Bars & pub crawls · CHARLESTON BAR TOURS
The good charleston bar tours sell out before the weekend does. Below: the 15 to book early, what each one includes and how they differ at the door.
Walk Charleston with guides such as Captain Bryan and Adam, linking taverns, rum, slavery, and Prohibition to places including Philadelphia Alley and Chalmers Street. The two-hour tour is limited to 10 people, includes a snack, and lets you buy drinks at two historic bars.
“Captain Bryan is unreal!!! What an awesome experience. Lots of great history about Charlestown and so much fun”
Join a small, English-language walking tour through downtown Charleston, led by guides such as Jamie, Josh, Dawn, or Alex. Hear wild Prohibition stories, visit several cocktail bars, and learn how the city’s past shaped its nightlife. Bring ID, wear comfortable shoes, and budget extra for drinks.
“Jamie was a lot of fun to be with all evening and gave us alot of info, we had a fun time!”
Join Captain Bryan for a two-hour, 21-plus walking tour through Charleston’s haunted lanes, graveyards, and historic sites. You’ll hear documented local history and ghost lore, stop at taverns, receive drink suggestions, and finish near Tommy Condon’s Irish Pub. Drinks cost extra.
“This was a perfect idea for our bachelorette trip! I would recommend the his trip to anyone. So many good stories”
Walk Charleston’s old streets with guides such as Jamie, Josh, or Justin, tracing bootleggers and speakeasies from the Custom House to Blind Tiger Pub. You’ll visit historic landmarks, stop at local drinking spots, and buy your own cocktails, beer, or mocktails. The small-group tour costs $35 and lasts about two hours.
“Fabulous tour. So knowledgeable and nice. Saw more than we were expecting and learned so much. Highly recommend”
Walk Charleston’s old streets with a guide such as Tom, Jamie, Zack, or Jonsie, hearing ghost tales at The Griffon, the Old Exchange, Blind Tiger Pub, and the 1713 Powder Magazine. You’ll buy your own drinks, walk in a small group, and encounter a route that can change with hours and crowds.
“It was very friendly and Very informative event. I would suggest this for anyone that likes to have a few drinks and learn alittle history”
Spend two hours walking Charleston’s French Quarter with Captain Bryan or another licensed guide, stopping at two historic bars for local drinks you buy yourself. Hear stories of piracy, Prohibition, hidden alleys, theaters, churches, and 300-year-old homes in a small group of up to 10.
“Capt. Bryan was an awesome tour guide. Best tour we have taken.”
At Sip History in downtown Charleston, Tommy Alchemy’s certified Alchemists guide you through cocktail history, balance, acids, shaking, straining, and hands-on mixing. You’ll enjoy three cocktails, bar snacks, water, and use of professional tools in a small group across from Marion Square.
“My husband and I were in town for just one day and wanted to do something fun. After a quick Google search for local activities, I came across the “Sip History Speakeasy” — and I was instantly intrigued. Although the original venue was under construction and the event had to be moved, any worries I had quickly disappeared once we arrived. Jack was fantastic! He not only shared the fascinating history behind classic cocktails but also explained how and why each was created. We absolutely recommend this experience!”
Spend three hours walking Charleston’s French Quarter with a city-certified guide such as Coby or Alex. Visit three pubs, enjoy one included drink at each, share an appetizer, and hear stories of pirates, politics, beer, and Charleston’s past. Routes change daily.
“Our tour guide, Coby was entertaining, informative and interesting. We enjoyed it immensely! The beer, the stories and the food were all great.”
Follow a guide from the U.S. Custom House to Charleston’s Old Exchange and Blind Tiger Pub, hearing true crime stories tied to piracy, murder, robbery, and Prohibition. The tour costs $35, lasts about two hours, and is limited to 15 people, with smaller groups possible.
“Ken was the absolute best guide for our group! If you listen to crime podcasts or you're a crime show junkie, this is the tour for you! To say Ken is knowledge about the history of this city and the topics on this tour, is an understatement. His roots are in this city and it was extra special to have someone who could answer so many questions about the city itself along with deeper questions about the stories he shared. The pubs are a nice bonus, definitely places that we as locals would revisit. This tour is going to the top of our list of recommendations for our future incoming…”
Walk through central Charleston with a guide such as Nathan, MJ, Cooper, or Kelsie, pairing local ghost stories with six historic stops and pubs. You’ll hear about the Boo Hag, Berry Hall, the Old Exchange, and Angel Oak while buying your own drinks along the way.
“MJ is a wonderful tour guide , very personable & knowledgeable on the subject!!! Really enjoyed spending time with him even when the tour was over!!”
Join captains and crew aboard a 39-foot pontoon from Ripley Light Marina for a 90-minute Charleston party cruise. Bring drinks, snacks, and ice, enjoy Bluetooth music, pedal at 12 stations, and look for the Ravenel Bridge, Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, pelicans, and dolphins.
“Captain Mike was absolutely amazing! We had a fantastic time”
Join Capt. Bryan for a two-hour, small-group walk through downtown Charleston, stopping at two bars for drink recommendations and at eerie graveyards, alleyways, and a park tied to a female serial killer. Expect real local history, ghost lore, and appetizers. Drinks cost extra.
“We learned a good mix of history and local lore along with being provided excellent recs for food and drink. Captain Bryan (our guide) is a native of Charleston and you can tell he loves this city and loves the history and culture. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who enjoys ghost stories, history, and drinking. I would also definitely book another tour with the captain.”
Spend two hours with a lantern-carrying guide such as MJ or Bruce, visiting four Charleston pubs while hearing tales of the Boo Hag, cryptids, demons, Angel Oak, and Prohibition. Drinks cost extra, and the walk covers more than a mile.
“MJ was absolutely amazing!! He was so knowledgeable and gave a lot of background to each story and each pub we went in! We really enjoyed listening to him and asking him all of the questions we thought of! I would absolutely recommend this to everyone!”
Join an English-speaking guide for a two-hour Charleston night out, starting at 54 N Market St and visiting handpicked pubs, craft beer spots, and a former speakeasy. You will pass major sights, hear local stories, play bar trivia, and finish near 36 Broad St. Drinks cost extra.
“Tagged along with the girls and I'm glad I did, the drinks were flowing and the party kept going! Guide was great too”
Join licensed guide Adam Miles for a two-hour Charleston pub crawl built around ghost stories, pirate lore, haunted ships, and grim local tales. Visit three taverns, hear theories about the paranormal, and enjoy possible complimentary appetizers. Drinks cost extra.
“Amazing experience a must do on your visit Charleston. Adam knows the history in detail. Highly recommend.”
Pick a kind of bar, or a kind of crawl.
