Jason L.
Yelp
My last night in Charleston and I end up at the Tin Roof seeing BJ Barnham from American Aquarium play his angry songs about women who have done him wrong and the trials of the hard life of the road band. His performance was mixed, but this review is about the Tin Roof, which is the second or third diviest bar in Charleston.
Whereas the Recovery Room is hipster-divey, this bar seems to lean toward pretentious douche divey. The bar is laminated wood with pennies stuck in it. The place almost feels like it is underground, and there are show posters all over, including on the low ceiling (check out the Sleepy Eye Giant posters - one of the band members is a graphic designer, and the posters are all quite arresting - I'm not saying that you should snag one, but I did).
I saw reviews complaining about the drink prices, but I really have no problem with paying $5 for a Westbrook or COAST. I saw lots of spikey-haired post-frat bros pouring PBR all over the place, so you can drink cheap here too.
Service at the bar is good, and I found the bartenders perfectly prompt and amenable. There's a nice enclosed, covered outdoor area too.
As far as a music venue, it is absolutely tiny and holds maybe 20 people standing in front the stage, with another 10 or so sitting at the bar. Very intimate, but the PA needs some work - the sound is unbalanced and crackly. (Bonus: The Tin Roof is featured prominently in the Shovels & Rope video for Birmingham)
One of the better spots in West Ashley. Check it out.