The Craftsman is my absolute favorite place to explore beer or given their selection, just know that I can get a great pint. They have a huge tap list, and I love getting a variety of flights. The happy hour is fantastic too and they have other specials throughout the week such as $5 burger night and a food and beer pairing once a week called flights and bites. The food is good too, particularly the potato bombs, the fish & chips, and the burger is quite tasty as well.
(5)
Traci R.
My mom and I came in for our first mother/daughter happy hour. *Pause for celebration*. Their happy hour is awesome! We got the pulled pork egg rolls and the General Tso's wings. Both delicious! Especially the egg rolls. And both just $5 each. We both got beer flights. Again $5 each. Those were pretty good pours. 4-4oz pours, i think? Ignore me if i'm wrong. BUT it was good food.
(4)
Rock S.
great place! unique back bar, just like the pictures show! i had one of the local beers, really good! i went when it just opened, so not too many people there, but very open and inviting place. i also ordered the farmhouse burger which was pretty good. not bad at all, especially for bar food. a lot of beer choices! great place overall - i actually passed it when walking by, but as soon as i walked in, it was a nice place. im sure it's an awesome place during the weekend night life.
(4)
Michele W.
I really could not find a single quibble over preparation, beer selection, atmosphere, or service. My only issue was that the beer that I selected did not have a price listing...it was $16 a glass! But, it was such an exquisite beer that I had to just brush off the expense! The food was just simply to die for!
(5)
Helen K.
Best pub in Charleston! One of our friends recommended this bar and we're pretty thankful that he did as it was the best meal that I had in Charleston. Location is a bit hidden as it is not on your main/front street, but in an alley. It offers various and great spirits and beer. Not only that, they have great bar food that had awesome presentation, taste, and uniqueness. We had 2 flights of beers, the local and mash. Out of the local flight, our favorite was the pineapple beer that Craftmen Kitchen & Tap actually brews, its first at that! Also, our other favorite was the choklat/orang from the mash flight that had a dark, rich, and citrus taste. For our meal, my bf had the cruchy dame, the porkbelly sandwich, which was the best that we had. Also, it was not overbearing and greasy like others that we've had. We also shared the bratwurst bangers on pretzel buns and the squid fries, which were on point. Haven't had any bad meals with pretzel buns and squid fries were cooked perfectly. It also came with picked peppers which balanced out the fried-ness. If you're looking for great meal with endless drink options and friendly atmosphere, this is the place for you.
(5)
Aisha V.
Not a seasoned beer drinker. In fact, the only beer this palette recognizes is Red Stripe, so I was hesitant to go to a place like Craftsmen. Thankfully the staff, at least the staff that we dealt with, are conscious of the fact that not everyone knows everything about every beer. The first go round, Agnes was our waitress. Lucky us! She was so patient, so informative--offered great suggestions and let us try a number of beverages to see what we would go with. We settled on a hard cider, a bottle for two--blackberry or raspberry...one of those. She also informed us that the bottles of hard cider are half off on Sundays! They are regularly $12-$14, so $6/$7 for a bottle--Im down with that. Went there later that nite and sat at the bar. The bartender was also really great. Great smile and really pleasant. I mentioned a beer that a colleague recommended to me, but all I could remember was that the beer had the word 'monkey' in it. That led a funny back and forth about monkeys, and in the end, I got Golden Monkey. Love the ambiance. The high tops and lighting, average noise level, and very cool staff. I didnt try any of the food because nothing was really calling out to me on the menu, but my homegirl got the BBQ Pork Spring Rolls which she tore through. I ate the kimchi that came with it, and whoa was it spicy! There are sooo many beers to try! I'll probably be back so I can get my beer game in tact. That way I can open conversations with more Charleston folks--you know, since most people here are beer nerds niw :)
(4)
Mark C.
Second time here and another home run. Great apps, GREAT burgers and a very big selection of beer on tap. I'll be back!
(4)
Steven P.
Convenient location, near Cumberland parking garage and several other quality bar-hopping, plate-noshing opportunities. One of the better happy hour offerings, with high-end pub small plates. Definitely a destination for craft beer aficionados, with enough offerings for those who just want a decent beer or cocktail. Very attractive interior and open-air seating.
(4)
Charlie P.
Hour, especially if you are a craft beer nerd. If beer isn't your thing, the menu can read a bit overwhelming and is slightly confusing the way they have decided to break it up into sections. With that being said, the help is extremely friendly and happy to let you taste whatever sounds interesting to you. As with Closed for Business, be sure to check the price of your beer before ordering, as some of their selections are a bit on the ridiculous side, over $10. Their food is far elevated from your typical bar fare, with great options on Mondays-Fridays from 4-7 p.m., when all their "street food" is half price. The Bratwurst Bangers and BBQ Pork Spring Rolls are both my favorites, and at only $5 a total steal! Although not available half price, the Squid Fries are my absolute favorite thing on the menu, chewy yet crispy and served with this bomb lemon aioli. You really can't go wrong with the majority of their menu, all of which are hearty and greasy and pair perfectly with beer. If you're looking for a casual spot to grab a bite and unique beer after work, then Craftsman is a great go-to. Parking is a bia though, but then again where isn't downtown these days? Must-order items: Squid Fries Bratwurst Bangers Scotch Egg Side of Crispy Potatoes with garlic aioli
(4)
Andy B.
Arrived last night with a reservation for 16 people. When we arrived the table was ready in a wonderful court yard area. Immediately menu was explained, along with the intense beer list. I got a local beer flight, some appetizers to share and split the pepperoni pizza. Food came out warm and it was delicious. Meals were all correct and plates cleaned! This place is beautiful and worth many more trips. They handled multiple large groups with ease.
(5)
Erin K.
We only had cocktails (specifically several of one cocktail - the low fashion), but oh, my Lord! This is one of only two places we returned to on our week-long visit to Charleston and it was sure worth it. The food looks awesome and creative and we will definitely go back when we are in the Holy City again :))
(5)
Christina A.
We picked this place based on Yelp reviews and we were not disappointed! We got the potato bites which were delicious. For an entree I got the cheeseburger and my husband got the chicken wings. The chicken wings were good but a bit salty. The burger on the other hand... Words can't describe it. It was the best burger we have had. I gave my husband half and he was picking leftover pieces off my plate. It was by far the best burger I have ever had and I love cheeseburgers! They have an extensive beer menu and have sampler menus which was fun. When we are back in Charleston we will be sure to come back. You can't beat the food for the price. Perfect!!!
(5)
Jessica B.
While the concept of this restaurant is really neat, being a "tap house", it really isn't anything spectacular. They do have quite the list of craft brews, but their food is just mediocre. They have "fancy" street foods. Their prices are a bit steep for the amount of food you get. I usually only go here if someone else has planned an event (birthdays, work celebration, etc). The food is okay, but if you don't like black pepper, be sure to let them know. It is on everything. I wouldn't go out of my way to go here when there are so many other options around town.
(3)
Vy D.
Came here for a quick drink and small bites during happy hour. They had an awesome beer selection and the flights looked very good - however I'm more of a liquor fan so I had a cranberry vodka. I was pleasantly surprised to find out their house vodka is Svedka and not something worse! To eat, I had the banh mi meatballs - they were pretty good. It was worth the $5 during happy hour, not sure if I would have paid $10 for them at regular price. All in all, I'd definitely go back!
(4)
Ronald T.
Perfect little gastropub hidden away downtown. Absolutely wonderful staff; bartenders are super knowledgable. The bar offers a great selection of craft beer. The menu is diverse and interesting.
(4)
Morgan L.
So Charleston is filled with great beer spots. From purely the drinking perspective, I'm not sure this is one of them. We were in town and dropped by Thursday night for a beer. While they did have a long tap list, they seemed to be missing a lot of the great local beer that I expected to see in a place so highly rated. They did have a well-stocked bottle cooler in large format, but the prices were insane. We're talking 300% markup on some of it. Bottles that you could walk down the street and buy for $10 were being sold for $30+. The food did look good. But if you're out purely for the beer aspect of things, there are better options.
(2)
LOIS B.
This was exactly what we needed at the end of a very stressful day. Very casual with a most interesting, but limited, menu. Daily specials offered and we got there just in time to enjoy half priced appetizers. We ordered chips and salsa, flatbread, and some kind of potato bites ~ all were enjoyed. For entrees we had chicken wings, meatballs, shrimp quesadilla, ravioli with beets, and brat sliders. They may sound boring, but they were absolutely wonderful. Beware, unless you want a booth, they only have high top tables. We did not go into the back room so I have no idea how big it is. We were seated in the front where the bar is located along with 3 booths and we had 2 high tops pushed together. Our server was attentive and I would most definitely recommend Craftsmen for a casual meal.
(5)
Rebecca A.
I've been waiting a couple extra days before writing this review b/c I couldn't decide if I needed to give it a 3 or 4. The food was good, the server was friendly and knowledgeable, and I'd go back, so it really should be a 4, right? But Tuesday night the only thing I'm guessing is they were way under staffed b/c the service was really slow. And not just our table, I watched other's sit and wait for extended periods of time too, so I'm opting for a three. 5 girls for girls night so we sat at one of the big booths in the front room. Amanda was great. She explained the extensive beer menu to us and really knew her stuff. Unfortunately we didn't see Amanda very often. I didn't go to the back room but a couple friends did to use the bathroom and they said it was huge back there. From what I could tell out front, there was two servers. That was it. I don't know if there were more in back, but Amanda had to keep apologizing for our wait time between everything. Especially getting additional drinks. The bartender did come out a couple times and I saw what appeared to be a manager helping run food to other tables, but that was only in the first hour, then we never saw either of them again. Enough about that! Let's talk drinks and food. We shared a local flight of 4 options and as a Bud Light girl, I still enjoyed these what I love to call "weird beers"! And the fact that they all come from local brewery's is even cooler. Since it was $5 sandwich night, we ordered 3 and a couple of the street food items. The best bite for me was the Bahn meatball. Since we were sharing everything five ways that bite I was able to get a full meatball with the french bread, miso mayo, and pickled veggies. All the other stuff was tasty and fresh, I just found I probably would have liked them all better had we not been sharing so many ways. Hard to get the full effect when your trying to cut sandwiches 5 ways and get all the ingredients included before passing it across a table. The vibe and atmosphere here is great, so I will definitely give it another try and hopefully be able to up my star rating! :)
(3)
Bill F.
Found on Yelp whilst visiting Charleston for work. Beautiful exterior in historic Battery area. The wife and I were seeking an appetizer or two and a nice beer-on-tap menu. We got both. The beer list is impressive. Several pages of local and national breweries. We had two flights and a pair of apps that blew us away. Pork spring rolls and a salmon dish that ruined me on salmon any other way forever! Solid service as well. We sat at the bar and both servers were attentive and full of advice on the beer list. Great place. Would definitely go back. Even bought a t-shirt!
(4)
Elizabeth M.
Crunchy same is so good, got the jelly on the side and didn't even use it. My husbands farmhouse burger looked just as amazing, he didn't talk until it was gone. Really nice seating, good outdoor space under some shade. Service was just as wonderful as the food!
(5)
Frank J.
Go, great beer selection, outstanding atmosphere, interesting menu suitable for everyone and nice servers. Way cooler than the stuffy Charleston restaurant scene.
(5)
Tim G.
I was here solo for dinner one night, then came back for drinks another night with a buddy. There are General Tso wings and a pork belly sandwich that you must eat. And saying that in Charleston - where there are so many raw bars within stumbling distance - is significant. But once you've done that, I highly encourage you to chill out and sample one of the local beers on tap. Cuz there are a lot. And while you're sampling those beers, go sit at the bar. The bartenders are personable, engaging, awesome folks.
(5)
Ben S.
Very cool spot to grab a craft cocktail or pint. Extensive beer selection, friendly service, and good looking menu (although we just drank while there). Stop by for a drink or two on your trek through Charleston.
(5)
Huston O.
Really really great place. Myself and a small group tried a bunch of sides instead of entrees. Friendly staff, great service, nice look and feel to the place.
(4)
Liz L.
This is one of my favorite happy hour places in town, and a great place to meet friends or have an event. Solid beer list, SUPER knowledgable and friendly staff, cool atmosphere. My beer club has had a few meetings here and they go above and beyond to educate us about what we're drinking and put interesting flights together for us. 5 stars for the customer service on those events alone! The housemade brats in a pretzel bun are the things many of my food dreams are made of. I haven't had much off their regular menu, so can't speak to that. Parking is a bit of a bitch, but welcome to Charleston, right? Crafstman is totally worth a visit. And another. And another.
(5)
Patrick K.
5 stars because a week does not go by without us eating here! This place is awesome! Good food, awesome atmosphere, and some great bar tenders. We may be a little biased but Adam is our favorite. Then again, everytime we go he's the one taking care of us and he does a fantastic job everytime! Now to the food, they have awesome deals here almost everyday. The one that we go for is the one they have on Tuesday. Its half off sandwiches and their farm house burger is off the chain. It's served with crispy potatoes that are to die for. Bonus: ask for the mustard that they serve with their scotch eggs (which by the way are also phenomenal). They have a great beer selection as well! Again, if this place wasn't awesome we wouldn't be here almost every week. So if your hesitant to go, don't! Get your ass to Craftsman Bar and Tap!
(5)
Scott P.
I ventured to Craftsmen tonight and I think I just found my new weekly hangout. What a great local gem. The menu is just robust enough to please anyone's appetite and if your a beer snob, their list will certainly keep you satisfied. I went tonight, a Tuesday, which is $5 Burger night. All I have to say is "wow." Defiantly top 3 burgers I've had anywhere. Their burger is mixed between pork belly and chuck beef. It's literally the perfect beef patty. Defiantly worth a visit. Service was great and overall a great location off East Bay Street. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Jonathan G.
The food and service was great. For me it would have been a 5 had it been slightly more accommodating for kids. Not having milk in the restaurant for kids that come is basically saying they don't want kids there. The beer list and food was excellent. Really well priced for what you are getting. I had the burger and with the mixture of pork belly it really was outstanding. Wife had the duck which was just as good. We will visit here again.
(4)
Jonathan H.
First, but not last visit. Located one step off the beaten path they had been recommended by a local friend that crossed paths with us here. Cool rustic/industrial feel with a nice copper backed bar. The drink menu comes on a clipboard that resembles a patients medical chart due to the many pages. Large selection of unusual beers; some local, most not. Take your time and ask questions about the selections. Food is very creative with a good selection for most everyone. Thankfully not as big as the drink menu . . . did I mention how big that was? Everything we had was well prepared and presented. The favors were unique and some a glance towards being adventurous.
(4)
Dariel S.
They have a very good beer selection and the burger I had that was blended in with pork belly was off the chain! Very nice place to have drinks and have a some decent food. I wouldn't plan a dinner date here though. More of a social place to stay a couple of hours and drink excellent beer while grazing some street food.
(5)
Jen S.
This place seemed a little overrated. The selections were super eclectic and I think they ultimately over promise and under delivered. I suppose locals may not really know authentic street Vietnamese or Latin food because the "tamales" and "bahn" really weren't what they said they were. Server seemed tired/overworked/hungover? Might stick to the southern fare while I am in town.
(2)
Stephanie O.
Great place. Sat at the bar and had a local beer. The bartender was great! He took great care of us and was a lot of fun. I had the crunchy dame too which was excellent. Delicious sandwich-pork belly and everything on it was spot on.
(5)
King L.
In my opinion the best place to grab a beer in Charleston; if you can only go to one place to have a beer in Charleston go here. It's better than Closed For Business which is the best bar on the other end of town. Great physical bar and atmosphere and extremely knowledgeable bar staff. The happy hour is fantastic with half price street food. The brats are so so and the General Tso's wings were good. They had about 40 high quality craft beer taps including some rare compilations. A must for any beer aficionado. .
(5)
Doug W.
OMG, these folks have WAY overrated this place. The cocktails were incompetently made, and very weak. But they have a good beer list, so drink beer. The food, however, was pretty disappointing. Seems like they're trying to be cute. The pork chop is ham, the flatbread is pizza... Skip the is place.
(2)
Dave J.
Our first choices for dinner were all booked so we tried this tap house that specializes in small plates. We tried the crispy potato bombs, sweet potato tamales, general tso's chicken wings and bbq pork spring rolls and all were yummy good. It's a tap room and has a large beer selection including local brews. We tried a flight of local beers (four 4 oz pours) and a flight of session beers. Come between 4pm and 7pm (Monday - Friday) for half-priced "street food" (small places) and half price on session beers -- quite a good deal. The menu and special change frequently so check their Facebook page facebook.com/CraftsmenTap
(4)
Rob W.
Just stopped in for a beer, the place was warm including the beer on tap. WE just had one beer and left.
We ate at Craftsmen Kitchen & Tap House a few weeks ago. We got there around 3:30pm for what we were calling a super late lunch. We had made reservations the night before just in case it would be crowded, but not all that surprisingly, not many people were eating at 3:30pm on a Sunday (although a few were hanging out at the bar). After being seated, we immediately began pursuing the drink list which our waiter was nice enough to walk us through (good thing since it was over 5 pages long) . I decided to try out the beer flight of local beers while my sister tried a local pale ale. All the beers we tried were delicious plus it was fun getting to try beers made in the Charleston area. Once we had picked our drinks, it was time to move on to food. We decided to start with two appetizers to split. The first was a Scotch Egg with 90-minute mustard and apple kraut. It was absolutely delicious which really surprised me since I never though an egg surrounded by sausage and deep fried would be something I would like. Our second appetizer was Squid Fries with house cured bacon, pickled peppers, and lemon aioli. It was with out a doubt the most delicious and well cooked variation of calamari I have ever had. We rounded out our meal by splitting the Crunchy Dame which is their take on a croque monsieur made with pork belly, Gruyere, cherry jam, mustard aoili and a sunny side up egg, plus a side of potatoes. While we liked the scotch egg & squid fries better, I thought the flavors worked really well together. Next time though, we'll probably stick to their Bar Classics and Street Food since they are a lot easier to share and it's fun to try out new dishes! We ended our meal with a delicious apple crisp that was served in a small cast iron skillet. It was perfectly cooked and definitely a great finish to our meal. Overall, I'd say this restaurant will definitely be on our list to go back to next time we're in Charleston since we know we can get reasonably priced local brews plus delicious food. Maybe we'll even be able to make it to one of their happy hours (Tuesday-Thursday) which tend to have more food than drink deals and go from 7pm-1am instead of the typical 5pm-7pm.
(5)
Ryan P.
This is a review on the bar, I didn't eat here. BEST bottle selection in Charleston you can get in a bar. I found 4 rarities that made me crack a smile, as this city has a ton of great brew with not many people drinking it. Their diversity is my favorite part, they have everything from Imp Stouts to Berliners.
(5)
Rose L.
I stopped in to Craftsmen Kitchen on a recent vacation to Charleston and honestly had a good experience initially. I ordered a beer and then got a flight with some local beers all thanks to our waitresses recommendation. We also ordered a scotch egg because I'd heard they're great and had yet to experience the joys and I love to appetizer hop when on vacation. The atmosphere of the restaurant was inviting and appealing and it was easy to talk to other people at the bar. Honestly, I was planning on putting Craftmen Kitchen on my "return to" list; with the friendly service, tasty appetizers and delicious beer. However, when I returned home and realized that my credit card had been over charged by the waitress I was shocked and felt violated. I tried to give our waitress the benefit of the doubt at first but realized there was no way that she could've misread what I had written to that extreme and called to talk to someone in management at Craftmen Kitchen immediately. After the manager on duty took my information and assured me that he'd give me a call back when he'd looked into the situation I waited. And waited, and waited. After a week and no word I had to contact my bank and put in a dispute (something I've never done before and hope to never do in the future). I've heard horror stories of people being over changed on the tip line but never expected it to happen to me. All I can do is tell you what happened and how unfortunate the situation was. What really offends me is that we liked the waitress so much that my boyfriend left her an additional cash tip in addition to what I'd written to be charged from my bill. It's makes me second guess the staff at Craftsmen Kitchen and the genuineness of the establishment.
(2)
Pat B.
Food was different but delicious. Our server Caitlin was super nice. Helped explain things on the menu we were not sure about or had never heard of. Pages of beers and wine, awesome burgers and a gorgeous facility. Would recommend!
(5)
Matt H.
Nice atmosphere, interesting menu of pub grub (pickled veg, pork shoulder tacos, cheese platter, boiled peanuts, spicy oecans), very good beer line up. Service was just OK.
(3)
Matt M.
We had a Great evening here. The beer selection is great, creative and broad. The guys at the bar know their stuff and make solid recommendations. The 8oz option is much better than a tasting flight of little 4oz sips like so many other places have. We ordered only from the starters menu but the duck, pate and scotch egg were all superb. We will be back! maybe even tomorrow!
(5)
Clif G.
Food is top notch. Had the burger...best ever. Flatbread pizza was off the charts. Everything is hand made and delicious. Plenty of great beers to choose from if you to try a few different they offer flights. Service was excellent and friendly. Made the trip to Charleston wonderful.
(5)
Max C.
Awesome place to come and taste some local brews! Definitely would recommend for a beer lover.
(4)
J B.
