Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Charleston Distilling

    4.2 (104 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Charleston Distilling Photos

    Business Info

    CHARLESTON DISTILLING ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Charleston Distilling

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    View
    Paula C.

    We had such a great time at Charleston Distilling! The staff were so friendly and informative. The patio was so nice and relaxing. The espresso martini and flight were both excellent. Definitely will come back to do the tour on Saturdays and try more craft cocktails! Also to try their food which looked delicious.

    Debbie F.

    10,000-square-foot is the home of Charleston's newest distillery. They are a small batch distillery that implies a number of barrels that are mixed together to create a desired taste. Tasting flights and full cocktails are available. What a cool space this is for events such as music or business socials. The interior is electric with indoor and outdoor seating. Have a seat in the daytime on the back patio with a water view or in the evening by a firepit and enjoy a great cocktail from their premium pours. Learning can be fun if you take a tour of their stills and processes and sampling of their two vodkas, two gins, and four whiskeys. Take a gander at their 45-foot-high still. Make sure you take home your own bottle for special times with friends.

    Sarah B.

    We had a great meal at Charleston Distilling- outside on one of the first evenings of the fall where there was a nip in the air. Lucky for us they had recently purchased and installed new heat lamps- and one of the wait staff knew how to turn them on (it was weirdly complicated). They have what looks like a permanent sushi food truck parked outside and we had drinks from the (indoor) bar brought out to us- including a deliciously concocted non alcoholic drink! We will definitely be back!

    Tom S.

    Stopped by for some drinks and a tour. Some of the best cocktails I've had in a while. The facility is amazing and worth checking out.

    Lily F.

    I went to High Wire Distillery right before I came here so I suppose I'm comparing the two. High Wire was small, personable and had a small-town charm feeling. Charleston Distilling felt like it was definitely meant for tourists and bridesmaid groups wearing blingy sashes that scream for attention. It was not for me. The good: It was cheap. For less than $20 you can get the tour with several samples of their liquor and a cocktail at the end. The bad: It was extremely rushed. The tour group was about 20 or so people and lasted less than 10 mins I feel like. The guy who gave the tour was knowledgeable but talked way too fast. He also ended up being the bartender. None of the liquors stood out for me enough to buy. There was no magical connection with any particular whiskey like I had at High Wire. And then the cocktail at the end...bleh! All of the cocktails had a weird unnatural color to them. Hot pink, lime green, bright orange, or blue. It wasn't a serious cocktail. I'm talking cruise-level cocktails that were not balanced at all. I tried to order the most natural sounding drink which came with an orange or something. It tasted straight up like an Emergen-C. My friend tried it and agreed. Her whiskey mixed drink was equally bad and she was unable to finish it. It's going to be a no for me, dawg.

    Distillery
    Matt C.

    Long time listener, first time caller. During my second trip to Charleston I thought it was time to pay respects to Charleston Distilling Co. on King Street. I wanted to love this place, it just didn't turn out that way. I've toured dozens of distilleries around the country, and the only word I can come up with to describe my experience is: transactional. Money, money, money. Pay for the tour, pay for the tasting, pay for the cocktails. Look I get it, you're in the heart of downtown. It's tourist central. People will pay. In my humble opinion, the tour was kind of a rip off. Why? Because I didn't learn anything about Charleston Distilling Co. All the knowledge that was presented to us was something you'd read in a Distilling 101 pamphlet. I don't know what separates them from the competition, how the company was started, or what they have planned for the future. Our tour guide was one of the distillers, which amped me up. But by no means should he be leading tours. He ran through it so quickly that I felt nervous to ask questions (I still did). We all felt like we were a burden to him. Like c'mon man, we paid you to be here! After 15 minutes the tour was done and we were led back to the bar for the tasting. At least, they redeemed themselves here, because the product is surprisingly great. Barrel Aged Gin, Pepper Vodka, and the Ginger Liqueur were all awesome. The tour guide ran us through the six samples and at the same time made cocktails for guests who paid for those prior. I think it'd make more sense to go through the tasting first before serving cocktails. Or at the very least, have a second set of hands behind the bar. Pouring samples, making cocktails, and explaining the product to 25 people is a lot of work. Make your lives easier, so the customer experience doesn't suffer. All of this took 40 minutes. I really wanted to buy some product for the road, but since I paid for the tour and the tasting for other family members I didn't feel like they earned an additional purchase. To reiterate, product is really good. The tour and the tasting? I'd skip it and spend your money elsewhere. You can find their product at many bars and restaurants throughout Charleston. Which again, was something not mentioned on the tour, rather something I learned on my own. This could've been a two-star, but the product alone doesn't warrant it.

    Distillery restrooms are an oversize barrel.
    Anne O.

    What a fun afternoon. We had a scheduled appt. for the tour (a must, via the website) and after a fun tour of the small site we belly up to the bar to taste everything. This part was hard for me, as the driver, and the alcohol is strong. The fun part was the cocktails afterwards. Their Tolerance Whiskey Liqueur is delicious and would be great addition to anyone's bar. It would also make a nice holiday/hostess gift for that special friend on your list. Note: while this spot on King is gorgeous, they are in the process of moving to a larger place on Johns Island. Looking forward to visiting them there.

