The Charleston Bachelorette Activities

Stop scrolling Pinterest. Here is how to actually survive (and enjoy) a girls' weekend in the Holy City.

Get The Real Tea

🥂 The Charleston Bachelorette

Most blogs tell you Charleston is just "charming pastel houses." False. On a Friday night, King Street is a war zone of bachelorette sashes, $20 cocktails, and 2-hour lines.

The Nightlife "Vibe Check"

Don't guess. Know before you go.

The Venue The Vibe The Insider Warning ⚠️
Republic Garden & Lounge The "Vegas" Experience
Bottle service & EDM		 Strict Entry. If you don't have a table ($$$), arrive by 8:30 PM or face a 2-hour line.
Uptown Social Adult Frat Party
Rooftop & Pizza		 Crowded. Great for mingling, bad for deep talks. You will get bumped into.
The Commodore Hidden Gem
Vintage Jazz & Dancing		 Logistics. It's a drive from King St. Do not walk it in heels.
Trio The Rave
Lasers & DJs		 21+ Strict. Do not try a fake ID here; they are pros.

🔍 The Deep Dive: Venue Breakdown

Republic Garden & Lounge (489 King St)
Real Cost Breakdown:
  • Cover: $10-20/person (Friday/Saturday)
  • Bottle Service: $400-800 minimum (serves 6-8 people)
  • Cocktails: $14-18 each
⏰ Timing Strategy: Arrive 8:30-9:30 PM to skip the line OR book bottle service and text your host 30 mins before arrival—they'll walk you past the line.
đź’Ž Local Secret: Republic's upstairs lounge is quieter and has a better bathroom situation. Ask the bouncer about "upstairs access" if you have bottle service.

Dress Code: Heels/wedges required for women, no sneakers (unless designer), no athletic wear. They WILL turn you away.

Uptown Social (435 King St)
Real Cost Breakdown:
  • Cover: Usually free before 10 PM, $5-10 after
  • Drinks: $8-12 (cheaper than Republic)
  • Pizza: $3-5/slice (yes, they have pizza)
⏰ Peak Madness: 11 PM - 1 AM is PACKED. If you want space to breathe, hit it 9-10:30 PM or after 1:30 AM.
đź’Ž Local Secret: The rooftop is Instagram gold for sunset photos (6-7 PM) but turns into a sardine can by 11 PM. Get your photos early, then bounce to other spots.

Group Strategy: This place is HUGE (3 floors). Pick a meeting spot before you split up or you'll lose people. The "bar by the pizza counter" is the standard regroup location.

The Commodore (334 King St)
Real Cost Breakdown:
  • Cover: Free most nights, $5-10 for special events
  • Drinks: $6-10 (dive bar pricing with craft options)
  • Pool Tables: Free if you buy drinks
⏰ Best Time: Thursday-Saturday after 10 PM when the live jazz/swing bands start. Earlier is too quiet, later than midnight it gets packed.
đź’Ž Local Secret: The back patio is where locals actually hang out. It's quieter, has heaters in winter, and you can actually have conversations. The front bar is tourist central.

Shoe Warning: This is Upper King (past Cannon St). That's a 15-minute walk from Lower King in heels over cobblestones. Take an Uber or wear flats.

Trio Nightclub (139 Calhoun St)
Real Cost Breakdown:
  • Cover: $15-30 depending on DJ/event
  • Drinks: $10-15
  • Coat Check: $5 (winter months)
⏰ Don't Arrive Before 11 PM: Trio is a LATE night spot. Showing up at 9 PM means you're dancing alone. Peak time is midnight-2 AM.
💎 Local Secret: Check their Instagram (@triocharleston) for guest DJ lineups. Some nights are $30 cover but feature world-class DJs—worth it. Other nights are $15 locals—still fun but different energy.
Private House Party
Trending Now

House Party Entertainment"

$200 cover charge

  • Cheap Drinks: $20 vodka bottle vs. $18 cocktails.
  • Better Music: Your playlist vs. a DJ you hate.

🔥 The "Michael" Experience

Forget stereotypes. This is a high-energy, interactive show designed for your living room. The #1 rated activity for groups who want the "wild" without the public embarrassment.

