what to do in charleston

Two New Restaurants Coming to Downtown Charleston

Even though numerous businesses have suffered immensely throughout the past year, there seems to be some hope. The restaurant scene in downtown Charleston is coming alive again and adding some fresh new faces. Check out these two new restaurants coming to Charleston this spring.

Coterie, located in downtown Charleston, recently opened at 17 Warren Street. Coterie serves up a fusion of Indian and American cuisine with a southern twist like their Okra and Paneer Malai or Bombay Shrimp and Grits. They also have delicious craft cocktails and provide outdoor seating for patrons to enjoy. The restaurant is open from 5:00pm – 11:00 pm for dinner service.

Brasserie le Banque is set to open this spring at 1 Broad Street. This French brasserie, owned by the Indigo Road Hospitality Group, will serve classic French pastries for breakfast in combination with a coffee bar and will also provide lunch and dinner for restaurant-goers.

Eat & Drink

Zero George Offering Cooking Classes Every Weekend

Zero George, a boutique hotel fitted with a popular restaurant and bar, is now offering cooking classes every weekend. This intimate experience is a must-do for culinary connoisseurs or anyone who is looking to sharpen their skills in the kitchen while indulging in delicious food.

The classes are led by Executive Chef Vinson Petrillo and his Sous Chef Tyler Chavis. They take place in their quaint 1804 kitchen carriage house every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Each class is $150 per person and features a stunning three course meal that includes a wine tasting.

According to Zero George, “the two-hour, Multi-Course Tasting Menu Experience showcases Executive Chef Vinson Petrillo’s masterful touch with fine dining. This tucked-away gem serves up some of Charleston’s biggest flavors and most bold dishes from undoubtedly the tiniest professional kitchen around.”

Classes fill up fast – click here to book your cooking class with Zero George today.

Events

Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens Reimagined for 2021

2021 marks the 74th Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens. The festival celebrates the history, culture, beauty and architecture that Charleston boasts. Proceeds from the festival will benefit education and preservation efforts for the Historic Charleston Foundation.

In order to keep staff and festival-goers safe, this year’s festival will look a little different. Officials have made the difficult decision to cancel some annual events and have required that tours only feature private gardens and the exteriors of homes.

The festival will begin on March 11th with virtual Food for Thought Luncheon Lectures. In-person luncheon lectures will begin on April 5th at the Captain James Missroon House on East Bay Street.

Traditional events like the annual Sip and Stroll and Garden Splendor have been cancelled for the 2021 season. However, in place of those events, a new program will be held. Festival Fridays will start on April 23rd and take place every Friday through August 27th. Festival Fridays will include Morning History Walks and Food For Thought Lectures.The Glorious Gardens Tours will be also held on April 30th, May 14th, May 17th and May 21st.

Click here to learn more about the lineup of events taking place this year and see how you can celebrate this beautiful city.

Events

Charleston Music Hall Introduces Spring Outdoor Concert Series

Charleston Music Hall is bringing back their popular concert series, “Around the Bend.” The socially distanced outdoor concert series will begin on April 10th with a performance by Robert Earl Keen.

The concerts will take place at The Bend, located in North Charleston at 3775 Azalea Drive. Each concert will begin promptly at 7:30 pm but concertgoers can arrive as early as 6:00 pm.

Concertgoers can also pre-order drinks that will be available in their very own cooler upon arrival. In addition, food and non-alcoholic beverages can be brought inside the venue area for patrons to enjoy.

Here’s the full lineup of concert series taking place this year:

April 10 – Robert Earl Keen
April 11 – Ranky Tanky
April 17 – Reggae Night at the Bend: Tribute to Toots & The Maytals
May 7 – Charlton Singleton and Friends present The Sizzling ‘70s
May 13 – Blackberry Smoke
May 14 – Yacht Rock Revue
May 22 – Old Crow Medicine Show
June 5 – The Steeldrivers

Click here to learn more about the series and to purchase your tickets.

Events

Charleston County Parks Offering Special Events All Year Long

Running out of things to do to occupy your time? Look no further!

Charleston County Parks has got you covered! From wining and dining with friends to starlight yoga on the pier to a Lowcountry cajun festival, Charleston County Parks has planned a variety of safe and special events for patrons. Check out the list below of events taking place in the coming months.