In the tradition-rich city of Charleston, Craftsmen is shaking things up with great new ideas. First, and most importantly, let's talk beer. Craftsmen is a good, if not great, craft beer bar. Selection is diverse, with dual foci on local and hoppy beers (these thankfully overlap a little). Beer quality seems to be the top priority; it it's not good, it's not on the menu. The bar is even divided into two main pieces, with one segment offering only hoppy taps and the other carrying the remainder of the load. There are even a few tough-to-get bottles here, which will entice the traveling and local super enthusiast. Second, let's talk people. Service on both visits was fantastic. Everyone was friendly and willing to help with beer and food suggestions. The co-owner, Philip, gave us a history of the restaurant and chatted beer with us on both occasions. Drinks never sat empty, and food items were quickly delivered to and removed from our table upon consumption. Third, let's talk food. Everything we ordered was delicious and prepared as ordered. Our two appetizers were excellent warm-ups for the following meals. We collectively ordered the burger, fish and chips, grilled cheese, and barley tabbouleh, and we collectively plowed through the entire meal leaving every plate cleaner than dishwasher-clean. The fish was fried perfectly, leaving me to declare it was (and still is) the best fish and chips I've ever eaten. Will we be back? Yes! Should you go?? Absolutely! Kudos to Craftsmen on raising the craft beer bar in Charleston.
(5)
Judy S.
Blindly followed a friend to Craftsmen yesterday having no idea what it was, and was very pleasantly surprised. This place is for beer lovers. If you don't realize that right off the bat by their IPA only entry bar, you'll soon understand when you look at their enormous and thorough beer menu... and it will be pounded into your head when you continue walking through to the next bar, which is impressively large with a plethora of craft beer on tap. I loved that they give you 2 size and price options (8 oz or 16 oz) which made trying several beers pretty easy, and allowed me to keep myself from spending way too much money and drinking way too much at 5:00. With beer as their focus, this place is certainly succeeding. The food was good, my favorite item being the BBQ pork belly sandwich which was incredibly flavorful and unique, and managed to successfully mingle sweet and savory flavors right down to the sunny-side-up fried egg topping. It came out hot and fresh with a side of crispy and well seasoned potato rounds. At a very reasonable $9 price, I found myself raving about it later to my friends. Around the table, the pastrami sandwich also was well liked, and the roasted vegetables were an inexpensive and delicious side dish I would highly recommend. A low note of our meal was the cheese and bread plate, which we hoped would be a filling compliment to our hearty beer drinking, but alas our server did not exaggerate when she warned us it was more of a "finger food tasting". It was maybe 4 kinds of cheese in quarter sized chunks all lined up in a rectangular plate, with a dab of mustard or jelly intervening along the way. On the end of the plate was a little dish of 4 3 inch long bread crisps for substance. Perhaps my palate is not yet sophisticated enough to appreciate this dish, but it did little to curb my hunger--and while I'm sure the cheeses are indeed of the highest quality, it left me yearning for either 10 more cheese plates or just a plate of french fries. A final thing I really like about this restaurant is that its environment makes it conducive to diverse outings. They have a happy hour special midweek, a menu with plates big enough for dinner, and a bar area big and fun-looking enough for a late night out on the town where I can order delicious beer instead of $15 cocktails. I'll be back.
(4)
Carrie E.
An incredible selection of craft beer. Actually 48 to be exact. The bartender, Sarah, was extremely knowledgeable about each and every beer on tap. I wish we had a similar place in CT.
(5)
Ben S.
What a great spot for lunch! I'm visiting town and used the GPS feature of the Yelp app to find something good to eat. It wasn't too busy when we got there; we shared the place with two other parties. We grabbed two seats at the bar and I was glad we did because the bartender was really fun to talk to. She gave us some advice on our trip of things to do and was a good conversationalist. The food was good too! My friend got the lunch special where you can choose two of three options ($10). He said it was good, but the portions were small so I was glad I had not ordered that. I got the cod entree ($18) which was served with veg and potatoes. It was a good size portion and the flavors were great! This is a short walk away from all the bars by the old market and is worth the walk. It's not on a main road and the sign is a small wooden circle so without this app I wouldn't have found it.
(5)
Stacy J.
The beer list was nice and I loved my beer flight. Would highly recommend doing a flight so you can try different kinds. It was reasonably priced too, for the amount of beer you got (5 decently-sized samples for $7 I think). However, its rating takes a hit on the food. I did not think the menu was big enough or diner-friendly enough for a place where people go for the beer. I got the salmon crudo dish which was surprisingly spicy and just seemed random to have with beer at a taphouse. I only ordered it because it seemed simple and better than most of the other things on the menu. My friends got the flatbread which was great, but it was the only "mainstream" item on the menu. Nothing stuck out here food-wise. The atmosphere and location are great! I loved the visual appeal of the space. And the outdoor dining is a great option for the more temperate days.
(3)
critsey r.
We come to Charleston a few times a year and have ate at many of the restaurants here but today we found our new favorite! In the reviews everyone talks about the beer but holy wow! The food is AMAZING! I had the roasted chicken and it was tender and seasoned to perfection. I opted for the gravy on the side. I am not a gravy fan. My husband had the black bass and grits and loved it. Whether you are a tourist or a local this place is a must try! It will definitely be on our regular stops when we are back in Charleston. Oh and I wanted to mention the prices are great. Below the average for the area.
(5)
Andres D.
Not bad for a Sunday night in Charleston. I was looking for a local joint and stumbled across this in my yelp list. As I walked in, there was a couple at the front bar and I thought it a bad sign, nobody out for dinner at 7? I asked for a table and was taken to the back part of restaurant. There was an 8 top there and a lone waitress. She was nice enough, told me about the beers, which I think is the reason they have such a high rating, and the menu. It's two pages, one for the pub food and one of the days meals. As i wasn't starving, I went for some appetizers. I got the general Tso wings and the cheese plate. The bad is that the cheese plate was underwhelming, 3 small cheese samples, some crostinis and some mustard and jam. The bleu cheese was great flavored but the raclette was a bit dry and flavorless. Not that it's a typically flavorful cheese, but I partially question it's inclusion because of that fact. The real hit was the wings, which had a great crunchy exterior, moist delicious meat and a sauce that was just the right amount of spicy. Had I written the review on food alone it would have been 4 stars. Service for as slow as they were was the real detraction. I had one beer, when the waitress came back and asked if I wanted another I said no, just bring me an ice tea. She proceeded to pre bus the 8 top, run their bill and stand at the bar looking around, never making eye contact with me again. Maybe it's because I opted for no more beer, maybe she's forgetful, either way, 15 minutes later when I'm done with the rest of my meal she comes to take the plates and says, Oh, do you still want that tea? Had she had 4-5 tables and other parties, maybe it's understandable, when I'm the only other diner in the place it's not. There are too many other restaurants in charleston to worry about trying this one again, but hopefully service improves for other yelpers. In all, 29 bucks, tip included for a decent meal and small beer.
(3)
Shawn S.
Whenever i go downtown craftsmen is usually where i end up. Their catfish is amazing! Overall a chill place to talk and enjoy a beer
(4)
Dominic E.
I went here recently based on a friend's decision during Charleston's Restaurant Week, and I can say that his choice was a superb one. From the outside, the restaurant looks a little small and plain, but once inside, the environment is pretty warm and welcoming. With regards to food, my buddy and I both opted for their Restaurant Week special, which came with appetizers, a main course of sliders, and a dessert of beer floats. The only part of the appetizers I opted not to eat was the squid fries, but I trust that my friend's enjoyment of them was genuine; the fried pickles and the other mini-dish, something with potatoes (I unfortunately can't recall the full nature of the dish) were definitely excellent. The sliders included a cod slider, a grilled pork slider, and a double cheeseburger, all of which were superb. The double cheeseburger was especially flavorful. Each beer float was served in roughly a 5oz glass with a small dollop of vanilla ice cream, and it was a very filling end to the meal. The selection of beer on tap more or less ensures that you won't run out of new things to try (unless you've already tried enough of what they offer - in that case, you'll likely find something you already love). The staff is also very knowledgeable and helpful in case you have any questions about what's being offered. All in all, it was an excellent experience, and I look forward to returning to try more of the regular menu (as well as exploring their beer selection more)!
(5)
Andrew W.
Nice place, tons of craft beers on hand, fairly pricey. Those were my initial thoughts upon entering and that is how I left feeling as well. The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. I will say that I went in to Craftsmen knowing I personally am not a big fan of craft beers...but upon looking at the huge menu and selection it was not hard to find something that fit my palette. It was a Friday night that we descended upon the Craftsmen (which I believe is where the old Johnson's use to be) and the crowd inside was relatively large but there was still plenty of room to move around. When you first walk in you only see a small room with a bar to your left but as you follow the "S" shape around the corner the bar extends into a large area with plenty more seating. There is also an atrium outside with fancy style picnic tables.
(4)
Andrew A.
Just ate here tonight and it was amazing. 48 beers on top (although a few too many IPAs for my taste). Server was very knowledgable about the beers and helped me find several I liked. The choice to only buy a half pint is a really nice option. My girlfriend had the fried chicken with siracha honey sauce and I had the brisket sandwich with the egg on top. Both were extremely good. The atmosphere of the place was just right, especially for a Sunday. We will definitely be back again when we visit Charleston!
(5)
Jason J.
I'm from San Diego and am used to primo Mexican food as the normal fare... The tacos at tap House rival anything I've ever had. Super friendly bar staff as well.
(5)
Tastybeverages T.
Great new place downtown, went there Friday night and had a great time. We got there around 7 and there were still some tables which was sweet. The service in the place was spot on, and the food was definitely better than regular bar food. We started off with the mini-brat appetizer, which was salty and delicious, with a nice sweet and tangy mustard on top that matched perfectly. The menu has two parts, one rotates and the other is a set menu that is available all the time. We ordered one thing off each and split the two. I got the special brisket sandwich which was great and my wife got the pork belly sandwich, which was also good. The pork belly was a little overdone for my taste, but she dug it, and it had a perfectly cooked egg on top that drizzled down yolk when you cut it. They both came with a side of potatoes, which were ok. As far as the beer goes, they had a great selection of quality brews. You can order 8/16 oz sizes, but unfortunately not any sampler flights, which our server said they are working on. My only concern is how you manage 48 taps of craft brew since you know they are not getting turned over enough, or maybe they have figured it out, but I think maybe the selection is too vast. (I know people are going to think I'm crazy to say they have too big a selection, but I just want the beer to be respected and properly taken care of!) It would also be nice if they had at least one tap dedicated to a nice cider for the ladies. All in all, a great spot, and I am being nit-picky, but I love beer and need to be fully objective. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Deb B.
Wow! Loved it. The Scotch eggs were amazing, creamy yolks without being runny. Their house made pickles were outstanding. My husband had their beef tongue-great. Squid, super. Great choice of beer on tap & the 8 oz size was perfect. The night we were there chef was working on a barley & cherries dish in pork cheek stock. He brought some out to our table, chatting for a few minutes about it, & no we don't work there or know the staff. We do however live in Charleston & have had the pleasure of eating at a lot of wonderful restaurants here.
(5)
Happy Eater B.
We experienced great service and wonderful food here. The craft beer pairing with selected bites of food was superb. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and fun. She read the table well and did a great job. The food came out at a good pace and the beers were delicious and unique. A great place.
(5)
Abby G.
My husband and I spent the afternoon walking around Charleston, so we wanted a casual place to eat/drink so we didn't have to go back to the hotel and change. We're so glad we landed here! They have an amazing selection of craft beers - half pints, pints and flights so you can try a bunch. The food was amazing. I had the pulled pork grilled cheese and my husband had pork belly pastrami, both off the daily menu that changes every day. Both meals were delicious, great atmosphere and outstanding service.
(5)
Justin B.
My girlfriend and I visited Charleston on a vacation and while in town, asked the locals where we should go to get a good beer. Surprisingly enough, the majority led us to Craftsmen with the lure of 40+ craft beers on tap... So we thought we would give it a try. Low and Behold, we stumble across the location while on a sight seeing walk through the area and find that there were 46 Craft beers on tap, many of which looked very appealing! We tried the Thursday night special of "Flights and Bites" which featured four 4 oz selected craft beers from a single brewery, Left Hand Brewing, and appetizers that paired with each of the four beer selections. The pairings were nothing short of amazing. The beers were not all my first choice, but when the food came out shortly after, it was apparent why the head chef and owner selected the combinations. The main course was a welcome surprise, being that we visited the location for the beer, and then found that the menu was also top notch. Dessert was to be expected, very delicious. Apple pie, made to order in an iron skillet with vanilla bean ice cream on top. The rotating menu items leads me to believe that any day you visit, you will find something else to try that will knock your socks off!
(5)
Azadeh R.
Awesome selection of IPA and amazing food made our first Charleston food experience quite memorable.
(5)
Howard B.
first time in. was on our way to Amen and poked our heads inside. got the thumbs up from a diner, so went in. extensive draft beer list with staff happy to let you taste. artiisanal food selections. I had the "crunch:" which us a pork belly sandwich with other good stuff and topped with fried egg..very French. liked it so much we went back for coctails before dinner elsewhere. This place is fairly new but it's going to be on everybody's radar soon
(4)
Josie K.
We came in on half-priced sandwich night (I think Tuesday). It was great! I had the lamb BLT which was delicious. We also had a few beers-- great beer selection, available in flights, and small and large glasses (a plus for me since I like to try different things without having to drink too much). Friendly staff and fair prices.
(3)
Preston L.
The Craftsman is another solid beer-centric bar that has popped up in Charleston in recent months. They have a big selection of draft beers (all the local breweries are there), as well as a good array of bottles (Brooklyn, Stone, New Belgium, to name a few). The prices are competitive, especially compared to Closed for Business, though the bottles can be quite pricy (this is to be expected with the standard restaurant markup). The service is excellent and not overbearing. I didn't eat there, though the locally sourced food looked fantastic. This place doesn't look like much from the outside, but it's cozy, inviting and well run on the inside.
(4)
Anvesh R.
Great atmosphere and selection of local brews. Exactly the type of place I'm looking for when I travel.
(5)
Tim G.
Son is a senior at COC and after 4 years of visiting this is a favorite. GREAT atmosphere and the staff is always top notch. Food is very good keeping in mind that this is a tap house. Beer selection is a 10, always rotating fresh options on tap. Knowledge of the bar staff is great and helpful. I love the fact they have half pints so I can try as many as possible while there. Highly recommend.
(4)
Kelli C.
What a great find!! A definite must try. We are very picky about our beers. They have a great beer selection and the food was fabulous.
(5)
Michael L.
Great beer selection, bartenders give excellent recommendations and know their beverages. Burger was fantastic.
(5)
Mandi S.
Loved the atmosphere -- upscale pub with great patio seating and laid back vibe. My "crunchy dame" was delicious and I wished that the homemade fried potatoes had been a double or triple portion. My husband also enjoyed his beer-based cocktail. If you get there before 7pm, they also have great happy hour specials.
(5)
Drew C.
Haven't eaten here, only had drinks. That said, the beer selection was really great! About 25-30 beers on tap and several more in bottles. Service was great and the newly remodeled location looks leaps and bounds better inside than the old Johnson's used to! Def a great spot to grab a beer!
(4)
Thomas D.
I'm going to go out on a speculative limb here. I'm guessing the owners are between 29 and 36. They are complete foodies and at least one of them is a home brewer. They have pretty extensive restaurant experience but none of them has held a front of the house management position outside of the bar. They probably working insane hours and that's starting to cloud their vision. Why the pessimism? Here we go. Me and the family found this place on Yelp and decided on it over another because of it's kid friendly rating on the site. We arrived around 8:30 and the place was 3/4 full. Really nice space! Cool bar in both main rooms. We were greeted by a hostess right away and she asked for a bit of time to clear a table for our party of 5. I stepped to the bar to order from their extensive craft beer draft list. It's an EXCELLENT list! Unfortunately 3 of my first choices were sold out. It happens, no big deal. I ended up with a great beer for both me and my wife who was sat as I was finding what they did have in stock. It goes downhill from here.... We were sat in front room at one of the large booths. Plenty of room for the 5 of us. We were in direct view of the hostess desk not 10 feet away. Why then did we wait 10 minutes with now acknowledgment from any server? Why did it take me waving someone down to ask if we did indeed have a server? Why did the hostess and other servers completely miss us? It took another 5 to 10 minutes for our server to greet us. She explained there was a mix up and she'd get things right. She also seemed a little frazzled. Another few minutes pass before we get waters and the kids get soft drinks. My wife, a service veteran, is getting more than a little annoyed. We look at a small menu and find multiple enticing choices. From what I gather the menu changes daily. It's a nice little offering and the prices are excellent. The server suggests sloppy joe's for our youngest. We order a burger, brisket sandwich, fish and chips and the pork belly dish called the "Crunchy Dame". We also order a pate appetizer to come out first. Our food comes out pretty quick but no appetizer! I wait to see if it's going to follow but no mention of it ever leaves our servers lips. The food. Really, really nice quality here! I would say that's it's gastropub fare but they've not fallen victim to that title adding 50% to the prices. Everything was top notch! Pork belly was perfect, brisket was tender, burger was flavorful and the fish and chips had a great batter. There really wasn't a weak link on any plate! We shared the ice cream sandwich dessert which is really three sandwiches. Not bad but not as good as the other food. Back to the service. The entire time we were there I couldn't identify who was in charge of the FOH operations. There appeared to be no one directing the hostess, servers or bartenders. I would venture a guess that the gentleman with a beard who brought our food was a manager or leader of some sort but he disappeared after dropping off the food at our and other tables. Our server was nice but clearly needed more coaching. The hostess was friendly but this place is falling into the familiar trap of hiring a smiling face for low money and letting that be the first experience people have with their business. A good hostess who's smart and can see the whole floor and how the servers are doing is a FOH managers greatest asset. Additionally, the liquor program is a complete afterthought and I'd bet their wine rep was actually who put together the wine list. Complete myopia on the food and beer. Quick synopsis. Food is absolutely great and the beer list is perfect. Interior is inviting and warm. FOH operations were a mess the night we were there and really let down what would of been an eye opening evening. Food is an easy 5 stars and the prices are wonderful. Service is a 2 star and that's a stretch. They need to hire a quality FOH manager let them bring the service up the quality of the food. Also, they'll put more butts in seats at the bar if they pay as much attention to the liquor as the beer.
(3)
Jill L.
This review is only for the drinks/atmosphere as I didn't eat here. However, each time I'm in Charleston, we hit this place each day. (note: this is one of the only places that does have their kitchen fully open until 1:00 AM though!) If you like trying different brews and want a place to grab a quick drink or two, this is the place. The list of beers is great. The bartender will let you taste whatever you want. Then they also have an option for 8 oz glasses so you can have a variety of their delicious beers without having to get a larger glass. 8 oz glass is only about $3 so we could have 4 different beers for $12. It was great! Friendly staff and clean bar.
(5)
Jana O.
Loved the service. Loved the decor. Loved the food on my first visit but being from a different state and just passing through I wish I could visit regularly. The chef is creative with the menu, everything I tried was perfectly prepared and dear hubby liked the variety of brew selection too.
(4)
Big Baby Jesus C.
I always forget to take pictures of the food. :( Had the best Scotch egg ever here. Followed it up with a satisfying pork chop and washed it all down with 4 of Founder's Double Trouble because the shit was so delicious even adventurous lil old me couldn't bring myself to trying something else even though they have 48 taps. I love the concept of gastropubs--casual atmosphere, fancy food, good drinks.
(5)
Rob S.
Great food, great craft beer, great service. Couldn't find any negatives to really speak of without sounding picky.
(5)
Kevin B.
I travel across the country on business and love craft beer. I just had one of my most enjoyable visits to a brewpub here. Sebastian had great suggestions and I enjoyed all the brews he recommended. I had the Crunchy Dame and Scotch Egg; both were excellent. Highly recommended if you want great beer, great pub food and a relaxed atmosphere while visiting Charleston.
(5)
Greg B.
More beer on tap than you can shake a stick at. Maybe too many to choose from. But we came here for the food and it didn't disappoint. Crunchy Dame pork sandwich was mouth watering combination of BBQ pork belly gruyere cheese & jam between two slices of bread topped with a fried egg.
(4)
James Y.
My wife and I came here with her sister and her boyfriend. We are staying right next door so it was an easy choice. Interior buildout is beautiful, beer selection is huge and the menu is simple and delicious! We ordered a bunch of small plates and shared. Catfish and chips, pork belly sandwich, cheese plate, and potato red cabbage salad were all great. Definitely will come back!
(5)
Ryan M.
Pretty cool spot. Beer selection is excellent (a little pricey), and food was very good. The only complaint I have was against the biker-looking bartender who served us some beers while we were waiting. He really needs an attitude check. The way he treated his coworkers was very off-putting.
(4)
Connie L.
Great food, great beer selection, friendly staff, amazing atmosphere what more can you ask for? Ordered the pork belly and kielbasa plate after the waitress told me they stuff their own kielbasa and sausage. All I can say is wow. Even the veggie garnish was marinated and tasted amazing. My husband ordered soft shell crabs and had equal comments. If you're a meat and potatoes person and enjoy huge over the plate portions of starch you will still enjoy the beer. If you love food thats been prepared by a top notch chef you'll enjoy the beer and be back for the experience. If I lived in Charleston this would definitely be my favorite hangout.
(5)
Dawn H.
