Live Music Charleston SC | Nightlife Guide
The Charleston SC nightlife scene is full of live music – a lot more than you might expect in a small city. The highlights are the historic venues, the dozens of affordable shows at intimate venues each weekend, and all the outdoor shows where you can enjoy the beautiful Charleston weather. This is your guide to the best live music Charleston SC and where to go to find it!
Live Music Charleston SC : How to know which bands are playing when?
You can see almost all if not all of the live music acts in Charleston on any given day using the Bands in Town Charleston site. I always try to find the best website for listings across venues for each city I’m visiting, and after staying in Charleston for a month, this is the site I used the most consistently.
Live Music Charleston SC Map
Best Venues For Live Music Charleston SC
Charleston Music Hall : #1 Venue For Live Music Charleston SC
- Stage Set Up: Indoor raised stage
- Food & Drinks: Full bar & snacks at Tully’s Handpies
- Parking: Paid garage
- Calendar: Charleston Music Hall Schedule
- Kids? Yes, except certain shows which will be specified as 21+
Inside Charleston Music Hall you’ll find really great music acts and gorgeous architecture in this 19th century gothic revival building. Originally it was built as a train station, all the way back in the late 1800’s, and it was converted into an arts venue in 1995. Combining history and art right in the heart of Downtown Charleston, it’s definitely my top choice for music venues that travelers should make a stop at.
Charleston Music Hall is an intimate venue with no bad seats and a snack and drink bar + easy parking in the garage next door. For a special performance, try to catch a performance by Charleston Jazz, which is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Charleston’s rich jazz history.
In addition to music acts you can also catch comedians here or other live acts. If you’re visiting during the holidays make sure to catch their popular Christmas show.
You can actually visit the box office to buy tickets, unlike most venues! Find more info on box office hours and more at their website.
Credit One Stadium
- Stage Set Up: Full outdoor stadium
- Food & Drinks: Yes lots
- Parking: Free parking lot with shuttle
- Calendar & Tickets: Credit One Stadium Events Calendar
- Kids? Yes
Credit One Stadium is Charleston’s largest music venue, holding 11,000 people – making it the best venue for top 40 type live music Charleston SC. This is where the largest, most famous music acts coming to the area perform, like Dave Matthews Band, Thomas Rhett and Luke Bryan. Outside of live music you can also catch tennis matches, like the Credit One Charleston Open, and soccer games.
There’s a free parking lot which is a (free) shuttle ride away from the stadium. Keep in mind, it’s known that after sold out shows the traffic can be insane. To make things worse, there also aren’t many hotels in the area.
My recommendation is to either stay at the Home2Suites or Hampton Inn about a mile away, drive and park there and be prepared to wait in traffic on the way out, or if you’re taking Uber, stop by Mac’s on Daniel’s Island for a drink and some food while you wait for Uber prices to go down before heading home.
Charleston Gaillard Center
- Stage Set Up: Theatre
- Food & Drinks: Outside the theatre in the lobby area. Also can bring drinks in, in sippy-cup
- Parking: Paid garage close by
- Calendar & Tickets: Gaillard Center Schedule
- Kids? Yes
Wow! The Charleston Gaillard Center is absolutely beautiful, and the perfect backdrop for a classy live music Charleston SC night out. This theatre is home to the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and the acoustics are perfect for seeing all sorts of live music shows. Outside of symphony shows you’ll find a range of shows including bands, solo musicians, comedians, magic acts and even shows made just for children.
Similar to the Kennedy Center DC and other historic theatres, you’re able to take drinks into the theatre by using a sippy cup style cup they provide.
There’s a parking garage nearby for easy parking, although sometimes it can take a bit of time to get around it of the garage after the show so plan accordingly or plan to park elsewhere.
Music Farm : Best Small Venue For Live Music Charleston SC Downtown
- Stage Set Up: Elevated stage for standing room only crowd
- Food & Drinks: Yes on Friday and Saturdays at MF Kitchen
- Parking: Paid garage and street parking
- Calendar & Tickets: Music Farm Event Schedule
- Kids? Yes, except on shows marked 21+
Music Farm is a converted former train shed turned lively music venue where bands come to play for a standing-room only crowd.
Standing room only means you can make your way to the front if you show up early or care enough! You can expect a casual, welcoming atmosphere here. There’s also an easy parking lot right next door.
North Charleston Coliseum
- Stage Set Up: Indoor arena
- Food & Drinks: Yes
- Parking: $10 parking lot
- Calendar & Tickets: North Charleston Coliseum Calendar
- Kids? Yes
The North Charleston Coliseum is part of the Charleston Convention Center complex and brings in a lot of mainstream music acts, broadway shows and misc shows like Dancing with the Stars Live. A lot of comedians play here as well.
We actually went here to see the comedian Sebastian Maniscalco and had a blast. I’m weirdly obsessed with Papa John’s personal pan pizzas after having them daily in college, and they had these here (and with no line!) so I was very happy.
Instead of a traditional built-in bar they had a few bars set up, I think two, just outside the performance area which did mean a loooong line. I think we waited about 30 minutes for our drinks, but it was no big deal and we easily still got in before the first opener. There are plenty of bathrooms.
The parking lot was $10 and ended up being very smooth both getting in and out, and the sound was great during the show. I would definitely go back to this venue for a live music show!
The Charleston Pour House
- Stage Set Up: 3 stages – Main Stage indoors, small Deck stage outdoors, In the Lot large outdoor stage
- Food & Drinks: Full Bar, Jack of Cups Bebop & Kwei Fei full restaurant next door
- Parking: Gravel parking lot
- Calendar & Tickets: Charleston Pour House schedule
- Kids? 21+ unless specified. They do have some events where kids are allowed on the deck and outdoor stages.
Charleston Pour House is an eclectic music venue and bar with multiple stages indoors and out. They typically have multiple shows each night here. I wish we had something like this where I live! This is my personal favorite place for live music Charleston SC, so much so that I wrote a full review about this venue, because the energy here is great and they tend to have jam bands and similar types of music.
The people are nice and it feels a little like a mini hippie music community. The big outdoor stage is my favorite but they also have an amazing sound system on their indoor stage. Plus, they have plenty of cold beer on tap to enjoy and generally the live music shows are family-friendly events, especially the music shows on the lawn.
Firefly Distillery : Best Venue For Outdoor Live Music Charleston SC
- Stage Set Up: Outdoor stage, standing room only
- Food & Drinks: Yes
- Parking: Parking lot
- Calendar & Tickets: Firefly Distillery Calendar
- Kids? On an individual show basis
Firefly Distillery is the best outdoor venue for live music Charleston SC, featuring local and bigger national acts like Dispatch and Coheed and Cambria. Although you should try their Moonshine if you a fan, there are many more reasons to visit Firefly outside of their liquor. They have an on site parking lot plus an overflow lot with a shuttle which is used when needed.
Outside of concerts, Firefly Distillery has a huge presence in Charleston and they host tons of events all year long like weekly yoga, bingo, their annual Rail Fest and so much more. Definitely a gathering place.
The Refinery
- Stage Set Up: Outdoor stage, standing-room only
- Food & Drinks: Yes, food trucks, bars and full restaurant at Cleats
- Parking: Gravel parking lot onsite or paid street parking overflow
- Calendar & Tickets: The Refinery Schedule
- Kids? Yes
The Refinery is another one of Charleston’s best outdoor music venue. Blankets are allowed along with “crazy creek chairs”, and because the stage is sort of festival style with no permanent seating, the venue has an intimate feeling where you can choose your view of the stage. The lawn is a mix of gravel and grass.
Bands playing here are typically a mix awesome local and regional bands, and lively cover bands. Come hungry because the food here is excellesnt along with the on site bar.
There’s also a two-level VIP area you can pay extra for called the Platform where’s there’s some limited seating and partial cover. For parking, there’s an onsite parking lot and easy overflow parking nearby.
Gibbes Museum of Art
- Stage Set Up: Multiple set ups, either seated indoor event or seated outdoor event
- Food & Drinks: TBD
- Parking: Multiple paid parking options nearby
- Calendar & Tickets: Live at the Gibbes Events Calendar
- Kids? Yes
Live at the Gibbes is one of the special events series that happen at the Gibbes Museum of Art each year, which raise funds to support programming & education at the museum.
