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    Proof

    4.1 (246 reviews)
    Open • 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Proof Photos

    Business Info

    PROOF ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Reviews With Photos

    Maya B.

    Came on a Tuesday night. Basic bar. It looked dead like a dive bar. There was no info about specific drinks just froze and beer and shots. Bartender was nice enough. I asked about whisky and got a list. Had a beer and left.

    JC R.

    Proof was the 3rd bar we hit on King St and it was playing dance music so patrons were dancing and having so much fun! GnT was simple but refreshed me, others also ordered vodka & water to keep us all hydrated! Young hip and lively crowd. Stayed for 2 drinks then head out to Republic! Cool dance place with disci lights and very friendly vibe! Oh, I wanna dance with somebody...

    My elephants keeper
    Carly M.

    This is my second time at Proof and 1st time ordering the elephants keeper. The drink itself takes about 20 minutes to be ready to serve. So while waiting you get an MGD pony to pass the time. It was worth the wait and worth the price. It's a very small place that is all about the upscale cocktails. I haven't been disappointed yet and I would visit again when I am in town!

    Boiled Peanuts
    Tasha F.

    Cool, small bar on King St. We stopped by during their late night hours and ordered 2 drinks from their specialty cocktails, and the bartender made me a Paloma. My friend ordered "My Elephant's Keeper" from the menu, was told it takes 10 minutes to make, and it did. Interesting concoction. The staff was very polite.

    Pink Rabbit
    Young K.

    Very nice mellow vibe. My friend and I stopped here for cocktails and sat at the bar. The bartender was super sweet and had a great sense of humor. I got the Pink Rabbit, and if you like a fruity gin cocktail. I highly recommend! Overall, 8.5 out of 10!

    Specials for Christmas
    Yirel M.

    This is my second time in Charleston and I always come to Proof. The drinks are so crafted and the bartenders super experienced in what they do. The bar is intimate and in the midst of so many other popular restaurants and bars. Do yourself a favor and bar hop, but make sure you always make it back to proof!!

    Ambiance
    Bonnie J.

    These are the best made cocktails. I had a French 75, a drink I order often. It was so well done, I ordered a 2nd. The bartenders are precise and put on a good show as they prepare the cocktails. We have been cruising King Street for a couple of nights. This is the spot.

    Knuckleball
    Scotty C.

    I can't even begin to explain how much I love this bar. I've never had a drink I didn't like here but my favorites are the sazerac... so simple but nails perfection here, and the knuckleball... wildly creative and unique with a pickled peanut snack at the end. Speaking of snacks, they've got small food items on the menu. I don't know how they do it but their boiled peanuts are the best I've had to date and perfect for sharing over a cocktail or two. If you're looking for a heartier dish, come on Fri or Sat night when Two Nixons takes over the tiny kitchen with Ramen... this is ending soon so your mileage may vary but I highly suggest you make it in for a bowl. The folks behind the bar are the coolest mofos in town. They play the best music, and you'll never be elbow-to-elbow with Chad trying to order shots because they only allow enough people in the bar to sit down and be comfortable. You'll never see them close for a hurricane unless the bar is actually underwater and if you're not convinced yet then proof isn't the bar for you.

    Clive V.

    Great cocktails!! N'uff said here! I wish I lived closer so I could come more often! Alas, I'll be back!

    a glass of wine and a drink on a table
    Melinda R.

    First round: Martinez, old fashioned Second round: French 75, clover club The Martinez is served with amazing cheese I can't remember the name but it's perfect even better than an olive I mean welcome to the 20's y'all. Old fashioned strong and sturdy. French 75 is my go to. I can't go somewhere and not order. It was perfect very lemony and the champs was just right to give it that fizzle. The clover club was by favorite drink. If you're put off by fruity, don't be with this. It's not overpowering. We were going to a different establishment a few blocks further away but when I walked by proof I just knew it was my vibe from the get. It's sophisticated and classy. The playlist is on point. Everything here is a 10.

    Classic speakeasy decor

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    3 years ago

    Awesome place. Absolutely nothing to complain about. Great and unique drinks. Amazing service. Very good atmosphere.

