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    By the Way

    3.9 (98 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    By the Way Photos

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    BY THE WAY ATMOSPHERE

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    Trendy
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - By the Way

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    Red pepper duck confit deviled eggs
    Paige D.

    By The Way has been on our list to visit for quite sometime. After attending an event on King Street, we walked and were sat at one of the high top tables run by the bar. I ordered an extra dirty gin martini and one of my friends ordered an extra dirty vodka martini. As you can see by the photos they weren't dirty at all. They were straight gin and vodka with a splash of olive juice. So there is one less star for that. We ordered fries, the duck confit deviled eggs with red pepper and the stuffed ravioli and they were great!! Everything had explosive flavoring (fries included) and I was pleasantly surprised. Prices are reasonable for Charleston and their overall menu looks great. I'm def looking forward to coming back for dinner and brunch. Once the place fills up (and it was packed when we went) it does get a bit loud. Could have also been the drinking crowd wandering off as well that was coming in (as people started to crowd around the bar when it became standing room only.)

    Lauren B.

    Visited By the Way for Sunday lunch on our way into Charleston. I made a reservation and when we arrived, we were greeted and sat immediately and had the cutest, personalized message at our table which was a nice touch to make us feel welcome by the team. Our server was over quickly and gave us time to peruse the menu. We ordered Espresso Martinis to start (duh) and a few appetizers to follow which included the Ceviche and Deviled Eggs. Both were perfect for the light lunch we were going for. However, the only downside was that the tortilla chips for the Ceviche were slightly stale. The Ceviche also could have been improved by a touch of sliced or diced avocado to balance the acidity but overall, we were happy with the start to our meal! For the main course, we split the Fried Chicken Sandwich and it was not just good, it was great. I also tried the Tomatotini and my husband had another cocktail (although I don't recall the name). We enjoyed those, but preferred the Espresso Martini we enjoyed first. We followed our second round by splitting a TropHop (when in Rome!) All of the team members we encountered, either up close or from afar were pleasant and friendly. We felt welcome and enjoyed our time dining at By The Way. It's a cool spot, especially the couch areas. I would return. It would be fun to secure one of those lounges with a larger group!

    menu
    Tatum B.

    very cute atmosphere but the music was so loud i couldn't even hear my own thoughts, you basically have to scream to talk to your friends. it's not always like that though, we didn't know it was live music night. weird side note, the water cups are so tiny. we came here for my friends 19th birthday and obviously we can't drink but we weren't even allowed to order mocktails, we were definitely a little upset about that. our server was amazing though, shout out to CJ. for appetizers we got the whipped feta, the olives, and the onion dip, all SO delicious. i got the smash burger for the main and it was so flavorful. CJ brought out a wonderful brownie for the birthday girl, also so delicious and rich. the crowd was definitely on the older side. important note, we made a reservation but they said they wouldn't have even let us in if we didn't make a reservation. i would definitely come back just for those appetizers!

    My first time visiting Charleston and stumbled here on a Sunday night. Martini with caviar is to die for! However the highlight of the night was Cosmo. Cosmo is my go to drink and I had it at so many places in nyc and around the world from 5 star hotel to trendy restaurants and I have to say I had the BEST Cosmo here. Gavin the bartender makes great drinks and he is amazing. He is a true mixologist. Great service, good food and good crowd. I highly recommend!

    Dirty martinis
    Heather A.

    The perfect spot for drinks and apps for groups of four or less, otherwise make a reservation. The steak frites are great and the drinks are all yummy. Good wine list as well!

    Jeffery B.

    What a surprise! Leaving the Tiny Tassel after a Yelp Elite Event, we saw BTW across the street. Looking like a lovely French bistro, and with a solid recommendation for the Duck Confit sandwich, we decided to enter. Lovely decor, in a somewhat art Deco style, with some beats music playing (I imagine lights go down and music goes up as the evening goes on). We split the Duck Confit sandwich, and it was as good as we were told. Along with a side of frites, the sandwich was dressed with arugula and goat cheese, with a baguette that was perfectly crispy. Our server was helpful, in good spirits, and left us alone as appropriate. Overall, a nice place off King St. Recommended!

    Apps
    Carly M.

