Ratchet Night Out Recommendations: Post-Dinner Night Life In Downtown Charleston For Girls Getaway Weekend

February 15, 2022 Ruby Riot Creatives

Ladies, you’ve finished dinner. You had your happy hour cocktails. You’re feelin’ real happy about yourselves. Where do you go to get a little ratchet, or a little * upscale * ratchet during your girls trip to Charleston, S.C.? Here’s our take on some fun spots for nightlife on the downtown Charleston peninsula— clubs, live music, & entertainment that may fit the vibe of your girl gang crew.. :)

NIGHTLIFE DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON - YOUR RATCHET NIGHT OUT

This is part of a multi-part series we created with the girls at Reagan Events— Reagan Kerr and her assistant Hannah Hunter, and myself, Shelby Ring of Ruby Riot Creatives wedding videography.

From the authors: We love us some tasty snacks, some bougie cocktails, super vibey bars we can dress up or down in to feel super cute, and creating fun times with girlfriends, so here’s our take as late twenty-thirty-something Charleston locals on some of our favorite wild night out spots that are sure to be a crowd-pleaser for your girls getaway weekend in Charleston, South Carolina.

Upscale Ratchet: Republic Reign

Republic Lounge and Garden is a little go-to spot for a club vibe.

Reagan Kerr: Hannah, I feel like you should be answering these — you're much younger than me. I'm a dang grandma when it comes to this stuff. I don't go out. I mean, if I were to recommend anything — I’d say Republic. It’s your bougie ratchet night. You can be a little sloppy, but you won’t feel judged in that setting. It's like champagne coming out with sparkler and hype girls dancing. You got your bottle service, girls. Bottle service. Like it's as club as it gets.

TAKE THE GIRLS TO KARAOKE! Boppin’ Fun Hidey-Ho: Bangkok Karaoke Lounge On King Street

Image Credit: City Paper

Shelby Ring: And don’t forget Bangkok Karaoke lounge!

Hannah Hunter:

So sing some Mariah, maybe some Dancing Queen.

Shelby Ring:

Great karaoke in Charleston. Would you say it's walkable from Republic, Citrus Club, that little main strip of King Steet?

Reagan Kerr:

Depending on the height of your heels.

Hannah Hunter:

Everywhere downtown is walkable to a sense. But if you get tired, you can flag down a petty cab. Usually, they're cute boys who ride those things.

Hannah Hunter:

…And very strong. Very… yeah. This is a ladies’ down for sure.

Shelby Ring:

Okay, so Bangkok Lounge for some looking ridiculous with your girlfriends, singing Mariah Carey.

Want To Listen To Some Live Music Or A DJ? Henry’s On Market Street.

Hannah Hunter:

I personally love going to Henry's On The Market, especially if you want to veer off of King Street. Henry's is centrally located in historic downtown Charleston at 54 North Market Street, across from the Charleston city market. Each of their different floors has kind of a different feel to it. Like downstairs is their restaurant. Sometimes there's a band down there. Then you go up one space like a trumpet player, sax player, or keys. And then another is a live band, and it's like country or something wild. And then there's the rooftop, which is quiet. And you just get to drink and look at the city. So you get everything there. Sometimes there are country dancing nights there; you just have to check out their website or social and see if there’s anything particular on their schedule.

Uptown Social: Live Music Or DJ Set With A Buncha Young Peeps + Lots Of Energy + Rooftop

Reagan Kerr:

Uptown Social is another spot that late-night turns into like DJ dance spot with much energy. And that's right there within walking distance of all the spots. Uptown Social is great for dancing, and they've got an outdoor rooftop area.

Image credit: our friends at The Charleston Vacationer

Here’s the upstairs rooftop area at Uptown Social. Typically there may be a loud band or DJ set downstairs after dinner, and the upstairs rooftop may feature a more bluesy or jazzy live music performance with a little more chill to it!

Hannah Hunter:

Yeah! And a full heads up on Uptown Social, It tends to be a younger crowd too. You might find some College of Charleston students populating that spot. Same with Silver Dollar Bar, buckle up for that one. You're going to feel old, but it's a good time. They have good music that's high-energy obnoxious electronic dance music. Perfect for a ratchet night out itinerary. I think I had my fake ID taken there back in the day. Ha!

Dispensary On King Street // Good Snacks + Live Music, Less Wait

Don’t let this image fool you — Dispensary is typically PACKED after dinner and poppin’ with lots of clusters of friends and live music playing in the window in the corner!

Oh, King Street Dispensary has really good snacks. It’s a good spot for brunch, too, and may not have a crazy wait or may be easier to get into. Dispensary should check a lot of boxes on a bachelorette trip or a girls’ weekend— it can be a brunch spot, drinks before dinner, and post-dinner entertainment and nightlife. They usually have live music or a DJ playing in there at night. There’s a courtyard in the back to order drinks from, too, if you need a little fresh air. According to their website — they call themselves — A staple on Upper King Street for over a decade, King Street Dispensary is a sophisticated Gastropub & Bourbon Bar serving a full menu of innovative pub fare. I call it a great spot to hear some music, be bellied up to the bar with friends, a perfect spot to bop through making your way down king street. And they have chicken tenders and snackos if you need a little treat while you’re out partying with the girls!

The Ratchetiest Of The Ratchet: Swing By Mynt Night Club For Salsa Dancing (Or Booty Dancing!)

Shelby Ring: If you want another little ratchet, stop - swing by Mynt nightclub. They have Latin dance nights during the week, and on the weekends, you’ll find a DJ spinning. It’s about three blocks from Cocktail Club (another fun spot right there on the main strip of King Street.) Up there with Republic for a very ratchet, obnoxious night out. It’s by Big Gun filthy burger bar, another little bar, and Trio is another Brat Rap trap-music-esque, bougie ratchet spot right on the same block at Mynt. So that’s you’re “Let’s break it down and blow out our eardrums till 2 AM listening to some kind of hip hop/trap music / EDM” debacle. It’s a sure spot to make some memories.

What’s Next On Your Itinerary?

Check out these other helpful articles for building out your Charleston weekend itinerary: