brewery

Best Fried Chicken in Charleston

If there’s one thing Charleston does well, it’s fried chicken. This Southern delicacy is a must-have during a visit to the Holy City. Fried Chicken is a staple here, so much so that we have a day dedicated to celebrating the dish. While nothing beats your age-old family recipe, our local restaurants run a close second. Craving this down south dish? Well, you will be after reading our list of the best fried chicken Charleston has to offer.

Here’s a round-up of the best places to get fried Chicken in Charleston on National Fried Chicken day, Monday, July 6th.

Boxcar Betty’s

You’ll want to get a second helping after a visit to Boxcar Betty’s. The local’s favorite gourmet fried chicken sandwich is award-winning, actually. Betty’s took home Buzzfeed’s “Best of Sandwich Shops in SC” title in 2019. With locations in North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and West Ashley, you’re never too far from a Boxcar!

Leon’s Oyster Shop

Don’t be fooled by the Oyster Shop name, Leon’s features delicious fried chicken alongside they’re famous seafood. This old garage turned restaurant will leave you licking your fingers. If the table’s feeling hungry, order the Leon’s Big Chicken Platter for the whole bird and two large sides.

Dave’s Carry Out

If you aren’t paying attention, you might accidentally miss this hole in the wall restaurant. Nestled in the historic neighborhood on the corner of Morris and Coming, Dave’s Carry Out serves food for the soul. While they’re not open on Monday, you can stop in on Tuesday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. for their home recipe style fried chicken wings.

Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit

Buttermilk biscuits and petit fried chicken, can you think of anything better? Callie’s has it all at their King and Market street locations. You’ll want to add a side of pimento cheese to this decadent dish. Make sure to get em’ while their hot, Charleston!

Edmund’s Oast

Grab your lunch box, or should we say Edmond’s Oast’s “Lunchbox.” This fried chicken sammy is all the entre you could want and more. If you’re dining with friends, go for the “Porch Picnic,” as you won’t want to go hungry. Head to Edmund’s Oast on Morrison Drive from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. for a lip-smacking bite of fresh fried chicken.

Eat & Drink

The Best Rooftop Bars in Charleston

Open-air restaurants are all the rage this summer, as establishments adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. Luckily, Charlestonians already love to dine outdoors. While many restaurants are finding ways to create more patio seating, nothing quite compares to a rooftop view. Here’s a roundup of the best rooftop bars in Charleston for the next time you decide to hit the town.

Stars Rooftop & Grill Room

This King Street beauty has a short, but sweet, rotating menu. With stellar drinks and a downtown view, this establishment is nothing short of fabulous. Locals love the weekend Brunch as it’s known iconically for their decadent selection. Pop a cork and cheer mimosas with friends on their open-air rooftop.

The Rooftop Bar at The Vendue

Enjoy al fresco lunch on the highrise patio at this chic hotel. For lively atmosphere and Southern architecture views, join the folks at the Vendue. On hotter days, a Strawberry Basil Lemonade will quench your thirst. Their plethora of seating offers options for parties of all sizes.

The Watch

You’ll forget to check your watch as time spent on the rooftop of the Restoration Hotel is time well spent. Guests will want to head to the restaurant at sunset for an incredible Holy City golden hour. As you soak up the last of the sun, share appetizers while picking through their selection of sweet libations.

Revelry Brewing

Calling all IPA drinkers! This rooftop brewery is young, lively, and perfect for an evening escape. Their large selection of home-brewed beer is iconic in this city. Crack a cold one safely outdoors at this large beer garden.

Red’s Ice House

Ditch downtown and head to Shem Creek for sunset drinks at Reds. The motto here? “Inside is boring!” Enjoy this laid back setting for seafood and drinks as you watch boats float by. The occasional dolphin even makes an appearance along the creek!

Eat & Drink

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

Celebrate Love At One Of These Valentine’s Day Events In Charleston

Whether you view Valentine’s Day as the most romantic day of the year, a made-up greeting card holiday, or the antithesis of everything happy in the world, today is still a reason to celebrate! Whether you’re celebrating love or choosing to just treat yo-self, we’ve rounded up the top V-Day activities the Holy City has to offer.

Take a walk on the wild side

(Because exercise gives you endorphins and endorphins make you happy.) If your Valentine is more of the adventurous sort, head over to Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park. For just $50 per couple, you can tackle that big, bad ropes course. What better way to say “I love you” than with a heart-pumping ropes climb?

Dinner and a movie

If you’re that hopeless romantic, hop on down to the Terrace Theater for the second annual Valentine’s Date Night. Local jeweler Croghan’s Jewel Box teams up with the theater to show the cult classic, To Catch A Thief. Grab some popcorn, forget the roses, and impress your date with your classy taste for classic films.

Anti-Valentine’s Day

Stupid Cupid. Maybe you don’t believe in the holiday or maybe you’re licking your wounds from a relationship gone bad. Whatever your reason for not feeling all mushy gushy, you’re not alone! Local bars The Brick and Charleston Beer Works are each holding anti-Valentine’s Day parties. With drink specials, speed dating, and even a pinata giveaway (no, really) these two bars will make sure you end the night on a high note.

Beer Lovers

Who doesn’t like enjoying a few drinks with their special someone? Frothy Beard is have a beer and cheesecake pairing. They’ll have 4 of their delcious beers available to pair with “fun flavored” cheesecakes. Not a fan of sweets? No worries, Edmund’s Oast Brewing and Bendy Brewski Yoga are hosting a yoga for beer lovers class.

We know, it’s hard to choose just one.

Eat & Drink

6 Charleston Craft Beers In A Can You Need In Your Fridge

Image Source: Frothy Beard Brewing

We’re big believers in shopping local, eating local, and drinking local so we love the abundance of breweries in the Lowcountry. We were happy when these awesome craft beer spots started popping up around the city and we’re even bigger fans now that many of them are canning their beer. Now we can leave happy hour with a six-pack and continue the party at home.

Here are some of our favorite canned beers:

Palmetto Brewing

Starting today, pints of our core brand beers are now $4 in our Taproom on weekdays! (Monday-Thursday) Which beer are you having?

156 Likes, 9 Comments – Palmetto Brewing Co. (@palmettobrewing) on Instagram: “Starting today, pints of our core brand beers are now $4 in our Taproom on weekdays! (Monday-…”

Palmetto Brewing now has a number of beers available in a can. You can find them at large supermarkets like Publix or pick up a pack right from the brewery. You can find them on Huger Street in downtown Charleston and open seven days a week.

Frothy Beard

Make your refrigerator a little more festive this holiday season ? * * * #frothybeard #tides #andale #chsbeer #craftbeer #candesign

62 Likes, 0 Comments – Frothy Beard Brewing Company (@frothybeardbrewing) on Instagram: “Make your refrigerator a little more festive this holiday season ? * * * #frothybeard #tides…”

Frothy Beard offers two types of canned beers, ¡Andale!, a pale ale and Tides, an Irish red ale. Both are available for purchase at the West Ashley brewery on Sam Rittenberg or at stores around the city. Frothy is open Sunday through Thursday, 11 am to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday, 11 am to 11 pm.

Holy City Brewing

What’s back in stock at the taproom! That’s right! Paradise Session IPA six packs are back around. #charleston #northcharleston #scbeer #southcarolina #craftbeer #chsbeer #charlestonbeer #charlestonfood #eatlocalchs #supportlocal #charlestonbreweries #holycitybrewing #cheers #billpitts

151 Likes, 4 Comments – Holy City Brewing (@holycitybrewing) on Instagram: “What’s back in stock at the taproom! That’s right! Paradise Session IPA six packs are back around….”

Holy City has eight beers available in can through both North and South Carolina stores. Or, you could swing by the taproom on Dorchester Road and get a free tour anytime between 11 am and 8 pm, Sunday through Thursday or 11 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday.

