The Gin Joint

This place is just phenomenal– extensive selection and great atmosphere! The pitchers are fantastic and the food tidbits are delicious.

Went here with some friends, there was a very long wait for our large party so we chose to split our party into two 4 – 5 person groups to get in quickly. The location is great and as you walk in it makes you feel like you’re underground during the prohibition years. Nice clean and modern design with a low lighting.
Gin is my favorite liquor so I selected a gin drink which was of course was easy to find. The «Culture Shock» intrigued me with its greek yogurt, mint, lemon, ginger, kümmel, island orxata, and ras el hanout. I dont even know what half those words are but I bravely chose it! I paired one piece of beef jerky. The drink was incredible, the best I’ve ever had… which it better be at $ 11! It was beautiful, creamy, and reminded me of the best Indian curry I’ve had. It would pair perfectly with Indian curry. The jerky was pretty good, strange shape but not as flavorful as I expected.
My friends did not enjoy their drinks as much as I did. They were intrigued by the Bartender’s Words menu where you pick 2 words such as «fruity, fresh, tart, unique, bitter, refreshing, herbal, sweet, spicy» etc. Choose something tried and true thats already on the menu!

We came here for drinks on our first night after dinner. It’s a really small establishment, a few booths and tables indoors and some outdoor sitting. The clientele was a mixed of tourists like ourselves and some locals too — always a good sign! They offer some small bites but we didn’t try it. We tried South of the Border and had a Bartender’s choice, and we loved our drinks!
Certainly a fun evironment and great drinks! We loved it and we’ll be back when we visit Charleston again!

I’m particularly picky when it comes to quality craft cocktails and this place delivered big time! I was in Charleston for 2 nights and came here for a drink both evenings. The staff was friendly, their recommendations were spot-​on, and the vibe is perfect for a low-​key drink with friends or for a date! Loved it!

Literally the best drinks I’ve ever had. The menu was super cool. And the selection was perfect. Our waitress might’ve been new because in a loud place, you have to speak up. I didn’t hear one word she said but it didn’t take away from the amazing drink in my hand.

I’m a bit biased, in that I think that these cocktail bars were made for me. I love fancy cocktails, but moreso I love cocktails that have uncommon ingredients, have a story behind them, or both. I bet there’s a Portlandia about a cocktail bar where the drinks have dossiers — I would be the guy sitting next to them at the bar. So I was pumped about Gin Joint before I ever walked in.
There was confusion about the outside seating, there was apparently a wait for empty tables, though no one else was waiting. We also had to wait quite a while for service and our drinks, but we did get apologies and a pretzel on the house, without having to lodge a complaint. So it came out in the wash. Everyone enjoyed their drinks mightily, and we’re a picky crew.
If I were in Charleston again (it’s such a lovely city), I would definitely go back to Gin Joint.

I am definitely a fan of the Gin Joint. I approached it from meeting where the sign is quite visible. As I turned the corner I walked right past the door not sure which one it was because there were a few different doors of other various businesses. I found this humorous. I found the door with help from the menu being on the wall. When I walked in I was surprised with the size. It’s small but in a comfortable intimate kinda way. Different liquor line the top of the walls with booths along the wall below them. Opposite the booths is a large table that stretches the length of the wall. At the end there is the bar dressed as an old school speakeasy which seats five. When seated the waitress brought a flip 18 page book featuring their liquor and a menu with different house cocktails. The thing I love the most about this menu is the bartenders choice option. This is the choice of two words from a list which the bartender will then invent a concoction embodying your choice. Feeling daring I chose refreshing and unusual. The drink I received was exactly that plus delicious. The gin joint is definitely a place to be experienced by all. I will definitely be back again

This is Brian.
We loved Brian!
He made beautiful original cocktails while engaging in friendly conversation with my friend and me as we sat at the bar of the Gin Joint Friday evening.
The food was delicious!
The décor of grey walls and dark woods fit the name, «The Gin Joint».
I am looking forward to going back, thanks Brian!

Our two drinks were original and delicious. I had the «fly boy» which was chartreuse with a block of chipped ice in it. My husband had a drink more on the dessert side, sweet with the perfect amount of booze. Will be back the next time we are in town.

