The Bar at The Spectator Charleston

The Bar at The Spectator sits at 67 State St. It holds a spot on the 2024 Food & Wine list of the top 15 hotel bars in the US.

This venue offers a menu of South American and seafood influences, a departure from the fried staples found at most other counters nearby. While the room runs smart and elegant, it lacks the frantic, tourist-heavy turnover that defines the stalls at the Charleston City Market just a ten-minute walk away. You choose this bar for the deliberate pace; the kitchen prioritizes a composed plate over the frenetic energy common in this part of town. It feels less like a hotel lobby and more like a private club, making it a better choice for a long evening than the crowded bistros lining the route toward the water.