Edmund’s Oast Brewing

?EOBC SOUR CAN RELEASE ALERT? . Sour Cranberry makes its debut in the Taproom TODAY, just in time for ??????!! . ?SOUR CRANBERRY? . Our series of fruited American Sour Ales come from a love of fresh fruit flavors combined with mouth-watering acidity. These little seasonal berries add a refreshing acidity all their own! Explosive fruit notes erupt from the glass, and one is left with a quenched thirst, yet thirsty for more. 6.5% ABV. 16oz cans, $14/4pk. . Cans are on sale in the Taproom NOW, and the beer is also on tap. While you’re at it, grab some grub! . #chsbeer #beer #chsdrinks #chseats #explorecharleston #craftcans #beerrelease #sourbeer #sour #cranberry #happyholidays #brewerydistrict #nofilter

307 Likes, 7 Comments – Edmund’s Oast Brewing Company (@eobrewing) on Instagram: “?EOBC SOUR CAN RELEASE ALERT? . Sour Cranberry makes its debut in the Taproom TODAY, just in time…”

Offering a wide variety of canned beers, Edmund’s Oast Brewing is on upper King Street right past Edmund’s Oast Restaurant and Edmund’s Oast Exchange. This 20,000 square foot brewery is able to package their cans for wide-reaching wholesale. You can visit the brewery Wednesday through Monday, from 11 am to 10 pm.

Revelry Brewing Co.

$8 Six Packs To-Go today! Open 4-10pm Swing By before the #nationalchampionship or watch the first half w us in the tasting room or at @thehold.byrevelry @sea_kemp

107 Likes, 0 Comments – Revelry Brewing (@revelrybrewing) on Instagram: “$8 Six Packs To-Go today! Open 4-10pm Swing By before the #nationalchampionship or watch the first…”

Located in downtown Charleston, you can sip on one of Revelry’s cans while enjoying a pretty awesome view from their upstairs deck. Or, come on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday and catch some live music. They’re open seven days a week with varying hours.

COAST Brewing

It’s a sunny Wednesday and we are Open 4-7! Closed tomorrow for Thanksgiving. Big Boned BBQ is here and we’ve got cans for your holiday festivities. #organicbeer

194 Likes, 2 Comments – COAST Brewing (@coastbrewing) on Instagram: “It’s a sunny Wednesday and we are Open 4-7! Closed tomorrow for Thanksgiving. Big Boned BBQ is…”

COAST has six cans to choose from including two IPA’s, one pale ale, an imperial stout, an American brown ale, and a German-style ale. This brewery is a family-owned craft brewery residing in an old Navy base in North Charleston. You can stop by the tasting room on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday for a taste.

Whether you’re preparing for the apocalypse or another Charleston ice storm, make sure you support your local breweries and stock up on your favorite beer.

Guest Columns

The Best Rainy Day Chucktown Activities

Featured Image Credit: Frothy Beard Facebook

Hang out at your favorite brewery.

Frothy Beard Brewing Company: Located on Sam Rittenberg Avenue, Frothy Beard is our favorite West Ashley brewery. It’s the perfect place to kick back and relax. Home to a variety of good beer, a friendly staff, and old school video games, Frothy is a family friendly location to spend your rainy days.

Strike out at your local bowling alley.

The Alley: Located on Columbus Street, The Alley is the best local hangout spot in Charleston. The Alley has a variety of food options, trivia nights, and some nights include all-night happy hour.

Don’t be spoiled by spoilers, catch the latest film.

Cinebarre: Located in Mount Pleasant, Cinebarre is a movie theater that also serves all types of food. It is a family-friendly, casual place to spend your rainy days.

Support your local coffee shops.

Bitty & Beau’s: Located on Church Street, Bitty & Beau’s is a coffee shop that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Bitty & Beau’s is more than just a coffee shop, but a great place to spend time with family and meet there super sweet staff.

Get lost in a local museum…and learn A LOT.

Everyone knows that Charleston is rich with unique history. Even if you’re not a history buff, it’s still important to know how Charleston became Charleston! Below is a list of museum’s downtown:

Gibbes Museum of Art (will re-open May 28, 2016)

Historic Homes

Joseph Manigault House

The Aiken-Rhett House

Edmondston-Alston House

Heyward Washington House

Nathanial Russel House

Calhoun Mansion

Wander around The South Carolina Aquarium.

The South Carolina Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the country, and we’re not just saying that because we’re biased. They have a state-of-the-art sea turtle hospital that just recently opened to the public. The entire experience is informative AND impressive!

Solve puzzles with your friends at Escape in 60.