This place is amazing! Incredible beer selection, craft cocktails, and ridiculous food. We had a couple apps and drinks on our crawl for the evening. Must try: pork sloppy Joe's and brat bangers - so, so, so, so unbelievable. I am embarrassed that we were literally eating every last bit of the sloppy joe run off, well, not that embarrassed.
(5)
D V.
The beer selection is very good, the quality of the food is great, and the employees were very nice (though they seemed swamped which made getting service a bit hard sometimes). The only thing I'd like to see change is the pricing of the "large format" beers, which seem unnecessarily marked up. For instance, the Brooklyn Local 1 and 2 were $20 each, however, the retail price is $9. It would make more sense and I'm sure would sell much more if it were priced around $15.
(4)
Jeff R.
Pretty good beer place with decent food. The tacos I had were good. Fried chicken was fine. Server had a hard time with figuring out the local selection. Stuff was not on that the menu said was on. I liked that they isolated local beers for us on a search for the best of SC beer. Worth a visit.
(3)
Jenna R.
Love the atmosphere here, great beer variety on draft, also tried the scotch egg, which is amazing!!! Bartenders are very knowledgeable about the beers they carry, to the point I didn't even ask, they just brought what they thought I'd like! Will definitely return!
(5)
Michael O.
Awesome!! Had the beer and vinegar peanut (SOOOO Good and something we had never had before) and shared the fried chicken for 2. The chef had some type of thai chili sauce on the chicken which we could not get enough of. (Would have licked the plate clean if we could have!) Also, HUGE beer selection and good happy hour prices. Awesome!
(5)
Katy S.
Great beer selection! My husband tried the local flight and thoroughly enjoyed them all. The food was great, mostly small plates but they do have a few entree choices. We enjoyed the squid fingers, pickled veggies, and poutine-crispy potatoes with chicken gravy. Good casual, pub atmosphere. My husband said he will be back next week for dinner since he'll be working in town all week.
(4)
John C.
So glad we stopoed by yesterday. Had planned on somewhere else but so glad we didnt go there now. Robbie was our bartender and he did an amazing job giving us suggestions on beer to drink. We would suggest any beer drinkers or friends to go there in a heartbeat. Looking forward to going there again and trying one of the pairing nights.
(5)
Craig R.
Everything is great. A transformational culinary experience. Try a little of everything.
(5)
Marian B.
Excellent service & Happy Hour treats. We'll be back for Lunch tomorrow'
(4)
T B.
Read the reviews here and had to try this place. We arrived at 7pm on Saturday and the place was almost empty, by the time we left at 8:15 it was filling up nicely though. We tried the Scotch eggs and Calamari fries to start, both were great. Then based on the reviews I read here, my wife got the Duck ham and cheese and I got the Crunchy Dame. We were not impressed with the Duck ham & cheese, it was just OK but the crunchy dame was awesome. It alone is enough to bring us back. They also let you sample a couple of beers since the selection is so large. I asked for 2 samples and the bartender added 2 more he thought I might like, and he was right. The Boont barl bourbon amber was great, I had 2 of them. We finished with an ice cream cookie for dessert, it was good but not memorable. After all of this food (and a bloody mary for my wife) our bill was only $65 which I thought was reasonable for 3 drinks, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees and a dessert. They have specials during the week also that will make things even more affordable. Service was also excellent throughout. I highly recommend this place and if you go, get the crunchy dame...you won't be disappointed.
(4)
MJ S.
Great place for a upscale bar dishes with a twist. The Burger was great, the desert ice cream sandwiches were very good. My favorite was the chocolate one!
(4)
J B.
Is this a draft house with a 5 star kitchen or an excellent meal with a 5 star draft house? You decide!
(5)
David B.
Of all the new restaurant's in Charleston, this is my favorite (and I have tried them all). This place has incredible service, an extensive beer selection and a rotating menue that I have yet to come across a bad entre. I highly recommend this place to everyone from beer lovers to foodies.
(5)
Laura S.
They have a great selection of craft beers, but the place should probably be avoided, unless you want to be overcharged and short changed by the the bar staff. First we were overcharged by the bartender for what we ordered, and when I pointed out that we were overcharged, it took a couple minutes for the bartender to admit that she had overcharged us. She then gave me additional change which was also incorrect. Ultimately, the bartender pulled a slight of hand and short changed us even more than she originally did the first time around. We didn't realize the bartender had taken even more change from us until we were leaving, and by that point we just wrote it off and weren't going to fight it anymore. The bartender did have a little to drink while we were there, so hopefully her actions were just an accident. If you decide to visit this establishment, be very careful that you are charged properly and given proper change.
(1)
Miriam B.
All day in the heat and humidity, floating around in my imagination was the perfect, hip, VERY air-conditioned restaurant with a ton of beers on tap and great, well-priced food. I didn't know I would find so perfectly what I was looking for until we arrived at Craftsmen. The local rickshaw guy recommended this gastropub to us. Wherever you are, oh wise rickshaw man, we thank you! I could go on for many paragraphs, but I'll keep it short and say that their food is fresh, imaginative and surprisingly well-priced for how delicious it is. The atmosphere is clean, cool and relaxing. Then there's the BEER. Hands down the best, most comprehensive beer list I've ever seen. We loved that they have 8 oz. pours available, because we were able to try several different types of beer without getting totally hammered. Their large format and reserve beer list is INCREDIBLE! You can tell the people running this place know their stuff. At the recommendation of our server, Jessica, my husband tried the Choklat Imperial porter which he immediately deemed the best porter he's ever had. We were also really impressed not only how friendly and attentive Jessica was, but also how much she knew about the beers they serve. Way to know your menu. I don't have a single negative thing to say about this bar. I only wish I lived in Charleston so I could become a regular. Hey Craftsmen, maybe you can open a second location in Southern California!
(5)
Mark C.
This restaurant came recommended to me by someone who lives in the Charleston area. (as I am not from the area) Fifteen of us were traveling in from all over the country to attend a wedding. Made reservations for 15 at least 4 weeks in advance in their back room that could accommodate all 15 at 2 tables. I called the week before to confirm. All is good. I got a call on my cell from the Craftsmen early in the morning the day of the reservation to once again confirm. 30 minutes before our reservationI get a call from the manager of the Craftsmen, he once again reconfirms. I told him that I had just confirmed earlier in the morning. He said that there was a change of plans and that the back room was no longer available but would sit us in 4 large booths. I said that I made the reservation 4 weeks ago and the hostess that called me earlier this morning said we were confirmed for the back room. As the manager, he just said "sorry"???? Whatever. Soon found out, that there are plenty of other restaurants in the area.
(1)
Donna C.
I can't see this place lasting long. They have a huge inviting beer list, but with no tasting flights and a policy against giving more than one sample, it takes all the fun out of the experience. The barkeep was knowledgeable but inattentive. Other than the boiled peanuts, which were amazing, the food was meh. "They must be new in the restaurant business." is what my group of four concluded.
(1)
Shane D.
Read the reviews and thought I would give this place a try. Entire experience was great. Nice atmosphere, sat in courtyard. Wide variety of beers and food was great. Little pricey for what you get, but very good. Server was "ok", but management was quick to pick up slack in service. Definitely plan to go back.
(4)
Justin C.
This place had/has potential... it just didn't come all together when we went. Let me get out of the way, the beer list here, wonderful, zero things wrong with it. As for the food, some things get lost. We ordered the general tso's chicken wings, and the squid fries. The squid fries were pretty damn good, the wings though, skip em, they need to be cooked about 75 seconds less, and need more sauce. Very clever idea though. For meal, a burger was ordered, meatloaf sandwich, and pork belly sandwich. The pork belly was lacking in amount, there was more kimchi then pork belly on the sandwich, it wasn't bad though. The burgers were good, not great, too much bun, which can kill a burger, and the meatloaf sandwich was missing taste, more salt, more garlic, and more 'secret' stuff... Overall, if you want something on the cheaper side, this is it. If you want good food, meh, you can go elsewhere, but the beer selection would keep me coming back for more. Oh, the booths, wow, comfortable as could be, and big.
(3)
Lauren J.
This was our first stop in Charleston, and I'm so happy it was! Sarah, our bartender, was absolutely amazing. She took so much time to go through a map of Charleston and help us find things to do according to our interests. We were only in town a day, so the suggestions were super helpful. The beer and atmosphere were great, too!
(5)
Sehaj S.
Just stopped in for a quick bite. The burger is absolutely delicious, that pork belly ground in with the beef is really prominent in a great way. The scotch egg is done to perfection, as are the squid fries. Oh, and I need to give a special shout out for their house made mustard. Some of the best mustard I've ever tried. Our waitress was super pleasant, and pretty much available whenever we needed her. The boyfriend got the local beer flight, which he enjoyed thoroughly. I had finished off most of a bottle of champagne the night before and was in no place for more alcohol. Next time!
(5)
Joel D.
So cool. Amazing beer selection. Very knowledgable and friendly staff. 1/2 price large format beers on Sunday. Cool vibe.
(5)
Grant M.
Sit in the back. We come here every Thursday when possible! Probably one of my top 3 favorite spots in Charleston and that's saying a lot. The service is on point, the chef is wonderful and the beer selection speaks for itself. Don't miss this!
(5)
Guilherme G.
This place is a nice beer and tapas bar in Downtown Charleston. The beer selection is massive. I tried the local beer flight and it was good. The food selection is simple (works well with the focus of the bar, the drinks). We had the chicken wings, cheese board, bratwurst and potato bombs - fair for a party of 4. Service was good and the ambience is nice.
(4)
James A.
It's that good! Farm to fork may be an overused term but the Tap House has done a phenomenal job at staying true to this. The food is presented beautifully, tastes exceptional, is portioned perfectly and priced reasonably. All this while being located in the heart of the Charleston historic district almost sounds too good to be true. I don't understand why more restaurants cannot grasp this concept of great food at a value price. To top off the experience here is an outstanding beer selection featuring many local (SC) breweries and seasonal offerings. Our bartender was very knowledgable and informed us right up front which taps had been kicked to avoid an all-too-common frustration of mine. I hate ordering beers from a printed menu only to be told multiple times they are out of that particular one. Take a moment to step inside and enjoy the changing menu with a clean ambiance that doesn't overwhelm the senses.
(5)
Alison W.
Bahn meatballs were amazing. Very low key atmosphere. Server was super approachable and knowledgable.
(4)
Lindsay R.
Very hit or miss. The salad I had was so wet it was in edible, however the bratwurst that followed was great. The beer was good, but could have been a bit colder. The service was great though, as they did a good job of handling a last minute large party. Stick to beer and meat and you should do ok here.
(3)
Asma A.
Pretty awesome happy hour deal...good food and beer selection! wr got some bbq chicken wings, catfish, and the Mediterranean flaybread...so good and we sat in the patio area since it was a nice warm weather
(5)
Jason H.
Excellent beer selection and friendly staff. They had Mexican Cake on draught. We also tried the cheese and crackers which was excellent. The atmosphere is modern and warm. Highly recommend for before or after dinner drinks.
(5)
Diana S.
Everything was awesome! Really good food and drinks! Try the squid fries! Server was grumpy. Happened to go on Tuesday night for half price sandwiches which was cool.
(4)
Kelly C.
True to its name, this place has a large selection of beer likely to satisfy even the most refined beer palate as well as a changing menu of gastropub cuisine. Expect pork belly, perfectly crispy fried chicken and bone marrow to be on the menu. We had jerk chicken tacos and fried chicken sandwich both of which were very nicely done. There's a nice interior outdoor patio for when the weather is nice. Staff is knowledgable about the 20+ beers on tap and very helpful to point you in the right direction. The selection of local and other artisan brews is likely the best in town.
(5)
Alice G.
Amazing selection if beers! Food is made with fresh ingredients and is extremely tasty! Staff is delightful and very knowledgeable about the restaurant's beer selection. I had the sandwich with BBQ pork, mustard, fried egg and it was delicious! Odd combination of flavors when you read it on the menu, but so delicious when you eat it! Highly recommend it.
(4)
Jennie S.
Went here last night for the first time and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. They have a great selection of beer and even some specialty cocktails and wine if beer isn't your thing. The staff was all very friendly and the food was good. We had the chicken and waffles and while I found it some what strange that it was bone in wings for the chicken, the chicken it self was good and the waffle was outstanding. It made a great combination once I shredded that meat off the bone. We also had a pizza which was nothing outstanding but was a good basic mozzarella pizza. We also had these potatoes that were more or less like potato skins and those were also pretty tasty. I think one of my favorite things is that this place is very reasonably priced, especially when you take the location into consideration. For a flight of beer, another pint, and 3 appetizers, our bill was around $44. And I was pleasantly full (mind you I shared all of the above with my husband who was also full). Would recommend this place over any other gastropub, brewery, or other type of beer categorized place. The quality is there for a very reasonable price.
(5)
Justin W.
Great food. Good service. Beer selection was on point. Benji, our server was helpful and patient. He suggested some favorites and we tried some new things. The Bibb salad was garden fresh and the burger was perfectly delicious. The house made dessert (chocolate molten stout something) was out of this world. Would definitely come back.
(5)
Greg S.
go for unbelievable beer, stay for the great food. crispy potato bombs, bratwurst bangers, general tso wings, banh meatballs all good. and happy hour 4-7pm for half price food is a ridiculous deal.
(5)
Rich M.
Very enjoyable lunch after a 10k race. Staff friendly and helpful, although I wish I had been told the brats were not available up front after I had settled on them. The better selection is great, tried the Sweet Potato Cream Stout and pleasantly surprised. Wife liked the Ginger APA. I had the farmhouse burger and it was very tasty. Wife had the pork and chicken nachos and also very good. Prices quite reasonable, and liked the option if 8 ounce pours for either $3 or $4. Definitely a place to try.
(4)
Jack L.
This place served up one of the best meals we had in Charleston! Unfortunately, the place was too packed the first night we tried to stop by, so we decided to swing by a couple of days later for a late lunch around 3:15. The service was great the entire meal, and the server was very knowledgable about all of the local craft beers and food. We ended up getting the Veggie Burger and the Banger-style Hot Dogs. Both dishes were exceptionally tasty! The fried potato slices were some of the best ones I've had, and the veggie burger was flavorful, moist, and especially well balanced by the Peach Marmalade. The bun was a heavenly brioche style seasame loaf (I normally hate bread but I ended up finishing the entire thing!). The Bangers were also scrumptious and well balanced with the dijon mustard! Excellent experience, especially for the low price tag in Charleston! Hopefully we can make it back before we depart. This place was much better than many of the other pricey places we dined in Charleston.
(5)
Brittany H.
First time I had scotch egg, and it was amazing. You have gotta try it. Went during happy hour, so it wasn't very crowded, and there were deals on the beers and much of the menu. So glad I happened to wander near here and find it.
(5)
John G.
Great place! Waiter staff is very knowledgable and with well crafted food on the menu which changes daily. I had the Scotch Egg app and a flight of the Mash selection of beers and the signature dish Crunchy Dane. My son got the other signature Farm burger. Very friendly place. Great parking right next door!! This is a must if you like gastropubs!!
(4)
Ilsa M.
Hidden gem! Stumbled upon this place when we got into Charleston late afternoon and wanted some snacks and a few drinks. Large selection of beers between the 2 bars and food was delicious! Spring rolls, wings and potato crisps were all delicious and hit the spot! Bartender and staff were very friendly and even suggested some places to check out while in town.
(5)
Eric C.
The selection changes constantly, and yet somehow the servers all stay on too of everything, ready with in-depth recommendations. Every one of the waitstaff checked in with us at one point or another, and they were all genuinely friendly and knowledgable, and some were downright passionate in their recommendations. They took all of our dietary concerns in stride and catered to the seasoned gastronomes as well as the kids in our party. Their selection of drinks, beers, and ciders (CIDERS!!!!!!!) is unbelievable, and one could explore their drinks menu like a conquistador in 1500 South America. I want to import this place to Tucson so I can enjoy them at home. And speaking of pleasing kids and foodies alike, there was a large table with a whole group of children next to us, and their server took the kids on a mini tour of the restaurant, explaining how kegs work, pointing out historic elements, and other cool things that made me wish I could have joined the little educational adventure. I've never seen that done before, and it was awesome to see in a place that could easily swerve off into snobbery if they wanted to. It has all the selection and quality of place far above it's price range, and instead brings fabulous quality to a casual audience -- and families to boot. All if this sets it securely as another treasure in Charleston's panoply of offerings.
(5)
Drex H.
This was the last stop on a day long drinking odyssey through the streets of Charleston. Six of us plopped down at a table to have our final drinks of the night and trade more stories from the day. The beer list is extensive and they have what looked like a tasty food menu as well. One person in our party got a burger and she quickly devoured it as soon as it was brought to the table. Didn't even look up once! The brews are mostly smaller craft breweries and they do regular as well as half pints, all at reasonable prices. I tried three half pints of local brews and was not disappointed. If you are looking for a nice spot to have some great beers with friends you have hit the jackpot with this one.
(4)
Simon S.
This place is incredible. All the local brews, great environment and the food was fantastic!! Parker the bar keep is awesome. Trust him. He is right!!! The beer selection is impressive. All good. Do it.
(5)
Trevor L.
Dined on a Tuesday night, just in time for half priced Street food - oh my God so good. Since they were half price we ordered all the apps and a side of Idaho potatoes with garlic aoli. We loved all the apps except the wings were a little too salty. Great friendly service and the best beer list I've seen in the country. Not touristy more of a local hang out. Nice patio spotted in the middle of the restaurant also. Definitely recommend it.
(5)
Chris T.
This place is AWESOME! I was visiting Charleston while on vacation and decided to stop here for lunch after reading many good reviews. First the place is pretty big, but what I loved most was the bar, it was huge! What makes the bar even better was that it was hand made and the details were beautiful. Oh let's not forget about how absurdly amazing the amount of beers they have on tap. My favorite of them all this time was the Breckenridge Vanilla porter, I am now hooked! Besides the drinks, the food was amazing! It's been a while and I should have done this review a long time ago but the sliders made me drool! The squid fries might have been one of the greatest tasting fried foods I've ever tasted. We also got the mushroom flatbread which again was to die for. This place was really top notch from the drinks to the food, to all the details that amke this place so beautiful. I love everythign about this place!
(4)
Pono P.
great place sucks john was bouncing we had a DD under 21 before 10 wouldn't let them in . Oh well good beer good food still a good place to go regardless as long as John isn't there.
(3)
Steve J.
The sausages on the sausage sandwich I ordered were extremely underdone. Should be 2-3 stars right? Well, not only did Craftsmen comp me my next, awesome, IPA, it also comped my sandwich. Very standup. Beer selection is fantastic, squid fries were great. 5 stars!
(5)
Jennifer B.
If you're not looking, you might drive right past this restaurant. What a cool space, as you walk through a smaller entrance, the property opens up to a back area with ample indoor seating, large bar and even a courtyard for outdoor seating. We ordered the Banh Mi meatballs, Bangers and Scotch egg. Based on the descriptions, each time an order came out, we were somewhat surprised. We didn't realize the bangers were going to be 4 little sausages served a la hot dog style. Don't get me wrong, they were delicious. And the scotch egg, we honestly thought was served to us raw. After waiting a good 5 minutes (the place was empty) before we could get the attention of the waitress, she explained that the beef is mixed with cooked pork giving the allusion of uncooked meat. They've had this question before. After she assuaged our concerns, we dug in to the scotch egg and it was delicious. Again based on the description of the banh meatballs, we were truly expecting a banh mi type adult sized sandwich, but what came out was 4 separate meatballs on little pieces of toast. Waitress warned us of the heat, but we couldn't find any in the dish at all. A turn off was the waitress's black t-shirt. Not only was it dirty, but it was covered with either dog or cat hair. I was just praying that none of the hair ended up in our meal. I love and appreciate the fact that they source all of their products locally from James Island and they make everything in-house, which is something we've come to expect here in Charleston. All three dishes were delicious. I feel like a quick explanation of the menu at the beginning from our waitress would have better set our expectations. Unfortunately, we left still feeling like we didn't have a proper meal.
(3)
Heath P.
Flight of local brew, pulled pork grilled cheese, good folks... can't go wrong with this place.
(4)
Mia E.
We decided to spend grab dinner here in our one night in Charleston based off all the great reviews and high Yelp! ratings. The menu changes often, so what I had seen online (& prepared myself for them to have) was different than the menu I received that night. I will say, though, I was VERY pleasantly surprised by my burger. It was part ground beef and park pork. OH MY GOODNESS! It was like a hotdog/hamburger mix. Basically heaven in my mouth. We also got the chicken wings as a starter and those didn't disappoint either. The beer menu is extensive, so if you love trying new and different beers, this is the place for you! We got a sampler of 4 different beers, all of which were great. There is a great outdoor patio with a few tables that we sat on. Great atmosphere and surprisingly not crowded on a Sunday night. They do have the capacity to take big groups but I would recommend making a reservation! There are also TVs if you are looking for a good spot to grab a beer and watch a game! Overall, delicious meal, attentive service and great atmosphere!
(5)
Lily H.
Great Happy Hour deals and beer selection. Our bartender, Matt, was very knowledgeable about the beers on draught and let us taste a couple before ordering. Definitely recommend this place for someone looking for casual drinks and good beer. UPDATE - another happy hour occasion! New bartender Brian is very friendly and informative. We had an appz smorgasbord of the baby brats in pretzel buns, the potato skins, and the flatbread veggie pizza. All wayyy too easy to eat, but my personal favorite were the pretzel and brat buns.
