Charleston Bachelorette Weekend

Since we’re doing so much traveling this spring and summer, I thought it might be time to expand the lifestyle part of this blog to include favorite spots from the places we visit!

First up is Charleston, where I spent a fabulous long weekend last month for my best friend’s bachelorette party. We did a lot of eating and drinking, as it should be for a bach weekend!

FOOD

The first night, we ordered taco kits from Minero. It was a budget-friendly way to feed everyone as they got there (without having to put on real clothes). The only downside is that they don’t deliver, so be prepared to designate someone to go pick up.

For brunch, my favorite was Hominy Grill, a super cute spot that ended up being walking distance from our house. They have a lot of Southern staples like grits, fried pickles, and biscuits, and whether you go for something simple or complicated, everything is good. There’s usually a wait on weekends, but don’t worry…they have a walk-up drink window to keep you “hydrated” until a table opens up! Bonus: they make their own ranch dressing and it’s AH-mazing!

When it comes to dinner, there are so many choices. A lot of the restaurants use local ingredients, and they change their menus daily. There were a few places that were recommended over and over as Charleston institutions, and we ended up going to Magnolias. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but so worth it. If you want shellfish, something fried or a classic dish with a Southern twist, this is the place to go. Everyone was happy with what they ordered, and the cocktails were tasty too.

For our second dinner, we gave the bride the choice between another traditional Southern place and BBQ. She chose BBQ, and we ended up at Smoke. The vibe was pretty much the opposite of the night before, totally casual and laid-back, but the food was just as good. I had a brisket sandwich that was so good it still makes my mouth water to think about it.

DRINKS

For a night out, a word to the wise: we did a ton of research beforehand and figured out which bars we wanted to try. Because we’re used to New York City, it didn’t even occur to us to check when places closed, and it turned out that a lot of bars close at midnight. So, make sure you plan accordingly and double check how late places will be open. I don’t like to be a hater, but I will say that Vendue Rooftop was not worth it. That said, there were a few favorites that we would definitely go to again.

The Gin Joint was the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks. Their cocktails are super unique, and you pretty much have to try something new. When our table wasn’t ready because another group kept lingering, they gave us champs on the house, and we had a great waitress named Katie who gave us recommendations for the rest of our night.

The Cocktail Club is a great spot for live music…but honestly, we went for the punch bowls. When you order punch, they give it to you in a legit glass punch bowl, complete with a ladle, and tiny mismatched glasses to share. We were there on a Sunday night, but there was still a good crowd, and we tried a tasty prosecco punch that just so happened to be half off. I loved the upscale lounge vibes too.

If you watch Southern Charm on Bravo, you’ve probably heard of Republic. It’s the bumpin’ dance club that the characters frequent on the show (we saw one of them there, without cameras), and although you may have to wait to get in, it’s worth it if you want to dance. There’s a VIP section with bottle service, and if you can get yourself an invite to join a table, you’ll be set for the night. There’s also an outside bar that’s fun when the weather’s nice.

ACTIVITIES

Just in case you think that all we did was eat and drink, I have to mention Old South Carriage Company. Our bride-to-be was a history major, which is part of why we chose Charleston, and we thought a carriage tour would be the best way to see the city. We learned a lot, and saw so many pretty houses. Definitely a must.

We also walked around downtown and headed down to the waterfront to see the Pineapple Fountain. The Historic City Market is worth a walk through if you’re looking for souvenirs.

Have you ever been to Charleston? What were your favorites?