Walking through Charleston thinking where can a person who is gay can feel comfortable and have a cocktail. As there's only really two different options in Charleston to visit a open minded, gay community, focused bar. It was actually pretty pleasant. The bartender was new and came from New Jersey. I can't remember his name, but his family came in and supported him while he was starting his new job and I thought that that was very, very incredible of them. The bar is very cute quaint nothing like you will see in a big city. Looks like it would fit about 50 to 100 people they have a stage that looks like for drag shows. We were there during happy hour, so nothing was really happening except the locals would come in to grab a cocktail too before they would head out to either go work or just start their night off. We were able to meet a few people local school had really great things to say about Charleston and the gay community and it was nice just to sit around at Dudley's and enjoy ourselves with other people. My usual drink of choice is always going to be a pineapple and vodka and the bartender made a great my partner of course had a nice bloody Mary and that was delicious. So if you wanna come down and hang out with the gay locals stop on by at Dudley's and enjoy a cocktail too.. read more

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Seeing the description as "all inclusive bar for everyone" to paraphrase roughly, is wildly inaccurate. Last night my friends and I popped in to grab drinks on our way to a different bar, and after paying a $10 each (there were 6 of us), and this isn't the first time we've been here, and the male friends in our group went up to the bar and my girl friend and I went into the bathroom and we come out and immediately our friends are saying, "let's go, now." Apparently the bartender singled out one of our friends and said they couldn't "over serve" him and then proceeded to say they were not going to serve our entire group. I'm not even sure they knew who our entire group was and after debriefing, honestly it seems that the bartender was assuming we were "too straight" to be in the establishment. It was the most diabolical experience to pay a total of $60 in cover fees, with no issues or comments insinuating any of us were too drunk from the two people working at the entrance and then complete opposite energy and being denied service. I'd say we won't be back ever again, but I'd love to come back and see if we get stereotyped and discriminated against, again. read more

This bar has a fun and inclusive vibe but the space needs serious upkeep. Every time I have visited the smell hits you as soon as you walk in like someone just douched in the bathroom. The air feels musty with little circulation and it makes the whole place uncomfortable. Drinks are average and service is fine but the atmosphere is a major letdown. For the cover charge they really need to focus on deep cleaning and improving the environment. read more

Service was great, drinks were tasty and fast and bathrooms were clean and not a huge line all the time! Loved all the ladies and would def go back. read more

I'm an amazed that this dive bar isn't officially "DOA". Drinks were verging on Ok. The performers were definitely B-Team material...at least the emcee was more A-Team. Dudley's prides itself as being inclusive, however, it's more like indifference. D-I-R-T-Y all around. Verdict: death drop tragic. read more

Mid could be better needs air freshener and to be cleaned and potentially redone on the inside

As a straight man who loves karaoke, I really love the IDEA of this bar, Monday nights are karaoke. But there is no real effort behind it. If it's slow...... Then the karaoke host tends to walk away, and there will be NO singing for at least 30 mins at a time. The gay atmosphere is just fine and everyone is nice. And the bartenders are great. But if you love karaoke...... (Gay or straight) Then just go to the Bangkok lounge....... So sad about this post read more

I've honestly never met such a rude condescending bar staff. Don't go here. It's not worth it in the least. You can get far less sh*ty beverages up the block. Do better. read more

Very mid for a gay bar, the layout is awful, the music lacks in all departments. I wish they were selective and wouldn't allow straight people in but they have to keep the lights on. Bachelor parties ruin this space for queer people. There's an abismal queer scene in Charleston. read more

Such a a great little spot in Charleston. One of the only gay spots in Charleston. The staff is so friendly and welcoming to out of town gays. We met the owner John last night and he is such a great person. Be sure to stop in a grab a drink. Happy Hour is from 4-7pm. The bartender Ben is awesome! Definitely will be returning here when we visit again! read more

Dudley's On Ann - a bar with a television on the wall - Gay Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Welcome to Dudley's y'all. Small yet charming. Friendly bar staff. A gender neutral bathroom Went on a Thursday night. 3 different, but very unique drag performances. If you want to smoke, do it outside where it's allowed. There's nothing unique-special-about this place. Just a fabulous dive bar. Parking is best in the visitors center garage as Dudley's is but a hop skip and a sashay away! read more

Dudley's On Ann - Dr. Brooke Collins STD - Gay Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I love this bar. The drag queens are top tier and the music is great! The DJ does a great job, keep it up

Crystal ate - come see melanin and magic every last Wednesday !!! At Dudley's on ann!!! read more

While I'm straight, this place is a good place to hit up. The place is clean and people are generally nice. Parking is a pain but it's in a good location of town. Good selection of cocktails (no pun int) while limited on draft beers. read more

