffee with a made-in-house yogurt waffle or cinnamon sugar toast.

Eat & Drink

Spend Friday the 13th at One of These Haunted Charleston Restaurants

Feature image source: Blind Tiger Facebook

Charleston, South Carolina, is known as one of the South’s most haunted cities, boasting a variety of historic homes, inns, eateries, and forts reported to house the supernatural. Those looking for a spooky spot to eat this Friday the 13th will find no shortage of opportunities to scare up an appetite.

Perhaps the most well-known haunted dining spot in Charleston is Poogan’s Porch, boasting the ghost of a young schoolteacher and the loyal dog of a previous resident. Poogan’s is Charleston’s oldest independent dining establishment, operating out of a restored Victorian home on historic Queen Street. The restaurant is beloved for its fluffy biscuits and hot buttermilk fried chicken, still served on the porch that the original four-legged Poogan slept on every day.

 

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Warm, homemade biscuits so good they deserve their own glamour shot. ?⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ?: ericaeatstothebeat

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Another restaurant known for its ghosts is the Prohibition-era Blind Tiger Pub. Originally serving as a speakeasy in its prime, former employees and regular customers alike have told stories of a spectral woman in black walking through the bar before disappearing. Others have reported hearing phantom footsteps and feeling as though someone is pulling their hair.

Still hungry for more? The city offers multiple haunted walking food tours and pub crawls for those who want to sip and learn more about the Holy City’s supernatural history. Schedule a private tour and learn about Lowcountry spirits like Plateyes and the Boo Hag while enjoying Charleston cuisine and local craft beers. Just be sure to share your shrimp and grits if a wandering ghost comes your way!

Eat & Drink

How to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Charleston

Featured image source: Charleston Beer Works

St. Patrick’s day is coming, which means it’s time to grab your friends, don your best green outfit, and get ready to enjoy a pint (or two!) to celebrate the occasion. If you’re not sure how to celebrate just yet, check out these events that will be sure to make you feel lucky!

Charleston St. Patrick’s Day Parade

South Carolina’s biggest and best St. Patrick’s Day Parade will see thousands of participants come together downtown to enjoy the holiday. After a traditional 8 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the parade will wind down King and Radcliffe Streets and feature Charleston’s Irish step dancers, fiddlers, fire trucks, military units, bands, and local pro team mascots.

St Paddy’s Day on King Street Bar Crawl

Down the road revelers are invited to check-in at The Brick bar to get their tickets for this green-themed bar crawl. Participants can crawl from popular King Street bars like Trio, Silver Dollar and Mynt at their own pace, enjoying highly discounted cocktails and beers until the after party at 7 p.m. The first 400 people to finish the crawl with a completed drink special scorecards will get free St Paddy’s Day Bar Crawl shirts.

2nd Annual Shamrocks & Shenanigans Virtual 4 Mile Run

Those looking beyond their beverages this St. Patricks Day can participate in 2nd Annual Shamrocks & Shenanigans Virtual 4 Mile Run. People are invited to dress in Leprechaun costumes, enjoy traditional Irish food, and run or walk at their leisure. Those who complete all four miles will get four clover leafs added to their finishers medal.

Kegs & Eggs

Sesame Burgers and Beer will be hosting their own St. Patty’s event, inviting Charleston to wake up early and fuel themselves for a long day of fun. The North Charleston eatery will start serving corned beef hash, Shepards Pie, breakfast sandwiches, and gallons of festive green beer and mimosas at 9 a.m. in Park Circle. The best part? The event is free!

Eat & Drink

Where To Get Your Fiesta On For National Margarita Day In Charleston

It’s time for a fiesta! National Margarita Day is on February 22 and for the occasion, we’ve found some of the best margaritas in Charleston.

Zia Taqueria

 

Zia Taqueria is a spot known for its out of this world tacos and tortas. It’s also got some of the best margaritas in Charleston. They have their classic Zia Rita made with fresh margarita mix, tequila Blanco and triple sec. The Zia Rita can be served frozen or on the rocks. If you want something a little fancier you can try the Primo Blanco, the Mas Margarita, the Primo Reposado, or the Grand Gold. All of these margaritas are served on the rocks.

Ruru’s

 

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We got your Saturday Night plans covered. Come thru.

