Burns Alley Tavern

Burns Alley was such a fun time! The bar was packed to the brim, with everybody vibing and having a great time. Despite the fact that the bar was packed, the bartenders were awesome and always made sure that I was good on drinks and doing alright. The DJ that was there was great as well, as he kept playing throwback and contemporary hits that had everybody rocking out. Finally, I loved the location of the tavern, as it was an easy place to leave and walk a short distance to another bar or restaurant. The one (1) small downside was that there was a $10 cover, whereas other similar bars nearby didn’t have one that night. Even with the cover, I’d still recommend dropping in to Burns Alley for a fun night!

Burns Alley Tavern has a very unique atmosphere, almost like a piece of history is etched into its walls. It’s tucked away in an alley, which gives it a bit of a hidden gem feel. The dim lighting, graffiti-covered walls, and overall dive bar aesthetic make it seem like a cool place to hang out. It definitely has character, and I can see why some people love it. However, my experience was far from great. The biggest issue was the service—the server was unexpectedly rude for no reason. There was no warmth, no friendliness. A place like this should have a welcoming vibe, but instead, it just felt uninviting. On top of that, the prices were disappointing. I paid $13.50 for two normal beers, which didn’t feel justified for a dive bar setting. I expected better value, especially considering the atmosphere. It wasn’t anything special drink-wise, just standard beers at a higher-than-expected price. Overall, Burns Alley has potential with its unique vibe, but the attitude of the staff and the pricing really took away from the experience. I wanted to like it, but I left feeling like I wouldn’t go back.

Make sure you go on a weekend for Claire! Out of my top 3 experiences for my first time in Charleston (coming from DC) both Claire and the bar tied for 3rd place. Make sure to be nice and patient with the bartenders, and they’ll take care of you. Don’t be a jerk if your sugar free Fru fru Red Bull isn’t super chilled.

When in Charleston, you must go to this cool bar. We've yet to experience the live music because it starts late but it is a must-see just because of the cool laid-back vibe. Bartender needs to pour a full pint too.

One the best bars near King Street for live music. The place is a huge College of Charleston hangout, and the staff there are pretty cool to interact with. The prices of drinks and food here are great as well, but there is a very limited selection of food. They will occasionally have food pop ups, though. They usually have great live music almost every night right on the stage by the bar. There are two "floors" to the place as well, with a good amount of seats each. Overall a great place to spend a couple of hours at.

Great dive bar! Beer, liquor, Jell-O shots! One pool table and arcade games. Always something going on the weekends, either a band or karaoke. Bartenders are always great. Bathrooms could use some work, and sometimes it gets crowded later at night (for good reason!). Overall, great local place to stop.

Burns Alley Pub is a cool little dive bar with a lot of character. They’ve got live music, a pool table, and a fun mix of arcade-style games, plus a spacious two-level layout that gives you plenty of room to hang out. The service was good, and I was impressed with their solid beer selection. I only popped in for a short visit, but I’d definitely swing by again next time I’m in the area.