Charleston Bachelorette Pub Crawl

By Susan / 07/05/2025

Tip: This guide is free and doesn't limit you to one planner and their partners.

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Purpose of the Guide

Year-round parties flock to Charleston, SC looking for an amazing time. There are so many wonderful places to travel, restaurants to eat, and Charleston things to do, so why not? Bachelorettes, Charleston knows you are coming, so a lot of effort is taken to gain your attention in every way possible to make you comfortable and get you on board with an agenda. This blog will help you with the pub tour Charleston portion of the night's journey, for any season in Charleston.

The same places your guide or crawler offers with all the packages and perks... you will end up at anyway. Charleston is small, every popular place is on everyone's guide, tour, and so on. Plus, when you're walking down King Street, you are not going to miss these places.

Money-Saving Tip:

Self-guided crawls can save you $30-50 per person compared to organized tours. Use that money for drinks, food, or a nice brunch the next day!

Self Guided Pub Crawl List

A lot of businesses are part of bar crawls, private event planning, and tour guides. You have already booked with several other partners they have. Any business who is not a friend misses the chance to even compete for your time, which I fall under.

I am going to include a self-guided pub crawl guide for those who want to save money, make it affordable, pick their own path, try something different, and list places that may not be on the partnership list that you might miss out on. It is not a hidden path guide; these places can't be missed.

Best Times to Start:

Begin your crawl around 8-9 PM on Friday or Saturday. Earlier means shorter lines but less energy; later means peak crowds and atmosphere. Most venues stay open until 2 AM.

The King Street Walk

A easy layout of the places below, it's one straight line with a side turn in the middle:

Walking Distance: The entire route is approximately 1.2 miles and takes 20-25 minutes of straight walking. With stops at each venue, plan for 4-5 hours total.

Charleston Pub Crawl Itinerary

This self-guided tour is a bar crawl where everything will be in walking distance, and King Street is where you will be. This street is the perfect place to spend a whole Friday or Saturday night until 2 am eating, clubbing, and bar hopping all night.

The most amazing part is the city of Charleston shuts down 2-lane traffic so all traffic is going one way, and there is a strong police and security presence to have a level of safety present, so here we go.

This guide walks us right up to the corner of King and Calhoun Street where you may start considering an Uber because it's too far to walk. Everyone and I mean everyone will end up on the corner of King Street and Spring Street right where a very popular bar called Uptown Social is located.

This is one of the only places you will be standing in line at per the event. They always have events going, live music, and offer a great time with younger crowds.

A lot of pub crawls offer you the VIP treatment to get into a bar first without waiting in a line but, this is the only place that really has a line and probably a must-stop.

Stop 1: Uptown Social

What to Expect: High-energy dance floor with live DJs or bands most nights. Dress code enforced - no athletic wear or flip flops.

Cover Charge: Typically $5-10 depending on the night and performer.

Vibe: Young professional crowd (21-35), loud music, packed dance floor. Perfect for kicking off the night with energy.

Charleston SC King Street Bar Crawling at Its Best

After you leave Uptown Social the next well-positioned place to go is Prohibition, it offers a Jazz Age feel vibe and has great reviews. That alone is enough to pay them a visit on your trip. While there, you may encounter some great live music and the food is amazing as well.

Stop 2: Prohibition

What to Expect: Speakeasy-themed bar with craft cocktails and 1920s atmosphere. Lower lighting, intimate seating areas.

Signature Drinks: Try their prohibition-era cocktails - the bartenders know their craft.

Food: Small plates and shareables available. Great for a bite between drinks.

Vibe: More sophisticated and conversation-friendly than Uptown. Good place to regroup and plan the rest of your night.

The next place is the walk is Club Republic, it is a happening party spot. Every guided tour and non-guided ends up here and gets a picture taken in front of the "You Are Beautiful" lighting they have in the backdrop. It is another Hot Spot and a must-stop.

Stop 3: Club Republic

What to Expect: Multi-level nightclub with different music on each floor. The famous "You Are Beautiful" neon sign is a must-get photo op.

Music: Top 40, hip-hop, and electronic dance music depending on the floor and night.

Dress Code: Upscale casual to club wear. No athletic gear.

Vibe: Peak party energy, diverse crowd, Instagram-worthy moments. This is where your night peaks!

I will make a quick mention of Ann Street which is on the corner where Republic is located. You have Dudleys where you can find a drag show, The Music Farm which may have a long line per who is in town performing, and a neat little alley to the right of eateries like Bodega. I would check The Music Farm for events while in Charleston.

Side Street Detour: Ann Street

Dudleys: Known for their legendary drag shows and themed party nights. Check their schedule in advance - shows often sell out.

The Music Farm: Live concert venue hosting local and touring acts. If your favorite artist is in town, this is worth the detour. Purchase tickets in advance.

Bodega: Tucked-away taco spot perfect for late-night munchies. Cash-friendly prices and delicious street-style tacos.

Walking Break Tip:

Ann Street is the perfect midpoint for a bathroom break, food stop, or to split the group if some want live music and others want to keep dancing. Regroup at the next stop!

Yoga Maybe

A lot of businesses are part of bar crawls, off the beaten path you can try Charleston twisted yoga.

Day-After Recovery: Book a yoga or wellness session for Sunday morning to recover from your Saturday night adventures. Many bachelorette groups love pairing wild nights with calming mornings.

Final Stops on the Route

Let's get back on King Street. From that corner, there is not much except for eateries and some walking. Just keep walking and pass Hotel Bennett and then a big field called Marion Square. This is the last place I will mention on the pub crawl because all else is out of the walking range anyone would want.

The places I am mentioning are across the street and located on Calhoun Street, so you cross King Street and make a right at the Walgreens. The first place is Ritual Rooftop bar, if you are still in the mood buy a drink and feel it out. The last stop I will mention is Frontier Lounge, and I would do the same. They are 2 little adds within the walk that are worth mentioning.

Stop 4 (Optional): Ritual Rooftop Bar

What to Expect: Elevated rooftop experience with city views. More upscale and relaxed atmosphere.

Drinks: Craft cocktails and wine selection. Pricier than earlier stops but quality atmosphere.

Vibe: Wind-down energy. Perfect if you want to end the night with conversation and views rather than loud music.

Stop 5 (Optional): Frontier Lounge

What to Expect: Dive bar charm with a neighborhood feel. Less touristy, more local.

Drinks: Standard bar fare, reasonable prices, strong pours.

Vibe: Laid-back and casual. Great for ending the night if your group is still standing but wants a chill environment.

Getting Home:

By the time you reach Ritual and Frontier, you're at the northern end of King Street. Pre-arrange ride-shares or have a designated meeting spot. Wait times for Uber/Lyft can be 15-20 minutes after 1 AM on weekends.

Self Guided Pub Crawl Charleston SC

This nightclub hopping I have written about is an observation from someone who doesn't gain or lose from the mentions. This is not a planned-out path of people I have business partnerships with or met before in life. You can pull up a Google Maps and I have walked you down King Street of happening places on the path. This list can fill up all of your time.

I did not mention places to eat that are open or what food these places sell but places to get boozed up and happy while in Charleston SC. If drinking, big crowds, and social is your thing then here is a self-guided bar crawl free of charge. Below I will list some entertainment ideas as well of things to do back at the rental or entertainment places to go.

Quick Crawl Tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes - you'll be walking and dancing for hours
  • Bring a portable phone charger - you'll be taking lots of photos
  • Have a group chat and designate a "herder" to keep everyone together
  • Bring cash for tips and any venues that don't take cards
  • Set a meeting spot in case anyone gets separated (Hotel Bennett is a good landmark)
  • Eat a solid dinner before you start - bar food is expensive and lines are long

Charleston Pub Crawl NightLife

These ideas of things to do that are aimed at adult parties and are worth the idea. They are not on the popular tour guide.

Female Entertainers - Club Cheetahs

There are so many replacements with an agenda for the original now geared for you, so go see the real thing. They do this because they don't want to be called strippers but are being burlesque, drag shows, pole dancing, servers, butlers, or art stuff whether male or female. Just get or go see the real thing.

Location: Located off Meeting Street, about a 10-minute drive from King Street. Uber is recommended.

What to Know: Full bar, ATM on-site, and table service available. Call ahead for large groups or bottle service.

Michael At Your Place - Charleston Male Stripper

Independent dancer that you book direct and not through an agent or another business so the price is cheaper, tame to wild parties per your taste, and a REAL show that is full of choreographed stuff at your private location.

Why Book Direct: No agency markup means better rates and direct communication about your preferences and comfort level.

Perfect For: Private house parties, Airbnb rentals, or hotel suites. Can customize the show to match your group's energy.

Booking Tip: Book at least 2-3 weeks in advance, especially for weekend bachelorette parties during peak season (April-October).

Plan Your Itinerary Wisely:

If booking entertainment at your rental, schedule it before the pub crawl (7-8 PM) or for a different night. Trying to coordinate everyone back to a rental at midnight rarely works out!

Before You Go: Important Details

ID & Dress Code

Everyone needs a valid ID, no exceptions. Most clubs enforce dress codes: no athletic wear, torn clothing, or flip-flops. Heels or nice shoes recommended.

Budget Planning

Expect $10-15 per drink, $5-10 cover charges, and $50-100 total per person for the night including tips and late-night food.

Best Nights

Friday and Saturday are peak nights with longest hours and best energy. Thursday is "college night" at some venues. Avoid Sunday-Wednesday for nightlife.

Safety First

Travel in groups, use the buddy system, watch your drinks, and have a plan for getting home. Charleston is safe but stay aware of your surroundings.

Most Important: Have fun, make memories, and celebrate the bride! Charleston nightlife is unforgettable when you embrace the energy and go with the flow.