I stopped by The Griffon on Tuesday night for a few drinks with my friend, and we had a great time. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. I just had a vodka soda, so I can't really speak to the rest of the drink menu, but it was made perfectly every time. My friend was drinking Crown and water, and he enjoyed his drinks as well. The thing that really stood out to me, though, was the atmosphere. I've been to bars that have dollar bills on the ceiling or scattered on a few walls, but I've never seen anything like The Griffon. The place is absolutely covered from floor to ceiling in dollar bills. It was such a unique sight and made for a really fun experience. I didn't try any of the food, so my review is based solely on the drinks, service, and atmosphere. If you're looking for a fun bar with a great vibe, I'd definitely recommend stopping in. I'll absolutely be back the next time I'm in Charleston. read more

Great dive bar. Service was terrible, servers were OK but attitudes were questionable. Food was great. Recommend the fish n chips. read more

We stopped by The Griffon after going to The Black Fedora. This is a laid back drive bar, which we really appreciated. We snagged a seat and were able to order some mozzarella sticks and people watch for a bit. Service is great, even when it gets busy. The mozzarella sticks are SO GOOD! Their red sauce was spectacular. Highly recommend if you're looking for a dive bar. read more

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The one place we make a point to visit every trip to Charleston is The Griffon. Be there for lunch when they first open and you will find a table. Parking meters 2 blocks over for easy parking. Have not had anything but the fish and chips because they are the best I have ever had. Made with cod, it's always the same, just like McDonalds. The coleslaw is delicious, as is the tarter sauce. They also serve local beers if you want to try something new. Highly recommend if you love fish and chips. read more

The Griffon is full of character and right in the heart of Charleston, making it the perfect spot for a quick drink. The beer selections solid and the vibe feels lived in rather than made for tourists. But the real charm are the walls. They're covered floor to ceiling in dollar bills that patrons have stapled up over the years. Best part? When the walls fill up completely, the bar donates every dollar to charity. Such a cool spot! read more

The Griffon - Pubs Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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We were looking for a good hamburger (with out a bun) and headed to The Griffon. Very interesting decor that features dollar bills that have been signed, colored on or have stickers on them. The staff were fine. However they couldn't make a skinny margarita so I got a Diet Coke. The burger and coleslaw were tasty. My husband had to add mustard to the potato salad. The bill was reasonable. Cute and quaint. I may go again when I am in town. read more

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Great and convenient location to have a beverage. Didn't try the food. Nice selection of beers and you can leave a dollar with your name- bar decorated with them. read more

The Griffon - Our $$ - Pubs Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

First of all it is typical bar food. So it lives up to that. I didn't take a picture because the food when it was sat before me didn't excite me. I got the grilled buffalo chicken sandwich with a side of coleslaw. It was good. We also got the chicken Philly sandwich and it was delicious! The fries came out hot & fresh. Our server didn't offer much answers to our questions about the menu, so we just had to figure it out. The ambience is perfect for a bar. Loud music, people laughing and having a great time! It's just what we needed after traveling all day to get to Charleston! read more

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Loved it! Great beer selection. Buffalo shrimp were tasty but it was a small portion for the $$. Dollars bills decorating the space. Friendly staff. read more

Grabbed a bite with friends before a tattoo appointment but here's what we found. The ambiance is very dive bar-ISH. There is a slew of dollar bills all over from the top to the bottom of the pub. It was a little bit busy for a Monday afternoon. With the right group of people, it's a great time. The service was normal, nothing out of the norm but nothing bad. The food was decent, okay portions for the price (it is Charleston). Over all it wasn't a bad experience, but even better with great company. read more

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We were going to try this place out. It looked unique. Didn't have a place to sit so I guess that's a good sign. The vibe was really off for us. I think it draws to a younger crowd. We are in our 60's and felt out of place. Funky smell and the decor kind of weird. I wanted to check out the dollar bills all over the walls but it made me feel closed in. Certainly wins the prize for odd. Sorry I can't rate the food. read more

We had a group of 6 only for drinks before we went on the ghost tour, we did not eat here. The prices did seem fair compared to most for the area. It is a tiny place so if it gets packed, might be tight but what little time we spent here it was OK for grabbing a drink. read more

The Griffon - Front entrance - Pubs Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Cute divey feeling pub downtown. No reservations, seat yourself so keep that in mind if you're going on a busy night/weekend. Kid friendly, has highchairs but no kids menu. I had a black bean burger with fries that made my vegetarian heart so happy. Husband really liked his fish and chips and my son was very happy with his fried shrimp and fries. Good beer options I had a blueberry blonde that was very light and refreshing. I would definitely go back for a pop in but wouldn't plan on a group of hungry people definitely getting a seat. Bathrooms are one at a time male and female read more