(5)
Lindsey H.
Go on a Thursday! Tonight I had the "flights and bites" which was only $10, and was a flight of beers with pairings of little bits of food for each beer. Also potato bombs. Everything is delicious and they have SO MANY wonderful beers.
(5)
Ha N.
It's alright. So I got the scotch egg, as suggested, and it came warm and cooked through. I was sorta disappointed because the crust was great and the meat was juicy, but the egg just wasn't oozy. The squid fries, honestly, wasn't very well seasoned, though the squid itself was very tender and the batter was crispy and light. The accompanying aoli/sauce didn't seem to have enough flavor other than "I am homemade mayonnaise". The assorted pickles were just ok, and considering I had great pickles at Swig & Swine this morning it left me wanting more. The soy pickles basically tasted like someone dropped a cucumber in vinegar and soy without too much consideration to the overall taste. The sweet potato tamales were in ball form, and fluffy and had that masa taste I'm familiar with, but I was really expecting an actual tamale, so I was kinda surprised. Maybe I missed something on the menu. Either way, it was ok--not too bad, but not mind-blowing. The best thing we got was probably the Crunchy Madame.. The toast looked burnt, and I was worried, but it didn't impact the flavor at all, and everything went really well together. I would definitely get that again! Another thing I'd recommend is the spiced pecan. It's buttery pecans roasted with sugar and what seems to be curry? Either way, we could not stop eating it even when we were stuffed. The service was also pretty unfriendly and slow. Waiter had an unhappy face and a monotone voice the whole time and I got hungrier waiting for our food to come.
(2)
Katie S.
Good local draft beer selection. Nice ambiance. Did not eat but restaurant was very busy on a Thursday night.
(4)
Alysse D.
Great beer selection, fantastic service. The ambience was perfect. We had bratwurst bangers which had a nice flavor then both had the stellar farmhouse burgers. Very satisfied.
(5)
Meghan C.
I am a fan of any place that has two Black IPAs on tap. I am more of a fan of a place that has two Black IPAs on tap and a tender knows which one I would prefer by looking at me (he was right, btw - shoutout to Jared). I'll keep it short - excellent beer prices and selection, cool scene, and that steak? The one that's only $20? Up there on best steak ever had so...do yourself a favor and stop reading this and go.
(5)
Courtney L.
Went for lunch while staying in Charleston. Very neat atmosphere and sticks to "farm to table" fresh. I ordered a salad and pizza. My wife ordered the meatball sub. The salad was large and had various types of lettuce and tomatoes. It was tossed in a homemade buttermilk ranch. The pizza was good with fresh homemade parmesan cheese, but the size of the pizza was 10 inch. My wife's sub was great. It was a huge portion and the bread was fantastic. Overall, we had a great experience and would definitely eat here again.
(4)
Mike R.
Huge craft beer selection - something for everyone. Great atmosphere, and great food. This was our first meal in Charleston and didn't disappoint. We tried several beers through a beer flight and a couple 6 oz beers. I wasn't a huge fan of the local beers but my wife was. For food, we had the fried squid (the pickled veggies made this dish), and the Crunchy Dame pork belly sandwich with a fried egg. The food was really very good, but a bit on the greasy side...then again that's exactly what you want to wash down with a craft beer. Since the kitchen is open till 1AM, I presumed this place is where all the food service people went for a beer after their shifts - turns out this is pretty accurate based on a conversation with a waiter at a different joint. Definitely worth going at the end of a long night of drinking or for a small dinner before a long night of drinking. Or to spend a long night of drinking... Our waitress was great at first but as the night grew busier we saw much less of her toward the end of the meal.
(4)
Tim L.
Awesome! Phenomenal! Best bar food ever! Oh yeah - beer is great too! We finally decided on this 4.5 rated brewery in Charleston after the Kiowa marathon. Squid fries w garlic aioli and the Gen Tso wings were great w local beers - then the burger, pork rolls and Crunchy Dame BBQ pork sandwiches were the absolute best. Pork belly mixed in w burger or pulled pork makes the most unbelievable tasting sandwiches you will ever taste. Service was good but not great - a little rushed - but efficient. Local beers - Small Victories and one of the amber ales were the tastiest. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Tommy R.
This was a spur of the moment choice for us. If you are looking for trying a few things you have never had before, this is the place.
(4)
Jennifer L.
I was very impressed at their selection of local and draught beers, and they have "flights" you can order, too, so you can try several beers without ordering a pint of each. The food, which is a mixture of bar snacks and sandwiches, is also really solid. This place is great, and if I lived in Charleston, it would be my local hangout! It's got a long bar that extends through several rooms, as well as lots of tables and booths (including some in an outdoor patio area). The decor is warm and inviting, and the staff are all really nice, too.
(4)
Rob P.
I ate and drank here on a recent Sunday night and still cannot believe this place wasn't packed. If you plopped this bar in some bigger cities it would be overrun by the masses immediately because of how awesome it is. The draft beer list here is extremely solid. And you can either get a pint or a half-pint for half the price. I like this. No overpriced "tastes" that are half the price but a quarter of the volume. This lets you drink plenty of different beers before you're too drunk to appreciate them anymore. I ate the pork belly sandwich with a fried egg on it. This was a monster of a sandwich, and I wasn't expecting much from it because the menu price was extremely reasonable. This is the kind of food that I remember thinking could sell for 20 bucks if this place were in another city, and people would think nothing of paying it. Next time I'm in Charleston Craftsmen will be one of my first stops. Please never change.
(5)
TJ L.
I stopped in here to pre-game happy hour (sounds bad, doesn't it?) and was surprised! It was pretty much what I expected, but there's nothing bad about that. This was probably about 4:00-5:00 on a Friday afternoon, and there was a moderate crowd. Since we were planning on food at another place, we just ordered off of the massive beer list they had. Very tough to choose, but I stuck with a local from Westbrook that I hadn't had before. Way too many to try to sample in one sitting! They also have the large bottles you can order (think group sized-I'm not sure of the ounce count). Several seating "rooms"...the place is actually much bigger than I thought too! I would definitely like to go back and order food and (obviously) try more of the beer selections they offer here. Excellent place!
(5)
Adam J.
Inventive menu, well prepared, informed servers. This place is an awesome deal and has great food.
(5)
Scotty C.
I had been waiting for Craftsmen to open for what seemed like an eternity. It's not common for local restaurant openings to go off without a hitch but, it seemed like this one was particularly full of anticipation for me being kind of a geek on craft brews. I wasn't able to make it on opening day, as they only announced it earlier the same day that they were opening. I made my way to Cumberland St late Saturday evening with a group of four. I look forward to climbing up to the bar next time to go on a tasting excursion but, we were starving and were looking for some eats so we grabbed a high top table next to the copper laden bar. The atmosphere is great and will definitely be a hang out spot of yours truly. The beer menu is fantastic with 48 drafts on tap rotating in new brew every time one kicks ensuring an always fresh list of frosty suds. For food they have "Bar Classics" and "Daily Features". As far as I know, the daily's are daily and the classics standard. The food was all excellent and I'm excited to see what else shows up on the menu. There were a few items that have been feeding my desire for more. One was the butternut squash soup served with sweet cream and ginger snaps. The bowl was overflowing with squashiness and the ginger snaps added this sultry sweetness on the side. Next was the Curieux brew by Allagash Brewery. It was barrel aged and came in at a whopping 11%abv. The barrel flavor was right up front and a big winner in my book. Lastly was the Crunchy Dame off of the Bar classics menu. This bad boy is a crunchy pork belly sandwich with a sunny side egg on top. I have been having dreams about this pork belly being nice and crunchy making it burst with salty flavor. Although I didn't dine outside in the open courtyard, I am eager to enjoy the air of the summer night savoring some hoppy IPA this summer out doors. This one was worth the wait and I will be making up for lost time by getting back to that bar asap.
(5)
Amy M.
Shared a flight of beer with my dad and a cheese plate price was around 22$ staff was friendly and the atmosphere was great ! Only reason I am not giving five star is I thought the cheese plate was fairly small amounts for the price ( I have gotten a higher end cheese plate in nyc with much larger portions for around the same Price) . We could hear the kitchen staff swearing up a Storm, which in my opinion, is a little unprofessional. Blue beer is absolutely out of this world good. Smells just like fresh blueberries !
(4)
Emily J.
Great food, great beer selection, good service.
(4)
Will D.
Great beer bar. Nearly 50 carefully curated taps. Bartender was friendly and knowledgable. Space is large, clean, and looks cool. If you like craft beer you should go here. They also have half pint pours for exactly half the price - great for trying stuff.
(5)
Jonathan Z.
I'll give another whirl but, at this point, I don't see what all the fuss is about. We had just been to Edmunds Oast a couple of nights before so we decided to compare. The squid fries were awesome (think great fried calamari). Beer selection was also very good. We had the burger and the special chicken sandwich that our barkeep raved about. The burger was fine but nothing that blew us away. The chicken sandwich was a mess. It was chicken fingers with decent honey mustard but it just disintegrated in my hands in to a gooey mess. The beer and vinegar boiled peanuts were also pretty good but that's kind of the way we felt about everything there....it was ok, but didn't even compare to Edmunds Oast in any way.
(3)
Amy S.
Thoroughly enjoyed the food and beer here. We were there for happy house which made everything super reasonable for such great food. Sweet potato tamales and BbQ spring rolls were favorites. Roasted veggie flatbread and general Tso wings were good too!
(5)
Charles T.
OMG! The squid fries, spiced pecans and cheese plate! One of the daily specials is fried quail, and it puts all the excellent fried chicken that I have had in Charleston to shame! The pickled vegetables are amazing. I want to put this place in my pocket and bring it home with me.
(5)
Deb W.
I think this has risen to be one of our favorite places. I'm holding off on a 5 star only because I'd like to see if it holds up to the test of time. We've been a couple of times for drinks and LOVED the atmosphere. Recently we went back for happy hour and the food was GREAT! Different, but not weird. Great value for the price. It's right in the middle of the downtown action, but since it's on a side street it seems that mostly only locals have found it. So far we've recommended it to everyone that visits and everyone has loved it. AMAZING selection of beers! We can't wait to go back.
(4)
Sean Y.
Excellent and very creative food. Flavors of our food were so amazing that we realized what food porn really meant. Owners on duty trying to please guests and servers are at their best behavior and simply they are there to wow you. Drinks are out of this world too. I am a beer maniac and this place is a beer centric place; However I drank 4 cocktails and did not touch the beers. That's how amazing the cocktails were.
(5)
Anthony W.
Fantastic! Bartender was extremely knowledgable and spot on with all his recommendations! If you're in town...local or tourist...you MUST come here. All farm to table menu is such a bonus!
(5)
Ravyn P.
Amazing food!! The crunchy dame is a must. Everything was prepared fantastic. The squid fries are a hit as well. From 4-7 they have half off the street food menu items which is a plus:) good craft beer selection. Cool spot!
(5)
Scott H.
Another score for the Yelp community and the handy-dandy Yelp app on our Charleston vacation. We just finished the Ft. Sumter tour and headed down to Market St. to check out the Moon Pie General Store and other shops, but we wanted to eat first. I whipped out my Yelp and we discovered the Craftsmen Kitchen Tap House. It was, of course, the last two words that peaked my interest, so we navigated our way to the restaurant. It was mid-afternoon so the restaurant was pretty much empty, but we were enthusiastically greeted by the bartender and served menus. I was initially disappointed when I saw only 8 taps at the bar. Then I got the beer list and realized that they had a whole other room/bar, and total of 44 craft beers on tap. The selection crosses all styles but focuses on American craft brews, especially the Charleston locals. It's not quite as good as the selection at C4B in my opinion, but it's darn close. It was early and I kept my sampling light, but I did try the Bell's Cherry Stout and enjoyed one of my local favorites, the Westbrook Gose. With such a great beer selection, I didn't expect the food to leave more of a lasting impression than the beer. But it did. They seem to rotate their menu quite often, offering a few daily specials and a few bar fare standards. Of those standards, the Scotch Egg and the Squid Fries stood out to me. The Scotch Egg was very nice - a good balance between being gastropub refined and having that grease-bomb decadence that you get from a Scotch Egg at your local fair. The squid fries - oh those squid fries. It was like calamari on steroids. Massive pieces of squid cooked in what seemed to be a fish and chips style batter that was just amazing. My wife and I both agreed that might have been the best single food item we ate in Charleston. My wife really enjoyed fer turkey and bacon grilled cheese, but she wished she had some squid fries of her own. Definitely a nice little find tucked away on a smaller side-street in the Market St. area. We would definitely come back for a more extensive meal on a future trip to Charleston.
(5)
Chloe E.
This was a 4.5 star place but I like to round up! Out late at the beach and by the time we realized how hungry we were we were down to just a few places to eat. Thank you yelp and my yelp friends for finding me this place. It isn't hard to find but it is a bit nondescript of a location. Cheese plate. I think I smacked someone's hand away. Beer selection. There were styles of beer I had never heard of. Clientele. Two guys eating at the bar moved over so we could grab a seat. Staff. One of the cutest bartenders I have ever seen. I agree that this would be my Cheers if I lived here. I would want everyone to scream my name when I walked in and I have a feeling if you are a regular that would happen. NORM!
(5)
Michal M.
Really wonderful find on a side street in Charleston. Parking is a little hard to find, but there are public lots nearby. We had some wonderful local brews and great eats - fried green tomatoes, pork spring rolls and squid fingers. Very very good! Our waitress was a little lacking - didn't explain a thing and was really hard to find. Not the best when you have empty beer glasses. But the food was so great it made up for it.
(4)
Bill B.
First of all it's in a great location and if you are staying anywhere near the market definitely give it a shot. It's in an old brick building that could have been a carriage house. We sat at a 4 top in the rear which had a cool vibe. I like beer but the menu was overwhelming. Great variety but I wish it was broken down a little better. My wife the non beer drinker ask for something like a Bud lite! The menu although not extensive had enough to make it doable. Upon the waitress suggestion two of us got the pork belly sandwich. It was excellent!Our party also had the steak taco very good and the burger again a good choice. The waitress probably should think of another career but maybe had a break up or a flat tire on the way to work. She had a difficult time smiling! One of the few places they will serve a half pint which I enjoy and don't understand why more places don't get rid of those pint glasses. Give this place a chance you will not be disappointed. Great value
(4)
Pete B.
You'll find tap houses with more taps on the wall, but you're hard-pressed to find tap houses with a more eclectic selection. Local beers are particularly well represented. The menu also is completely designed to go with the beer selections they've got. We started with the mini bratwurst on pretzel rolls... they were perfect. Good mustard and a bit of pickle. I felt guilty about not getting any veggies, so I had a small bib salad. The pickled veggies were flawless. And I finished off with an amazing pork belly sandwich. I had an amazing local brew that matched perfectly with each menu item. The service completely lived up to the reputation of true southern hospitality. Jordan was attentive, helpful and unobtrusive. She got a huge tip. Folks back home could learn a lot from her. We'll be back for sure!
(5)
Jeff S.
Alright y'all! I'm a west coast boy born and bred but apparently my roots are here in the South for here now I reside. Though I miss little from the Peoples Republik of Kalifornya I must say that the Real Mexican food dishes may be found there in abundance from the roach coach on the corner to fine Hispanic dining through out my former State. Classic Hispanic food is a staple in the Golden state. This I have missed, now that I live in the South. The Craftsman Tap House in Charleston has become a standard hitching post whenever we venture to the Holy City and it is with relish that I open the pages of their ever changing Modest Menu. The TapHouse has definitely become one of our favorite haunts. On this fine Christmas Eve, 2013, I had one if my best meals yet. The Green Chile with slow roasted pork and corn bread reminded me of the best of my former home. This was a classic Chile Verde, (excellent south of the border spice or perhaps Northern New Mexico), but with a slightly southern touch thrown in for good measure... as all things in life should have. I can't say exactly how this wonderful dish was made but I can opine with some certainty that the Chef nailed the Chile Verde and I became a fan all over again. Anyone coming to Charleston who likes off the beaten path fine dining coupled with real beer needs to Come to the TapHouse. No big venue or flashy advertising, just quality from top to bottom. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
D S.
Small dining area in front with large space in back and open patio area seating as well. Great feel to it and food quality was awesome. They have beer flights for $10. Also ordered a spicy margarita that was excellent. Highly recommend.
(5)
Brent O.
Beverage: inspirational and a gastronomic treat. The beer selection was diverse and what I like to call "choice". I went in looking for a Charleston local spread and came out craving the local brews plus some. All I can say is I hope Stone ends up here without too much trouble. That Enjoy By is my new favorite IPA. Food: Dishes provided a fresh take on the classic bar foods. I had the shrimp and scallops and the shrimp was the best I've ever had. all the apps blew my mind and made me ponder the chef's muses. Service was intelligent and considerate. Our server made us feel at home and offered her suggestions and commentary on each dish. We were one of the few present for Sunday service, but I would love to visit on on a Friday or Saturday when its really poppin'. TL;DR: eat there. more importantly, drink there. Can't. wait to come back and try the new dailies!!!
(5)
Dani C.
I had a couchsurfer in town visiting and I wanted to give him a "taste of Charleston" while he was here, and this place worked out great! Amazing beer selection, the food was freakin' great (Scotch Egg and Crunchy Dame, he got the Burger)! Parker was our bartender and he was super nice and didn't miss a beat with the service. Actually, everyone working there was really nice! The atmosphere was really relaxed, I personally liked the quiet little bar area near the front door. I will absolutely be going back!
(5)
Aaron D.
Very reasonably priced and the food was delicious. One of the best meals we had in Charleston. Try the pork tacos!
(4)
Andy V.
Crafstmen has an excellent beer selection and very good food. My wife and I went there a couple of weeks ago for Charleston Beer Week. We each ordered their Flights & Bites which was an excellent pairing of 4 different Great Divide beers with 4 appetizers. Loved everything. Our waitress was great - very attentive and helpful in providing recommendations. It is a bit on the pricier side but this is not your average bar food and Bud Light so it's understandable. We'll definitely be back, and I plan to bring my friends from out of state when they come to visit.
(4)
Chris H.
Had a delicious lunch at the bar. Bartender was very forthcoming with knowledge and history of menu which was helpful. Try the Crunchy Dame. One of the best things I have ever eaten. Great and friendly staff. Also had the farmhouse burger which was fantastic but did not compare to the crunchy dame. Would definitely go back the next time I'm in town.
(4)
Jay J.
Good food, great beer selection, great atmosphere, good service. One of my Charleston favorites
The pork belly was amazing and the beer selection was immense. Real shame about the lackluster service and the misery that was the beef taco. Stale tortillas and a horrible my brother described as gut maggots. All in all really good but the tacos were horrid and the service was really slow for a Saturday afternoon.
(4)
Lori M.
One of my best dining experiences. Comfortable chairs. Beautiful atmosphere. Great beer selection and the food is even better. We are convinced the chef is super human. The crunchy dame sandwich is a taste bud orgasm. The squid fries put to shame any other calamari you've ever tasted. And the staff knows their beers. Our waiter, Harper, (Matt or Hector) was fabulous.
(5)
Jason H.
It was suggested that my friends and I should check out this place on Cumberland St. know for good beer and good happy hour prices. When you first enter the establishment off of the street you are in a small sitting area with about 4-6 tables and there is a small bar to your immediate left. Upon further investigation, there is a much larger bar and dining room area through a doorway. There is also a nice outdoor patio. We decided to go to the smaller bar for a more intimate feel. The bartender, Ali, greeted us warmly and explained that she was having a beer "session". This was a term that I was not familiar with. She explained that it was a small menu of craft beers that had less ABV than most of the other libations on the menu. I randomly selected a fermented glass of goodness and started my session. Ali inquired where I was from/work/hobbies and made me feel very welcome during Happy Hour. She retrieved the other bartender from the main bar named Jared whom was friendly as well. I didn't order any food but the gentleman next to me did and it looked fantastic and well displayed on the intricate plates they use. Next time I'm on the peninsula and hungry I'm going to stop here for some good food, beer, and conversations.
(5)
Steve S.
This place exceeded expectations. We tried 2 appetizers and 3 entrees and each was amazing. Do not miss this place.
(5)
Philip A.
We came for a beer, very nice selection of ipas. The bartenders are very knowledgeable. I like the atmosphere very much. I had the catfish which was excellent. Charleston is such a great town!
(4)
Jay S.
It's a nice bar and restaurant one block in from Bay Street. Craftsman sports an extensive beer menu and some pretty decent Happy Hour specials on food and drink from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. The General Tso's chicken wings and the BBC spring rolls were great. Nice ambiance for dining too, and plenty of seating in the back and in the courtyard. The service excelled too.
(4)
Michael K.
This place is great! They have an amazing Beer selection, and said beer selection is far more reasonably priced than some other similar beer bars. I was there last weekend for lunch with a friend and the food was really great too. This place is nicely done on the interior, and also has a nice courtyard for outdoor dining. We had some squid fries and I must say they were awesome. The pork belly sandwich (crunchy dame) was phenominal. How can you argue with pork belly, gruyere cheese, sunny egg, and a jam all combined with toasted bread? I love any chance I can get to have sweet and savory, and this hit the spot big time. Definately a big fan. I want to come back for happy hour, because it looked like they had some killer deals. Great staff too. Thanks guys!