Come here for a show for a classy, cultured night out for a good cause.
More Great Places For Live Music Charleston SC
Along with the venues listed above, there are lots of bars in Charleston that offer excellent live music schedules. Keep in mind these generally don’t allow kids so they aren’t good for families.
Henry’s on the Market
- Calendar: Henry’s on the Market Events Calendar
- Cover? Yes, ~$20 after a certain time each night (around 9:30pm)
Henry’s on the Market is THE bar to go to for live music Charleston SC, located right in the heart of downtown. They often have several different acts on each level going at the same time on the weekends, and there’s usually a group dancing in the front of the room. It’s very lively and a great time.
The Commodore
- Calendar: Commodore Event Calendar
- Cover? Yes, $5 – $15
The Commodore is a classy live music bar with old fashion club-like decor like velvet curtains and a checkered dance floor, a disco ball and smoke machines. The crowd skews slightly older up until late at night. This is a Charleston classic and a must visit for music lovers in the city, with music most nights of the week!
Prohibition
- Calendar: Prohibition Event Calendar
- Cover? After a certain time (~9:30pm) usually $10
Prohibition is a jazz era themed restaurant and bar that gets really packed on weekend nights with DJ music playing, but they have live music from local musicians most week days including a rotating list of lively bands on Thursday nights. They also have a very popular brunch (try the shrimp and grits) with live acoustic music from local acts on both Saturdays and Sundays.
The Royal American
- Calendar: The Royal American Music Calendar
- Cover? Usually $10
The Royal American is a small, rustic bar for 21+ featuring live music bands all weekend including openers and headliners, and sometimes even a live DJ afterwards to keep the party going, making it one of the best bars for live music in Charleston SC. Plus, their kitchen serves great food all the way up until 1am.
Forte Jazz Lounge : Best Spot For Live Jazz in Charleston
- Calendar: Forte Jazz Lounge Events Calendar
- Cover? Must purchase tickets for entrance
Forte Jazz Lounge is Charleston’s premiere jazz listening room for all ages, with seats and standing room space. So for jazz enthusiasts visiting Charleston – this is your spot!
I love that you can reserve tables here, as opposed to seats or just a floor ticket. This opens up the activity for a wider audience, especially older people or anybody who is mobility challenged and needs a set place to hangout.
Thoroughbred Club & Charleston Grill at Charleston Place
- Calendar: No calendar, daily live music 6:00-9:00pm
- Cover? No!
Both of these restaurants and lounges at Charleston Place offer regular live jazz music you can listen to while you hangout for free, making this one of the best spots for live music Charleston SC for those hoping for a lowkey live music they don’t have to be committed to. Call ahead to make sure they will have music the night of your visit.
Tin Roof
- Calendar: Tin Roof Event Calendar
- Cover? Usually $10
Tin Roof is a lowkey dive bar in the West Ashley area with live music a few nights a week and even karaoke nights sometimes if you want to hit the stage yourself!!
Even More Live Music Charleston SC, At the Beach!
Live Music Folly Beach SC
Folly Beach is a destination in itself, about 30 minutes drive from Charleston. If you love the beach, don’t miss my blog on the the live music Folly Beach SC scene for all the best spots where you can see live music beachside. The best spots are generally the Washout, Loggerheads and Chico Feo.
The Windjammer at Isle of Palms
If you drive 30 minutes in the opposite direction of Folly Beach, you’ll end up on Isle of Palms – Charleston’s other beautiful beach. The Windjammer is the spot for live music in Isle of Palms and a fun beachy venue, with regular indoor and outdoor shows.
Charleston SC is one of the best small cities in the U.S. If you’re traveling here, make sure to check out my popular guide to where to stay in Charleston SC.
Lauren Kessel
Lauren Kessel is the author of this blog post and the creator of the Inspired Backpacker travel blog. She is a passionate digital nomad, with the mission to make slow travel a more accessible way of life for everyone. Lauren believes travel is an important means of education and more importantly, a way for people of different cultures to come together and understand each other better. She has a BS in Tourism and has planned countless domestic and international trips for herself, her family and friends, having visited over 12 countries and 30 states so far.
No Comments