March Events

March 6: Where the Wild Things Run Caw Caw Interpretive Center

March 17: Wine Down Wednesday Old Towne Creek County Park

March 22: Ladies Night SK8 Charleston skate park

March 31: Wine Down Wednesday Old Towne Creek County Park

April Events

April 1: Toast Under the Oaks Johns Island County Park

April 1: Starlight Yoga Mount Pleasant Pier

April 10: Lowcountry Cajun Festival James Island County Park

April 14: Wine Down Wednesday Old Towne Creek County Park

April 15: Toast Under the Oaks Johns Island County Park

April 24: Shaggin’ on the Cooper Mount Pleasant Pier

April 24: Mullet Haul 10K/5K Trail Run Mullet Hall Equestrian Center

April 28: Wine Down Wednesday Old Towne Creek County Park

April 30: Yappy Hour North Charleston Wannamaker County Park

Click here for Charleston County Park’s full list of events.

Events

Outdoor Concert Series Coming Back to Firefly Distillery

Starting on March 19th, Firefly Distillery is bringing back socially distanced outdoor concerts. The popular “Safe Sounds” concert series will take place through June and will include extra safety measures for staff and patrons.

The venue, located in Park Circle, will only operate at 10 percent capacity and will require everyone to wear masks. Each concert will also have food trucks and other refreshments available for purchase.

Check out the series lineup below:

March 19 – Sam Bush
April 17 – 20 Ride: America’s #1 Zac Brown Tribute Band
April 24 – Randall Fowler
April 25 – The Allman Betts Band
May 1 – On the Border: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band
May 8 – Runaway Gin: A Tribute to Phish
May 13 – TBD
May 15 – The High Divers with She Returns From War
May 20 – Jimmie Allen
May 22 – The Reckoning
May 29 – Idlewild Revival: A Tribute to the Allman Brothers
June 5 – Motown Throwdown
June 12 – Night Moves with Taylor HIcks: A Tribute to Bob Seger
June 19 – Elise Testone and BlackNoyze with Brandon “Taz” Niederauer
June 26 – The Midnight City Band

Click here to purchase your tickets today.

What's Trending

Celebrate Black History Month at These Historical Sites

February is Black History Month – a remarkable celebration of African American achievements and their history as a whole. Check out these historical sites around Charleston to celebrate and learn more about the contributions African Americans have made to society.

Drayton Hall

Learn about life in the 18th century at Drayton Hall plantation. Located off of Ashley River Road, Drayton Hall is rich with history. Tours of the plantation focus on the vast impact of the plantation – from architectural and landscaping advancements to the inhabitants that fueled its success.

Fort Moultrie and the Bench by the Road

Fort Moultrie played a significant role in the international slave trade during the 18th century. Take a day trip to visit their African Passages exhibit to get a thorough history of the slave trade. While you’re there you can also sit on the Bench by the Road, which is a commemorative bench that looks out onto the waterway where enslaved Africans were brought through.

Mother Emanuel AME Church

The oldest African Methodist Episcopal church in the Southern United States, Mother Emanuel AME is beaming with history and hope. While some may remember the vicious hate crime that took place at the church in 2015, the church was also the location of an important speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Despite the challenges the church and it’s congregation have faced, the church is a beacon of light in the city of Charleston and a great place to visit.

Middleton Place

Middleton Place is a National Historic Landmark that was an influential plantation in the history of Charleston and African Americans. It is also home to the nation’s oldest landscaped gardens. They offer a variety of tours and events where you can learn more about the settlement and history of the plantation.

Old Slave Mart Museum

As the first African American slave museum, the Old Slave Mart Museum is a staple of downtown Charleston. While it was once used as an antebellum slave auction gallery, it now houses centuries worth of history. The museum is extending their hours during Black History Month and will also be open on Sundays.

News

Workshop Food Court Closing in the Spring

Workshop food court in downtown Charleston is set to close in the spring of 2021.

The exploratory food court, located on King Street near Edmund’s Oast Brewery, first opened in 2019 and provided thirty different concept restaurants the opportunity to showcase their cuisine, many of which are set to open their own standalone restaurants in the near future.

Workshop issued a statement on their decision to close their doors on social media saying, “To our friends, Charleston family and the community– it is with a range of emotions that we announce that Workshop will be closing its doors this spring….Thanks to your support the Charleston culinary landscape has changed for the better….This has been a great opportunity for us, for our food entrepreneurs, and for the community. We are excited to celebrate one more spring with you and to bring Workshop to a successful conclusion.”

While there is currently not an official date that Workshop is expected to close, it will be sometime this spring.

Be sure to check out Workshop’s upcoming events and current restaurant concepts including Ma’am Saab, South Philly Steaks, Blazing Star Cafe, Saha Jordanian and Sushi-Wa Izakaya.

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