Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Establishment

    4.5 (268 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    The Establishment Photos

    Business Info

    THE ESTABLISHMENT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Romantic
    Classy

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Establishment

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    The view of the bar
    Kevin E.

    When you hear the word establishment, you might think that that means a place sets the standard, that is certainly the case with this restaurant. We visited one Saturday afternoon in downtown Charleston and were pleased to find that they have a happy hour from 5 to 7, even on Saturday. We enjoyed a martini and then, our favourite drink of the weekend, their establishment old-fashioned, made with a bourbon from Legacy for this restaurant. We were first served standing by a waiting bar area, then grabbed seats at the horseshoe bar and enjoyed our visit there. There is ample table seating and another bar area by the kitchen. We found all the host and servers and bartenders to be friendly and helpful. The entranceway is deceivingly small to a roomy restaurant. As one might expect in downtown Charleston, dinner entrees are a little pricey; however, the happy hour menu was nice and we plan to return.

    Soft shell crab entree

    The Establishment has a cool bar. The drinks at Happy Hour are limited to martinis and a few wines. The food was delicious. I had the two softshell crab entree. Delicious. I had a shrimp dish, remarkably good. Service was excellent.

    Kathleen D.

    I'm so upset I had eaten prior to visiting The Establishment, as I really should have had my birthday dinner here instead. I saw the food as it arrived to the parties around us, and dang did it look and smell so good. And they change their menu nightly. My friend and I walked in after a disappointing dinner experience nearby. We were visiting from out of town, and we were able to grab bar seats at the comfy wrap-around bar. Darren, Cory, and Ryan were our bartenders, and they were so welcoming and kind. They really turned my mood around. I ordered their award-winning Rizzler (lol) espresso martini cocktail, which was very good, and my friend had red wine. They also gave us complimentary limoncello that the three of them made themselves, which was really nice! The alternating background on the screen behind the bar was fun to watch. Prices were reasonable. I will 10,000% be back on a future Charleston visit, as I must try their seafood.

    Grill swordfish
    Valerie D.

    We picked this restaurant to try something new that we've not been to previously. Glad we did, as the food, service and drinks were excellent. The interior is lovely and great for a date night. I highly recommend this restaurant and will return.

    Grilled swordfish (front)  Artichoke (center) Duck (rear)
    Talina A.

    My fiancé went here to celebrate our engagement last Saturday. I booked on Open Table & noted such. The waitress was very kind, and helpful. She also brought a gentleman over who congratulated us and offered a complimentary glass of brut champagne to help us celebrate. Unexpected and amazing. Fiancé ordered The poet which is bourbon cocktail & grilled swordfish. I'm not a bourbon fan, but I took a sip & actually liked his drink! The Swordfish was tender & juicy. The beans had a Nice flavor profile that complimented the fish. I ordered The impressionist, gin based cocktail & duck. The duck was awesome!! Perfectly cooked (med rare) & the skin was nice & crispy. We tried the fried artichokes as a shared side. We were told it was a brand new dish the chef was trying out so the waitress asked for feedback. We found the Artichoke hearts to be slightly too vinegary but they were crispy with a nice crunch. Had they not been too vinegary they would have been perfect - maybe. Unfortunately, my fiancé & I both ended up sick later that night and the only thing we could pinpoint it too was the artichokes I had a great time. It's romantic and dimly lit but kind of loud. We had the perfect seat by the window though. Because I was violently ill and so was my fiance I've knocked a star off my review. I may give them another try but won't do artichokes and won't be back any time soon.

    Tiramisu
    Janine R.

    I'll begin by saying the service was excruciatingly slow, but our server was exceedingly nice. The bread service was fine. The Burrata appetizer had a nice tang. The crudo was overwhelmingly acidic. The ribeye had a great flavor, but was a bit tough. The mashed potatoes were amazing! Skip the ice cream it is mediocre. The chocolate mouse was nice. The espresso martini was so delightful. I would give it a three star rating because the food was not exceptional, but the waiter made it amazing.

    Shrimp toast
    Linda W.

    Excellent dinner at the bar, lovely ambiance with moderate volume music in the background and very professional service. I enjoyed the shrimp toast exceedingly, lots of local fresh shrimp, corn, walnut pesto and tomatoes. Fresh local tomatoes were also a highlight of the butter poached grouper with corn puree for a delicious entree. I finished up with classic chocolate mousse and a Calvados for a perfect meal. Btw there's a choice of two happy hour wines and a variety of martinis that sound great. I had a nice rose' from Provence.

    Homemade espresso ice cream
    Bari T.