    Old fashioned by the fire
    Julie H.

    I really had fun hanging out at this cool new place on Johns Island! We started out with a flight to try all the spirits and I enjoyed them all. The gin and bourbon were my favorites! I then had a hand crafted cocktail and the old fashioned was beautifully made. The whole building is impressive with soaring ceilings, glimmering copper and steel distilling kettles and rustic wooden tables and chairs. We sat outside around a roaring fire, watching the moon rise over the pond. It's truly a lovely and peaceful setting to sip a handcrafted cocktail.

    Distillery
    Melissa T.

    Love their spicy Carolina Reaper Vodka! The distillery space is really cool to see and they have a fire pit for cooler evenings. The bar tender in the tasting room is knowledgeable on all the products and processes in production.

    Caleb G.

    My wife and I love Charleston Distilling. They have the best Old Fashioned I recommend trying out their food truck chicken hibachi and sushi.

    Charleston Distilling Co.
    Evan G.

    Charleston Distilling Co. on Meeks Farm Road on Johns Island is a great place to go for drinks in a cool atmosphere. I really like the location and all of the space to be able to enjoy everything. The staff here is very friendly and accommodating to make sure that you have everything that you need.

    $15 margarita--terrible and tiny

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Katie N.
    1577
    1940
    1597

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nate M.
    1
    127
    76

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Such a fun place. Drinks were amazing! Great menu! Don't just drive by! Be sure to stop! Kiet was very knowledgable and friendly.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tom S.
    90
    82
    15

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lily F.
    816
    1604
    2990

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt C.
    4342
    1772
    17841

    7 years ago

    Helpful 20
    Thanks 0
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anne O.
    162
    645
    1163

    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Evan G.
    128
    4800
    28754

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bradley N.
    1897
    1206
    3031

    8 years ago

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 0
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brad H.
    372
    1868
    1011

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Charleston Distilling

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Distilleries 235 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Lost Isle

    Lost Isle

    4.4
    (150 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    If you haven't been to Lost Isle yet, go. If you want to know what it is to have your taste, sight,…read moretouch, and hears all stimulated, go . I've been 5 times now. 3 times for dinner and twice for a cocktail and snack. Every time, the presentation of my drinks and food have been immaculate. Then I look up, and I'm seated beneath a beautiful tree with warm lights hanging above me. The fire that just cooked my food is roaring across the way. The wind is blowing and the temperature outside is perfect. I hear laughs and see smiles, not just from guests but the staff to each other and when checking in. Then, AND THEN, I get the Fire roasted olives. I want to use profanity so badly, but I also want everyone to see this and take this seriously. The garlic knuckles literally turn into a spread on the bread, then place an olive (with the pit) on top, then a light squeeze of the lemon. Next thing you know, you're saying "damn" out loud after a bite. Get the curry braised collards, do the above and dip your bread in, then you'll say "fuck." Sorry for the profanity, just go, enjoy yourself and really take in the food and environment, then you'll get it.

    I knew I was going to like this place the moment I got there and heard them playing A Tribe Called…read moreQuest. Those of you who aren't familiar with the band I suggest you give a listen to their album Midnight Marauders. The very next song played was equal in its mellow vibe, and thats exactly the atmosphere that Lost Isle has created. In fact, the team there mentioned that the playlist was carefully curated to create such a vibe. Upon entering the parking lot, a dirt and gravel parking lot, it doesn't look like much. Another one of the empty or almost empty buildings along Maybank highway. There is a handwritten sign that informs the guest to come around back from the left-hand side as the right hand side is an employee entrance. Once you get to the side of the building you start to have a slight idea of what's going on. A white wooden pergola-like structure with benches to wait for a space to open up, tall green plants line the walkway of bright white rocks. That quickly opens up to a large area full of tables and two bars. One is the drink bar, where they have a full selection of beer wine and spirits, as well as other non potent potables. 12 or so flat metal stools line the customer side of the bar. The other bar has less stools, maybe 5 or 6 but behind the bar is a wonderfully large outdoor grill that is used to grill their succulent fare. The remainder of the late space is filled with lots of tables most four tops with a few 2 tops scattered about. They are resting in several inches of white pea size gravel. An interesting fight fact is that the chairs have tennis balls on the bottom of the legs and it keeps the chairs from sinking too deep into the gravel. A small thing to be sure but a big thing when it comes to comfort! Whilst sitting at a table canopied by tall leafy trees, and kissed by the whisper of a breeze coming from one (or two) of the many strategically placed fans, you feel like you are in a quiet Caribbean island. It is a chill, relaxed vibe. While the atmosphere is smooth and mellow, the flavors coming off that grill are a bold contrast. But before we delve into the succulent delights let me first talk about the size of the menu, 4-6 appetizers (small plates), 4-6 entrees (Mains) and 4-5 shareable sides. No need to clutter up a menu nor one's thoughts perusing a phone book size menu. Small menus are the way to go; do a few things and do them well I say. Lost Isle does them well. The table ordered a few small plates of fire roasted olives with grilled bread and wood fired clams. Marinated black and green olives grilled had a great smoky, briny taste. Served with a few pieces of grilled bread and some confit garlic. Smearing the bread with some of that creamy garlic clove invoked the memories of a smoky garlic bread; a perfect complement to the olives! The wood fired clams were cooked with a chili-chorizo butter, garlic, and smoked bread crumbs. This was an explosion of flavor on the palate brightened by the juice of lemon, and was in a word, delightful. We then shared a Main of a grilled ribeye steak. Nothing on the earth was made to be cooked on open flame then a ribeye steak! Served to us at a perfect temperature (medium rare as there is no other acceptable temp) and a beautiful dark charred crust, it was a spectacle to behold. Rounding out the dish was a generous amount of Chimichurri and more of that beautiful confit garlic. One thing some people are in sorely in need of learning is that slicing a piece from a large hunk of beef and subsequently easting that slice with a sprinkle of salt seriously enhances the experience. This is why I was delighted by a tiny ramekin of sea salt. The steak was delicious. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the beverage program at the previously mentioned bar. A small but serviceable wine list is available for consumption. Average print on the bottle about $44 and no bottle more than $72. Certainly a bit under some of the more extravagant list on the other Charleston area restaurants. A great variety of cocktails fill the house cocktail lists one particularly caught the eye of the table, the Sheeney Neeney. They were also able to make classic cocktails as the vodka sodas also being consumed at the table. A few mostly local beers round out the cocktail menu. A few things that you will also need to know is that there is no real table service, you approach the bar and order your beverages, your card is entered into the system and then you tab is started. You then can order your food at other bar, given the moniker of The MC. Then you return to the table. As the dishes are completed someone will bring it to the table. We were delightfully surprised at the experience and not a negative word was uttered regarding any aspect of the meal or the experience. I recommend it for anyone looking for a few hours of repose and repast. Take it upon yourself to stop by, where one can be only minutes away from home and thousands of miles away at the same time.

