South Carolina’s Lowcountry cuisine is known for hearty Southern seafood staples β shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and, yes, oysters served up every which way. We love ours on the half-shell with all the fixins, and we make a point to take full advantage on every visit. But because there are so many delicious spots offering fresh oysters in the Charleston area, strategy is key. Check out these five delicious (and easily accessible) oyster deals we tried and loved in the downtown Charleston area!
The Darling Oyster Bar
513 King St., Charleston, SC 29403 β’ (843) 641-0821
Happy Hour: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
True to its name, the atmosphere at The Darling Oyster Bar is nothing short of darling. Though the dinner menu is delicious, the oyster happy hour is not to be missed. The space is decked out in white tile and a white marble bartop accented by green leather upholstery and exposed brick, so it feels remarkably bright during the late afternoon when you’re likely to be sidling up to the bar for happy hour. Live it up during those golden hours with a selection of $1 oysters plus drink specials!
Amen Street
205 E. Bay St., Charleston, SC 29401 β’ (843) 853-8600
Happy Hour: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
At Amen Street, you’ll be greeted by a friendly hostess and on-theme decor, including light fixtures lined with bleached oyster shells and maritime-inspired artwork. The bar at Amen Street is a long one with a generous number of seats, but it’s worth a wait if you need to mill around for a few minutes until a spot opens up.
During happy hour, you can snag a half-dozen oysters for $14, along with special pricing on other bar bites like peel-and-eat shrimp and mussels. The happy hour also includes plenty of beverage specials, including $6 house wines, $5 well liquor drinks, and $5 for their award-winning oyster shooter featuring house-infused lemon-pepper vodka, bloody Mary mix, hot sauce, and a freshly shucked oyster!
O Bar at Oyster House
70 State St., Charleston, SC 29401 β’ (843) 723-1151
Happy Hour: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
A casual, intimate space connected to the larger Oyster House restaurant, O Bar offers only a handful of spots at the bar itself, along with additional bar tables for seating. But grab a seat at the bar if you can so you can watch the experts prep your oysters right in front of you β and how they toss quite a few out in the process, occasionally murmuring “only the best” with a quick upward glance and a smile.
The happy hour includes $1 oysters plus a rotating selection of local oysters at a special price when available. You can also order additional snacks and drinks β including $6 house wines, $4 domestic drafts, and $7 local drafts β so you can easily fill up, even without an entrΓ©e.
SB Tip: If you’re up for another drink, hop across the street to the new boutique hotel, The Loutrel. The lobby feels like visiting a fabulous, storied Southern home, and the bar is equally cozy β prepare to be charmed. And though the rooftop lounge is typically reserved for guests, they occasionally allow visitors to enjoy the space with a drink. Be sure to ask the front desk if you can pop up to take in the view!
Pearlz Oyster Bar
153 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401 β’ (843) 577-5755
9 Magnolia Road, West Ashley, SC 29407 β’ (843) 573-2277
Happy Hour: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
At both Charleston-area Pearlz locations β downtown and West Ashley β you can partake in a serious weekday happy hour featuring a selection of $1.25 oysters, plus plenty of hearty options like peel-and-eat shrimp, crab dip, and egg rolls. More than enough to make a meal out of. You can also sip on drink specials, including $4 lager, $5 house liquor and wine, and $3 champagne … hard to beat that!
Rappahannock Oyster Co.
701 East Bay Street, No. 110, Charleston, SC 29403 β’ (843) 576-4693
Happy Hour: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday Oyster Special: Starts at 1 p.m.
Rappahannock Oyster Co. is slightly off the beaten path, but it’s a quick ride from the main downtown attractions (we went for one final round of oysters on our way to the airport!). This Chesapeake Bay-based operation serves up oysters from its Virginia farms and has a handful of locations across the country, most of which are in the northeast.
The Charleston outpost is situated inside an old cigar factory, and its interior decor pays proper homage to the setting with exposed brick and a copper bartop. During happy hour, they offer a selection of three oysters at $2 apiece β plus a half-price oyster special every Sunday from 1 p.m. until they sell out.
Enjoy!
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