The only LBGTQ bar in Charleston trying to cater to the community. You'll see reviews of people talking about "out of towners" ...learn some history. Gay bars are the equivalent to churches for LGBTQ southerners. We feel like a cheap display when a bachelorette party takes over the whole bar and no local LGBTQ people can see the drag show (of the performers we know by name). So yeah the bartenders give preference to us because we have nowhere else to go to dance and not feel like outcasts. Please understand this is the only local gay bar before you come out. read more

It's a clean little gay bar near Music Farm. We stopped in before the show and grabbed a drink. When we came back later it was slam packed. There was nowhere to sit and barely anywhere to stand. But there was a drag show and that was fun. read more

Too packed, no where to sit, too loud. No food and people weren't that friendly. We went for a bachelorette trip and one of the drags was super rude to my friend who was getting married. Won't go back read more

Dudley's On Ann - Rude drag - Gay Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Super fun spot to watch a drag show starring some amazing queens! The drinks are decent. There isn't a bunch of seating or space to watch the show and you are constantly being asked to let someone pass by. In the back room is a pool table that is free to play (just ask the bar tenders) and a few tvs (typically playing something random). Often a cover charge, but provided with entertainment. read more

They say it's a gay bar and I agree. The hang is mostly a mid twenties to late thirties something at night; both male gay and female lesbian. It has a nice outside smoking, street side drinking area, large bar area as well as a backroom pool table area. The crowd seemed extremely friendly, even to me, an old man batting on the 70 age mark. Though I thought the drinks to be somewhat pricey for the place, the free pour was good and certainly worth the extra few cents above the Charleston norm. read more

Not many gay bars in Charleston but this one is awesome. The bartenders are friendly. The owner creates events weekly so they will get a consistent crowd going in there. Its in the middle of everything so you can enjoy all the people watching from their out doors seating and enjoy a cold one. read more

What a nice place to have a drink and watch a show. Friendly atmosphere, great crowd, awesome bartenders. What more could you ask for?

Say what you want about this place, but I've been lucky to get to know the staff that works here. I've seen them rally behind a friend who lost his father and were beyond supportive when the same friend left Charleston for school. Yes, the place has some draw backs - but the people behind the bar are what makes this a special place in Charleston. It might be a small bar, but it has some big character! read more

This gay bar has everything! Small town feel, a pool table, drag queens who could headline any weeknight in a much bigger city, or even a weekend at a Brooklyn or Queens gay bar. And the staff are so kind! In 2003 one bartender even gave me a tip that helped the local ACLU bring down a nearby school principal who led a drug raid on his school and couldn't even find any drugs! That bartender isn't there anymore but the current staff are all hella cool. They even helped me make sure no one stole my jacket last time I was in there. The DJ is sexy and plays great selections. If it were me, I might've skipped p;aying Beethoven's 5th in it's entirety but he's a professional and knows what he's doing. Plus the crowd in the Mozart wigs went nuts for it! Seriously tho, this place has nothing on any of the hottest clubs in NYC that Stefon talked about on SNL. It really does have everything! Str8s, lesbians, gays of all sorts and sizes, and a very nice selection of beers and spirits! And the liquor selection is pretty good too! Can't wait to go back tonight!!! read more

Charleston's only gay bar, some may call it a monopoly! This is a decent little spot and usually has a pretty good DJ. It needs a deep clean and some upholstering, but what dive bar is perfect? read more

Dudley's On Ann - "The club" - Gay Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Will most likely be back! Drinks were priced good and quick service even though there was a lot of people.

Melanin and Magic is the best show at Dudleys on Ann!!! Come every 4th Wednesday!

Melanin and magic is where it's at on Wednesday night at Dudley's on Ann! It was amazing drinks are great

This is by far the top 50 in the country. Top 50 worst possible. Just because it may be the only option in the city doesn't make it worth the time. The atmosphere is mediocre at best the music is terrible over all not worth visiting. read more

Nothing easy about this place. Firstly, there isn't enough room in the building so capacity gets filled quickly on a drag night, meanwhile you have this tiny patio outside where everyone gets to constantly ask if you're leaving once you've stepped outside onto said patio, even for a second. The bathroom is placed where everyone stands watching performances (not to mention there isn't enough seating for everyone inside)...the bar is also placed in such an inconvenient spot that everyone watching the performances blocks your ability to easily grab something you want (surprised they don't have bar rails for this establishment so there is always an open spot to be served). Also there is a back room for a quieter atmosphere...but then it becomes boring quickly especially with random pool table that people sit and play on here and there. Navigating in a wheelchair here would feel awkward at best. Not the best spot for a simple after work hang out to unwind or meet people, atmosphere feels off but the people seem ready for fun. After a few times, it seems some bartenders are there for friends and fun and not work (prepare for a slightly clicky vibe)...rotation of people doesn't change because people are afraid to walk out and losing their spot after paying to get in...so make sure you've grabbed your card from the bar before you do that! Mirrors on the walls are also a little unsafe since I've seen a few guys knock their heads against them watching performances (ergo they protrude a little further out from the wall), so be careful especially if you're drinking read more