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The Griffon is a fun, laid-back pub right in downtown Charleston with tons of character. The walls covered in dollar bills give it a unique, old-school charm, and the vibe is lively but relaxed--perfect for hanging out with friends or grabbing a casual meal. We ordered a good mix of food: nachos, wings, shrimp BBQ, a Reuben, the Griffon burger, Philly chicken, and a chicken burger. The Griffon burger was the standout--soft, juicy, and absolutely delicious. The Reuben was good too and hit the spot. The nachos, wings, and shrimp BBQ were solid pub bites. That said, the Philly chicken and chicken burger weren't great and didn't really stand out compared to the rest. Overall, it's a great spot for drinks, atmosphere, and classic pub food--especially if you stick with their burgers. Definitely worth a stop when you're in Charleston. read more

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If you're looking for a bar that knows how to take care of a crowd, this place absolutely delivers. We came in with a large party, and the staff couldn't have been more accommodating--quick service, super friendly, and genuinely on top of everything. It made the whole experience feel effortless. One of the coolest parts of the bar is their fun tradition of letting guests write on dollar bills and staple them to the walls. It adds so much character and becomes a little activity in itself--everyone in our group loved it. The food hits the spot, classic bar favorites done right, and the drinks are solid without breaking the bank. Overall, it's just a great hangout spot with good vibes, great prices, and a team that knows how to make you feel welcome. Highly recommend stopping by with friends or a big group. read more

Quaint dive bar, with a quirky atmosphere. Usually packed, friendly staff. Food is okay, except for the fish & chips. That item is great. read more

The Griffon - Pubs Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

The craft beer menu interestingly enough, does not have any prices. The owner said it is not required to list prices. I personally still think they should for transparency. The state sales tax is 9% plus the Charleston sales tax is another 2%. The owner said there is another state 5% tax per alcoholic beverage. With the 3.5% credit cards usage fee, it does add up to 19.5%. Pretty pricy but at least I understand now. read more

I'll be honest, I've been going to The Griffon probably long than most that read this have been alive. Which is to say, I've dropped by several times before 2000! The place has a real ambiance about it and while I don't have it completely figured out I have my thoughts. First, it's the location of the pub but more importantly it's the building itself. It's got that old, old vibe to it. Next it could be the beer-stained floors along with all dollar bills slapped everywhere. If this was a stripper, she's needed a bigger G-string to maintain all the bills. My next admission is I've literally never eaten here. I don't know how or why it's just never happened. I guess odder things have happened like winning the lottery, but just reporting the facts officer! Now, for what it's worth in that I'll give a summary of all my decades and friends experiences the food is "meh." Typical to below bar quality food, but that's not the point, it's the atmosphere. In essence, the food is used to absorb the alcohol so the hangover won't be as bad. The prices for the grub are good while the portion sizes are average. Sorry I couldn't help more. The drinks are good and fairly priced. I had a good friend and local legend work there a long time ago but he passed. I say that to emphasize the fact he was the coolest guy out there, which optimizes the staff in general. They're cool, laid back, give good conversation and great at their jobs. You know, part friend, part phycologist and a supplier of liquid courage. Griffon is a great place to visit and a cornerstone of Charleston nightlife with a lot of history. I really encourage groups as the place gets even livelier with more likeminded patrons. Drop in and stay for a while and make some memories. read more

Super cool vibe, food was tasty, waitresses were nice but must have been asked if we were OK 100 times, and the draft beer selection was limited mostly comprised of IPAs and blonde or pale ales, which is not what I expected from a British pub. read more

Average bar but since the prices are good for downtown I'd recommend. The drinks are okay. Pretty watered down but it was $7 for a well drink so I can't really complain. I got what I paid for. The service was attentive (we sat at the bar). Typical dive bar feel inside with some harsh lighting. Bathrooms were pretty disgusting. Fries and fried pickles were decent but pickles were the spears if you're into that kind of thing. Ranch was weak. read more

The Griffon - Fried pickle spears and French fries - Pubs Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Probably my favorite dive bar/pub in Charleston. What a find in downtown Charleston - good food, good prices, not touristy at all (although tourists are welcome). The location is in the heart of peninsula Charleston, just down the street from the Waterfront Park and Pineapple Fountain. Although it is located near pricey hotels (e.g., HarbourView and Vendue inns), The Griffon is simply good bar food that is affordable. We have started visiting with our office colleauges and always have good experienes. Even when The Griffon is busy, the service is consistently good. You will notice dollar bills posted around the bar - make sure you take 1, 2, or 3 to add to the collection. And the great part? The Griffon periodically takes down the dollars to donate to various charities. The Griffon is a local treasure - enjoy it! read more

Great grungy dive bar. Signed money on the wall added a nice touch. Mainly beer and pub food, which was delicious. Servers are fun, direct and spunky. Would definitely be a "Cheers" bar for me if I lived in the area. read more