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Ruru’s Tacos and Tequila is newer to the Charleston restaurant scene. It’s fun atmosphere makes it a great place to go and enjoy a margarita…or a few. They offer margaritas on the rocks and frozen, you can even add a strawberry, blueberry or peach puree to any margarita! Ruru’s also has one of the largest selections of fine tequila in Charleston!

Taco Boy

 

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National Margarita Day is Saturday, February 22! ?⁠ ⁠ To celebrate ?we’ll be offering a Passionfruit Margarita with a pineapple-infused tequila shot for $6 at all locations on 2/22. ⁠ ⁠ The margarita is made with house-made passionfruit syrup and rimmed with Li Hing Mui (dried plum powder) that gives it a unique sweet/salty/tangy flavor. ? The pineapple-infused tequila is a house favorite, made with vanilla bean, cinnamon sticks and fresh pineapple. ? ⁠ ⁠ Celebrate National Margarita Day ? with this special at all Taco Boy locations: Folly Beach, Downtown, and the newest location in Summerville at Nexton Square.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #summerville #follybeachsc #follybeach #chsdrinks #charlestonsc #charleston #southcarolina #nationalmargaritaday #margsonmargs

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Taco Boy has you covered when it comes to delicious tacos, but don’t forget about their margaritas next time you’re there. Their Casa margarita is the classic with Giro Silver tequila, triple sec & their house sour mix. The Casa is served frozen or shaken. The other options are the Skinny Casa, the Cadillac, Top Shelf, Pineapple-Infused, Skinny Pineapple-Infused, or the Fresh Fruit Frozen Margarita (mango, strawberry, or sangria).

The Taco Spot

 

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#tacotuesday fish, chicken, ground beef & vegetarian Gringo Tacos $2.50 when you dine in Happy Hour 3-6pm w/ $5 #margaritas

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the Taco Spot is another great place for Mexican and Southwestern food. And of course, they have topnotch margaritas. Their House Margarita is made with tequila reposado, house sweet & sour mix made with freshly squeezed lime juice. Then they have the Strawberry Margarita, Blueberry Margarita, and Picador Margarita.

Mex 1 Coastal Cantina

This West Ashley spot is a wonderful place to celebrate National Margarita Day. Their Mex 1 Margarita is made with 100% Blue Agave Tequila and Mex 1 Mix. Then you have the Pineapple Habanero Margarita, the Cadillac Margarita, El Jefe “The Boss” Margarita, Jalapeño Margarita, Skinny Margarita, and Frozen Margarita.

Santi’s

A favorite among locals, Santi’s is a casual and affordable spot to enjoy some authentic Mexican food and margaritas! They make all of their margarita mix in house and serve their margaritas frozen and on the rocks! Santi’s also offers free chips and salsa with your meal too, which is a total plus!

Eat & Drink

Wine Down At One Of These Awesome Charleston Wine Bars

Sip, sip, hooray! Let’s enjoy a glass of rosé!

Uncork Charleston

This self-serve wine bar is located on King Street and is a great place to grab a drink and a bite to eat. They have a full-service restaurant and offer small plates, tapas and charcuterie that pair well with any wine! You have the option to serve yourself a 1-oz taste, a 3-oz half glass or a 6-oz full glass of wine. Come enjoy special deals during “power-hour” Tuesday-Sunday 7-8pm & 9-10pm!

Joséphine

Originally opened as a wine bar, this charming little spot on Spring Street is now considered to be a modern bistro. Their wine list focuses on small production wines from France and all over the world. Josephine prides itself on serving wines from small, family operated wineries that are farmed sustainably or biodynamically. Dishes are made from locally sourced ingredients and their wines are all chosen to add to the dining experience, pairing nicely with the flavors and seasonings of the food.

Graft Wine Shop & Wine Bar

 

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Current Mood = ?. #loveyoubunches #postflirtation

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Graft doubles as both a wine shop and wine bar! Come in and buy a bottle of wine from their large selection or sit and enjoy some wine by the glass at the bar. You can even buy a bottle off their retail shelf and drink it there for a $15 corkage fee! Small snacks are also available on the menu to eat while you sip.