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

    they make the best drinks and the best hemingway daquiri i've ever tried! i felt the snack selection was lacking though.

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    Page 2 of 7

    Ask the Community - Proof

    How often is there live music here? In town for a few days and really want to hear some good live jazz standards.

    On Monday nights.

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    Last Saint - Bar

    Last Saint

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    0.5 mi•Eastside

    One of our bartenders at dinner recommended Last Saint for a cocktail, so we stopped by after our…read moremeal. The space was super vibey--dark, moody, and filled with candlelight. It felt cozy without being stuffy and was a great spot for people-watching. The cocktails were well made and balanced, and we got lucky enough to snag a table. The space is pretty small though, so by the time we arrived the bar was full and a lot of people were standing with drinks. Even so, the atmosphere was fun and energetic. Definitely a great spot for a nightcap if you're in the area.

    My husband and I visited Last Saint for cocktails before a group dinner when we were in Charleston…read morelast weekend, and it was the perfect place for drinks before a dinner. (On occasion, I rant about how we need more cocktail bars and wine bars that don't serve food at all or just snacks like nuts - don't get me started.) Last Saint is a really cool dual concept cocktail bar. The front of Last Saint is more casual - small, cozy, allows walk-ins. But you can also make reservations (or try to get lucky walking in) at the Annex. The Annex is their weekends-only cocktail experience in the back of Last Saint. You walk to the back of the bar and press ring the bell by the yellow door. Someone answers and seats at one of six seats at the bar and three small (but private) tables. The Annex is a no-menu experience. The friendly and creative staff ask you questions about your preferences for drinks and then make you something that fits the bill. It was personal and fun, and we enjoyed all the drinks we had. A reservation at the Annex is good for a 1.5 hour time frame, which was perfect for us to have two drinks before closing out and heading to our dinner reservation. We sat at the bar, which I loved, because we got to chat with the staff and watch them make our and others' drinks while we enjoyed our creative cocktails. The staff have a wide knowledge of cocktails and an almost endless supply of ingredients to choose from when making your drinks. A truly fun experience. One I haven't had in any other city. I wish there were more bars like Last Saint!

    Photos
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    Last Saint
    Last Saint - Bar seating looking toward the front door

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    Bar seating looking toward the front door

    By the Way - Steak frites

    By the Way

    3.9(110 reviews)
    0.4 mi•Cannonborough

    Like many, my love for Southern Charm led me here. It's a cool spot! The decor is unique and fun…read more We only stopped in for a drink and an app. We had the Grilled Onion Dip which was bomb, and I had the Hot Honey Margarita. It was also tasty! I think the menu could use a few more options, but what they do offer allows for a wide range of palates. This was one of the reasons we opted for an app and drink. It's definitely different than other places in the area. I do agree with other reviewers that it's a bit crowded and small inside for a typical dinner spot. Our server, Emily, was wonderful, though! I might go here more often as a local, but I'm not sure I'd make another trip as an out-of-towner, although I'd love to see Molly sing here! Sad we missed her.

    By the way, I've never heard of "By the Way" ... see what I did there?? lol…read more One of my girlfriends celebrated her bday here and although I rarely come back downtown on the weekend, I wouldn't have missed her celebration for the world. Free parking on the street is of course, scarce but there is a paid parking lot nearby. Downtown as a whole, needs more accessible parking anywho. Upon walking inside, it's really cute and reminds me of the classier, bougie big sister of a neighborhood bar. Some of the servers were helpful, some not so much. We had a great table right slab dab in middle of the restaurant. There weren't too choices to choose from as a gluten-free girlie but the summer salad with grilled chicken was pretty tasty. Prices aren't terrible but we had no idea that we couldn't pay individually. We all had to send money to the birthday girl and she paid with her card.

    Photos
    By the Way - Burrata

    Burrata

    By the Way - Drink garnish at bar

    Drink garnish at bar

    By the Way - Paper Plane cocktail, Elderflower Spritz.... Yum!

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    Paper Plane cocktail, Elderflower Spritz.... Yum!

    Proof - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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