Step through unmarked doors, behind bookshelves or down quiet staircases, and you’ll find South Carolina’s sultriest secret: a thriving speakeasy scene that trades loud crowds for low lighting, vintage vibes and cocktails worth whispering about.
Sip-Worthy Speakeasies
Elsie’s at Kounter—tucked behind the unassuming charcuterie shop at South Carolina Chef Ambassador Rob Masone’s Southern-style eatery in Rock Hill—is a password-required hideaway where shell-pink velvet seats and marble accents set the scene. Sip impeccable cocktails crafted with house-made syrups and fresh ingredients, then linger over caviar service or a curated board of specialty meats and cheeses.
Named after the burn lines left by Sherman’s March on Columbia during the Civil War, The Burnline is a magnetic, moody speakeasy hidden in the midst of Main Street, behind the fine-dining hot spot, Smoked. Much like its name, its inventive cocktails will spark your curiosity, with surprising ingredients such as bacon-washed bourbon and tea-infused coconut liqueur.
Greenville boasts two standout spots. Vault & Vator, located in a clandestine basement space with a historical vault, delivers creative concoctions that change with the seasons. Just a few blocks away, Swordfish Cocktail Club may not be a secret, but its sultry lighting, old-world vibe and classic cocktail list feel like time travel.
Along the May River over in Bluffton, Montage Palmetto Bluff’s Hush on the Bluff touts a secret entrance below the River House restaurant. This cozy, candlelit hideaway blends Lowcountry charm with sleek sophistication and creative drinks like a truffle-infused Old Fashioned and smoked lavender Gin Fizz.
Charleston’s cocktail scene doesn’t shy away from stealth either. Scotty Doesn’t Know, tucked behind a door within the pastel-hued Charleston Custard and Candy, delivers a luxe experience with top-tier cocktails (and mocktails) served in an ornate lounge. And nestled within Last Saint, find your way to the intimate Annex bar for a menu-less experience that promises personalized mixology.
