Best New Cocktail Bars in Charleston Right Now | Eater Carolinas
"If there’s anywhere in Charleston guaranteed to warm you up during these spare winter months, it’s the bar at Seahorse. The space is cloaked in velvet with low lighting and antique paintings of mariners. The space comes from the team behind seafood spot Chubby Fish. The ever-changing menu features a few small plates from chef James London, but the real draw is the cocktails from bar manager Christian Favier (formerly of the Ordinary). Rum figures heavily on the list, but there’s also a delicious smoked dirty martini and plenty of fizzy drinks thanks to a fancy Japanese Suntory highball machine." - Erin Perkins
Charleston’s Best New Restaurants | Eater Carolinas
"Chubby Fish (most recently visited by Martha Stewart) has smartly expanded into the space next door with another cozy nautical space, but this time, the team is focused on world-class cocktails from Christian Favier (formerly of the Ordinary). Rum figures heavily on the list, but there’s also a delicious smoked dirty martini and plenty of fizzy drinks thanks to a fancy Japanese Suntory highball machine. Customers can order snacks from the ever-changing menu, including oysters, crudos, agnolotti, Iberico ham, and more." - Erin Perkins
AVOID THIS PLACE
7/11/2025 we were sent to Seahorse because Chubby Fish was booked. Ordered the flounder crudo which was $24 and the corn tortellini $26. My girlfriend ordered a drink which was also a very small portion!! The portion sizes are an absolute RIP OFF! The flounder crudo was such a small amount as well as the tortellini. It's flounder not TUNA!
DO NOT go here for any of this nonsense!
This place won't last long! Go next door to Chubby Fish. Fortunately, we got a seat at the bar at Chubby Fish to get some good honest portions!!!
I DO NOT RECOMMEND! There's no explanation that will make me feel any better about this place!!
Graham Stockley
Google
Highly recommend taking a 6:30 or later reservation for Chubby Fish so you can step in here and enjoy a few cocktails and a starter dish before the main meal next door. The team behind the cocktails here are magical. Execution was perfection, flavors complex and uniquely paired. Want to come back for a solo visit here and try more of the menu. The cacio e pepe potato chips were the perfect bite to go with a cocktail. Amazing job to all!
Daniel Robles
Google
This wonderful bar is serving some of the best cocktails in Charleston with simple yet inventive food. The cocktails are creative, balanced, and can be enjoyed inside with intimate ship themed decor or outside on the beautiful patio. The food is simple but are perfect bites for the cocktails. We had such a fun time there!
Holycityfitblonde
Google
The Seahorse in Charleston, SC is a total vibe!!
The ✨cocktails✨ were perfection — especially with that crystal-clear ice… major aesthetic goals!
The décor is gorgeous, the energy is on point, and it’s officially one of our new faves for a night out in the Holy City!
Make sure you follow me & my bestie for more Charleston gems: on Instagram
@holycityfiteblonde
@amber_hayden_realtor_chs
@blessblondeschs
Tag your girls and plan a cocktail night!
#charlestonbars #charlestonsc #charleston #chseats #charlestonbar #charlestoneats #explorecharleston #explorecharlestonsc #blessed #drinks #drinkstagram #charlestonlife #charlestonnightlife #chs #lowcountry #holycity #downtowncharleston #charlestonliving #charlestonstyle #southerncharm #charlestonfoodie #charlestonvibes #cocktailbar #nightout #girlsnight #cheers #livemusic #happyhour #craftcocktails #seahorsechs
Cheers to the good life!
Clink clink — see you at the bar!
🍸✨🦪🌊💃🏼📍
Holy City Web Design
Google
Stopped by around 5:15 on a Thursday for a drink. We were immediately seated at the bar and greeted by the bartender. The decoration in the bar area was really cool.
Decent selection of liquor and cocktails. My girlfriend got the Lychee Cosmopolitan and I got the Boulevardier Pinya and they were both excellent. Service was excellent as well.
They had some food up on their menu board that looked good but we had dinner reservations somewhere else so we didn't get any. Definitely planning on returning to try some of their food.
Scott Burton
Google
Amazing new cocktail bar in Charleston. Creative drink options and stellar service. Now a fan of Suntory whiskey
Kristina Warnaar
Google
Super hip cocktail bar right next to the very popular Chubby Fish. Super cozy interior and a great selection of large snacks and cocktail drinks. We got the cacio e pepe chips. They were messy but a great snack! Amazing service as well! Highly recommend whether you’re going to Chubby Fish or not.
Laurie Moore
Google
We loved grabbing cocktails and appetizers here. Seahorse has an exciting drink menu and beautiful interiors and is a must visit in Charleston. The service was 10/10. Highly recommend.
Josiah A.
Yelp
Visiting Charleston for the 3rd time to celebrate our anniversary. From LA originally.
Average across the board. Service was decent. Food and drinks were lacking. Some places just get good write ups no matter what.
Andrea T.
Yelp
Great little spot for a drink just off the main streets of Charleston. Bartenders were super friendly and knowledgeable of their offerings. The whiskey highball threw us for a loop with its clear appearance, but it was a dangerously refreshing cocktail made with Japanese whiskey! Interior is a bit dark and moody, maybe even divey - drinks were top notch. We did not try the light bites, but everything that passed by did look delicious!
Linda W.
Yelp
An elegant setting, fine stemware for my glass of rose and a selection of half a dozen small plates made a pleasant afternoon interlude. The service was stellar, friendly and highly attuned to the customers. I enjoyed the wreckfish dish. I was also impressed by plates, and then glassware, being removed from the table almost immediately once they were empty.
It's a beautiful cocktail lounge with a relatively small actual bar. The cocktails look very intriguing.
Katie W.
Yelp
No surprise here--Chubby Fish's new cocktail lounge at @theseahorsechs is absolutely fantastic. We tried everything on their small but impressive menu (skipping the turnips) and not a single dish disappointed. The tuna crudo, lobster risotto (with truffle added), and prime rib gnudi were the highlights.
All of the cocktails were insane! The smoked olive martini with house stuffed blue cheese olives is my new favorite tini in CHS. The gimlet was so balanced & a fun starter!
The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive. We had originally planned to wait in line for Chubby Fish for dinner but were so glad we had the chance to experience Seahorse instead. One thing to note - the menus don't have any overlap, so don't get your hopes up to score a caviar sammich here!
Seahorse is in an intimate, cozy home with cool antique coastal features. (Check out the art!)
Looking forward to seeing more people discover this gem!
Emma P.
Yelp
Absolutely love coming here for cocktails while waiting for a table at chubby fish. The drinks are delightful and I love the old nautical feel of the interior.
Sarah-Bradley D.
Yelp
We were able to walk in on a Friday night around 8pm and were immediately seated. It's a small, dark, intimate vibe very opposite Chubby Fish but made for a great date night drink. Service was great and the drinks were unique. It's the little things but the metal straw totally elevated the cocktail. My husband got a beer and I went for the baklava smash and it was not at all what I was expecting but in the best way. So light and refreshing. I could have done without the pistachios on top but enjoyed it thoroughly. Fun stop especially while waiting for your table next door!
One T.
Yelp
We went here for a quick cocktail and this place did not disappoint. I had the best smoked Martini that I've ever had. It was so good! We also had a little chip snack. Delicious.