(4)
Merwan R.
The food was delicious, the beer even more. So glad I discovered this place -- I hope to be back sometime!
(4)
Becca J.
Amazing drinks. Great draft selection. Get the burger is is ground pork belly and beef it was juicy and moist. The crunchy dame was also a huge hit with our group too.
(5)
Russell M.
Awesome place to check out for happy hour (3-7 on weekdays). 40 beers on tap so you can find something you like. Didn't try any food but everything looked good that was brought out of the kitchen.
(5)
Paul P.
Squid Fries was best with light batter, different cuts, bacon, and wonderful light aioli. We started the evening wanting to take a break from the big restaurant meals we had had recently. Just some nice tapas. Along with the calamari we tried the tamales which were a wonderful variation off of the Mexican version. We also tried the Artisan Cheeses and the Spiced Pecans. All great. A bit rushed on the service but great setting, beer selection, and drinks.
(5)
Karen S.
Great pub. The beer offerings are expansive. Try a flight, lots of fun. Food excellent. The wait staff are highly knowledgeable of both the beers and the menu offerings. They stay on top of your empty glass.
(5)
erin s.
If you love beer and delicious food in a relaxed, neighborhood bar type setting, this is your spot. Their beer selection is incredible with almost 50 taps. They also offer your choice of 8oz or 16oz pours- we loved the smaller size option so we could try more varieties without the price and consumption commitment of a pint! My husband is a burger snob and he rated their burger in his top 3- wow! We also tried the fish and chips and the bratwurst sliders, both which were excellent. The food is a little "fine dining"esque. You won't get heaping baskets of fries here- it's more quality than quantity, but still has the traditional bar food theme with some unique items for the more adventurous palate as well. We were in Charleston for 4 days and ended up here twice- that's how great it is! We will definitely be back here on our next trip to Charleston!
(5)
Matthew K.
Went to Charleston for the weekend, and this was the first place my wife and I went. Got a tip that they have good happy hour specials, and that turned out to be more than true. They have $3 "session" pints of beer, and half price beer flights; I got the local flight for only $5!! Overall, the beer selection was quite extensive. In addition to the beer, they have half off their street food appetizers. We decided just to order 3 different appetizers and share instead of doing entrees. We got the BBQ Spring Rolls, Roasted Vegetable Flatbread, and the potato bombs. Everything was fantastic...well seasoned and very flavorful. Not a bad place to start the weekend! Would have gone for 5 stars, but the service left a tad to be desired.
(4)
Gary D.
Great beer selection - friendly staff - the only reason to deduct a star was for value. Don't buy the artisan cheese plate - less than 1 ounce of cheese in 3 mice size nibbles for $10. Go for the scotch eggs - great value $ taste.
(4)
Justin A.
In name and theory Craftsmen should be a place that easily gets a five star review from me. I anxiously awaited it's opening with a thirst that 48 beers on tap seemed like it would quench. My review is based upon two separate visits. One being my birthday celebration on a Friday evening, and the other being on a Saturday afternoon downtown. My first experience was excellent. I wanted to sing Craftsmen's praises and tell of how it lived up to my high expectations. The food was fantastic, and the beer selection blows most places around Charleston out of the water. The server wasn't very attentive. She was off sampling beers at the most inconvenient times. Times that seemed to coincide with every time we were prepared to place an order. This was a minor inconvenience seeing as how great everything else was. I left feeling very satisfied with hopes for a second visit in the near future. Well, I got my second visit. The second trip was the polar opposite of the first experience. My fiance and I went with our toddler in tow. We wanted a couple of drinks and maybe an appetizer to snack on. We walk in and it's ridiculously hot. We're sweating shortly after sitting down. We decide what we want and are told repeatedly that they don't have the beers we want on tap. I finally land something they actually have and it arrives warm with a fly resting in the head of the beer. That turned me off right away. It didn't help that the server seemed to care less. She was less attentive than the first one. It almost felt like we aren't even welcome there. We quickly downed our beers(I did get a new one without the added protein) and left. I'm not saying I won't go back. I have had two very different experiences and would definitely give Craftsmen TapHouse another try. The last experience has put me off for a while though.
(3)
Lesley P.
After putting dinner off too long listening to a band and drinking wine at High Cotton, we had the brilliant idea to ask our waiter where he eats when his shift ends. He sent us to Craftsman. I wish I could go back and give him a high-five. The food was delicious and rich (I got their twist on a croque madame, the Crunchy Dame). After quite a few typical southern restaurants (in a good way!) this place felt unique. A definite must, and though it's right off a touristed strip, it seems just out of the way enough to be overlooked.
(5)
Erik B.
Awesome service, awesome food. Had one of the best servers I've ever had. Ordered the burger which was fantastic and made it before 7 to get half priced apps. Will definitely return to Craftsmen. Definitely a top restaurant in charleston for a casual meal.
(5)
Brian M.
This place rocks! Our server was Lauren and she also rocked. 1/2 price burgers and sandwiches on Tuesdays double rocked! Squid Fries are long and delicious, not the typical crappy calamari that is all breading and no squid. Spring rolls were DEE-LISH (double LISH) and best I've ever had. The "Crunchy Dame" burger was breakfast on a bun and was awesome. Try the flights of beer (4-4oz glasses for $10) and sample. My fave was the Choconaut but you have to like stout - otherwise try the Ginger Splash if you want something interesting - but they are ALL good. What are you waiting for? Tap the "TAKE ME THERE" button and GO!
(5)
Nastassia W.
We were in town for a work conference and had a few hours of free time before our flight home. The Charleston Place hotel recommended Craftsmen, and we're glad they did! They open at 3pm and offer happy hour starting at 4pm. Great selection of beers, including local beers. At 4pm you can get a flight of four, 4oz beers for $5. What?? I got the IPA flight and was not disappointed. But I was hungry. Those BBQ spring rolls were DELICIOUS. I wanted to order more! The kimchi/slaw thing was a little spicy for my taste. We also ordered the wings, which weren't the best flavor - too much like soy sauce - but I still ate them all. The bartenders and servers were friendly and available. We really enjoyed it!
(5)
Cat A.
My husband and I were wandering around town waiting for our hotel room to become available after a red-eye flight in from the West Coast. We were pretty hungry and couldn't decide where to eat and saw a posting for this place on the yelp map. We were one of the first customers of the day and they were still setting up for lunch service but were really gracious to us and let us belly up to the bar. They have a superb beer list (my husband is a craft beer snob). The bartenders were really knowledgable. My husband order the pork belly sandwich, it came with a cherry jelly and a fried egg on top. It was naughty and totally delicious. I had the farmhouse burger and it was juicy, cooked perfectly. The bun was soft and the pickles added a really nice flavor. My only complaint would be for the fried potato slices. Too thick, deep fried to they were almost burnt on the outside. I would totally go back here.
(5)
Kathryn K.
Great selection of beer my husband and I liked that they offered a half pint option so we could try a variety of beers. We decided to try beers and get appetizers. We got the fried calamari (great batter was used to fry the calamari), fried fish tacos (on the spicer side), and the brats. Everything was great and we will definitely be back!!
(5)
Jessica W.
What a great place! I had the Crunchy Dame, it was amazing! The jelly and mustard really make it. My husband had the Wagu Beef Tacos- they were also great! He is a real foodie, and said "They were one of the best things I've had in a long time!" He also had the Sessions Beer flight and LOVED the first three! He didn't love the last beer, but it went down just fine. ;) Our service was great too. We highly recommend this place. Enjoy! :D
(5)
Steven J.
Awesome place. One of the best happy hours in town for food! I came for a quick beer ended up with some awesome food.
(4)
Tracy G.
I've now been here a handful of times and each time it keeps getting better and better. The beer list is amazing, the service is excellent and the food is pretty freaking good too. My food favorite at this point is probably the Crunchy Dame- with it's cheesy, porky deliciousness. Other top recommendations are the meatloaf sandwich, the skirt steak and pretty much the entire Happy Hour menu. Mini sloppy joe's people! What-what! This place is perfect for groups, large and small, but I would recommend you give them a head's up because this place is getting popular and it can get pretty packed, especially on a weekend night.
(4)
Ines S.
The ambiance is amazing, the beer selection is pristine, and the staff is darling!! Our bartender, Parker, was a great tour guide and super informative about must-see places in town! I'll definitely bookmark this place as a must-go-to when I'm in town :D
(5)
Ryan H.
Went for a few great beers(and they were great) but got talked into the Scotch Egg and the Crunchy something or other. Louis, our bartender/server, recommended the correct pairing of beers to go with our app and then the sandwich. He could not have been more spot on! you are getting double 5 Star on this as my wife felt as strongly as I about our experience there! We heard all about the farm to table stuff of all their ingredients as well. Just a good time. And the BEER! OMG. Thanks Louis! First time there but definitely not the last.
(5)
Chelle R.
A wide variety of local and national micro brews on tap. As a bartender if you're not sure what you want. They are very knowledgeable and are happy to assist you in your selection. Don't just come to drink. They serve food as well. Nice size portions of dishes that complement the brews on tap.
(4)
Andie C.
Awesome beer selection. We ordered a flight of eleven, 4oz beers for $10!!! What a deal!!! The atmosphere was awesome and chill. The bartenders were attentive, informative, and fabulous. We will be bringing all of our beer-loving friends here...A LOT.
(5)
Steven G.
This was my first time here. The façade doesn't look that great, but once you step inside it has a great atmosphere with lots of seating and two bar areas. Our server was very attentive and did a nice job explaining the menu. Great beer selection. We ordered the pretzel brat appetizer. It was very good. We ordered the hotdog, pizza and ham sandwich for dinner. All were very good. We got there around 6:15 pm and were out within an hour. We would go back again.
(4)
Hailey Z.
For a late night snack, we had the poutin. The gravy had a base from one of their beers. Great concept, except it was so unbelievably bitter. And not "good ESB" bitter but "something went wrong" bitter.
(3)
Lyndsay S.
Awesome craft beer selection and food! We stumbled upon Craftsmen while in Charleston... as craft beer lovers, we decided to go in for a drink! The atmosphere is great - 2 different bars with an urban, open look! We were warmly greeted by Robbie. He's definitely a beer expert and did a great job describing the beer and food menu! Wanting to try local SC beers, we got the local SC flight and an APA pint. Both were excellent! For food, we got the Squid Fingers and Burger. The Squid Fingers are the best!!! The combination of the squid with the peppers, onions and bacon is just fabulous! We will definitely be back the next time we're in town!
(5)
Brad C.
First Yelp review! That's how compelled I am to write this review. I travel worldwide as a corporate pilot, and last night I treated my crew to the Craftsman Kitchen and Brewhouse based on Yelp reviews... Fantastic experience, I'm kind of a beer and food guy... Cool architecture and space, beer selection quite amazing, with truly fantastic tavern food! Staff was great! The manager and bartenders were patient and knowledgable with just a hint of sarcasm - perfect! Well done guys and gals! Cheers
(5)
Janelle L.
I was very happy to find this gem via yelp. The food was some of the best my husband and I have had our entire trip in Charleston, and the beer selection was awesome. The bartender had very good knowledge of the beers available and was happy to serve samples of ones we wanted to try and suggest new ones. I will definitely make this a regular stop when I visit.
(5)
Matty B.
Wowzers. That's not a word I use frequently (is it even a word?), but I think it applies when attempting to describe the craft beer selection at Craftsmen. Let's start with the suds, shall we, since that is probably the main attraction here (despite lots to be attracted to). Basically, your crafty taste buds shall never get bored here. There are a TON of craft beers on draft, including some very tough to find brews. One bar is entirely devoted to hoppy drafts (IPAs and the like) while a second bar covers all the rest. There are both 8oz and 16oz pours for everything, and the barkeeps are more than willing to let you have a sample of anything on the menu. Oh, and those bartenders are also friendly, informative, and conversational as opposed to acting as though they are all knowing hop gods. You won't find those types of employees here (at least not from what I have seen). Should you want to diversify a bit and not get all your calories from hoppy libations, then you are in luck as the menu here is pretty darn outstanding. They pride themselves on using local, fresh ingredients and rotating the menu very frequently (the daily menu is posted on Facebook from day to day). I guess "gastropub fare" would aptly describe the menu items here, though everything is pretty reasonably priced. Like your more expensive and upscale gastropub offerings, you are treated to such exotic items as flatbread, quail, salmon, crab, and heirloom tomatoes here rather than typical bar fare such as smothered nachos, greasy fries, or mozzarella sticks. It's a step up here, though not too hard on your wallet. Plus you can get happy hour specials on the cheap on weekends (I believe until 7pm?). Where does all this magic take place? Well, it happens in a picturesque setting with plenty of exposed brick, substantial wooden bars polished to a perfect sheen, and an open and inviting atmosphere. Plus there is a quaint little outdoor patio so you can enjoy your drinks under the stars (or sun if it's daytime). The one downside I've noticed here is that the servers do tend to get swamped from time to time, and thus service may be more on the slow side. Though I guess that's the price you expect to pay at times when you visit such a fine establishment.
(4)
Kati R.
This is one of my favorite places to come to when I go down town. The Catfish Fish & Chips just melts in your mouth! So many beers on tap and they change every day! Great place to hang out and grab some dinner, or just come to the bar for some quality beer!
(4)
Saba S.
Fantastic recommendation from our YELP fans. 1-Wings were okay...too much smokey-ness and flavor for me, but they were good. 2-Crunchy Dame was DELICIOUS! Get it and love it. The menu was a bit hard to read and with the okay wings, this place gets a 4. The price was around $25 with a beer. Good price and they had HALF OFF on their wines on Sunday night.
(4)
Bill F.
After a two week vacation that had us eating across Washington DC, Williamsburg, Asheville, Savannah, Bluffton and finally finishing in Charleston, we thought we had tasted it all ... And loved every freaking bite along the way. Shrimp and grits, fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, oysters, biscuits, pork chops, soft shelled crab ... you get the idea! We thought we had tasted and loved all the South had to offer. Then on a tip we went to Craftsman Kitchen for our last meal. We were blown away again. Met by the friendliest, knowledgeable and vivacious server we launched into a whole new dining experience. ERIKA was fabulous! Her guidance from local beer flights to wings to die for to Spring rolls and potato bombs were THE BOMB!! Don't miss Craftsman Kitchen and don't miss ERIKA!
(5)
Michael T.
Excellent! Really fun and cool downtown bar. The bar food is really good! Elevated bar food in my opinion. The general tso chicken wings are fantastic! The potato bombs with bacon on top are really delicious too. The duck ham was okay for me, my friends loved it though. Tons of awesome craft beers! The back bar and back patio in the rear of the restaurant is the place to be. There is a bar by the front window, but you would never know that the back of the place is awesome because there is a brick dividing wall in the place blocking your view from the sidewalk. Design flaw in my opinion. It is in the tourist district so I hope the locals notice it. We love you tourists too! Anyways, love this place!
(4)
Sydney G.
The menu is divided into 2 parts. One one side, you have their "Bar Classics" which are available daily. On the other side, you have their "Daily Features," which change out daily depending what they have in the kitchen. We ordered the BBQ Pork sandwich (pulled pork, cole slaw, fried pickles on a sesame seed bun) from their daily features menu. It was delish. The bun was toasted ever so slightly and the fried pickles had just the lightest coating of batter and were delicious with the coleslaw. The sandwich was served with their "fries" which were more like fat potato chips. We ordered the Farmhouse Burger (beef, pork, idazabal, beer pickles, and bibb lettuce) from the Bar Classics menu. I took a bite of it, and let me tell you, it was outstanding. Not as good as a Husk burger, but still pretty darn good. The combination of beef and pork was very interesting and gave it an extra layer of depth. The idazabal cheese was good too, and added an almost smokey flavor to it. Really, really good. I've had like 4 people tell me that I should get the Crunchy Dame (BBQ Pork belly, butterkase, cherry jam, sunny egg, $9) from the Bar Classics menu. Apparently it's "unreal" and it "may have brought tears to my eyes," so when I go back I'll have to give that a try. All in all, I was very impressed and definitely recommend you try this place out.
(5)
Mark D.
Swell food, swell beer.
(5)
J G.
great drink prices and food, a nice little gem that's open late
(4)
Tom G.
Only been once for a Yelp Elite event, but really like the place. Wonderful selection of beer. Great location, ever so slightly off the beaten path of East Bay on Cumberland. Nice decor, with a good amount of brickwork. Bartenders were friendly and professional - service was great! The menu changes daily - I spoke with the bartender who said they only buy fresh and enough to last one day. Not 100% sure about a completely new menu daily, although it is posted on Facebook each AM. I have some go-to dishes at certain places that I know will be waiting for me when I need them. We'll see - plan on going back this weekend for dinner,
(4)
Joy S.
I was finally able to get back to Craftsmen to try some food last night. I know Craftsmen is all about the beer and I did enjoy my Good Juju ginger ale, but I'm just going to skip all that since for me, it was more about the food last night. We loved everything we had and we all know that doesn't happen very often. Here's every tasty thing we tried: the scotch egg, roasted garlic flatbread without mushrooms (still really good!), pretzel bread pudding, corn chowder with corned beef brisket and peach jam, fruit salad with a ginger beer vinaigrette, and the rudderfish tacos. I'm not going to go through and describe each item, only because I tend to be long-winded. Just know that everything we had was absolutely delicious! Wait, I take that back. Let me talk about the pretzel bread pudding for a moment. Only because we read that and all had the same reaction: "Whaaaaa?!?!" Let me tell you, it was cheesy, doughy, mustardy, salty goodness and it did not disappoint. We also had awesome service complete with a three person tag team clearing of dishes in a matter of seconds (I'm former F&B and that still always impresses me). I'm still kind of dreaming about that scotch egg and can't wait to go back to see what other mouth-watering offerings the Craftsmen comes up with. Who am I kidding, I'll be back this weekend.
(5)
Kim M.
Had a small vegetable plate for an appetizer and a 22 oz. docs cider. Really liked the atmosphere and the employees were very attentive. Didn't eat a real meal to really comment on the food but I would definitely visit again.
(5)
Deanna I.
Very cool spot off the tourist track. Great variety of brews; local, IPA's, session, etc.. Cute little back deck that holds a few tables. Try Doc's Pumpkin Hard Cider, It's Autumn in a cup, THAT good. Veggie flat bread was delicious and next time I have to check out their homemade ice cream sandwiches!
(4)
Scott D.
Came based on previous Yelp reviews and it lives up to every one of them. Excellent food. Excellent beer. Service was excellent. If I ever find myself in Charleston again I will be returning.
(5)
Amela R.
We've been eagerly awaiting the opening of Craftsmen Kitchen & Tap House for months. (I'm not exaggerating here -- the initial projected opening was for October 2012 and we were already on board with eagerness for that date.) Watching the progress on Facebook was nice, but just prolonged the agony, though tantalizing at the same time. The place finally opened Beer Week 2013 (April 21-27), which was pretty fitting. Open! Finally! The place has a great feeling inside. (I remember it from previous incarnations. This is a definite improvement.) The taps in the first room are pretty much IPA, though if you sit there, any of the beers offered are available. If you move on through to the next room, there's a beautiful bar, plentiful with craft beer on tap (last projected count was in the high 30's for brews available, but I forgot to check). They also offer bottled beer and other beverages for those who are not hop-heads. We were able to find some of our favorites as well as a couple of new brews to try. Our waitress was knowledgeable, giving good descriptions of the ones we were unfamiliar with, and, once learning our taste preferences, making educated suggestions. The foods offered paired nicely with the beers. Ingredients seemedfresh, flavorful, prepared with care, and plated beautifully. The menu breaks down into "Bar Classics", which are the Kitchen's suggestion of what pairs well with beer, and "Daily Features", more of a meal, with a menu list that changes, well, daily. There are also side dishes featured. Pricewise, it's not cheap, but we got out of there paying roughly the same we might pay for a full meal and beverages at some other local places. It certainly is possible to drop a bundle, but it's also possible to not do so. As to the food itself, I ended up with the mushroom flatbread, which was really well prepared, flavorful, and the right size for a small appetite meal. I really wanted a small salad to go with it, but there (currently) isn't one on the menu. (I've since been told by one of the staff that I could simply ask for that and they'd prepare it for me, but I didn't know that at the time.) So, I ordered a shrimp salad on a bed of greens, Ate the greens and pawned the prawns of on husband. The shrimp salad was a little overcooked/mushy for my taste in crustaceans. Husband really enjoyed the Gazpacho he had, which came paired with chile cured salmon. The plate of seven roasted veggies was nice, too. Our table faced the bar on one side, and a small beer garden on the other. Nice. Will we go back? Yes, definitely. Will we find easy, free parking? That's another story, but we're willing to walk from our secret parking spot over to Cumberland. I do have to say that all the staff we met were really helpful, friendly, and took time to chat with us. We felt very welcomed. Some things are indeed worth waiting for -- aged cheese, decently brewed beer, and apparently, The Craftsmen Kitchen & Tap House.
(4)
Shira M.
Great happy hour! 1/2 price "street food". Food changes daily so jump in with both feet. Every thing was delish. Quiet place off the path but worth the detour. Salmon was perfectly cooked!!!! Great service. The worst thing about this place was, because they were slow, food came out so fast it was hot! And smelling & seeing it made it really hard to wait!!! TRY IT!
(5)
Charity D.