    We had no idea what to expect when making the reservation at The Establishment but were pleasantly surprised from the moment we walked in. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful. Everyone was dressed nice , no shorts and T-shirts which is always a nice change of pace. Our waiter Andy, was very personable and ridiculously knowledgeable. Andy made some great suggestions for drinks and appetizers . Let's begin with drinks. The Dirty Martini was delicious. The Stylist, delicious, The Old Fashioned, delicious!!! We were off to a great start. After speaking with Andy we chose to have the gnudi, South Carolina peaches, and the bread service for appetizers. One dish was better than the other (we were debating getting another order of the gnudi for dessert! Yep, it was that good). We ordered the scallops, grouper, and flounder. Outrageous! Each and every dish was fantastic. We were all pretty sure the night couldn't get any better, until it did... None of us are big dessert people, but after perusing the desert menu we decided to try the macarons, the cobbler, and homemade ice cream. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, it did. Holy cow! The Establishment is a must visit. It is the complete dining experience... run don't walk, this place is a must try.

    Scallops
    Debby W.

    The Establishment has been my favorite restaurant since it opened. My husband and I went to dinner on August 28th to celebrate our anniversary. We were greeted with complimentary champagne! The service was outstanding. Our server, Andy, was very attentive. My husband ordered the Prime Rib and it was perfect. I ordered the poached grouper. There was nothing wrong with the dish, I just discovered I don't like poached grouper. The manager came over, insisted on bringing me a different dish. He was really nice and a bit funny! He made me very comfortable ordering something else and I tried the scallops. They were perfect! I also highly recommend the Nudi appetizer. It was amazing. A suggestion from our server. I highly recommend The Establishment. Never Disappointing!!

    Best pasta!
    David M.

    Was in town for an (Indian!) wedding...all 3 1/2 incredible days of it. Had the first night out on our own and got a table at The Establishment to celebrate being there. Absolutely loved our server, Nathan, who we ran into a couple of nights later when the wedding party was out, late night bar-hopping. The food was excellent. Our favorite, their house-made pasta. The fish we had was spectacular, but more in appearance than knock your socks off great. Take a look at the pix. Then make a visit the next time you're in town. Y'all come back now, ya hear? David Billy Bob M

    Steak tartar
    Sky V.

    This was one of the better meals I've had in Charleston! Every single dish was top notch. The ambiance was great, service was great too. I would highly recommend. The Peruvian fish was definitely a highlight

    Crispy Eggplant, sweet & hot, basil
    Rachel T.

    Met up with some friends for dinner. Classy ambiance with live music. We had a fantastic server who very passionate made menu suggestions. We wanted to try half the menu so we chose a few plates to split. First to come out was the really buttery smooth Pumpkin Agnolotti, (brown butter, sage, and pepitas) and the melt in your mouth Gnudi (lump crab, fresh herbs, parmesan bread crumbs). Next amazing surprise was the Moqueca de Peixe, (tomato and coconut based soup served hot, with shrimp, scallops, fish, and cilantro). I know that the wonderful waitress mentioned how locally sourced and how seasonally influenced the menu is and while I do not usually order hot soup when the weather is this warm out, this dish just felt really comforting and relatively healthy. Last out were the sides, Delicata Squash, prepared perfectly with thinly sliced apples, saint angel brie, local honey, and shisho. Crispy Eggplant, sweet & hot, basil, delicious General tso taste with a very slight kick. Delicious and so full!

    Pork Belly @ The Establishment - Charleston, SC

    See all

    Photo of Sara S.
    420
    642
    2569

    14 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan M.
    19
    153
    15

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    19 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jerry G.
    0
    119
    84

    16 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 2
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brad M.

    Brad M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Sky V.
    0
    31
    65

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of P P.
    2
    41
    30

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of AV B.
    1
    87
    30

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Evan B.
    0
    103
    0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan S.
    72
    252
    79

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lee D.
    26
    10
    26

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - The Establishment

    Is there parking close by?

    Yes on the street and there are lots a few blocks away.

    What is the corkage fee?

    Yes mam we do allow outside bottles which we do not carry on our list. The list is under the menus section at Establishmentchs.com. If you have a wine that’s the same producer, but a significant vintage then we will allow. 25 per bottle with a two… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Doar Bros. - Drink - Bourbon and Clyde.

    Doar Bros.

