Partytrick Local: Where to Eat, Shop, and Gather in Charleston

A good weekend with guests needs a few anchors: somewhere to stay, a coffee worth the walk, a dinner everyone looks forward to, and a drink to end the night.

For this edition of Partytrick Local, we’re exploring downtown Charleston through the eyes of Sawyer Baird, a photographer who knows the city as both a longtime visitor and a resident.

“As somebody who has been on both sides of Charleston over the years, a visitor and now a resident, I certainly have experienced both sides of the coin,” Sawyer says. “The food and hospitality scene is always evolving, and things are always moving, making it easy to never get bored.”

That’s good news for hosts. Our suggestion: pick a few places that suit your people, leave space between them, and give yourself permission to stay longer when everyone is having a good time.

Stay: Make Downtown Your Home Base

Sawyer’s short list of places to stay all share one thing: location.

“I highly recommend Zero George, The Pinch, The Dewberry, and 86 Cannon, not only for their location but also for their inherent hospitality,” Sawyer says. “They are also within walking distance of most everything downtown has to offer.”

Good hotels get hospitality right, and you can borrow a few of their habits at home. 15 Small Luxuries That Make Guests Feel Welcome is full of easy ways to do it, whether your friends are staying downtown or with you. If you’re hosting a weekend, a Partytrick gathering can hold the plan: who’s arriving, what’s on the calendar, and what to do next. 

Eat & Drink: Start with Coffee. Save Room for Dinner.

Coffee

A walk to coffee is an easy way to start a weekend morning.

“For my ideal morning, I start with a walk to either Babas on Wentworth or Cannon, or I walk down to Harken,” Sawyer says. “Baba’s has multiple locations, and all are fabulous as well (get the whipped honey espresso).”

A morning walk to coffee is an easy plan to build a weekend around: invite your friends, set a time to meet, and let the rest of the day unfold. Gatherings don’t have to be big to feel like an occasion. 

Lunch

“For a casual lunch I will forever go to Queen St Grocery,” Sawyer says. “It’s a little sandwich spot that I have been going to for years, and it’s one of my favorites. It’s walkable to Colonial Lake if you wanted to stop and eat there!”

Pick up sandwiches and carry them to the lake for an easy outdoor lunch. For a sit-down lunch on the peninsula, Sawyer heads to Basic Kitchen, Little Jack’s Tavern, or Leon’s Poultry and Oyster Shop.

“If you go to Leon’s, a Gin & Tonic slushie is a must, no matter the time of day!”

Dinner + Late Night

“Chez Nous is a must-dine; this is nonnegotiable,” Sawyer says. “It has an ever-changing menu daily. Check their Instagram to see what is on the menu for the night; it drops daily at 11 a.m.”

Here’s an insider tip: Look at the menu before you go, and reserve early. 

For a classic nice dinner out, Sawyer also suggests Merci, Vern’s, or Lowland. Two newer spots are on rotation for Sawyer: KYN, a sushi spot that “excels in hand rolls,” and Rivayat, which Sawyer calls “some of the best Indian food I have ever had, hands down.”

“For a nightcap, head over to Last Saint,” Sawyer says. “Cocktails are great, and vibes are high!”

Putting the day together. Lunch, dinner, and a nightcap are enough for a full day. Choose the stops that suit your guests, leave time between them, and give everyone permission to stay longer when the conversation is good. 

Shop Local: Leave Time for the Browse

King Street is the obvious stop for designers and fashion. For something a little different, Sawyer heads off the beaten path.

Home Goods

“One of my favorite stores is Wentworth; it’s a home goods store of sorts and is so well curated,” Sawyer says. If you’re planning to host gatherings, stores like Wentworth offer an assortment of goods you’ll want to show off. 

Boutiques

Sawyer also loves Lea Boutique, inside The Cooper Hotel. “The founder is a creative director who moved down from New York, so it’s obviously within my taste frame.”

Worthwhile carries niche brands, as does Nette Shop on the Upper Peninsula. T.D. McMurry, which Sawyer says just opened on King Street, has “incredible men’s goods.” 

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Gather: Rooftops, Patios, and Frozen Drinks

Some of the best moments of a weekend happen between the plans: a drink with a view, a patio table, a frozen cocktail in the sun. For a day with friends, Sawyer’s picks cover everything from rooftops to marinas. Choose the setting that fits your group’s mood, and leave time to linger. 

Rooftop Bars

“For a fun afternoon or happy hour pre-dinner, I would definitely go to The Citrus Club or Rosemary Rose Lounge for a drink,” Sawyer says. “They are the best rooftop bars (in my opinion) in the city.” 

The patio at Zero George is another great option if a glass of wine at sunset is more your vibe!

Casual Drinks

For something more casual, Sawyer recommends HomeTeam BBQ for “the iconic Painkiller,” with a warning: “it’ll sneak up on you.” For a summer favorite, Island Cabana Bar at Seabreeze Marina has “every frozen drink,” and Sawyer loves the Miami Vice and the buffalo fried shrimp.

Host Like a Local: A Little Wine Moment

Sometimes the best gathering is the smallest one. Sawyer’s honorable mentions are Goat.Sheep.Cow for wine and a few cheeses, alongside Graft Wine, “if you wanted just a little wine moment.”

Sawyer could write about this city all the time. These are only downtown picks, and a beach day at Sullivan’s is “a completely different and yet full itinerary.” You don’t need to fit everything into one visit.

• For a walkable downtown day: Start with coffee at Baba’s, lunch at Queen St Grocery, an afternoon on Wentworth and the boutiques, a rooftop drink, and dinner at Chez Nous.
• For a drinks-focused evening: Start at The Citrus Club or Rosemary Rose Lounge, have dinner at Merci, Vern’s, or Lowland, and finish with a nightcap at Last Saint.
• For a casual, relaxed afternoon: Walk to Harkin, take sandwiches to Colonial Lake, and finish at HomeTeam BBQ or Island Cabana Bar.

Check opening days and reservation requirements before finalizing plans. Keep the day from feeling overwhelming by picking a few spots that suit your group and leave some time between each for whatever catches your eye. 

Your Next Gathering Starts with an Invitation

A coffee walk, a rooftop drink, a dinner worth the reservation: choose the moments you want to share, then invite your people.

Partytrick turns “we should get together” into a gathering with a date, a guest list, and a plan. Start from a Playbook so you don’t start from scratch, send your invitations, and let the reminders tell you what to do next.

Sign up for free and start planning.

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