The dj needs to go back to music mixing 101. ALSO, I was confused ad to why the doorman has to create a line outside the bar giving the illusion that this bar is packed, its not. I give this bar a D- for unnecessary waiting in line outside to get into a half empty bar, to bad music mixing dj, to way too many straight girls. Dont call yourself a gay bar if you are catering to a room full of brides and their bridal party who really dont buy their own drink but instead share drinks. read more

Booze, Music and more Booze... those are the classics to having a good bar and an even better time. The music is A1 with the Dj mixing and pumping all the greatest hits and adding a little house beat here and there!! The drinks however... (straight face)... WHO messes up a Makers Mark with a splash of ginger and make it taste watery as fuck... smh.. no bueno... but of course I gave it another try and still no good... for $5 entry which isn't bad, come for the music but sneak in your own flask!!! read more

Dudley's On Ann - Dance Floor - Gay Bars Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Kai was attentive, kind and made us killer martinis. Thank you, Kai, we enjoyed your company and will visit Dudley's the next time we are in Charleston. read more

Ever since Pantheon closed, this has been my place to hang out and just chill. I love the atmosphere and seeing people being themselves and have a good time. The place is a dive, the music is loud, it's dark, and the drinks are cheap. The drag shows are Friday and Saturdays at 8pm and 10pm. If you're looking for a place that is always welcoming no matter if you're straight, gay, bi, or anywhere in between, look no further than Dudley's. You guys will forever hold a place in my heart. read more

I couldn't believe that Dudley's closed the line for entrance at 1030 on a Saturday. Unacceptable. Sailed in from West Palm Beach on the way north only to get denied entrance. Score of Bachelorette parties to laugh at the artists. So much for a gay friendly bar Gay people at a Gay bar should be allowed in before the gawkers. read more

My friends and I visited from out of town. After reading some reviews I was a little hesitant, but being the only gay bar in Charleston we decided to go. We had an amazing time. The drag show was hysterical, the queens were amazing and the four of us were also involved in the show at one point or another. After the show, there were a few locals that introduced themselves to us and hung out with us for the rest of the night. The next day we came back and same thing. Everyone was super nice and even made friends that showed us around town. Thank you Dudley's for such a fun time! We will be back! read more

A small bar on Anne St. cozy space inside and pleasant small area outside with a few high top tables. Right on sidewalk and great spot for people watching - especially a bit later in evening when area gets quite busy. Very friendly service. Didnt notice prices but very surprised how low the check was ( had quite a few drinks). Have tiny stage inside and live shows at 10 on friday and saturday. I believe drag shows (is a gay bar). read more

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What makes this place is the great bartenders and the amazing DJ. The bartenders were so nice, fun, attentive, and had such great personalities, that you just wanted to hang with them period. Shoutout to both Chris' and Jeremy. And the DJ was just awesome. I travel ALOT and Michael played some of the best remixes I've ever heard of new songs as well as classics. The variety was amazing and skillfully mixed. Thanks for making me want to dance. Now with that said... the place is much smaller than I imagined and the only gay bar in the area. So get there early if you want to get in and/or avoid lines. read more

I went there on my 22nd birthday, me being gay and this being the only gay bar in my town I finally decided that I wanted to go to my first gay bar. The bouncer lets us in and I go up to the bar and the bartender takes my ID and holds onto it for like 5 min trying to think of what to say to deny me. Comes back says my lamination is torn doesn't let me show further identification just shuts us down. At that point I was so let down not only by that but they were playing fucking country music, only two men were at the bar and it's a Monday night.. you aren't gonna be making money tonight? AND the two men at the bar were practically 10ft apart and looked straight as fuck. I'm a lesbian maybe they have something against lesbians?? 20/10 terrible first gay bar experience and definitely is not a safe space. read more

This place no longer allows bachelorette parties, which is kind of segretory, this place as advertised as "All Welcomed" however it appears not all are. When this place gets crowded it is almost impossible to get a drink read more

everything is great and amazing friendly service and drinks are great the shows are wonderful you can't go a day without them I'm telling you come out asap because you won't be disappointed at all read more