    4.9(275 reviews)
    0.4 miAnsonborough
    $$

    Every time I find myself in Charleston I must stop here. Not your average bar at all. I like that…read morethey change up their menu so every time I visit there is something new to try. I have never had a bad drink here. I got the Batata Clarified Milk Punch (description in picture) which was fantastic. The toasted marshmallow garnish was a great touch for the season we were in. My mom got the Bourbon and Clyde and she said it was incredible. Description also in picture. The orange foam and pistachio crumble was a great addition. Another great drink for autumn. My second drink was the Smokin Indo which was probably my favorite. They performed the smoked glass technique with applewood which was not only cool to watch but added a unique flavor to the drink. We always make a point to get the assorted cheeses when we are here because they make a great charcuterie board. They switch up the cheeses just like they change their cocktail menu. Love to sit at the bar because it is truly an art to watch the bartenders make these drinks and really adds to the experience. Everyone who works here is super kind and knowledgeable on their craft. However, if you are able to be there when the two Doar brothers are working it makes it truly special. They give postcards with their check and there's a bowl of matchbooks sitting on the bar. One of the best cocktail bars in Charleston. Debated writing this because I selfishly want to keep it under the radar but it definitely deserves its accolades.

    The last trip to Charleston, we made a reservation for Doar Bros to pop in for a cocktail after…read moredinner. I loved the atmosphere! It's super cozy, very chic, and pretty small. The service was on point and the bartender was killing it at the bar - multitasking making 3 drinks all at once. It was super impressive and I took a few videos of him. I'm giving 4 stars because the first cocktail I ordered was SO SWEET that I couldn't get it down. I tried to drink it but had to send it back. We asked when we ordered about the flavor profile and supposedly it wasn't sweet, but all 3 of us agreed it was way oversweet. My black manhattan was phenomenal and my husband had a mocktail moscow mule that was awesome. Overall, I'd come back again - just be mindful of the ingredients in the drink and modifying as needed for sweetness. Make a reservation if you can!

    Photos
    Doar Bros. - Best. Bartender. Ever

    Best. Bartender. Ever

    Doar Bros. - Tiger Style Clarified Nitro Punch & Doar Bros. Manhattan

    Tiger Style Clarified Nitro Punch & Doar Bros. Manhattan

    Doar Bros. - Bar

    See all

    Bar

    Iron Rose Bar & Restaurant - Chicken and waffles

    Iron Rose Bar & Restaurant

    4.4(253 reviews)
    0.2 miFrench Quarter

    Complete perfection in a meal, where everything from drinks to appetizer, entree, and dessert is…read morerare, but last night at the Iron Rose they came really close. To start Abigail, our waitress, was attentive, helpful, super sweet and just about the best waitress I have ever had. My wife and I ordered a round of cocktails, expecting the usual great description with subsequent lack luster drinks. Last night was different, midnight bloom which is their take on an old fashioned, but really in a different league; Smooth complex, and satisfying. My wife got the Ruby Ruby which is sort of a pomegranate martini with champagne. Refreshing and vibrant. For appetizers we had the blue crab fritters and the pork belly. The fritters were crispy, light, and full of crab flavor. Virtually no filler. I could have eaten a hundred. The pork belly was crispy, and rich without being too heavy. They also serve it in a white sauce that I was still thinking about the next day. For entrees we got the Roasted grouper and the pork shank. The grouper was maybe a bit overcooked and dry, but the accompanying butter beans stole the show. The were rich, and layered with flavor. I will never see the simple butter bean in the same way ever again. The pork was fall off the bone tender without being dry. The sauce it was served in was a masterpiece. There were hints of apple, berry, cinnamon, and many other notes, I would drink it by the glass if it was available. We split the gelato for dessert. Pure delight. Smooth, bursting with flavor, and leaving you wanting for more. All in all, except for a small misstep with the cook on the grouper a near perfect dinner. I would go there soon because a Michelin star can not be far off, and then getting a table will be a near impossibility.

    We were two couples celebrating a birthday. We had a reservation and they seated us early. The…read moredining room was loud so we requested the patio, but there was no availability. My husband's old fashioned arrive with a cute rose ice cube. My Amaretto Sour with a Cabernet Float came in a Coupe glass and was as tasty as it was pretty. All of the food we ordered was delicious! Bites: Tuna Crudo, Pickled White Shrimp. Entrees: Charred Octopus, Seared Scallops, Cider Braised Pork Shank, Market Fish (Halibut). Veggies: Flash Fried Brussels Sprouts. Dessert: Chocolate Crunch Cake. Our server, Lillian, was really helpful with dietary restrictions and menu recommendations. Thank you for a memorable meal. If the dining room wasn't as loud, this would have been a 5 star review.

    Photos
    Iron Rose Bar & Restaurant - Restaurant seating

    Restaurant seating

    Iron Rose Bar & Restaurant
    Iron Rose Bar & Restaurant - Cranberry juice

    See all

    Cranberry juice

    AZUR - Nice crepes with Nutella. The whipped cream was superb!

