Gay Bars in South Carolina, South Carolina
The South Carolina bars our community keeps going back to — across all three cities.
accentSouth Carolina's queer nightlife is smaller than Atlanta's or New Orleans', but it's loyal, historic, and spread across three cities. Charleston has the state's oldest gay bar and its newest queer cocktail room; Columbia holds legends running since 1979; and Greenville's Upstate scene is rising fast. This list is ranked by our community, with the crowd, the cover, and the best night to go for each.
The ranked list
Ordered by community votes, safety reports, and repeat visits on the live map.
- 1
Dudley's on Ann
Historic anchor & event space · Downtown CharlestonThe oldest gay bar in Charleston and still the community's front door — an inclusive "everybody" bar with daily happy hours, drag, karaoke, and an event space upstairs. Queer-owned.
- Crowd
- Mixed, all-ages 21+, locals and visitors
- Cover
- Free
- Best night
- Saturday
Good to know: Happy hour runs daily and early — a great first stop before King Street.
See who's out at Dudley's on Ann - 2
The Capital Club
Legendary institution · The Vista, ColumbiaOperating continuously since 1979, this is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ bars in the entire state — a warm, low-lit room with real history in the walls. Queer-owned.
- Crowd
- Grown, welcoming, conversation-friendly
- Cover
- Free
- Best night
- Friday
Good to know: Discreet entrance; it's a members-and-guests style club, so just ask at the door.
See who's out at The Capital Club - 3
PT's 1109
Show bar & nightclub · Downtown ColumbiaColumbia's premier show bar — the state capital's biggest drag stage and dance floor, and the reliable late-night destination when the Vista winds down. Queer-owned.
- Crowd
- High-energy, young, drag-loving
- Cover
- Free early · small cover on show nights
- Best night
- Saturday (drag show)
Good to know: Shows run late; get there before 11pm for a seat with a view of the stage.
See who's out at PT's 1109 - 4
Bar Polari
Craft cocktail bar · Park Circle, North CharlestonCharleston's newest queer bar — speakeasy-inspired, seriously good craft cocktails, and ample outdoor seating in the heart of the emerging Park Circle gayborhood. Queer-owned.
- Crowd
- Stylish, mixed, cocktail-forward
- Cover
- Free
- Best night
- Friday
Good to know: Park Circle is a short drive from downtown Charleston — plan a rideshare.
See who's out at Bar Polari - 5
Art Bar
Alternative cornerstone · The Vista, Columbia"The Local's Living Room" — a legendary alternative venue where drag, dance nights, live bands, and Columbia's queer creative scene all overlap.
- Crowd
- Alt, artsy, all identities welcome
- Cover
- Free · ticketed for some shows
- Best night
- Thursday
Good to know: Check the calendar; themed nights change weekly and some are ticketed.
See who's out at Art Bar - 6
DJ's Tavern
"Everybody bar" & dancing · Downtown GreenvilleA vibrant downtown tavern that's gay-friendly and widely treated as Greenville's gay bar — dancing, a loud crowd, and the Upstate's most dependable night out.
- Crowd
- Mixed, high-energy, gay-leaning
- Cover
- Free
- Best night
- Saturday
Good to know: Small room that fills fast after 10pm on weekends.
See who's out at DJ's Tavern - 7
Commonhouse Aleworks
Community brewery · Park Circle, North CharlestonThe community-centric brewery at the center of Park Circle and a driving organizer of local Pride — beer, big patio, and a genuinely mixed crowd. Queer-owned.
- Crowd
- Daytime, family and dog friendly
- Cover
- Free
- Best night
- Sunday afternoon
Good to know: Best for daytime and early evening; check for Pride and fundraiser events.
See who's out at Commonhouse Aleworks - 8
Edmunds Oast
Drag brunch & brewery · CharlestonA modern, string-lit brewery known for its regular Diva's On Tap drag events — big crowds, strong performers, and the most fun brunch in the city.
- Crowd
- Brunch crowd, mixed, celebratory
- Cover
- Free entry · reservations for brunch
- Best night
- Weekend brunch (Diva's On Tap)
Good to know: Drag brunches sell out — book ahead and bring tip cash.
See who's out at Edmunds Oast - 9
Comal 864
Queer-owned restaurant & bar · Downtown GreenvilleA popular queer-owned restaurant bringing South Texas flair to the Upstate from a James Beard semifinalist chef — the pre-night-out anchor in Greenville.
- Crowd
- Dinner crowd, warm, all welcome
- Cover
- Free
- Best night
- Friday dinner
Good to know: Reservations recommended on weekends.
See who's out at Comal 864 - 10
Queer Wellness Center (QWC)
Community & sober-friendly space · GreenvilleNot a bar — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering a safe, sober-friendly, affirming space for the Upstate queer community, with programming, support, and connection.
- Crowd
- All ages, sober-friendly, affirming
- Cover
- Free
- Best night
- Weekday programming
Good to know: Check their calendar; a great alternative if nightlife isn't your scene.
See who's out at Queer Wellness Center (QWC)
This page is the shortlist. The app is the night.
All 23 verified South Carolina venues live on the map — plus the things a web page can't do:
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Book tours & experiences in South Carolina on Viator
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Book museums, landmarks & city tours in South Carolina
Nightlife is only half the trip. Tiqets sells instant digital tickets to museums, observation decks, landmarks and guided city tours in South Carolina — booked on your phone, scanned at the door, no printing and usually no line.
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Book experiences, tours & day trips in South Carolina
The best trips mix nightlife with daytime adventures. Klook offers guided tours, attraction passes, food experiences and day trips in South Carolina — instant booking, mobile vouchers, and local picks.
- Guided local tours
- Attraction passes
- Food & day trips
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Arrive with data already working in South Carolina
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South Carolina gay bars: quick answers
Where are the gay bars in South Carolina?
They cluster in three cities: downtown Charleston and Park Circle in North Charleston, downtown Columbia and The Vista, and downtown Greenville. Charleston's Dudley's on Ann, Columbia's Capital Club and PT's 1109, and Greenville's DJ's Tavern are the community's anchors.
What is the oldest gay bar in South Carolina?
The Capital Club in Columbia has operated continuously since 1979, making it one of the oldest LGBTQ+ bars in the state. Dudley's on Ann is Charleston's oldest gay bar.
How much is cover at South Carolina gay bars?
Most are free. PT's 1109 and Art Bar may charge a small cover on drag or ticketed show nights, and drag brunches like Diva's On Tap at Edmunds Oast are reservation-based.
Is South Carolina safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?
State politics can be tough for queer and trans folks, but Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville are welcoming pockets with visible, organized communities. Downtown cores are walkable, use rideshare between neighborhoods and cities at night, and lean on the app's Follow Me and Who's Out tools.
More city guides
Community-verified LGBTQ+ guides to safe bars, nightlife, and neighborhoods — city by city.