Bin 152

 

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Late lunch at Bin 152! Open daily at 2pm! All the food groups clearly represented…

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This casual, rustic wine bar has an extensive wine list and a great selection of cheeses. Bin 152 offers 40 different types of wine by the glass, over 200 wines by the bottle and 40 different types of cheeses! The staff is knowledgeable and helpful and will ensure that you find a wine that is just right for you!

Wine & Company

Another cool wine bar and shop that is a great spot to enjoy a glass of wine or come in to buy a bottle! Wine & Company is a laid-back bar and also a shop, offering a retail selection of wine and craft beer, too. You can even come in with a group of friends and enjoy a private wine tasting! This experience includes 5 hand-picked wines and a selection of cheese and charcuterie. Snacks are also available if you choose to come in for just a glass of wine or a beer.

Eat & Drink

7 Things To Do In Charleston This Month

Mark your calendars! Check out our list of upcoming events in Charleston that will keep you and your family busy the rest of the month. 

Protect and Conserve

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is the largest wildlife exposition in the United States and is back for another epic year. The event takes place from February 16-18th and is filled with a variety of conservation-based events the whole family can enjoy. Be sure to get your tickets soon!

Shuck It

The Good Catch Oysterfest is taking place on Saturday, February 21st at the South Carolina Aquarium. The event includes all-you-can-eat oysters and an open bar – not to mention a stunning backdrop of the Charleston Harbor. 

Let the Good Times Roll

“Party with a purpose” at the 16th annual Mardi Crawl on Shem Creek on Saturday, February 29th. Proceeds benefit the Lowcountry Parrot Head Club (LCPHC), a local club that volunteers and donates money to organizations around the Lowcountry. 

Take a Stroll

Venture out to Middleton Place for the famous Camellia Walks, which are taking place throughout the month of February. Bask in the beauty of these beautiful flowers and don’t worry about spending a dime – it’s free to the public!

Be a Spectator

Check out the South Carolina Stingrays, Charleston’s minor league hockey team, at one of their home games this month. This is an outing that the whole family will love!

 

 

Eat & Drink

South Carolina Sunday Liquor Laws

Hottest Restaurants in Charleston Right Now

Of the many things we love about Charleston, the local restaurant scene always makes the short list. Check out our list of recent favorites – you won’t be disappointed, but you may have a hard time choosing!

 

Mesu

 

 

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Something for everyone! ?+?=❤️

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Ever craving tacos and sushi at the same time? Well, now you don’t have to choose one!
Mesu is located on upper King, and is the first Mexican + Asian Restaurant to come to Charleston. Mesu is known for their bold flavors and exotic plates, so get ready to drink sake and eat some tacos!

Chubby Fish

 

Hidden off Cannon and Bogard in the historic Elliotborough neighborhood of Charleston, this new seafood spot is a fan favorite. Serving fresh, locally caught lowcountry seafood and sustainably sourced ingredients, Chubby Fish has become a new go-to spot for locals. The menu changes daily and keeps customers coming back to try something new and flavorful!

Coquin

 

 

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Monday means it’s charcuterie & wine time!

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New to Charleston, this space has been transformed from a small bakery to a charming Parisian-style cafe and bar. Coquin is the perfect place to enjoy some French wine, charcuterie, and many of their other small bites! Already have plans for happy hour? Come enjoy the quaint atmosphere in the morning over coffee and pastries!

Workshop

 

 

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Meet us @mansuetasfilipinofood, it’s going down ?: @andrewcebulka

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With a continually-rotating selection of food, you won’t be disappointed while paying a visit to Workshop! There is always something for everyone in this high-quality, food court style space. Restaurants often use these spots as test kitchens, eventually moving into their own permanent establishments. The current selection of restaurants includes a Jewish deli, taqueria, sushi spot, and many more! It’s also a great choice if you and your crew can’t agree on where to eat.

Melfi’s

 

 

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devouring Mrs. Melfi’s Pie waits for no photo, as depicted by our friends at @chswineandfood. #melfis #mrsmelfispie

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Looking for an amazing Italian meal? Look no further than Melfi’s! Melfi’s is a classy, upscale Italian restaurant, serving fresh pasta, pizza, and large plates. The ambiance at Melfi’s is amazing; though a new restaurant, it boasts an old, clubby feeling, transporting customers back to the 1960s. The food here is nothing short of perfection and has customers raving.

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