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As summer winds down in Charleston and the temperature starts to drop, tourists and locals alike are looking for places outside to relax, grab a refreshing drink and enjoy a delicious meal. For your next al fresco dining experience, check out one of these outdoor patios in downtown Charleston.
Blind Tiger Pub 36-38 Broad St. (843) 872-6700 Blindtigerchs.com Open daily 11-2 a.m.
Blind Tiger’s outdoor patio whisks you away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Charleston. Tucked behind the restaurant, Blind Tiger’s patio is surround by old brick walls and lush vegetation. Sip your drink while hanging out on the cozy couches or snack on smoked wings, the pub burger or the Nashville hot chicken sandwich at round iron tables or long community tables.
Coterie 17 Warren St. (854) 222-3201 Coteriechs.com Open Mon.-Wed. 5-10 p.m., Thurs. 5-10:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 5-11 p.m.
Escape busy King Street at Coterie’s lush outdoor patio tucked away on Warren Street. Plants and greenery surround the bar, setting a relaxing scene. Order a unique drink off the cocktail list and try some of the Indian cuisine with a Southern twist.
Cru Café 18 Pinckney St. (843) 534-2434 Crucafe.com Open Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-9 p.m.
A long-time Charleston institution, Cru Café has been dishing out upscale comfort food for 20 years. Get your Southern fix while sitting on the front porch or explore the tucked-away patio while sipping sweet tea and indulging in Cru’s famous fried green tomatoes.
Gabrielle 404 King St. (843) 990-5460 Hotelbennett.com Open Sun.-Thurs. 12-11 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 12 p.m.-12 a.m.
Stop into the Hotel Bennett for a fine dining experience at the hotel’s restaurant Gabrielle. Whether you’re a hotel guest or just looking for a good meal, Gabrielle’s outdoor patio sits adjacent to Marion Square, offering a great vantage point for people watching. On Sundays, catch the Marion Square Charleston Farmers Market with local purveyors, producers and craftspeople. Either way, no two days on the patio are the same.
Park & Grove 730 Rutledge Ave (843) 410-1070 Parkandgrovechs.com Open Tues.-Fri. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Just a short distance from Hampton Park on Rutledge Avenue, you’ll discover the women-owned Park & Grove. The fresh, seasonally-rotating menu pairs perfectly with the time of year. Even on a rainy day, you can enjoy your meal under the pitter-patter of rain under the patio’s awning.
Port of Call Food + Brew Hall 99 South Market St. Suite 5 (843) 473-4832 portofcallchs.com
Port of Call is a food hall offering a variety of different cuisine options including Asian fusion from Bok Choy Boy, smoked meats from Palmira Barbecue, poke bowls and smoothies from Iaco Bowl and more. Be sure to check the website ahead of time to find out about the latest rotating food stalls. Order a drink from the bar and some food from your favorite stall (or try a little bit from each!) and take your meal to the front patio on South Market Street. You may even catch some live music.
The Royal American 970 Morrison Drive (843) 817-6925 TheRoyalAmerican.com Open daily 11-2 a.m.
If you gravitate towards dive bars, The Royal American on Morrison Drive has the perfect outdoor patio for you. Unwind with a cheap beer (don’t ask for PBR — they don’t serve it and they will scold you for trying to order one), indulge in top-notch bar food like the magic wings or the patty melt and enjoy the breeze on the front patio. Or, head out to the smaller back patio for a view of the Ravenel Bridge and maybe catch a glimpse of a train passing by the tracks that run behind the bar. On Fridays and Saturdays, The Royal American often turns into a music venue, welcoming local and regional acts.
Michael Pham contributed to this story.
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