Written by: Debbie Martinez • September 12, 2022• Travel

Southern-Style Barhopping

While visiting a new place, invariably you will find yourself wandering into the nearest watering hole. It can be a dive bar or an elegant bar, but regardless of the venue, you will pull up a stool or leather-backed chair, get a drink and take in the local vibe. Barhopping typically takes place in one city in one night, but here is a list of outstanding and innovative bars across the South to explore and have fun partaking in their libations.

The Ticonderoga Club in Atlanta, Georgia, is a place to plan on staying for a while. The dark rustic wood paneling and the red leather barstools add to the warmth of the bar. The bottom half of the bar is a mural of jockeys from the waist down, so when you sit there, it’s your top half and the jockey’s bottom half. You can quench your thirst with a few cocktails, beer and wine, including a full menu of frozen drinks. Their menu ranges from Beef Carpaccio to an Ipswich Clam Roll. They even offer a Chuck Wagon Dinner.

The Electric Moon Skytop Lounge and Moon Deck in Savannah, Georgia, is in the historic district and has a high-energy atmosphere. The views from this bar of the Savannah River and the city are amazing. Meet friends at the Skytop Lounge for drinks and nibbles and then head to the Moon Deck, where you can play lawn games. If you are looking for something a bit classier, head over to Churchill’s.

Churchill’s is also in the historic district and has three floors of everything British. The basement houses Winston’s wine cellar, the pub sits at street level and the rooftop terrace offers drinks under the Southern sky. Charming and rustic, this is a bar not to miss.

Charleston, South Carolina, has so many unique bars. Whether you are looking for trendy or classic, it is all in this city. That being said, my all-time favorite is the rooftop at the Market Pavilion Hotel. No matter what time of day you visit the bar, the view is beautiful. From there, one can see the church steeples that Charleston is known for, the marketplace and the Cooper River. The hotel pool, with its fountains, adds to the ambience during the evening hours. If hunger strikes while taking in the view, I highly recommend the Tuna Tower. It is absolutely to die for!

The last watering hole on my list is The Fox Bar and Cocktail Club in Nashville, Tennessee. You will need a reservation to walk through their door, so plan accordingly because you can’t bypass this unique bar with its signature cocktails with names like Cat Dad and The Devil You Know. The intimate atmosphere with its dim lighting, tin ceiling, leather club chairs and golden-brown wood is the place for a clandestine rendezvous.

Part of the thrill of traveling is discovering the places that lie within the city limits. Stumbling upon the little hole in the wall that only locals know or watching the sunset from an elegant rooftop is what stories are made of. Whether you go for just happy hour or end up staying for hours, enjoy the good times barhopping can bring.

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Last modified: September 12, 2022