    When we walked in the place itself was really cute and we were excited to get some drinks and some apps there. The service was good. Our waitress was very nice so no complaints there. We ordered a round of drinks. They were all right and were unique. We ordered a few appetizers and they were very underwhelming and super overpriced for what we got. We got one salad that was supposed to be a Greek style salad and it would look like it just came out of a refrigerator and I could've made it. We also ordered things that onion flavor and everything tasted like French onion dip. I guess if you're looking for a new spot, you could check it out for yourself, but the food was super overpriced for what we got and I will not be back

    My yummy Espresso Tini
    Deb L.

    It really was a great little place. The bartenders were great and the Wednesday Filet special made it even better!

    Deviled eggs
    Emma P.

    Can we agree that this place is over rated? Story time: I got here and put my name on the list and was told it would be an hour and a half (because I was having dinner) no problem I decided to have drinks at the bar. I kept getting bumped and didn't get sat for 3 hours and finally at 9:45 my table was ready, then I was told I needed to order quickly because the kitchen closed at 10. It was clear they sat other parties before us but frankly if you can't accommodate it, don't offer it. I'm actually shocked we decided to wait. I will say the burrata was very good as were the steak frites but poor experience always leaves a bitter taste despite the food.

    Espresso martini (vodka)

    The food was so good, service was slow (and there wasn't many people there) but they were all very friendly there! It's a very cute spot and they had good drinks! Wish they had a brunch menu different from the main menu but I would go back for sure!

    Espresso martini
    Anna H.

    Had a really great experience! Staff were very friendly and quickly provided drinks and apps despite it being a crowded Saturday. I will definitely be back!

    Shelly B.

    BTW has become one of my favorite spots. The menu is small but jam-packed with flavor. There's a beautiful bar that offers phenomenal drinks. I really love the Hugo Sprits. As far as food favorites for me, it's a tough battle between the mushroom ravioli and the steak. Did I mention there's a Wednesday special for 1/2 price steaks?! Chef Marcus, Chef Des and Chef Crystal do a remarkable job with the recipe specials as well. The vibe here is unmatched and I look forward to going each time. Really happy about this addition to downtown Charleston!

    Ashley L.

    Came to By The Way for lunch and it was Spectacular. Being the new kids on the block they showed out with the food and ambiance. I love all the pictures on the wall and the bar is fully stocked to make all your favorites or new favorites recommended by the server. We got the fried oysters with caviar on top and it was fried to perfection and the caviar was the perfect topper. The espresso Martini was smooth and not too heavy on the coffee. Last was the duck confit sandwich. After speaking to the chef I see why it's on the menu is full of flavor and you get a mouth full of duck in each bite. The vibe is fun and sociable. They have half off on Wednesday on Steak Frites. Parking may be a challenge but there is a parking garage near and street parking is an option.

    Pomegranate cheesecake

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    2 months ago

    Wonderful spot, great ambience, friendly staff. Good wine selection. Definitely will be back!

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    Great cocktails and food. The decor is quite cute. Service at the bar was excellent. Would 100% return and sit at the bar again.

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    2 months ago

    Service was AMAZING- as are the cocktails. We are local, but a must try if you are in town.

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    Last Saint - Bar

    Last Saint

    4.5(64 reviews)
    0.3 miEastside

    One of our bartenders at dinner recommended Last Saint for a cocktail, so we stopped by after our…read moremeal. The space was super vibey--dark, moody, and filled with candlelight. It felt cozy without being stuffy and was a great spot for people-watching. The cocktails were well made and balanced, and we got lucky enough to snag a table. The space is pretty small though, so by the time we arrived the bar was full and a lot of people were standing with drinks. Even so, the atmosphere was fun and energetic. Definitely a great spot for a nightcap if you're in the area.

