SC 29401, www.caviarandbananas.comTHE WRECK A hidden local favorite in Old Village overlooking picturesque Shem Creek. You’d be forgiven for thinking that the name was derived from the building, but actually it refers to the Richard and Charlene, a trawler that was wrecked during Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Don’t be put off by appearances – this place serves up freshly-caught seafood, boiled peanuts, hush puppies, red rice, banana pudding, and other Southern delicacies. 106 Haddrell St, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, www.wreckrc.comMONZA Wherever you live, you know how it goes – there are the pizza places that deliver, and then there’s that one-off pizza joint that everybody goes to. Monza is the latter. The dining room is polished with a minimalist vibe, and a subtle vintage Italian racing theme. The pizzas are named after people you’ve probably never heard of. Start with the Sausage and Peppers and then take the Materassi for a spin. 451 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, www.monzapizza.comCHARLESTON GRILL Without a doubt, the best meal I’ve had in Charleston (which is saying something) was served to me at Charleston Grill. Think dark wood, dim lighting, and a waiter who says things like “the chef would like you to try…”. Not for the budget-conscious, this stuff will revolutionize what you thought you knew about food. Don’t forget to say hi to Mickey – the guy who made you feel like a million bucks when you walked through the door – and tell him Jay sent you. 224 King St, Charleston, SC 29401 EAT
56 Charleston, SCPOE’S TAVERN Known for killer style and unpretentious yet delicious bar food, this place is just plain cool. Largely open-air, laid back, and oozing with character, Poe’s Tavern is a hugely popular post-beachgoing hangout. Finding parking within a quarter mile during the summertime is all but impossible, but definitely worth the hassle. 2210 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482, www.poestavern.comCLOSED FOR BUSINESS This place is new on the scene, but has quickly become my watering hole of choice. The atmosphere is what you’d get if a design blog and a ski lodge had a baby – floor-to-ceiling wood, a staff clad in all plaid, huge illuminated marquee letters, loads of taxidermy, and walls plastered with interesting prints. The booze selections are just out of the ordinary enough to make you feel exotic. If you get hungry, try the Pork Slap. 453 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, www.closed4business.comTHE LIBRARY ROOFTOP Set atop the Vendue Inn, right on the edge of Charleston Harbor, there’s no better place to knock back a pint, admire the view and watch the sunset. Be warned: the elevator ride to the top can be interesting. It’s old, it’s small, it’s hot, and there’s always some joker who starts talking about how well you’ll get to know each other when it gets stuck. 23 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401, www.vendueinn.comCHAI’S LOUNGE AND TAPAS With an Asian-inspired, upscale-yet-comfortable vibe, this place has become a hub of Charleston’s nightlife circuit for a lot of the young professional crowd. Enjoy fantastic tapas with paper lanterns dangling around you, or step outside onto the patio and sample a mojito that’ll make you have two. 462 King St, Charleston, SC 29403 COAST Located in a former indigo warehouse, this is a bar/restaurant with ambience in spades. Booths are covered with tin roofs, surf movies play on loop, and inflated puffer fish serve as light fixtures. It attracts a good crowd, which often spills out into the adjacent alleyway. It’s got a whopping wine list and a solid menu with a seafood focus. Try the buffalo shrimp or Baja fish tacos. 39-D John St, Charleston, SC 29403, www.coastbarandgrill.comAC’S The term ‘dive bar’ may have been coined specifically for AC’s. It’s dark, it’s grimy, and it’s a blast. Patrons from all walks of life can be found here on any given night, from the most polished college students to the most unpolished college dropouts. 467 King St, Charleston, SC 29415, www.acsbar.comSHINE One of the newer bars in town, Shine has quickly become the spot to find Charleston’s hip and funky creative class. The space is smooth and modern with elaborate rococo wallpaper, vintage chandeliers, and handmade bamboo tables. The food alone is worth the trip, and with a DJ often spinning on the weekends, an unassuming dinner can quickly turn into a night out. 58 Line St, Charleston, SC 29403, www.shinecharleston.comDRINK
57 Charleston, SC
58 Charleston, SC
59 Charleston, SCCHARLESTON WATERSPORT Between plates of fried chicken and pints of Ben & Jerry’s, I try to stay active and enjoy Charleston’s natural beauty as much as possible. Flat as a pancake, hot as an oven, and surrounded by water, your best bet on being outdoorsy here is to take up a hobby that requires you to get wet. Whichever aquatic pastime you decide upon – be it surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, waterskiing, or wakeboarding – Charleston Watersport’s got the tool for the job. They offer rentals as well. 1255 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, www.charlestonwatersport.comARTIST AND CRAFTSMAN SUPPLY This place always makes me wish I was back in art school. That crisp smell of pencils and canvas is as tantalizing to me as a whiff of warm apple pie. They sell solvents, pigments, papers, and anything else your creative pursuit might require. As odd as it sounds, make sure to visit the bathroom – every poster, flyer, or invitation designed in Charleston seems to make its way there – it can be very inspiring. 143 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401, www.artistcraftsman.comTHE CHARLESTON FARMERS’ MARKET Marion Square in the heart of Downtown hosts a farmers’ market every Saturday from April through December, 8am-2pm. Locals flock to socialize with neighbors and stock up on fresh produce and flowers. They also have live entertainment, some crafty stalls, and lots of brunch and lunch options. Marion Sq, Charleston, SC 29403OUT OF HAND When my girl and I first got together, she unabashedly let me know: “if you ever want to buy me a present but don’t know what to get, just buy something from Out of Hand.” Even though the store is quite feminine, I have to admit that when I made my first visit I became less concerned with what to get her and more focused on what to pick up for myself. From daintily distressed picture frames to exotic soaps that, well, make a guy wanna buy exotic soaps, a trip to Out of Hand is like visiting the tree of some fantastical, whimsical creature who’s been squirreling away trinkets and treasures you never knew existed. 113C Pitt St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, www.shopoutofhand.comSHOPHALF-MOON OUTFITTERS With three locations in the Charleston area, Half-Moon is your one-stop-shop for all things adventurous and outdoorsy. Just stepping inside makes me want to take on Everest. Well, base camp, anyway. 280 King St, Charleston, SC 29401, www.halfmoonoutfitters.comWORTHWHILE Worthwhile is the kind of place where you walk in the door not looking for anything, and leave with a metal insect made of watch parts, a book outlining life lessons for your unborn son, and/or the nicknack you saw on a design blog yesterday but never thought you’d actually see in person. Worthwhile’s unique array of pretty things is always a treat for the senses. 268 King St, Charleston, SC 29401, www.shopworthwhile.com
60 Charleston, SCCULTUREPECHA KUCHA NIGHT CHARLESTON Having launched