I’m a little surprised to read so many mixed reviews for the Gin Joint as I have been here several times and have always had a good experience. It’s slightly tucked away on East Bay Street (not far from the Market) but has a decent sized sign by the entrance to their courtyard to help you find their door. The place is small– maybe 4 booths, 1 table for two, 1 table seating about ten, and the bar with no more than 4 – 6 seats. They have an outdoor patio/​area for seating but they don’t always have table service going. I have definitely been turned away at the door stating they are full or not seating anyone else. It’s unfortunate, but it happens. And honestly, I enjoy when a restaurant/​bar respects the atmosphere and doesn’t let people pile in until there is standing room only and people who are seated at tables can hardly get up for being surrounded by people anxiously waiting to claim the next available seat.
My favorite thing about Gin Joint is the surprise cocktail section of the menu. I cannot recall the exact terminology they use, but basically you pick two adjectives and the bartender creates a cocktail for you that embodies those two words. What you get is a complete surprise, other than that it will taste like whatever adjectives you chose! This is a lot of fun and a unique way to try new things. We always try to guess what is in our drinks before the waiter comes back to let us know what we were actually served. Anytime someone comes to visit me I always make it a point to take them here for this little cocktail guessing game!

Very nice little place with great wait staff that truly go out of their way to anticipate your wants and needs. Love the atmosphere.

I was in Charleston for a long weekend with an agenda of trying some good restaurants and bars in the city. We tried The Gin Joint after reading some good reviews online.
We went for the happy hour but were disappointed by the very limited options for happy hour drinks. I got one of the three options for happy hour and my friend got a bartenders choice and we were quiet pleased with our drinks. We ordered the soft pretzel with Sriracha cream dip and the pad Thai popcorn which was just decent. The ambience is nice. Service is slow but the staff is really sweet.
Overall i would rate between 3.5 and 4. Worth a try for sure.

This place was so amazing that we came back again the next night. As gin lovers, I knew we had to try this place out based on the name alone. The drink selection and variety is awesome and the pricing is very reasonable. The place has a great vibe with dim lighting and candles and they have bartenders working magic creating delicious drinks! I highly recommend checking this place out for a drink if you are in Charleston. They also have yummy snacks!

I recently went to the Gin Joint with my boyfriend and another couple. We all had a great time! We went on a Saturday night, so there was an hour wait. Definitely worth it! I ordered the Bartender’s Choice and chose «strong» and «tart». I also ordered a Dutch Courage which was great! I don’t usually order gin and am not the biggest fan of it, but the drinks here were great!

We stopped here on the recommendation of a friend and had a fabulous time. The bar is built from absolutely beautiful wood and encompasses the whole back corner. The chairs were very comfortable and there were purse hooks in the counter which is always a welcome find. The sides of the bar all the way through the front of the establishment are covered with every liquor imaginable displayed on the shelves. The fresh garnishments in jars on top of the tap as well as bottles that look like classic perfume dispensers were great touches.
The bartender was very friendly and professional. Almost all of their drinks are $ 10 which keeps the decision making process a lot easier. The bartender confirmed that we would like our drinks strong before creating his concoctions. Though some of the drinks came in small glasses they certainly packed a punch!
We ended up staying here longer than we had originally meant to. It was hard not to watch as the bartender created such beautiful drinks, especially since so many involved lighting things on fire!
I only had one drink that was a flop, which was the Off Hand. I am not counting this against them because the menu states it has an flaming absinthe lemon twist. I don’t like absinthe and did not realize how much that would affect the taste of my drink. It was flaming when he slide it over to me so the drink wasn’t a total loss.
The bar has a great swanky speakeasy feel but we were not shunned for coming in wearing our tourist jeans and sneaker attire. I definitely plan to stop by again next time we visit the city.

I usually agree with my fellow Unilocalers, and it’s clear I had an atypical, terrible experience at the Gin Joint this past Monday night. We arrived around 10:15 and the place was about half full, dominated by an animated table of drinkers in the middle having a great time! The place itself is tiny, and the décor is a little sterile, IMO. The hostess, waiter and bartender were all huddled around the bar in the back. This is where things get awkward. We walked over and asked if we could sit at the bar, and they said ‘yes’ but it was the most awkward yes ever, like, ‘if you must.’ We increasingly got the feeling these people wanted to get out of there! (I checked online before arriving and it closed at midnight! So I didnt think it was ridiculous for us to show up at 10:15)
I dont know if the staff was annoyed at the drunk party, or there was some personal drama going on, but, without having the correct words to explain it, the vibe coming from the Gin Joint people was so unwelcoming and cold. Take the bartender for examples. No salutation when we sat down, no ‘ill be right with you’ as we waited to order. My boyfriend took advantage of the ‘choose two adjectives and we’ll make you a drink’ section of the menu. So he tells the bartender his two words, the bartender says nothing, makes a drink, places it in front of him, walks away. One might assume this gimmick is to encourage trying new things and engaging with these cocktail artists! But no. I order a drink (the Whirly Bird) which was fantastic (hence not giving this place 1 star. the drink was that good!) But even when we asked the bartender what he sprayed in the drink at the end he dismissively says ‘oh that? bitters’ and again averts engagement!
I dont want to talk your ear off, bartender. I want to flirt with my cute boyfriend over a cocktail. But you are not a line cook, who is behind the scenes flipping burgers. You are the face of the restaurant, and unfortunately you failed to do a big part of your job!
I imagine our experience was the exception and not the rule, but you couldn’t offer me 6 free drinks with 12 no-​charge adjectives to recommend this spot to a friend visiting Charleston.

