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    The Griffon

    4.2 (609 reviews)
    ModeratePubs, American, Salad
    Closed • 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

    The Griffon Photos

    Business Info

    THE GRIFFON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Griffon

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    Dolla bills yall
    B C Koon

    You can keep your manicured cobblestones, your whisper-quiet dining rooms serving deconstructed shrimp and grits, and your pastel linen trousers. Charleston is gorgeous, sure--almost impossibly, theatrically genteel. But if you want to find the real, beating, gloriously rumpled soul of this town, you have to peel off East Bay, stumble down Vendue Range, and push through the heavy wooden door into The Griffon. Step inside, and your retinas take a second to adjust from the blinding Lowcountry sun to the sacred, amber-lit gloom of a true, unrepentant pub. It smells of seasoned fryer oil, draft cider, damp wood, and decades of honest sweat and bad decisions. It is, in a word, paradise. The first thing that hits you--before the cold pint of local bitter hits the mahogany, before you even hear the clatter of darts or the clash of pint glasses--is the sheer, manic spectacle of the walls. It's not wallpaper. It's money. Thousands upon thousands of dirty, creased, greenback dollar bills stapled five-deep across every square inch of wood, wrapping the pillars, dripping from the ceiling like paper stalactites in a limestone cavern of pure indulgence. Every single bill is a prayer, a confession, a marker of human survival scrawled in black Sharpie. "We got hammered here, 1997." "To hell with yesterday." "Sarah + Dave forever." Names, dates, bad sketches of anatomy, declarations of war against sobriety. It's an accidental, anarchic cathedral of good times. You look up while waiting for a pour and realize you are standing beneath a canopy woven entirely from the disposable income of happy degenerates, sailors, off-duty line cooks, and wandering souls who found shelter from the storm. It doesn't feel tacky; it feels miraculous. It's proof of life. And the vibe? God, the vibe is electric, warm, and utterly devoid of pretense. There is no velvet rope. There are no reservations, no QR-code menus, no artisanal nonsense. You get dockworkers sitting elbow-to-elbow with visiting lawyers who've loosened their ties, swapping stories over greasy baskets of fish and chips that arrive piping hot, crisp-battered, and practically screaming for malt vinegar. The bartenders move with the fluid, no-bullshit grace of seasoned prizefighters--quick with a pour, sharper with a grin, possessing that innate radar for knowing exactly when your glass is three sips away from empty. In an increasingly sanitized world where every bar is designed by an algorithm to look like an upscale airport lounge, The Griffon is a stubborn, magnificent monument to the ancient art of having a damn drink with your fellow man. You take a Sharpie. You write your name on George Washington's forehead. You staple it to whatever microscopic patch of exposed timber remains. You order another pint, lean your elbows on the sticky wood, and you say a silent thank you to whatever gods watch over the dives--because as long as places like this exist, everything might just turn out alright after all.

    Glynnis T.

    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!

    Tanya J.

    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.

    Sam M.

    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!

    Our $$
    Stacia G.

    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.

    Entrance
    Cindy R.

    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.

    Menu
    Marcia M.

    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.

    Covered in dollars
    Laura S.

    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

    Akshay R.

    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.

    Very cool place! We absolutely loved the burgers, and they were so good! The fish was some of the best we've ever had, especially since it's near the coast! We also got to put a dollar on the wall, which was really cool. There was a little bit of a wait, but it was definitely worth it!

    Front entrance
    Lulu O.

    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.

    Krystal G.

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

    Fried pickle spears and French fries

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    The Griffon Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Griffon

    Is this place closed on Sunday? I find conflicting information online and nothing about days/hours on the website.

    Open sundays at noon

    Hi! Are kids allowed?

    Yes, they just can't drink!

    View All 3 Questions

    Meeting at Market - Inside of Restaurant

    Meeting at Market

    3.7(232 reviews)
    0.3 mi•French Quarter
    •$$

    I love this restaurant because it's right by the Charleston market and is great for people watching…read moreand the interior is decorated beautifully. Stopped in mid day on Saturday and didn't have a reservation and had to wait about 15 minutes which isn't too bad. You can walk around the hotel while you wait. They had a specialty fall cocktail menu which was super cool. I ordered the Haunted Market Street Margarita and it was amazing. It had charcoal simple syrup and lava salt which gave it such an interesting flavor. We shared the Pimento cheese appetizer and I am so glad we ordered. It was so good and the presentation was beautiful. I don't normally enjoy pimento but I did here. My parents shared the turkey club and said it was great. Will always stop by when I'm in Charleston. Great place to watch a game if you can get a seat at the bar.

    This gym is just inside the Charleston Place. It has a comfortable vibe while also having an…read moreupscale feeling. I loved the fresh roses on the table and the gentlemen wearing a seating us. The service was warm and friendly, and their attitudes couldn't have been more pleasant. The pimento cheese was spot on and delivered by the executive sous chef herself. I have never had a Smashburger before, but if this is what I compare them all to this one is definitely a winner.

    Photos
    Meeting at Market - Espresso Martini at Meeting at Market

    Espresso Martini at Meeting at Market

    Meeting at Market - Mid afternoon bev

    Mid afternoon bev

    Meeting at Market - Pretzel Board at Meeting at Market

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    Pretzel Board at Meeting at Market

    The Griffon - pubs - Updated September 2026

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