    AZUR

    4.7(121 reviews)
    0.4 miKing Street

    We had the pleasure of dining here 2 separate times over an extended weekend trip…read more Host very welcoming and nurturing. Finds your table, if you arrive early for a reservation we had luck with them seating us and he says a kind goodbye as we left each time. Nice list of 3 mocktails so even if not consuming alcohol one can look to play the part at the table and enjoy the flavor notes of a well made cocktail. The first meal we had was a bit of a work/get together meal. We ordered an assortment of items off of the menu and created a more tapas menu. The charcuterie board we picked the cheeses for and it was lovely. All as expected and quite surprised to find a cheddar I enjoyed. Came with some grapes, figs, nuts, honey and I think mustard. Glazed carrots were phenomenal. Heartily enjoyed the beet salad and thought the presentation was quite pretty. Lamb lettuce wraps are alright. Not my favorite of all the dishes served but delivered as promised, nicely cooked and presented. Spouse really liked the lamb wraps and were a stand out dish to them. Meatballs are excellent truly great texture and flavor. Escargot was a fun take on a classic dish. Finished with a unique strudel in its presentation it was quite pleasant. Spouse liked the peanut butter chocolate dessert. For brunch, I had the carrot ginger soup. Which I must say was a total delight. The soup had the hallmark texture and base flavor of the carrot ginger but it had a beautiful breath of savory and some heat seasoning wise to it. It was quite an elevated soup and heartily enjoyed! I followed the carrot soup with a French toast. I am all for softly scrambled eggs but the French toast was a touch undercooked. (I did not let the restaurant know or give them the chance to make right. I regularly eat soft boiled eggs and soft scrambled so I felt comfortable with consuming them.) Strawberries were ripe and tasty. The whipped cream was gorgeous in thickness and flavor. One in law had the caesar salad with croutons and grilled chicken. Their bowl was left clean so while they are not the talkative of sorts they did seem to enjoy it. Ordered a baguette with butter. Unfortunately the butter never made it to the table but the baguette was enjoyed. Spouse had the Azur burger with the side of tapas style potatoes. All was cooked properly to temperature and texture. Flavor and taste as promised. Wasn't their favorite dish at Azur as we had tried so many lovely dishes a few evenings before. But it did deliver on what was represented in the menu. Other in law had the quiche and a side salad. They liked the quiche and would order it again.

    Wow! What a beautiful restaurant! I love the cozy atmosphere and the decor. There isn't a lot of…read moreseating so you need to make reservations. Our server was very sweet and helpful! Everything we ordered was delicious - I don't know that you could go wrong in anything here!

    Photos
    AZUR - Atmosphere, view from a window seat

    Atmosphere, view from a window seat

    AZUR - Ratatouille: delicious

    Ratatouille: delicious

    AZUR - Mocktail

    See all

    Mocktail

    Blind Tiger Pub - Four Cheese Bacon Mac

    Blind Tiger Pub

    3.9(1k reviews)
    0.0 miFrench Quarter
    $$

    Popped in here for our last night in Charleston. We didn't know what to expect but was impressed to…read moresee how big it was once we stepped inside. The back opens up to another bar with outdoor seating, very cool. The bartender out back took our drinks, I forgot her name but she was from California originally, La Jolla area? Anyways, very friendly and was attentive even with all the guests in need. We hung out for hours, meeting locals and enjoying drinks. Decided to order food and they had a cheese dip that was spot on. My wife ordered the steak salad and the steak was overcooked, but when asked how things were, they were quick to make it right, and brought out another steak to fix the issue. 5 stars! I hope they see this review and know that they are doing something right. I do wish they had better merch. I wanted to buy stuff but was told their shirts shrink quite a bit after washing. Bummer.

    Listen, it's a great bar. The courtyard is nice. There is an ample amount of options for drinks…read more But... What does that matter if you're ushered out before closing? A group of about 8 of us went out for drinks Saturday (5/2/26). We were having a great time (respectful, quiet, not causing a problem). Last call hit at 1:30 so we decided one more drink before we went our ways home. 10 mins later we're were asked to leave the courtyard and head inside - not a problem. We will finish our drinks inside. 5 minutes after that, we were asked to take our last sips and leave. 15 mins before the posted closing time. Again, we weren't causing a problem, weren't loud, weren't disruptive. This was a group of 8, most of us well into our 40s (or older). But they were telling all guests to leave at 1:45a?? Just after we bought drinks? The posted hours say they close at 2a. Not 1:45a. Most of us left half finished drinks. The large bouncer was nice enough, the tiny one in a hoodie with glasses was totally unprofessional. So beware. The Blind Tiger has what it takes to remain a Charleston institution. Their staff, might ruin that chance.

    Photos
    Blind Tiger Pub - Blind mule

    Blind mule

    Blind Tiger Pub - Chicken Tenders

    Chicken Tenders

    Blind Tiger Pub - The Blue chips were delish!

    See all

    The Blue chips were delish!

    The Establishment - seafood - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...