Check Availability & Pricing

The Local Guide

Where to Stay

Downtown: Walkable but expensive ($300-500/night).
Folly Beach: Laid back, surfer vibes (25 min drive, $200-350/night).
Isle of Palms: Upscale, resort vibes (35 min drive, $250-450/night).

The Neighborhood Breakdown:
  • French Quarter (Downtown): Walk to everything, loud at night, expensive parking ($25-40/day)
  • Folly Beach: Beach house rentals, requires Ubers for nightlife ($30-50 each way), better for chill groups
  • Isle of Palms/Wild Dunes: Resort vibes, requires car/Ubers, perfect if you want beach + golf + nightlife split
  • Mount Pleasant (Park West/Old Village): 15 mins from downtown, cheaper Airbnbs, locals' pick for value
The Brunch Rule

Do not wing it. Places like Poogan's Porch and Halls book out 3 months in advance.
Pro Tip: Book an 11:30 AM res so you can sleep in.

The Real Brunch Strategy:
  • Book 3+ months ahead: Poogan's Porch (72 Queen St), Halls Chophouse, 167 Raw
  • Book 1-2 weeks ahead: The Daily, Hominy Grill, Millers All Day
  • Walk-in friendly: Lost Dog Cafe (Folly Beach), Page's Okra Grill

Insider hack: OpenTable shows "fully booked" but call the restaurant directly—they hold tables for phone reservations.

Hangover Level Assessment:
Death Level: Order delivery (Caviar Car, DoorDash)
Functional: Lost Dog Cafe (casual, greasy, perfect)
Ready to Shine: Poogan's Porch (dress cute, prepare for photos)
The Photo Op

Skip Rainbow Row at noon (too hot). Go at sunset.
Best Secret Spot: The pink wall at The Mills House hotel or the dock at Shem Creek.

The Instagram Strategy (Time-Specific):
  • 7-8 AM: Rainbow Row (empty, golden morning light)
  • 6-7 PM: Waterfront Park pineapple fountain (sunset glow)
  • Noon-2 PM: Shem Creek dock (harsh sun but boats in background)
  • Anytime: The Mills House pink wall, Charleston City Market archways
Spots Influencers Don't Tell You:
  • Longitude Lane (near Waterfront Park): Cobblestone alley, zero tourists, gorgeous light
  • The Battery benches at sunset: Charleston Harbor + sailboats + church steeples in one shot
  • Cannon Street (Spring/Cannon intersection): Colorful houses, locals only, no crowds

đź“… 3-Day Bachelorette Plan

Friday: Arrival & Warm-Up

2-4 PM: Check-in, grocery run (beer, snacks, breakfast supplies), settle in

5-6 PM: Photo op at Rainbow Row or Waterfront Park

7-8 PM: Dinner at The Ordinary or 167 Raw (make reservations NOW)

9-11 PM: Bar crawl: Prohibition → Vintage Lounge → Uptown Social rooftop

11 PM-1 AM: Dance at Republic or Trio (if energy allows)

1:30 AM: Late-night pizza at EVO on King Street

Budget: $150-200/person (dinner, drinks, cover charges)
Saturday: Main Event

10-11 AM: Sleep in, recover, hydrate

11:30 AM: Brunch at Poogan's Porch (bottomless mimosas)

2-5 PM: Beach time (Folly or IOP) OR pool day at hotel OR boat charter

6-7 PM: Back to house, get ready, pre-game

8-9 PM: Private entertainment at your rental (Michael At Your Place) OR dinner

10 PM-2 AM: Party bus → King Street bar crawl → end at Trio or Republic

Budget: $200-300/person (brunch, activity, party bus, nightlife)
Sunday: Recovery & Departure

9-10 AM: Pack, clean up rental (avoid cleaning fees)

10:30 AM: Brunch at Lost Dog Cafe (casual, hangover-friendly) or grab bagels

Noon-1 PM: Final photo op at The Battery or Shem Creek

1-2 PM: Last-minute shopping on King Street (souvenirs, forgotten items)

2-3 PM: Checkout, head to airport

Budget: $50-75/person (brunch, coffee, souvenirs)