Charleston's Walkable Neighborhood Is A Lively Hub With Tasty Eats And A Nightlife Scene

You're probably already familiar with Charleston's King Street, one of the world's most charming main streets. Just 20 minutes away, however, lies another of the region's most vibrant areas — one that escapes many tourists' radars. Located in North Charleston, the charming garden neighborhood of Park Circle has lots to explore, especially for travelers looking for local bites and fun nightlife.

As one of the first planned communities in the United States, Park Circle was designed with walkability and convenience in mind, and over a century since its founding in the 1910s, that still rings true. Dotted with numerous green spaces, Park Circle is arranged around its 11-acre circular park, which was recently renovated to include a playground, nature trails, a farmers market pavilion, and spaces for Charleston's artistic community.

From its main park, Park Circle's numerous dining options — not to mention an exciting nightlife scene, complete with plenty of locally-made brews and live music — are all within walking distance, making the neighborhood one of this gorgeous South Carolina city's liveliest hubs. From Charleston International Airport, Park Circle is just 10 to 15 minutes away by car.

Park Circle's growing food scene has lots for visitors to indulge in, whether you're looking for local oysters, Lowcountry barbecue, or international cuisine. Kick off your foodie tour of Park Circle at The Junction Kitchen. Located just half a mile away from the main park, the restaurant, rated 4.5 on Tripadvisor, serves hearty breakfast and lunch dishes like huevos rancheros and biscuits and gravy.

If you're looking for something casual for lunch, The CODfather is another top spot in the neighborhood, with a 4.7 Google rating and some 4,500 reviews — past guests particularly love the large portions, fast service, and of course, the flavorful, crispy Atlantic codfish. And if you're craving po' boys, crawfish and oysters, gumbo, and other classics from the Bayou, add LoLA to your Park Circle itinerary. The eatery first launched as a food truck in 2010 and moved into its permanent location in 2016. Later in the day, Evo Pizzeria serves up wood-fired pizzas using local ingredients; it has garnered a 4.6 rating on Google since first opening as a mobile shop in 2005.

You can even find some Colombian-style fare at Ciudad Bonita. The colorful Park Circle establishment offers dishes like chicharron-stuffed arepas, smoked bacon and cheese-topped hot dogs, steaks, burgers, and shareables. And no trip to Park Circle is complete without a meal at the highly-rated Jackrabbit Filly, a Park Circle staple serving innovative Chinese-American cuisine, led by Top Chef alumni chef Shuai Wang and Corrie Wang. Reservations are recommended.

Park Circle boasts an impressive brewery scene, with top spots including Commonhouse Aleworks, which offers an array of lagers, ales, and more, plus a barbecue food menu. A portion of the proceeds benefits local community organizations. Meanwhile, Wyrd Sisters Taphouse and Brewery is one of the newcomers in the neighborhood — beers on tap at time of writing include Torment of Transfusion, a black IPA with dark berry flavors, and Soulless Ginger(snap), a creamy white IPA with the spice of a gingersnap cookie.

The Park Circle area is also home to Firefly Distillery, South Carolina's largest distillery, located about 20 minutes from the main park. This location features 30 signature spirits, ranging from coconut cake moonshine to Southern lemonade vodka, alongside a regular lineup of live music and concerts. Just keep in mind that it's not a late-night spot — unless there's an event on, the distillery is open until 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. 

Meanwhile, for handcrafted cocktails with a beachy vibe, head to Sissy Bar Park Circle. For live music and fun local atmosphere, DIG in the Park has music on Tuesdays and Fridays and is open til 2 a.m. daily, while Tattooed Moose has music on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays; plus a rotating beer selection, cocktail offerings, and a food menu. And if you're craving more of a cozy Irish pub setting, Park Circle has that too — just head to Madra Rua Irish Pub.