Cool bar with good food. Loved the beer specials (half off large beers the day we went). The spring rolls were delicious and the duck ham grilled cheese was great. Servers were nice and gave good recommendations. Worth a visit if you're in town looking for a nice bar.
(4)
Stefania H.
Food was delicious, super psyched that their kitchen is open late...it was a life saver this past Saturday!
(5)
James S.
I read about their beer selection and had to come. We were not disappointed. A beer selection that brings a tear to your eye. The bartender was nice and knowledgeable. The atmosphere was nothing to write home about, but that's kinda why I like it. No frills. Lots of concrete and poor lighting. Heck, it might even have some mahogany in there. Manly. On a side note, don't go for the food just yet. A group of four of us decided to have a bite along with our beer. None of us were really impressed. With that being said, the focus is on the beer- which is why the place still rocks. It has all the beer a person could want!
(5)
D. I.
There are a billion beers to choose. Got the Crunchy Dame cuz of all the reviews. This is quite the breakfast sandwich served all day long. I liked it because of the combo of tastes. Worth trying and washing down with one of the many beers.
(4)
D B.
This place is fantastic! Recommended by the wait staff at Blossom, they are truly unique. The guys at the bar helped us try different brews from all over the country. We are not experts on beers, but they are. They were patient with us, took the time understand what we were looking for. Explained the difference and nuance of what we were trying. Wish we had found them a few days earlier, as our stay was ending. If you enjoy craft beers, this is an absolute must stop. They also had an extensive wine list, but we did not have the time to try some of them. Basically, if you are looking for a relaxed spot- high quality beer or wine, this is it. They also had a full menu, but again, we were not able to try much. We did have a cheese plate - which was excellent. Served and presented very well The guys there explained they have been open a very short time- and have a new beer menu every day. This place should be a huge "hit"- especially if the local wait staffs continue to take notice, and recommend. It's a bit hard to find, but very close to the better spots on East Bay St.
(5)
Michelle A.
Loved the beer menu at this place. Suggest getting a flight so you can try more than one. The surroundings here were super hip and cool. The outdoor patio was the best, private but still able to enjoy all the exposed brick. Highly suggest going here.
(4)
Paul D.
I walk in for lunch, and the first bar is right through the front door. With about 10 taps, all seem to be IPA's. Several tables scattered about. Exposed brick everywhere, which I always love. So few places in Houston will show the brick and mortar of the building, but in Charleston it seems to be a common theme. I am sure it is one of those things that people around here don't notice as much just because of that. Anyway, the second bar is huge. More wood high top tables in the second bar area, and a great inclosed patio. A ton of taps in the second bar area. Local breweries are well represented, Westbrook being prevalent. Also Stillwater, Weyerbacher, and a bunch more. You can get anything in half or full pints. They certainly give Closed for Business a run for their money for the best tap selection in town that will continue to rotate. The service is friendly, and fairly quick. I order a Westbrook Bearded Farmer, but the bartender gave me the IPA instead. Not a big deal, but they did not seem to really know the selection all that well. Still, pretty knowledgeable on the menu. There are two food menus. The main stays, and an ever rotating daily features menu. I went with the ham curried duck breast. Which is very flavorful, with a host of pickled veggies and candied walnuts. Very good, and the rest of the menu is top notch as well. Country Pate anybody? Nice. A great place for a beer and food. I could of just said that, which is all you need to know.
(4)
Patrick T.
Scottish egg was great, been craving one Cheese tray was excellent I had the 20$ sirloin, perfectly cooked medium... which would drstroy most 50$ steaks, awesomeness wife had the dane , which she says she is already dreaming of having again waitress Sydney was great as well as the manager! Will definitely come back
(5)
Ben C.
Food was amazing and very reasonably priced for the location. Most other restaurants around here charge the same or more for an entree. So much beer! I only tried one so I'll have to be back to try more! Robbie and Sarah (our waiters) were awesome! Robbie interacted with us a lot and it's the only reason I'm writing this review! Only negative, we had to wait 20-30 min for a table and ended up being seated at a table that had been empty since we walked in.
(5)
Jerry C.
This place is terrific! The fresh, farm-to-table approach yields great tasting food that complements very well with the eclectic assortment of draft beers. The Scotch Egg is particularly tasty, with fresh made sausage. A hidden gem, but a must try when in Charleston.
(4)
John S.
Great Food. A real eclectic mix of flavors. They take the traditional street and pub fare and twist it to give it a unique flair. The veggie flatbread comes alive due to the honey roasted tomatoes, and the banger sliders are simple and yet singular compared to average bar fare. The beer selection is good and the prices are very reasonable especially during happy hour (4 - 7pm). There is nothing better than trying a new place in your favorite city and being rewarded with such a good meal. Can't wait to go back soon.
(5)
Andrew M.
Great atmosphere to hang out and try some neat brews. Knowledgeable staff. Prices not bad at all. 8 oz. pours available so you can try many! Loved it. Will be back often.
(5)
Thomas H.
$4 flights of some of the best beers I've ever tasted you just can't go wrong there . Half price appetizers 3 o'clock on all with the unique flair. Friendly smiling staff with prompt service. Really cool club atmosphere.
(5)
keith c.
Without doubt, from start to finish the best meal I've ever had. If you don't eat here you're a fool!
(5)
Lisa O.
We walked all around Charleston and searched Yelp endlessly to find a place for dinner. We found the Craftsman and were excited. We got to the front door and were met by a hardly welcoming, borderline rude, hostess. The menu has some interesting choices, but the welcome at the front door turned us off from the start. We decided to have a drink and check out the menu. The menu looks interesting, but the intro turned us off. On a good note, the bars are beautiful, atmosphere chill, and the bartenders make great margaritas.
(2)
Janet C.
We loved enjoying the local beers on tap and awesome food (happy hour tapas type fare for $4). The squid fries were so good, the best calamari I have ever had (not happy hour special but worth it). Like that you are able to get 8 oz pours for $3 or $4 so you try different beers (plus they will give you a taste of a beer if you are not sure if you want to commit to 8 oz.).
(5)
Tina B.
This is by far the best gastropub I have visited. Brian was very personable and the food was amazing! Definitely a weekly hangout...
(5)
Josh M.
Stopped here for a draft before dinner at the bar. Tons of beers in tap and great flights and half pint choices if you want to sample.
(4)
A L.
The selection was pretty good, but I don't love it when beer places don't let me pick and choose the beers for my flight. The service was OK too. The food smelled delicious and the service seemed okay. I might pop in again next time I'm there.
(3)
Jay J.
I am sure a number of patrons are drown to to the restaurant for the vast array of speciality and locally brewed beers. That was not the case for us. We stopped by the restaurant for dinner while the other half of our party was busy enjoying all that Charleston has to offer. Everyone's food was outstanding but I must point out the food menu/selection was far less extensive than the beer choices. Food choices for younger children could prove to be a bit challenging.
(4)
Jason M.
The chef and owner, Todd, is very talented. Go eat here. Seriously. If you're a bar fly, Ashley will definitely take care of you. Jess made excellent food recommendations. The wings were a delicious cross between chicken wings and crispy spare ribs. The Scottish egg is a soft boiled egg wrapped in homemade sausage, then deep fried and served with home-made mustard seeds marinated with dogfishhead 90 min IPA. I don't really like mustard, but this was delicious. 40+ taps. Enough said. Go try it.
(5)
Michael R.
The food here is pretty good. We had the crunchy dame and the spring rolls. They also have a nice selection of stuff in tap and a number of flight options if you aren't quite sure what you're in the mood for.
(2)
TJ S.
Great place to eat and watch a game. My wife and I went here early on a Saturday night and grabbed two seats at the back bar. Bartenders were friendly and quick to serve. Not having been here we asked for recommendations, suggested the scotch egg and the squid fries. Both were amazing! My wife thought the scotch egg was worthy of "hall of fame'" appetizer status and I thought the squid fries were the best calamari I'd ever had. We split a sirloin to round out our meal and it was delicious. Varied beer selection allows most to find something they will like. We will definitely return on our next trip to Charleston.
(5)
Luciana M.
We came for the food, not the beer, and I'm glad we did. I had the Crunchy Dame, delicious combination of flavors with pork, cheese, egg and cherry jam (which I was a bit skeptic about at first) and my husband tried the Meatloaf sandwich, also to his liking. The kids had a cheese pizza, it was enough for them to share (ages 2 and 6). I'm taking one star (I would take half of a star if I could do that) because the Crunchy Dame came with some condiments not listed on the menu, which I couldn't eat because of dietary restrictions, and the waitress took forever to show up again after bringing the food. Other than that the place looks nice, I wish I could drink beer right now to try some of their selection, and the food was great (and not expensive either).
(4)
Robin W.
We came into town to see our daughter, who is stationed at the AFB. She knows of some great places but we decided to try something new. What a great find! Food was excellent, server made sure we got every minute out of happy hour, service was friendly and solicitous, and the price was surprising very low. A great place for dinner or a party.
(5)
Ash S.
Amazing food- several layers of favors and beautifully presented. Staff was extremely friendly, helpful and attentive. Good beer recommendations. We even took some to go.
(5)
Megan R.
Good food and a lot of beer options! The farmhouse burger is amazing and so is the veggie pizza.
(4)
Elizabeth H.
Love this restaurant! The food was delicious. The staff was accommodating and friendly. We went during restaurant week and had the trio of fries, the "burgers" and the ice cream sandwiches. So yummy I didn't want to leave anything on my plate.
(5)
E L.
Great place to stop and taje a break from shopping - friendly service, yummy beers! Warm atmosphere.
(5)
Katherine S.
Four out of four friends agree: this is the best sandwich and/or burger we have ever eaten. (Crunchy dame sandwich and farmhouse burger)
(5)
Katrina W.
I was a bit disappointed in this place. The service was really slow even though it was a Wednesday night and did not appear to be very busy. While the menu looked super cool on paper, the food wasn't actually that great. We had the squid fries and fried catfish to start (per the recommendation of the server) and I would say the squid fries were the best thing I ate...the catfish was meh. For dinner, my husband got the Farmhouse burger that was really hyped and I actually found it dry. I ordered some sort of salmon on a cauliflower cake or something. It was decent. We also got the sweet potato tamales and I think "tamale" is a very incorrect description of them. They were more like sweet potato puffs or something...very bland though. I will say that we weren't drinking beer, so perhaps the rating is a little unfair considering it's a Tap House. But, based on the food and service, it was "meh".
(2)
Jessica S.
My husband and I stopped in on a rainy evening for an early dinner. When we got there, we weren't greeted or sat, so we just grabbed a table by ourselves. A waitress was with us promptly and gave us a huge list of beer to choose from. I'm not much of a beer person, but my husband is and was happy with what he ordered (he's very picky with beer!). I ordered the fried chicken and my husband ordered a burger. They were both very good and reasonably priced. The fried chicken was not greasy at all, and had a good crispy taste without being over seasoned. It came with potato bites which were amazing, and the chicken had a light honey drizzle that was delicious. The waitress explained everything on the menu as we ordered, so there was no confusion. We also ordered a chocolate cake for dessert that was amazing! If we come back to Charleston, we will be back.
(5)
Mike B.
Hands down greatest bar, restruant, staff, and atmosphere we could have asked for. We found this place on accident and was the best accident of our trip. After dining at locations such as Circa 1886 and Magnolia, I can say this was the best food/atmosphere/staff/cocktail combination my girlfriend and I could have asked for. We will make a trip back to Charleston for this place alone in the future. BEST. PLACE. IN. CHARLESTON. GUARANTEED.
(5)
Steve F.
Charelston's downtown district is pretty saturated with generic menus, so Craftsmen sticks out a bit once your pallet gets a little bored. The beer menu is rather large, but in my case, my waitress was extremely knowledgeable and helped me narrow down my options quickly. I was very happy with her choices. The menu is very unique, and really just the right size. I didn't come here for a huge meal, rather a small bite to wash down some hard earned beer. The menu is evolving so my specific meal is sort of inconsequential, but lets say my daily special pizza was incredibly flavorful (almost too much so), and the scotch egg ( a staple) was cooked well - meaning there was a bit of that perfect ooziness you get when you've done it just right. I give it 5 stars by comparison to the rest of the area's food, mostly of a higher price bracket as well. I recommend coming here with no specific drink in mind, nor a particular food. It is perfect for the "What do you want to eat tonight...I don't care" sorta night.
(5)
Joe S.
Excellent service. Food is delicious and consistent. Amazing draft selection. Highly recommend this place. CAB NY Strip is 7 oz for $16! WHAT?! Bring your friends and family HERE.
(5)
Jeremy P.
Great restaurant. We stayed in Charleston for 4 nights and my party of 10 agreed that this was the best restaurant of the trip. I had the Cruchy Dame and it was very good. Tremendous value.
(5)
Rob R.
Great location downtown Charleston, cool interior, and very friendly staff. Talked with a couple different people who worked here and they were passionate about the food and beer they serve. Multiple employees asked how my food and beer was, and were visibly pleased when I said it was great. Got the shrimp and duck plate with Johnny cake and it was awesome. Had a tasty local IPA that went well with the spicy sweet meal. Highly recommended!
(5)
Matthew W.
Crunchy dame and crispy potatoes are absolutely delicious. Sundays have half off on large format. Try to make it in when they have Westbrook Mexican cake.
(5)
Kent B.
Looking to score a solid meal & heavy poor around "closing time" in Charleston on Saturday night (which strangely is like 11 PM)? I highly recommend this non touristy foodie's delight - The Craftsmen Kitchen. I give this hidden gem 9 "the menu changes here daily folks" out of 10.
(5)
Sarah M.
Omg! I can't say enough good things about this place! Cool ambiance, the food is amazing & the drinks are the best! Seriously though get anything with the bacon or pork belly! The service was excellent, very attentive! The drinks were delish! We had the lobster quesadilla, very spicy (but we were expecting it) and the pork belly sandwich with cherry jelly was AMAZING! The squid fries and bacon were the,best squid I have ever had! Robbie was also awesome, very cool human & makes the place e special!
(5)
John H.
Gastropub is an oxymoron to me but if they are like this restaurant, I am a fan. They have a great beer selection and I was offered samples. Even better, they have half pints. The bartender and servers were attentive and my water glass never ran empty. They were knowledgeable about the menu and were very helpful. The squid fries represented what I thought of gastropubs. It looked pretty but the flavors did not work. The aioli and pickled vegetables overpowered the seafood. However, the pork belly was inventive with the combo of cherry jam and bbq served with an egg. A dish that I would not have imagined to taste good but was GREAT! Stop in when you are on E. Bay St.
(4)
Kara L.
This place is EXCELLENT! They not only have a phenomenal craft beer selection, but they organize their beer lists in such a way that makes evaluating the daunting list very easy--i.e. it's categorically organized by type of beer (IPA, sessions, etc.) The menu isn't too big, but the selections are all very unique and expertly prepared. There is definitely something to satisfy every craving, and you literally can't go wrong with any dish. Service is friendly and accommodating, and the atmosphere is just awesome. Really nice enclosed outdoor seating area as well. I don't dish out 5 star ratings too often, but every part of our experience deserves it. If you're looking for a place to have a romantic evening, or even a tasty happy hour with great specials, this place is perfect.
(5)
Tara G.
We found this place perusing yelp, as we are not from here. We both wanted a casual place to get beers and dinner. Great beer selection! I was happy to see some of my favorite breweries on their tap lost, as well as local SC beers! We got 2 different beer flights to try. My boyfriend had the Crunchy Dame, and loved it. One of his top sandwiches. 5 stars for the Crunchy Dame. I had the chicken salad sandwich and it was not as good, I got a bone in the chicken salad mix that I bit down on. I told the waitress and she awkwardly said "sorry?!" And that was that. Not taken off the bill, no offer for a new sandwich. Overall, we loved the beer selection and the Crunchy Dame, stay away from the chicken salad.
(3)
Hana M.
Craftsmen feels like it is "off the beaten path" when it's really in the hub of the market, just a jump from e. bay. Compared to everything around it, the craftsmen is way more laid back, you can always find a place to sit, and you can hear your friends speak. It's not the typical market area crowd too. Becoming my go to after work to get away from the bachelorettes, frat boys, and seamen. The bartenders are good at helping me pick out what beer to try, and I learned from one bartender what I.P.A and Hops were and if I don't like bitter beers, I don't want a beer with high IPA/ a lot of hops - now, every time I read the beer list, I can actually almost understand it. Thanks dude!!
(5)
Steve M.
Of all the bars in the touristy downtown area this one left me the most impressed all around. I sat down in the front bar portion and was quickly greeted by the bartender. Being from out of town I asked what local beers she would recommend and she spent time helping me figure out what local brews would work for me. She did a great job! The craft beer list is extensive though not all taps are visible. Not a problem but I was confused at first when the bartender would leave and come back with my beer. The only negative I can think of is that the front bar portion of the place was pretty warm. Funny thing is it wasn't until someone asked where the restroom was located that everyone at the front bar found there was more to the place! More importantly that the second half of the establishment was much cooler in temperature. I'll be back before I head home!
(5)
Mark S.
Had a fantastic meal and experience. Robbie served us and was the absolute man - ask for him! Beer samples, small pours and tons of options. Decent veggie options and incredible quality - all local. Ice cream sandwiches finished our meal, along with a complimentary shot. Get here quick!
(5)
Jackie F.
We had several adults and a couple kids (ages 4 and 1) in Charleston on a Saturday night in the summer. It was hard to find a kid-friendly restaurant with a reservation but we were able to get one early. The host and waiters were all awesome. The restaurant was so accommodating with a small kids menu and got the kids food out fast! All of the adults loved their food - I recommend the burger and the little brats but there was tons of interesting stuff on the menu. Great beer list and wines as well. Would be great for families or just a night out without the kids. I'd go back in heartbeat!!
(5)
Mike W.
We enjoyed Craftsman with a large group and tried multiple appetizers along with the multiple beers. Great variety of both were available and everything was fantastic. Followed with dinner and the brisket sandwich was perfectly done. Everyone was sharing and delighting in the different flavors that were present in each dish. What a cool place to go and enjoy the atmosphere and your friends!
(5)
Amanda B.
Out of towner looking for good food and good beer, the only thing worth having here...is the beer. The food was so-so and uneventful :/
(1)
Harry K.
This place is awesome! Zach is the man here at the back bar! Go see him for great service, good drinks, and great conversation. The food is awesome I really enjoyed my crispy dame! Pork and sunny side up egg really go well together. I will def
(5)
Melissa K.
We only stopped in for a quick beer before catching a tour, but it was worth it. If we had more time in Charleston, we would have come back. The beer menu was pretty extensive. I think we were told 40 beers on tap. I tried some Strawberry beer and it was delicious. Not too sweet or cloying. The bar tender was friendly, knowledgeable and she gave us some good advice on both the menu and the city.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Meredith V.
The Craftsman is my absolute favorite place to explore beer or given their selection, just know that I can get a great pint. They have a huge tap list, and I love getting a variety of flights. The happy hour is fantastic too and they have other specials throughout the week such as $5 burger night and a food and beer pairing once a week called flights and bites. The food is good too, particularly the potato bombs, the fish & chips, and the burger is quite tasty as well.
(5)Traci R.
My mom and I came in for our first mother/daughter happy hour. *Pause for celebration*. Their happy hour is awesome! We got the pulled pork egg rolls and the General Tso's wings. Both delicious! Especially the egg rolls. And both just $5 each. We both got beer flights. Again $5 each. Those were pretty good pours. 4-4oz pours, i think? Ignore me if i'm wrong. BUT it was good food.
(4)Rock S.
great place! unique back bar, just like the pictures show! i had one of the local beers, really good! i went when it just opened, so not too many people there, but very open and inviting place. i also ordered the farmhouse burger which was pretty good. not bad at all, especially for bar food. a lot of beer choices! great place overall - i actually passed it when walking by, but as soon as i walked in, it was a nice place. im sure it's an awesome place during the weekend night life.
(4)Michele W.
I really could not find a single quibble over preparation, beer selection, atmosphere, or service. My only issue was that the beer that I selected did not have a price listing...it was $16 a glass! But, it was such an exquisite beer that I had to just brush off the expense! The food was just simply to die for!
(5)Helen K.
Best pub in Charleston! One of our friends recommended this bar and we're pretty thankful that he did as it was the best meal that I had in Charleston. Location is a bit hidden as it is not on your main/front street, but in an alley. It offers various and great spirits and beer. Not only that, they have great bar food that had awesome presentation, taste, and uniqueness. We had 2 flights of beers, the local and mash. Out of the local flight, our favorite was the pineapple beer that Craftmen Kitchen & Tap actually brews, its first at that! Also, our other favorite was the choklat/orang from the mash flight that had a dark, rich, and citrus taste. For our meal, my bf had the cruchy dame, the porkbelly sandwich, which was the best that we had. Also, it was not overbearing and greasy like others that we've had. We also shared the bratwurst bangers on pretzel buns and the squid fries, which were on point. Haven't had any bad meals with pretzel buns and squid fries were cooked perfectly. It also came with picked peppers which balanced out the fried-ness. If you're looking for great meal with endless drink options and friendly atmosphere, this is the place for you.
(5)Aisha V.