This place is pure fun. Great service, authentic food, with a very fun European pub vibe. Best fish & chips I've had outside of England! read more

The Griffon - Fish & chips - Pubs Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Got a beer. It was good. And cold. Highly recommend. Did I mention it was cold? And good. read more

The Griffon - Beer at the bar. Cold. Good. - Pubs Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Great atmosphere. The dollars covered every wall! It was great service and food and beer were delicious. Loved that they kept the door open to outside fresh air. read more

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After hitting several swanky bars earlier in the evening, I rang in my 34th birthday at The Griffon. There was a hodge podge of patrons of varying ages and the vibe was very no-frills, as you might guess by the wall decor. Our bartender was nice, I forget his name (Dustin maybe?). I ordered a Westbrook pineapple gose and my friend ordered birthday shots, I forget what kind and I failed to label my photo but I don't think I hated it. My friend accidentally left her emotional support water bottle behind at the end of the night, and when she called the next day, they were happy to report that they had it behind the bar for her. She was quite pleased to reunite with it. It was a fun stop in downtown Charleston, all in all. I'm pretty sure I saw it featured on an episode of Southern Hospitality too, but I could be wrong. read more

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I love this place. Old English Pub downtown Charleston. Staff are amazing and friendly . The walls are covered with one dollars bills that past customers have signed. They have a nice choice of draft and can/bottle beer as well as a full stocked bar. Pub food at its best. Fish and chips, Burger and wings are at the top of my list. They do have salad for those who have a healthier style of eating . The Tideland Amber beer is delicious. Great music. I highly recommend this pub. Downfall is the parking can be challenging since the pub is located downtown across from the pier and Charleston Harbor. If you have not visited The Griffon, take time to stop by. read more

Classic Irish Dive Bar. Good food, great drinks! Cast of interesting characters working there! Prices were reasonable for downtown Charleston. We enjoyed the experience. read more

hands down top 5 worst bars in chs,, born and raised local and can say these people don't know how to treat guests that aren't "regular" alcoholics that frequent this bar. this is the bar you show up to when all the best places close. was practically kicked out 5 minutes past closing time when half the bar was full and welcomed to stay. was forced to chug my beer,, asked to use the bathroom and "crowd control" blocked me off from using their toilet when we spent good money to sit here for an hour. heard the bar tender shouting at me from the bathroom "better be quick!!!" the yankees are killing the south bro. save your money. read more

Great dive bar in downtown charleston. One of the oldest ones around. Dollar bills pinned to the wall. Story has it that during covid, the owner took down the money from one wall to continue paying his staff and get them through the tough time. Gotta respect and support that! read more

This place is a dive bar where every square inch of surface not made of stone is adorned with decorated dollar bills stapled to it. The fish and chips were excellent, with good breading and fresh fish taste. The selection of local beers was good for my liking. The place was busy when we went, but we were able to get a table after a reasonable wait. At no point did we feel rushed to free up our table. 3.5% "cash discount" (credit card fee) is applied to all bills. read more

Absolutely perfect dive bar with friendly staff, excellent service and great food. We had fish and chips and it was delicious! Large piece of fish, perfectly fried and nice, crispy fries. Great selection of local craft beers. read more

The Griffon has been around a very long time, great little place. Best fish & Chips in Charleston, no doubt. Excellent beer selection. Service is always friendly and fast. Gotta love the dollar bill wallpaper!! read more

What a great place! We come here every time we're in Charleston and it never fails to deliver

Casual bar with friendly service. Would have preferred they kept inside to be more English pub vs the dollar bill wallpaper effect. Quick place for a lite bit and beer. read more

fun environment, very lively. Food was good. Service was friendly. Went there for lunch, quick service and nice booth read more

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Stopped in on a short trip to Charleston. Very quaint down to earth place. No fancy cocktails, just a dive style menu. Just grabbed a couple drinks. While we didn't eat, the service was great, the atmosphere was fun and the employees were awesome. You can decorate your dollar with the markets from the cups on the counter and "staple it anywhere that isn't naked, cuz if it's still naked, it's naked for a reason!" Wish I had been able to come back later because the vibe was great! Such great energy in this place. Will definitely be back when I'm back in Charleston! read more

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Worst corn beef sandwich I ever had with very little MEAT HORRIBLE place needs to not sale who fries corn beef for a sandwich read more

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Super fun atmosphere! Fair prices (tap beer $7-$8). Red bearded bar tender is terrible!! Mid-song he changes the music very argumentative just vibe killer. read more

Fun dive bar with dollar bills all over the wall. Staff were epic & very friendly! The drinks were cheap & strong! We never got any food but it smelt damn good going by! This is a great place to get your drink on in good company! read more