Escape room games are fairly new to Charleston, but they are definitely something to add to your bucket list. Each scenario has a different goal, and you and a team of friends are given 60 minutes to unlock the mystery!

Eat & Drink

Frothy Beard Brewing Company Featured On The Southern Weekend

Featured Image Credit: The Southern Weekend

The Southern Weekend, a popular TV show that offers the ultimate tour guide on how to have the best weekend in the south, paid a visit to one of our very own establishments! Just last weekend, the episode aired that featured none other than local hot-spot, Frothy Beard Brewing Company. The show goes around to the best places in the south and shares their experiences focusing on three main categories: food, travel, and lifestyle. How lucky are we to have one of these ultimate southern destinations right here in Chucktown?

Frothy Beard Brewing actually got their name from a “love of facial hair” as well as being Tolkien fans (author of The Lord of the Rings.) In which, the men would come back from a battle, have a beer, and it would be dripping down their face.

Image Credit: Frothy Beard Brewing Company

The brewery is known for infusing unique flavors into their beers, using ingredients like jalapeño cilantro, watermelon, and cucumber thyme. Holy Water, the name of one of their signature beers, was brought about because the brewery used to be a church.

What’s a brewery without some delicious food to grub on? Don’t worry, Frothy Beard has that too.

Pizza was incorporated into the mix when an employee, Ryan Dedrickson, started bartending with the company. He sold pizza out of a pizza truck called Zombie Bob’s, whose name stemmed from Ryan’s love for old horror movies and zombies. Frothy Beard decided to bring the pizza and beer together to create the perfect combo for patrons. Like the beer, the pizza has a unique flare to it too. Zombie Bob’s uses beer-infused sourdough to make their breadsticks and monster slices. Beer-infused pizza dough = #droolworthy.

With over 20 beers, monster pizza slices, board games, video games, Star Trek memorabilia, and a dog-friendly outdoor patio with cornhole, Frothy Beard Brewery provides the best place to spend some time on a southern weekend. If you haven’t been, you NEED to go!

Eat & Drink

The Top Charleston Breweries To Try This Summer

Featured Image Credit: Holy City Brewing

The beer scene in and around Charleston has been exploding recently. If you are among many of the other beer carnosaurs around here, this list is the perfect guide on where to get some of the best beer in town. These are some of our favorites – they are not in any particular order.

1. Freehouse Brewery

Located in North Charleston at 2895 Pringle St B, Freehouse Brewery is known for being family-friendly, having great beer and live music along with a pet-friendly patio. Offering 10 beers on tap daily, people come from all over to enjoy not only the beer but the fun atmosphere.

Image Credit: charminginns.com

2. Frothy Beard Brewing Company

Frothy Beard Brewing Company is a one-of-a-kind place with one-of-a-kind service. As if having Charleston’s largest indoor taproom wasn’t sweet enough, Frothy has a whopping twenty beers on tap. Take advantage of the “kids corner” where your little ones can play while you enjoy your beer and pizza from Zombie Bob’s, which is located inside of Frothy. They also offer their own craft soda and popsicles for the little ones too. While visiting, feel free to lounge around inside, upon the inside deck that overlooks the brewery, or the pet-friendly patio outside! Go visit them at 1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. You won’t be disappointed!

Image Credit: Frothy Beard Brewing Company

3. Holy City Brewing

This brewery is also located in North Charleston at 4155 Dorchester Road. With 13 beers offered on tap, along with a selection of wine, Holy City Brewing has a drink to satisfy anyone. Come and enjoy their pool table, soft pretzels, live music, and also take a free tour of their taproom!

4. Charles Towne Fermentory

Charles Towne Fermentory focuses on creating beers that are made with traditional ingredients and fermentation. Having a smaller selection of only 5 beers on tap, CTF still makes its way to the list. They also offer a large assortment of food, ranging from BBQ, ribs and even tacos. Check them out at 809 Savannah Highway.

5. Revelry Brewing Company

Revelry Brewing Company just recently added a new upstairs deck and it is the perfect place to enjoy one or two of the 15 beers they have to offer in the beautiful Charleston weather. If you’re down for a fun and large crowd feeling- this place is perfect for you! Come and join the party at 10 Conroy Street.