Not a seasoned beer drinker. In fact, the only beer this palette recognizes is Red Stripe, so I was hesitant to go to a place like Craftsmen. Thankfully the staff, at least the staff that we dealt with, are conscious of the fact that not everyone knows everything about every beer. The first go round, Agnes was our waitress. Lucky us! She was so patient, so informative--offered great suggestions and let us try a number of beverages to see what we would go with. We settled on a hard cider, a bottle for two--blackberry or raspberry...one of those. She also informed us that the bottles of hard cider are half off on Sundays! They are regularly $12-$14, so $6/$7 for a bottle--Im down with that. Went there later that nite and sat at the bar. The bartender was also really great. Great smile and really pleasant. I mentioned a beer that a colleague recommended to me, but all I could remember was that the beer had the word 'monkey' in it. That led a funny back and forth about monkeys, and in the end, I got Golden Monkey. Love the ambiance. The high tops and lighting, average noise level, and very cool staff. I didnt try any of the food because nothing was really calling out to me on the menu, but my homegirl got the BBQ Pork Spring Rolls which she tore through. I ate the kimchi that came with it, and whoa was it spicy! There are sooo many beers to try! I'll probably be back so I can get my beer game in tact. That way I can open conversations with more Charleston folks--you know, since most people here are beer nerds niw :)
(4)Mark C.
Second time here and another home run. Great apps, GREAT burgers and a very big selection of beer on tap. I'll be back!
(4)Steven P.
Convenient location, near Cumberland parking garage and several other quality bar-hopping, plate-noshing opportunities. One of the better happy hour offerings, with high-end pub small plates. Definitely a destination for craft beer aficionados, with enough offerings for those who just want a decent beer or cocktail. Very attractive interior and open-air seating.
(4)Charlie P.
Hour, especially if you are a craft beer nerd. If beer isn't your thing, the menu can read a bit overwhelming and is slightly confusing the way they have decided to break it up into sections. With that being said, the help is extremely friendly and happy to let you taste whatever sounds interesting to you. As with Closed for Business, be sure to check the price of your beer before ordering, as some of their selections are a bit on the ridiculous side, over $10. Their food is far elevated from your typical bar fare, with great options on Mondays-Fridays from 4-7 p.m., when all their "street food" is half price. The Bratwurst Bangers and BBQ Pork Spring Rolls are both my favorites, and at only $5 a total steal! Although not available half price, the Squid Fries are my absolute favorite thing on the menu, chewy yet crispy and served with this bomb lemon aioli. You really can't go wrong with the majority of their menu, all of which are hearty and greasy and pair perfectly with beer. If you're looking for a casual spot to grab a bite and unique beer after work, then Craftsman is a great go-to. Parking is a bia though, but then again where isn't downtown these days? Must-order items: Squid Fries Bratwurst Bangers Scotch Egg Side of Crispy Potatoes with garlic aioli
(4)Andy B.
Arrived last night with a reservation for 16 people. When we arrived the table was ready in a wonderful court yard area. Immediately menu was explained, along with the intense beer list. I got a local beer flight, some appetizers to share and split the pepperoni pizza. Food came out warm and it was delicious. Meals were all correct and plates cleaned! This place is beautiful and worth many more trips. They handled multiple large groups with ease.
(5)Erin K.
We only had cocktails (specifically several of one cocktail - the low fashion), but oh, my Lord! This is one of only two places we returned to on our week-long visit to Charleston and it was sure worth it. The food looks awesome and creative and we will definitely go back when we are in the Holy City again :))
(5)Christina A.
We picked this place based on Yelp reviews and we were not disappointed! We got the potato bites which were delicious. For an entree I got the cheeseburger and my husband got the chicken wings. The chicken wings were good but a bit salty. The burger on the other hand... Words can't describe it. It was the best burger we have had. I gave my husband half and he was picking leftover pieces off my plate. It was by far the best burger I have ever had and I love cheeseburgers! They have an extensive beer menu and have sampler menus which was fun. When we are back in Charleston we will be sure to come back. You can't beat the food for the price. Perfect!!!
(5)Jessica B.
While the concept of this restaurant is really neat, being a "tap house", it really isn't anything spectacular. They do have quite the list of craft brews, but their food is just mediocre. They have "fancy" street foods. Their prices are a bit steep for the amount of food you get. I usually only go here if someone else has planned an event (birthdays, work celebration, etc). The food is okay, but if you don't like black pepper, be sure to let them know. It is on everything. I wouldn't go out of my way to go here when there are so many other options around town.
(3)Vy D.
Came here for a quick drink and small bites during happy hour. They had an awesome beer selection and the flights looked very good - however I'm more of a liquor fan so I had a cranberry vodka. I was pleasantly surprised to find out their house vodka is Svedka and not something worse! To eat, I had the banh mi meatballs - they were pretty good. It was worth the $5 during happy hour, not sure if I would have paid $10 for them at regular price. All in all, I'd definitely go back!
(4)Ronald T.
Perfect little gastropub hidden away downtown. Absolutely wonderful staff; bartenders are super knowledgable. The bar offers a great selection of craft beer. The menu is diverse and interesting.
(4)Morgan L.
So Charleston is filled with great beer spots. From purely the drinking perspective, I'm not sure this is one of them. We were in town and dropped by Thursday night for a beer. While they did have a long tap list, they seemed to be missing a lot of the great local beer that I expected to see in a place so highly rated. They did have a well-stocked bottle cooler in large format, but the prices were insane. We're talking 300% markup on some of it. Bottles that you could walk down the street and buy for $10 were being sold for $30+. The food did look good. But if you're out purely for the beer aspect of things, there are better options.
(2)LOIS B.
This was exactly what we needed at the end of a very stressful day. Very casual with a most interesting, but limited, menu. Daily specials offered and we got there just in time to enjoy half priced appetizers. We ordered chips and salsa, flatbread, and some kind of potato bites ~ all were enjoyed. For entrees we had chicken wings, meatballs, shrimp quesadilla, ravioli with beets, and brat sliders. They may sound boring, but they were absolutely wonderful. Beware, unless you want a booth, they only have high top tables. We did not go into the back room so I have no idea how big it is. We were seated in the front where the bar is located along with 3 booths and we had 2 high tops pushed together. Our server was attentive and I would most definitely recommend Craftsmen for a casual meal.
(5)Rebecca A.
I've been waiting a couple extra days before writing this review b/c I couldn't decide if I needed to give it a 3 or 4. The food was good, the server was friendly and knowledgeable, and I'd go back, so it really should be a 4, right? But Tuesday night the only thing I'm guessing is they were way under staffed b/c the service was really slow. And not just our table, I watched other's sit and wait for extended periods of time too, so I'm opting for a three. 5 girls for girls night so we sat at one of the big booths in the front room. Amanda was great. She explained the extensive beer menu to us and really knew her stuff. Unfortunately we didn't see Amanda very often. I didn't go to the back room but a couple friends did to use the bathroom and they said it was huge back there. From what I could tell out front, there was two servers. That was it. I don't know if there were more in back, but Amanda had to keep apologizing for our wait time between everything. Especially getting additional drinks. The bartender did come out a couple times and I saw what appeared to be a manager helping run food to other tables, but that was only in the first hour, then we never saw either of them again. Enough about that! Let's talk drinks and food. We shared a local flight of 4 options and as a Bud Light girl, I still enjoyed these what I love to call "weird beers"! And the fact that they all come from local brewery's is even cooler. Since it was $5 sandwich night, we ordered 3 and a couple of the street food items. The best bite for me was the Bahn meatball. Since we were sharing everything five ways that bite I was able to get a full meatball with the french bread, miso mayo, and pickled veggies. All the other stuff was tasty and fresh, I just found I probably would have liked them all better had we not been sharing so many ways. Hard to get the full effect when your trying to cut sandwiches 5 ways and get all the ingredients included before passing it across a table. The vibe and atmosphere here is great, so I will definitely give it another try and hopefully be able to up my star rating! :)
(3)Bill F.
Found on Yelp whilst visiting Charleston for work. Beautiful exterior in historic Battery area. The wife and I were seeking an appetizer or two and a nice beer-on-tap menu. We got both. The beer list is impressive. Several pages of local and national breweries. We had two flights and a pair of apps that blew us away. Pork spring rolls and a salmon dish that ruined me on salmon any other way forever! Solid service as well. We sat at the bar and both servers were attentive and full of advice on the beer list. Great place. Would definitely go back. Even bought a t-shirt!
(4)Elizabeth M.
Crunchy same is so good, got the jelly on the side and didn't even use it. My husbands farmhouse burger looked just as amazing, he didn't talk until it was gone. Really nice seating, good outdoor space under some shade. Service was just as wonderful as the food!
(5)Frank J.
Go, great beer selection, outstanding atmosphere, interesting menu suitable for everyone and nice servers. Way cooler than the stuffy Charleston restaurant scene.
(5)Tim G.
I was here solo for dinner one night, then came back for drinks another night with a buddy. There are General Tso wings and a pork belly sandwich that you must eat. And saying that in Charleston - where there are so many raw bars within stumbling distance - is significant. But once you've done that, I highly encourage you to chill out and sample one of the local beers on tap. Cuz there are a lot. And while you're sampling those beers, go sit at the bar. The bartenders are personable, engaging, awesome folks.
(5)Ben S.
Very cool spot to grab a craft cocktail or pint. Extensive beer selection, friendly service, and good looking menu (although we just drank while there). Stop by for a drink or two on your trek through Charleston.
(5)Huston O.
Really really great place. Myself and a small group tried a bunch of sides instead of entrees. Friendly staff, great service, nice look and feel to the place.
(4)Liz L.
This is one of my favorite happy hour places in town, and a great place to meet friends or have an event. Solid beer list, SUPER knowledgable and friendly staff, cool atmosphere. My beer club has had a few meetings here and they go above and beyond to educate us about what we're drinking and put interesting flights together for us. 5 stars for the customer service on those events alone! The housemade brats in a pretzel bun are the things many of my food dreams are made of. I haven't had much off their regular menu, so can't speak to that. Parking is a bit of a bitch, but welcome to Charleston, right? Crafstman is totally worth a visit. And another. And another.
(5)Patrick K.
5 stars because a week does not go by without us eating here! This place is awesome! Good food, awesome atmosphere, and some great bar tenders. We may be a little biased but Adam is our favorite. Then again, everytime we go he's the one taking care of us and he does a fantastic job everytime! Now to the food, they have awesome deals here almost everyday. The one that we go for is the one they have on Tuesday. Its half off sandwiches and their farm house burger is off the chain. It's served with crispy potatoes that are to die for. Bonus: ask for the mustard that they serve with their scotch eggs (which by the way are also phenomenal). They have a great beer selection as well! Again, if this place wasn't awesome we wouldn't be here almost every week. So if your hesitant to go, don't! Get your ass to Craftsman Bar and Tap!
(5)Scott P.
I ventured to Craftsmen tonight and I think I just found my new weekly hangout. What a great local gem. The menu is just robust enough to please anyone's appetite and if your a beer snob, their list will certainly keep you satisfied. I went tonight, a Tuesday, which is $5 Burger night. All I have to say is "wow." Defiantly top 3 burgers I've had anywhere. Their burger is mixed between pork belly and chuck beef. It's literally the perfect beef patty. Defiantly worth a visit. Service was great and overall a great location off East Bay Street. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Jonathan G.
The food and service was great. For me it would have been a 5 had it been slightly more accommodating for kids. Not having milk in the restaurant for kids that come is basically saying they don't want kids there. The beer list and food was excellent. Really well priced for what you are getting. I had the burger and with the mixture of pork belly it really was outstanding. Wife had the duck which was just as good. We will visit here again.
(4)Jonathan H.
First, but not last visit. Located one step off the beaten path they had been recommended by a local friend that crossed paths with us here. Cool rustic/industrial feel with a nice copper backed bar. The drink menu comes on a clipboard that resembles a patients medical chart due to the many pages. Large selection of unusual beers; some local, most not. Take your time and ask questions about the selections. Food is very creative with a good selection for most everyone. Thankfully not as big as the drink menu . . . did I mention how big that was? Everything we had was well prepared and presented. The favors were unique and some a glance towards being adventurous.
(4)Dariel S.
They have a very good beer selection and the burger I had that was blended in with pork belly was off the chain! Very nice place to have drinks and have a some decent food. I wouldn't plan a dinner date here though. More of a social place to stay a couple of hours and drink excellent beer while grazing some street food.
(5)Jen S.
This place seemed a little overrated. The selections were super eclectic and I think they ultimately over promise and under delivered. I suppose locals may not really know authentic street Vietnamese or Latin food because the "tamales" and "bahn" really weren't what they said they were. Server seemed tired/overworked/hungover? Might stick to the southern fare while I am in town.
(2)Stephanie O.
Great place. Sat at the bar and had a local beer. The bartender was great! He took great care of us and was a lot of fun. I had the crunchy dame too which was excellent. Delicious sandwich-pork belly and everything on it was spot on.
(5)King L.
In my opinion the best place to grab a beer in Charleston; if you can only go to one place to have a beer in Charleston go here. It's better than Closed For Business which is the best bar on the other end of town. Great physical bar and atmosphere and extremely knowledgeable bar staff. The happy hour is fantastic with half price street food. The brats are so so and the General Tso's wings were good. They had about 40 high quality craft beer taps including some rare compilations. A must for any beer aficionado. .
(5)Doug W.
OMG, these folks have WAY overrated this place. The cocktails were incompetently made, and very weak. But they have a good beer list, so drink beer. The food, however, was pretty disappointing. Seems like they're trying to be cute. The pork chop is ham, the flatbread is pizza... Skip the is place.
(2)Dave J.
Our first choices for dinner were all booked so we tried this tap house that specializes in small plates. We tried the crispy potato bombs, sweet potato tamales, general tso's chicken wings and bbq pork spring rolls and all were yummy good. It's a tap room and has a large beer selection including local brews. We tried a flight of local beers (four 4 oz pours) and a flight of session beers. Come between 4pm and 7pm (Monday - Friday) for half-priced "street food" (small places) and half price on session beers -- quite a good deal. The menu and special change frequently so check their Facebook page facebook.com/CraftsmenTap
(4)Rob W.
Just stopped in for a beer, the place was warm including the beer on tap. WE just had one beer and left.
(3)The Daily Soirée ..
We ate at Craftsmen Kitchen & Tap House a few weeks ago. We got there around 3:30pm for what we were calling a super late lunch. We had made reservations the night before just in case it would be crowded, but not all that surprisingly, not many people were eating at 3:30pm on a Sunday (although a few were hanging out at the bar). After being seated, we immediately began pursuing the drink list which our waiter was nice enough to walk us through (good thing since it was over 5 pages long) . I decided to try out the beer flight of local beers while my sister tried a local pale ale. All the beers we tried were delicious plus it was fun getting to try beers made in the Charleston area. Once we had picked our drinks, it was time to move on to food. We decided to start with two appetizers to split. The first was a Scotch Egg with 90-minute mustard and apple kraut. It was absolutely delicious which really surprised me since I never though an egg surrounded by sausage and deep fried would be something I would like. Our second appetizer was Squid Fries with house cured bacon, pickled peppers, and lemon aioli. It was with out a doubt the most delicious and well cooked variation of calamari I have ever had. We rounded out our meal by splitting the Crunchy Dame which is their take on a croque monsieur made with pork belly, Gruyere, cherry jam, mustard aoili and a sunny side up egg, plus a side of potatoes. While we liked the scotch egg & squid fries better, I thought the flavors worked really well together. Next time though, we'll probably stick to their Bar Classics and Street Food since they are a lot easier to share and it's fun to try out new dishes! We ended our meal with a delicious apple crisp that was served in a small cast iron skillet. It was perfectly cooked and definitely a great finish to our meal. Overall, I'd say this restaurant will definitely be on our list to go back to next time we're in Charleston since we know we can get reasonably priced local brews plus delicious food. Maybe we'll even be able to make it to one of their happy hours (Tuesday-Thursday) which tend to have more food than drink deals and go from 7pm-1am instead of the typical 5pm-7pm.
(5)Ryan P.
This is a review on the bar, I didn't eat here. BEST bottle selection in Charleston you can get in a bar. I found 4 rarities that made me crack a smile, as this city has a ton of great brew with not many people drinking it. Their diversity is my favorite part, they have everything from Imp Stouts to Berliners.
(5)Rose L.
I stopped in to Craftsmen Kitchen on a recent vacation to Charleston and honestly had a good experience initially. I ordered a beer and then got a flight with some local beers all thanks to our waitresses recommendation. We also ordered a scotch egg because I'd heard they're great and had yet to experience the joys and I love to appetizer hop when on vacation. The atmosphere of the restaurant was inviting and appealing and it was easy to talk to other people at the bar. Honestly, I was planning on putting Craftmen Kitchen on my "return to" list; with the friendly service, tasty appetizers and delicious beer. However, when I returned home and realized that my credit card had been over charged by the waitress I was shocked and felt violated. I tried to give our waitress the benefit of the doubt at first but realized there was no way that she could've misread what I had written to that extreme and called to talk to someone in management at Craftmen Kitchen immediately. After the manager on duty took my information and assured me that he'd give me a call back when he'd looked into the situation I waited. And waited, and waited. After a week and no word I had to contact my bank and put in a dispute (something I've never done before and hope to never do in the future). I've heard horror stories of people being over changed on the tip line but never expected it to happen to me. All I can do is tell you what happened and how unfortunate the situation was. What really offends me is that we liked the waitress so much that my boyfriend left her an additional cash tip in addition to what I'd written to be charged from my bill. It's makes me second guess the staff at Craftsmen Kitchen and the genuineness of the establishment.
(2)Pat B.
Food was different but delicious. Our server Caitlin was super nice. Helped explain things on the menu we were not sure about or had never heard of. Pages of beers and wine, awesome burgers and a gorgeous facility. Would recommend!
(5)Matt H.
Nice atmosphere, interesting menu of pub grub (pickled veg, pork shoulder tacos, cheese platter, boiled peanuts, spicy oecans), very good beer line up. Service was just OK.
(3)Matt M.
We had a Great evening here. The beer selection is great, creative and broad. The guys at the bar know their stuff and make solid recommendations. The 8oz option is much better than a tasting flight of little 4oz sips like so many other places have. We ordered only from the starters menu but the duck, pate and scotch egg were all superb. We will be back! maybe even tomorrow!
(5)Clif G.
Food is top notch. Had the burger...best ever. Flatbread pizza was off the charts. Everything is hand made and delicious. Plenty of great beers to choose from if you to try a few different they offer flights. Service was excellent and friendly. Made the trip to Charleston wonderful.
(5)Max C.
Awesome place to come and taste some local brews! Definitely would recommend for a beer lover.
(4)J B.
In the tradition-rich city of Charleston, Craftsmen is shaking things up with great new ideas. First, and most importantly, let's talk beer. Craftsmen is a good, if not great, craft beer bar. Selection is diverse, with dual foci on local and hoppy beers (these thankfully overlap a little). Beer quality seems to be the top priority; it it's not good, it's not on the menu. The bar is even divided into two main pieces, with one segment offering only hoppy taps and the other carrying the remainder of the load. There are even a few tough-to-get bottles here, which will entice the traveling and local super enthusiast. Second, let's talk people. Service on both visits was fantastic. Everyone was friendly and willing to help with beer and food suggestions. The co-owner, Philip, gave us a history of the restaurant and chatted beer with us on both occasions. Drinks never sat empty, and food items were quickly delivered to and removed from our table upon consumption. Third, let's talk food. Everything we ordered was delicious and prepared as ordered. Our two appetizers were excellent warm-ups for the following meals. We collectively ordered the burger, fish and chips, grilled cheese, and barley tabbouleh, and we collectively plowed through the entire meal leaving every plate cleaner than dishwasher-clean. The fish was fried perfectly, leaving me to declare it was (and still is) the best fish and chips I've ever eaten. Will we be back? Yes! Should you go?? Absolutely! Kudos to Craftsmen on raising the craft beer bar in Charleston.
(5)Judy S.
Blindly followed a friend to Craftsmen yesterday having no idea what it was, and was very pleasantly surprised. This place is for beer lovers. If you don't realize that right off the bat by their IPA only entry bar, you'll soon understand when you look at their enormous and thorough beer menu... and it will be pounded into your head when you continue walking through to the next bar, which is impressively large with a plethora of craft beer on tap. I loved that they give you 2 size and price options (8 oz or 16 oz) which made trying several beers pretty easy, and allowed me to keep myself from spending way too much money and drinking way too much at 5:00. With beer as their focus, this place is certainly succeeding. The food was good, my favorite item being the BBQ pork belly sandwich which was incredibly flavorful and unique, and managed to successfully mingle sweet and savory flavors right down to the sunny-side-up fried egg topping. It came out hot and fresh with a side of crispy and well seasoned potato rounds. At a very reasonable $9 price, I found myself raving about it later to my friends. Around the table, the pastrami sandwich also was well liked, and the roasted vegetables were an inexpensive and delicious side dish I would highly recommend. A low note of our meal was the cheese and bread plate, which we hoped would be a filling compliment to our hearty beer drinking, but alas our server did not exaggerate when she warned us it was more of a "finger food tasting". It was maybe 4 kinds of cheese in quarter sized chunks all lined up in a rectangular plate, with a dab of mustard or jelly intervening along the way. On the end of the plate was a little dish of 4 3 inch long bread crisps for substance. Perhaps my palate is not yet sophisticated enough to appreciate this dish, but it did little to curb my hunger--and while I'm sure the cheeses are indeed of the highest quality, it left me yearning for either 10 more cheese plates or just a plate of french fries. A final thing I really like about this restaurant is that its environment makes it conducive to diverse outings. They have a happy hour special midweek, a menu with plates big enough for dinner, and a bar area big and fun-looking enough for a late night out on the town where I can order delicious beer instead of $15 cocktails. I'll be back.