    My first time visiting a speakeasy since living in Charleston, and the Annex absolutely blew me…read moreaway. From the moment I walked in, the vibe was intimate, beautiful, and the perfect setting for a relaxed Saturday night cap. What made the experience truly special was the bartender. There's no traditional menu, instead, he takes the time to learn what you like and crafts drinks based on your taste. I've never experienced anything like that before. The level of knowledge and creativity behind the bar was incredible. Every drink he made was stunning and tasted even better than it looked. I was honestly so impressed that I couldn't even remember all the ingredients he mentioned because I was too busy being amazed at how good everything was. It was one of those moments where you realize there are real levels to this craft. I walked in thinking I knew a thing or two about mixing drinks at home, and left with a whole new respect for the art of it. The atmosphere, the personal attention, and the quality of the cocktails made this place feel truly top tier. Huge shoutout to the bartender, easily a 15 out of 10. Cool, knowledgeable, and passionate about what he does. If you're looking for an intimate spot for date night or just want to experience thoughtfully crafted cocktails in a beautiful setting, the Annex is the place. I will absolutely be back as soon as possible.

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    Last Saint - Bar seating looking toward the front door

    Bar seating looking toward the front door

    Last Saint
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    Doar Bros. - Drink - Bourbon and Clyde.

    Doar Bros.

    4.9(276 reviews)
    0.9 miAnsonborough
    $$

    A great find in the city with beautiful and tasty craft cocktails. The staff was great walking us…read morethrough the menu and giving recommendations of what we might like best. We stopped in for some drinks and snack before dinner and opted for the Middleton and the Ticket to paradise (made with vodka) and a cheese board the snack on. Everything was great, the Middleton tasted like Christmas to me (in a good way!) and the cheese board hit the spot. A great find and can't to try them again!

    The last trip to Charleston, we made a reservation for Doar Bros to pop in for a cocktail after…read moredinner. I loved the atmosphere! It's super cozy, very chic, and pretty small. The service was on point and the bartender was killing it at the bar - multitasking making 3 drinks all at once. It was super impressive and I took a few videos of him. I'm giving 4 stars because the first cocktail I ordered was SO SWEET that I couldn't get it down. I tried to drink it but had to send it back. We asked when we ordered about the flavor profile and supposedly it wasn't sweet, but all 3 of us agreed it was way oversweet. My black manhattan was phenomenal and my husband had a mocktail moscow mule that was awesome. Overall, I'd come back again - just be mindful of the ingredients in the drink and modifying as needed for sweetness. Make a reservation if you can!

    Photos
    Doar Bros. - Best. Bartender. Ever

    Best. Bartender. Ever

    Doar Bros. - Tiger Style Clarified Nitro Punch & Doar Bros. Manhattan

    Tiger Style Clarified Nitro Punch & Doar Bros. Manhattan

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    La Cave - CAVIAR DEVILED EGGS

    La Cave

    4.4(23 reviews)
    0.1 miCannonborough

    People are always looking for a great date night place, and I would have to say that La Cave fits…read morethe bill. The interior is very elegant and bathed in low lighting with soft music playing while you dine. It's a little small so make sure you make those reservations! We started with cocktails, and I ordered the Jean De Florette with vodka, lillet rose, fig syrup, passion fruit, lime, crushed ice, and a fleur garnish. The fig syrup was the star providing a nice sweet and earthy flavor. My wife enjoyed the Harvest in Provence with charred corn mezcal, see the elephant amaro, bonal, lime, simple syrup, and a spiced corn garnish. This drink is so smokey but very refreshing. We were brought a complimentary hors derv which was a house made potato chip with tuna and spices. Really great for getting your palette ready for the coming meal. They only do this from 5pm to 6pm. We have had our eyes on the Raclette Burger Slider for some time. The burger was a good-sized slider, about the same size as a single cheeseburger with tons of ooey gooey raclette cheese smothering it. Of course, we had to order the Pommes Frites to go with the sliders and they arrived super crispy with a nice rosemary-lemon aioli for dipping. The grand finale was the Boeuf En Croute which was their play on a beef wellington. The filet was a nice medium rare with a flaky pastry crust and a delicious sauce bordelaise. A great way to finished. With its beautiful decor, great service and good food I would highly recommend this place for any date night!

    my friend had the reservation for la cave for about two months now, it was for her birthday. The…read moreday before the reservation, she was called and said that the reservation was canceled. We thankfully got it fixed but when we showed up at the door, they asked for our IDs and we had to wait 10 minutes after our reservation to be seated. we were never informed that it was 21+, it doesn't even specify on the website. And result of this we had to be given wristbands before even entering the restaurant. when we finally entered the restaurant, we were happily guided to a beautiful table. the service was perfect. we got fries for the table and our food came out pretty fast. i got the salad which was okay, it had a interesting vinaigrette but i added lemon which really made it better. i tried my friends slider and it was delicious. the food and service saved this review. the place was gorgeous, i recommend!