    Photos
    Lines are common
    Lines are common
    Seating area
    Seating area
    Lost Isle

    See all

    The Royal Tern

    The Royal Tern

    4.5
    (369 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$

    Food - 5 stars. Both my girlfriend and I got the blackened…read moreshrimp chowder. Absolutely delicious! I love how they fire the shrimp at the last minute, so they don't sit in a heated soup for hours on end, becoming rubber bands. Next, I got the scallops with the saffron risotto. Yum! Girlfriend got the a snapper dish on a butter bean medley. She doesn't like Lima beans (which these actually appeared to be), so she ate around them, but she loved the fish! Service - 5 stars Our waiter was a nice gentleman named Tony. He was very friendly and helpful and timely with his service. Did a good job of helping my girlfriend navigate the wine menu (she's quite picky). They've actually got some aged white wines (Sauvignon blancs) that are quite different than what she normally drinks (she likes New Zealand varieties), so he steered her clear of them. Ambiance - 5 stars I found the interior of the place to be very inviting. Tall ceilings and modern architecture. A little on the loud side (we had a family with young kids nearby), but not bad. They actually have sound absorbing panels mounted on the ceiling, so you can tell they've given this element some thought. Finally, our table had a nice view of the kitchen and, as an avid personal chef, I really appreciate that aspect. Only odd thing (to me, at least) was that they sat us at a table right away (we arrived right at 5pm, which was when they opened), but told us that the bar seating was by reservation only. Odd...but maybe be the Kentucky Derby was coming on later that evening? In summary, I highly recommend this place and we will certainly be coming back!

    Royal Tern delivered some of the best seafood we've had in Charleston, even if a few other parts of…read morethe experience didn't quite match the food. We started with the Royal Tern oysters, and they absolutely stole the show. Fresh, briny, and perfectly prepared, they were easily one of the best things we ordered all night. If you're visiting for the first time, don't skip them. For our entrees, my husband ordered the whole fish with jalapeño cheddar rice and asparagus. The fish was cooked beautifully and packed with flavor, while the rice added a unique twist to the dish. I went with the swordfish and étouffée, and it was outstanding. The swordfish was perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful, while the étouffée added richness without overpowering the fish. It was one of those meals where you find yourself thinking about it long after you've left. We finished with the angel food funfetti cake topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup. While it was a fun way to end the meal, it didn't quite live up to the incredible seafood and felt a little forgettable compared to everything else. Service was adequate but not particularly memorable, and the atmosphere was pleasant enough, though it lacked some of the warmth and energy we expected. That said, the food alone is reason enough to visit. Between the oysters and the swordfish, Royal Tern proved why it's such a popular seafood destination.

    Photos
    Beautiful interior
    Beautiful interior
    Tuna-Salmon Tartare
    Tuna-Salmon Tartare
    The Royal Tern

    See all

    Last Saint

    Last Saint

    4.5
    (65 reviews)
    8.2 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Bar seating looking toward the front door
    Bar seating looking toward the front door
    Last Saint
    Arcade machine

    See all

    Arcade machine

    Charleston Distilling - distilleries - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...