These guys have phenomenal cocktails. That could probably be the entirety of my review.
It’s a tucked-​away location with a sort of industrial-​luxe feel. We went in late both times we stopped by, but it was still pretty hopping both times. After a small wait we snagged a booth and got our cocktails. These really are unique and gorgeous beverages. I love whiskey and they do a lot of excellent things with it. I ordered off the set drink menu both times, and now I’m kicking myself for not having a Manhattan because I’m sure they make a good one.
If I ever make it back to Charleston, I’m blocking off an evening to sit at the bar and really soak it all in (literally and figuratively) and an Über to get me back to where I need to sleep it all off.

I have a lot of respect for this place as a cocktail joint. My friend and I were seated by the bar and found that the bartender took his job very seriously. Their bar looked clean and their cocktails themselves were unique and interesting. I started off with the straw man which had a nice sweet taste I think from the ginger honey. It was really refreshing.
The second drink caught my eye before I even knew what it was. At the bar, the bartender was burning wood and then after it was well burnt and still flaming, he stuck it in this red icy drink… and it looked delicious! I had to have it so I asked the waiter and it was the camp saxton. It was burnt smoking mesquite wood. It was dropped in the drink to retain a smokey flavor and it really accomplished its task. The swizzle was spot on. Very good drink, sweet but not too sweet and nice and smokey.
As for food, we got the house made beef jerky and that was amazing. Full of flavor, gets juicer as you chew in. We also got the pad Thai popcorn and it honesty and inadvertently was the perfect balance to the salty jerky. The popcorn was sweet with a hint of that pad Thai flavor. Fresh, not stale. Great snacks to accompany your drink.

What a find! Stumbled across this place and was so excited we did!
Of course the drinks were very good and hand crafted. The menu of set cocktails had so many ingredients — most of them you didn’t even know what they were! Not to worry tho, the waiter we had did a great job telling you about the drinks to ensure it sounded like something you might like.
The other really cool drink concept was the «bartenders choice.» It had a bunch of adjectives like fizzy, unique, sweet, tart, etc. Pick two and you will get an interesting concoction. Very tasty!
Food was great too. Lots of small plates that we split. Especially recommend the crab dip. Comes with house made chips that combine the right amount of salty with each bite. Oh and dessert! Blueberry cobbler was delicious and large share portion.
Finally the décor and ambiance was perfect. Great spot for a small group of friends or date. Choices of inside booths (very comfy) as well as a small courtyard, indoor tables or bar seating.
I will be back! Now to start thinking of my next two adjectives…

I’m giving four stars because I know some of my friends absolutely loved the place, but my personal feeling was meh, two stars because it’s just not my scene. No reason to penalize them for my personal preference on places to drink when, for the right audience, they’re going to love it. I’d have given it five stars for that reason alone but the service tends to be fairly poor, so four instead.
Gin Joint is a definite hipster type of place. If you like pricey expensive cocktails made with a lot of attention to detail and containing obscure and/​or exotic ingredients, being enjoyed by fashionable see and be seen types, you’re going to love it. If you’re looking for a dive bar to do some boozing, you’re not going to be a big fan of the place.
They have a menu full of unusual cocktails, and a great bartenders choice option where you pick multiple characteristics for your drink, rather than ingredients, and the bartender comes up with something unique for you. You never really know what that may be, so don’t expect to get the same drink each time you order the same characteristics. It’s a novel idea, and sometimes works great, other times you get something that you definitely don’t like, so not a bad idea to go with a bunch of friends as chances are, someone in your party will like some things and not others, so you can just trade.
It’s a fun place, definitely worth checking out, but prepare for slower service, and just make sure you’re the target audience for the place, in which case you’ll probably love it.