    Photos
    La Cave - Salon privé

    Salon privé

    La Cave - Apéro board

    Apéro board

    La Cave - Interiors

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    Interiors

    The Darling Oyster Bar - Fried oysters, green & hush puppies

    The Darling Oyster Bar

    4.4(1.7k reviews)
    0.2 miRadcliffborough
    $$

    Yesterday Olivia and I went to look at rehearsal dinner options, and I think we both felt good…read moreabout moving forward with Parcel 32. It's exciting to make another major wedding decision and feel like we're getting closer to having everything come together. At the same time, I've been feeling a little uneasy about some of the budget conversations. Part of it is that I don't always feel like Olivia and I approach spending the same way. One thing that bothered me was that after deciding on Parcel 32, the conversation quickly shifted toward adding things like a photographer for the rehearsal dinner. My reaction was that we should wait until we understand the full wedding budget before making those decisions. There are still major unknowns, especially rentals, and I don't think we really know what the final numbers are going to look like. The same thing comes up with invitations. Olivia wants high end stationery and sees it as an important part of the wedding. I understand the perspective that it's our wedding and that it's a once in a lifetime event. But I also feel like I keep coming back to the budget while she keeps coming back to the experience. What makes me uncomfortable is treating money that appears to be left over in one category as money that's immediately available to spend somewhere else. In my mind, we don't know what we truly have left until the entire budget is finalized. Just because the rehearsal dinner comes in under budget doesn't necessarily mean we should immediately spend that difference somewhere else. Another thing that keeps coming back into my head is that Olivia makes very good money. She's probably making somewhere between $135,000 and $145,000 a year, which is objectively a strong income. So when I hear things like, "Maybe I need a second job to pay for that," my reaction is that a second job isn't really the issue. From my perspective, the issue is spending decisions. When I look at her financial situation, I don't see someone who has an income problem. I see someone who has made a series of expensive decisions that, when combined, created the situation she's in today. The apartment is one example. It was a really nice apartment, but given the amount of debt she already had, I don't think it was the most financially responsible choice. The rhinoplasty is another example. Whether it was personally important to her or not, it was still a major expense added on top of an already difficult financial situation. The dog is another one. I love Rio and I'm happy we have him, but realistically, a dog is another financial commitment that probably wasn't necessary at that point in time. Then there's the Jeep, which is probably the biggest example of all. Individually, each of these decisions can be justified. But when I step back and look at them together, I see a pattern of choosing things she wanted despite already carrying significant debt. That's what worries me. Not because of the wedding itself, but because I wonder whether that same pattern could show up later with vacations, kids, housing upgrades, or other major purchases. Maybe I'm overthinking it. Maybe wedding planning is making me more sensitive to these things. But I don't think my concern is really about invitations or photographers. I think it's about whether we fundamentally approach money differently. The reality is that our families are already spending roughly $225,000 on this wedding. That's an incredible amount of money, and I don't personally feel the need to push beyond that. I want us to have an amazing wedding, but I also want us to be disciplined and intentional about where the money goes. For now, I'm trying to separate what is a legitimate concern about long term financial compatibility from what is simply stress and uncertainty that comes with planning a large wedding.

    Breaded AF on the fried seafood. The ratio between breading and seafood was 3 to 1. Breading…read moreoverwhelmed the seafood. Also, our appetizer came out after we were eating our mains; wish I would have refused it. Not cool. The waiter was nice so no complaint there. Really a bummer for a dinner we were looking forward to enjoying.

    Photos
    The Darling Oyster Bar - Booth seating

    Booth seating

    The Darling Oyster Bar - Lobster Roll

    Lobster Roll

    The Darling Oyster Bar - Fried seafood platter

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    Fried seafood platter

    By the Way - sportsbars - Updated June 2026

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