(4)Carrie E.
An incredible selection of craft beer. Actually 48 to be exact. The bartender, Sarah, was extremely knowledgeable about each and every beer on tap. I wish we had a similar place in CT.
(5)Ben S.
What a great spot for lunch! I'm visiting town and used the GPS feature of the Yelp app to find something good to eat. It wasn't too busy when we got there; we shared the place with two other parties. We grabbed two seats at the bar and I was glad we did because the bartender was really fun to talk to. She gave us some advice on our trip of things to do and was a good conversationalist. The food was good too! My friend got the lunch special where you can choose two of three options ($10). He said it was good, but the portions were small so I was glad I had not ordered that. I got the cod entree ($18) which was served with veg and potatoes. It was a good size portion and the flavors were great! This is a short walk away from all the bars by the old market and is worth the walk. It's not on a main road and the sign is a small wooden circle so without this app I wouldn't have found it.
(5)Stacy J.
The beer list was nice and I loved my beer flight. Would highly recommend doing a flight so you can try different kinds. It was reasonably priced too, for the amount of beer you got (5 decently-sized samples for $7 I think). However, its rating takes a hit on the food. I did not think the menu was big enough or diner-friendly enough for a place where people go for the beer. I got the salmon crudo dish which was surprisingly spicy and just seemed random to have with beer at a taphouse. I only ordered it because it seemed simple and better than most of the other things on the menu. My friends got the flatbread which was great, but it was the only "mainstream" item on the menu. Nothing stuck out here food-wise. The atmosphere and location are great! I loved the visual appeal of the space. And the outdoor dining is a great option for the more temperate days.
(3)critsey r.
We come to Charleston a few times a year and have ate at many of the restaurants here but today we found our new favorite! In the reviews everyone talks about the beer but holy wow! The food is AMAZING! I had the roasted chicken and it was tender and seasoned to perfection. I opted for the gravy on the side. I am not a gravy fan. My husband had the black bass and grits and loved it. Whether you are a tourist or a local this place is a must try! It will definitely be on our regular stops when we are back in Charleston. Oh and I wanted to mention the prices are great. Below the average for the area.
(5)Andres D.
Not bad for a Sunday night in Charleston. I was looking for a local joint and stumbled across this in my yelp list. As I walked in, there was a couple at the front bar and I thought it a bad sign, nobody out for dinner at 7? I asked for a table and was taken to the back part of restaurant. There was an 8 top there and a lone waitress. She was nice enough, told me about the beers, which I think is the reason they have such a high rating, and the menu. It's two pages, one for the pub food and one of the days meals. As i wasn't starving, I went for some appetizers. I got the general Tso wings and the cheese plate. The bad is that the cheese plate was underwhelming, 3 small cheese samples, some crostinis and some mustard and jam. The bleu cheese was great flavored but the raclette was a bit dry and flavorless. Not that it's a typically flavorful cheese, but I partially question it's inclusion because of that fact. The real hit was the wings, which had a great crunchy exterior, moist delicious meat and a sauce that was just the right amount of spicy. Had I written the review on food alone it would have been 4 stars. Service for as slow as they were was the real detraction. I had one beer, when the waitress came back and asked if I wanted another I said no, just bring me an ice tea. She proceeded to pre bus the 8 top, run their bill and stand at the bar looking around, never making eye contact with me again. Maybe it's because I opted for no more beer, maybe she's forgetful, either way, 15 minutes later when I'm done with the rest of my meal she comes to take the plates and says, Oh, do you still want that tea? Had she had 4-5 tables and other parties, maybe it's understandable, when I'm the only other diner in the place it's not. There are too many other restaurants in charleston to worry about trying this one again, but hopefully service improves for other yelpers. In all, 29 bucks, tip included for a decent meal and small beer.
(3)Shawn S.
Whenever i go downtown craftsmen is usually where i end up. Their catfish is amazing! Overall a chill place to talk and enjoy a beer
(4)Dominic E.
I went here recently based on a friend's decision during Charleston's Restaurant Week, and I can say that his choice was a superb one. From the outside, the restaurant looks a little small and plain, but once inside, the environment is pretty warm and welcoming. With regards to food, my buddy and I both opted for their Restaurant Week special, which came with appetizers, a main course of sliders, and a dessert of beer floats. The only part of the appetizers I opted not to eat was the squid fries, but I trust that my friend's enjoyment of them was genuine; the fried pickles and the other mini-dish, something with potatoes (I unfortunately can't recall the full nature of the dish) were definitely excellent. The sliders included a cod slider, a grilled pork slider, and a double cheeseburger, all of which were superb. The double cheeseburger was especially flavorful. Each beer float was served in roughly a 5oz glass with a small dollop of vanilla ice cream, and it was a very filling end to the meal. The selection of beer on tap more or less ensures that you won't run out of new things to try (unless you've already tried enough of what they offer - in that case, you'll likely find something you already love). The staff is also very knowledgeable and helpful in case you have any questions about what's being offered. All in all, it was an excellent experience, and I look forward to returning to try more of the regular menu (as well as exploring their beer selection more)!
(5)Andrew W.
Nice place, tons of craft beers on hand, fairly pricey. Those were my initial thoughts upon entering and that is how I left feeling as well. The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. I will say that I went in to Craftsmen knowing I personally am not a big fan of craft beers...but upon looking at the huge menu and selection it was not hard to find something that fit my palette. It was a Friday night that we descended upon the Craftsmen (which I believe is where the old Johnson's use to be) and the crowd inside was relatively large but there was still plenty of room to move around. When you first walk in you only see a small room with a bar to your left but as you follow the "S" shape around the corner the bar extends into a large area with plenty more seating. There is also an atrium outside with fancy style picnic tables.
(4)Andrew A.
Just ate here tonight and it was amazing. 48 beers on top (although a few too many IPAs for my taste). Server was very knowledgable about the beers and helped me find several I liked. The choice to only buy a half pint is a really nice option. My girlfriend had the fried chicken with siracha honey sauce and I had the brisket sandwich with the egg on top. Both were extremely good. The atmosphere of the place was just right, especially for a Sunday. We will definitely be back again when we visit Charleston!
(5)Jason J.
I'm from San Diego and am used to primo Mexican food as the normal fare... The tacos at tap House rival anything I've ever had. Super friendly bar staff as well.
(5)Tastybeverages T.
Great new place downtown, went there Friday night and had a great time. We got there around 7 and there were still some tables which was sweet. The service in the place was spot on, and the food was definitely better than regular bar food. We started off with the mini-brat appetizer, which was salty and delicious, with a nice sweet and tangy mustard on top that matched perfectly. The menu has two parts, one rotates and the other is a set menu that is available all the time. We ordered one thing off each and split the two. I got the special brisket sandwich which was great and my wife got the pork belly sandwich, which was also good. The pork belly was a little overdone for my taste, but she dug it, and it had a perfectly cooked egg on top that drizzled down yolk when you cut it. They both came with a side of potatoes, which were ok. As far as the beer goes, they had a great selection of quality brews. You can order 8/16 oz sizes, but unfortunately not any sampler flights, which our server said they are working on. My only concern is how you manage 48 taps of craft brew since you know they are not getting turned over enough, or maybe they have figured it out, but I think maybe the selection is too vast. (I know people are going to think I'm crazy to say they have too big a selection, but I just want the beer to be respected and properly taken care of!) It would also be nice if they had at least one tap dedicated to a nice cider for the ladies. All in all, a great spot, and I am being nit-picky, but I love beer and need to be fully objective. We will definitely be back.
(4)Deb B.
Wow! Loved it. The Scotch eggs were amazing, creamy yolks without being runny. Their house made pickles were outstanding. My husband had their beef tongue-great. Squid, super. Great choice of beer on tap & the 8 oz size was perfect. The night we were there chef was working on a barley & cherries dish in pork cheek stock. He brought some out to our table, chatting for a few minutes about it, & no we don't work there or know the staff. We do however live in Charleston & have had the pleasure of eating at a lot of wonderful restaurants here.
(5)Happy Eater B.
We experienced great service and wonderful food here. The craft beer pairing with selected bites of food was superb. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and fun. She read the table well and did a great job. The food came out at a good pace and the beers were delicious and unique. A great place.
(5)Abby G.
My husband and I spent the afternoon walking around Charleston, so we wanted a casual place to eat/drink so we didn't have to go back to the hotel and change. We're so glad we landed here! They have an amazing selection of craft beers - half pints, pints and flights so you can try a bunch. The food was amazing. I had the pulled pork grilled cheese and my husband had pork belly pastrami, both off the daily menu that changes every day. Both meals were delicious, great atmosphere and outstanding service.
(5)Justin B.
My girlfriend and I visited Charleston on a vacation and while in town, asked the locals where we should go to get a good beer. Surprisingly enough, the majority led us to Craftsmen with the lure of 40+ craft beers on tap... So we thought we would give it a try. Low and Behold, we stumble across the location while on a sight seeing walk through the area and find that there were 46 Craft beers on tap, many of which looked very appealing! We tried the Thursday night special of "Flights and Bites" which featured four 4 oz selected craft beers from a single brewery, Left Hand Brewing, and appetizers that paired with each of the four beer selections. The pairings were nothing short of amazing. The beers were not all my first choice, but when the food came out shortly after, it was apparent why the head chef and owner selected the combinations. The main course was a welcome surprise, being that we visited the location for the beer, and then found that the menu was also top notch. Dessert was to be expected, very delicious. Apple pie, made to order in an iron skillet with vanilla bean ice cream on top. The rotating menu items leads me to believe that any day you visit, you will find something else to try that will knock your socks off!
(5)Azadeh R.
Awesome selection of IPA and amazing food made our first Charleston food experience quite memorable.
(5)Howard B.
first time in. was on our way to Amen and poked our heads inside. got the thumbs up from a diner, so went in. extensive draft beer list with staff happy to let you taste. artiisanal food selections. I had the "crunch:" which us a pork belly sandwich with other good stuff and topped with fried egg..very French. liked it so much we went back for coctails before dinner elsewhere. This place is fairly new but it's going to be on everybody's radar soon
(4)Josie K.
We came in on half-priced sandwich night (I think Tuesday). It was great! I had the lamb BLT which was delicious. We also had a few beers-- great beer selection, available in flights, and small and large glasses (a plus for me since I like to try different things without having to drink too much). Friendly staff and fair prices.
(3)Preston L.
The Craftsman is another solid beer-centric bar that has popped up in Charleston in recent months. They have a big selection of draft beers (all the local breweries are there), as well as a good array of bottles (Brooklyn, Stone, New Belgium, to name a few). The prices are competitive, especially compared to Closed for Business, though the bottles can be quite pricy (this is to be expected with the standard restaurant markup). The service is excellent and not overbearing. I didn't eat there, though the locally sourced food looked fantastic. This place doesn't look like much from the outside, but it's cozy, inviting and well run on the inside.
(4)Anvesh R.
Great atmosphere and selection of local brews. Exactly the type of place I'm looking for when I travel.
(5)Tim G.
Son is a senior at COC and after 4 years of visiting this is a favorite. GREAT atmosphere and the staff is always top notch. Food is very good keeping in mind that this is a tap house. Beer selection is a 10, always rotating fresh options on tap. Knowledge of the bar staff is great and helpful. I love the fact they have half pints so I can try as many as possible while there. Highly recommend.
(4)Kelli C.
What a great find!! A definite must try. We are very picky about our beers. They have a great beer selection and the food was fabulous.
(5)Michael L.
Great beer selection, bartenders give excellent recommendations and know their beverages. Burger was fantastic.
(5)Mandi S.
Loved the atmosphere -- upscale pub with great patio seating and laid back vibe. My "crunchy dame" was delicious and I wished that the homemade fried potatoes had been a double or triple portion. My husband also enjoyed his beer-based cocktail. If you get there before 7pm, they also have great happy hour specials.
(5)Drew C.
Haven't eaten here, only had drinks. That said, the beer selection was really great! About 25-30 beers on tap and several more in bottles. Service was great and the newly remodeled location looks leaps and bounds better inside than the old Johnson's used to! Def a great spot to grab a beer!
(4)Thomas D.
I'm going to go out on a speculative limb here. I'm guessing the owners are between 29 and 36. They are complete foodies and at least one of them is a home brewer. They have pretty extensive restaurant experience but none of them has held a front of the house management position outside of the bar. They probably working insane hours and that's starting to cloud their vision. Why the pessimism? Here we go. Me and the family found this place on Yelp and decided on it over another because of it's kid friendly rating on the site. We arrived around 8:30 and the place was 3/4 full. Really nice space! Cool bar in both main rooms. We were greeted by a hostess right away and she asked for a bit of time to clear a table for our party of 5. I stepped to the bar to order from their extensive craft beer draft list. It's an EXCELLENT list! Unfortunately 3 of my first choices were sold out. It happens, no big deal. I ended up with a great beer for both me and my wife who was sat as I was finding what they did have in stock. It goes downhill from here.... We were sat in front room at one of the large booths. Plenty of room for the 5 of us. We were in direct view of the hostess desk not 10 feet away. Why then did we wait 10 minutes with now acknowledgment from any server? Why did it take me waving someone down to ask if we did indeed have a server? Why did the hostess and other servers completely miss us? It took another 5 to 10 minutes for our server to greet us. She explained there was a mix up and she'd get things right. She also seemed a little frazzled. Another few minutes pass before we get waters and the kids get soft drinks. My wife, a service veteran, is getting more than a little annoyed. We look at a small menu and find multiple enticing choices. From what I gather the menu changes daily. It's a nice little offering and the prices are excellent. The server suggests sloppy joe's for our youngest. We order a burger, brisket sandwich, fish and chips and the pork belly dish called the "Crunchy Dame". We also order a pate appetizer to come out first. Our food comes out pretty quick but no appetizer! I wait to see if it's going to follow but no mention of it ever leaves our servers lips. The food. Really, really nice quality here! I would say that's it's gastropub fare but they've not fallen victim to that title adding 50% to the prices. Everything was top notch! Pork belly was perfect, brisket was tender, burger was flavorful and the fish and chips had a great batter. There really wasn't a weak link on any plate! We shared the ice cream sandwich dessert which is really three sandwiches. Not bad but not as good as the other food. Back to the service. The entire time we were there I couldn't identify who was in charge of the FOH operations. There appeared to be no one directing the hostess, servers or bartenders. I would venture a guess that the gentleman with a beard who brought our food was a manager or leader of some sort but he disappeared after dropping off the food at our and other tables. Our server was nice but clearly needed more coaching. The hostess was friendly but this place is falling into the familiar trap of hiring a smiling face for low money and letting that be the first experience people have with their business. A good hostess who's smart and can see the whole floor and how the servers are doing is a FOH managers greatest asset. Additionally, the liquor program is a complete afterthought and I'd bet their wine rep was actually who put together the wine list. Complete myopia on the food and beer. Quick synopsis. Food is absolutely great and the beer list is perfect. Interior is inviting and warm. FOH operations were a mess the night we were there and really let down what would of been an eye opening evening. Food is an easy 5 stars and the prices are wonderful. Service is a 2 star and that's a stretch. They need to hire a quality FOH manager let them bring the service up the quality of the food. Also, they'll put more butts in seats at the bar if they pay as much attention to the liquor as the beer.
(3)Jill L.
This review is only for the drinks/atmosphere as I didn't eat here. However, each time I'm in Charleston, we hit this place each day. (note: this is one of the only places that does have their kitchen fully open until 1:00 AM though!) If you like trying different brews and want a place to grab a quick drink or two, this is the place. The list of beers is great. The bartender will let you taste whatever you want. Then they also have an option for 8 oz glasses so you can have a variety of their delicious beers without having to get a larger glass. 8 oz glass is only about $3 so we could have 4 different beers for $12. It was great! Friendly staff and clean bar.
(5)Jana O.
Loved the service. Loved the decor. Loved the food on my first visit but being from a different state and just passing through I wish I could visit regularly. The chef is creative with the menu, everything I tried was perfectly prepared and dear hubby liked the variety of brew selection too.
(4)Big Baby Jesus C.
I always forget to take pictures of the food. :( Had the best Scotch egg ever here. Followed it up with a satisfying pork chop and washed it all down with 4 of Founder's Double Trouble because the shit was so delicious even adventurous lil old me couldn't bring myself to trying something else even though they have 48 taps. I love the concept of gastropubs--casual atmosphere, fancy food, good drinks.
(5)Rob S.
Great food, great craft beer, great service. Couldn't find any negatives to really speak of without sounding picky.
(5)Kevin B.
I travel across the country on business and love craft beer. I just had one of my most enjoyable visits to a brewpub here. Sebastian had great suggestions and I enjoyed all the brews he recommended. I had the Crunchy Dame and Scotch Egg; both were excellent. Highly recommended if you want great beer, great pub food and a relaxed atmosphere while visiting Charleston.
(5)Greg B.
More beer on tap than you can shake a stick at. Maybe too many to choose from. But we came here for the food and it didn't disappoint. Crunchy Dame pork sandwich was mouth watering combination of BBQ pork belly gruyere cheese & jam between two slices of bread topped with a fried egg.
(4)James Y.
My wife and I came here with her sister and her boyfriend. We are staying right next door so it was an easy choice. Interior buildout is beautiful, beer selection is huge and the menu is simple and delicious! We ordered a bunch of small plates and shared. Catfish and chips, pork belly sandwich, cheese plate, and potato red cabbage salad were all great. Definitely will come back!
(5)Ryan M.
Pretty cool spot. Beer selection is excellent (a little pricey), and food was very good. The only complaint I have was against the biker-looking bartender who served us some beers while we were waiting. He really needs an attitude check. The way he treated his coworkers was very off-putting.
(4)Connie L.
Great food, great beer selection, friendly staff, amazing atmosphere what more can you ask for? Ordered the pork belly and kielbasa plate after the waitress told me they stuff their own kielbasa and sausage. All I can say is wow. Even the veggie garnish was marinated and tasted amazing. My husband ordered soft shell crabs and had equal comments. If you're a meat and potatoes person and enjoy huge over the plate portions of starch you will still enjoy the beer. If you love food thats been prepared by a top notch chef you'll enjoy the beer and be back for the experience. If I lived in Charleston this would definitely be my favorite hangout.
(5)Dawn H.
This place is amazing! Incredible beer selection, craft cocktails, and ridiculous food. We had a couple apps and drinks on our crawl for the evening. Must try: pork sloppy Joe's and brat bangers - so, so, so, so unbelievable. I am embarrassed that we were literally eating every last bit of the sloppy joe run off, well, not that embarrassed.
(5)D V.
The beer selection is very good, the quality of the food is great, and the employees were very nice (though they seemed swamped which made getting service a bit hard sometimes). The only thing I'd like to see change is the pricing of the "large format" beers, which seem unnecessarily marked up. For instance, the Brooklyn Local 1 and 2 were $20 each, however, the retail price is $9. It would make more sense and I'm sure would sell much more if it were priced around $15.
(4)Jeff R.
Pretty good beer place with decent food. The tacos I had were good. Fried chicken was fine. Server had a hard time with figuring out the local selection. Stuff was not on that the menu said was on. I liked that they isolated local beers for us on a search for the best of SC beer. Worth a visit.
(3)Jenna R.
Love the atmosphere here, great beer variety on draft, also tried the scotch egg, which is amazing!!! Bartenders are very knowledgeable about the beers they carry, to the point I didn't even ask, they just brought what they thought I'd like! Will definitely return!
(5)Michael O.
Awesome!! Had the beer and vinegar peanut (SOOOO Good and something we had never had before) and shared the fried chicken for 2. The chef had some type of thai chili sauce on the chicken which we could not get enough of. (Would have licked the plate clean if we could have!) Also, HUGE beer selection and good happy hour prices. Awesome!
(5)Katy S.
Great beer selection! My husband tried the local flight and thoroughly enjoyed them all. The food was great, mostly small plates but they do have a few entree choices. We enjoyed the squid fingers, pickled veggies, and poutine-crispy potatoes with chicken gravy. Good casual, pub atmosphere. My husband said he will be back next week for dinner since he'll be working in town all week.
(4)John C.
So glad we stopoed by yesterday. Had planned on somewhere else but so glad we didnt go there now. Robbie was our bartender and he did an amazing job giving us suggestions on beer to drink. We would suggest any beer drinkers or friends to go there in a heartbeat. Looking forward to going there again and trying one of the pairing nights.
(5)Craig R.
Everything is great. A transformational culinary experience. Try a little of everything.
(5)Marian B.
Excellent service & Happy Hour treats. We'll be back for Lunch tomorrow'
(4)T B.
Read the reviews here and had to try this place. We arrived at 7pm on Saturday and the place was almost empty, by the time we left at 8:15 it was filling up nicely though. We tried the Scotch eggs and Calamari fries to start, both were great. Then based on the reviews I read here, my wife got the Duck ham and cheese and I got the Crunchy Dame. We were not impressed with the Duck ham & cheese, it was just OK but the crunchy dame was awesome. It alone is enough to bring us back. They also let you sample a couple of beers since the selection is so large. I asked for 2 samples and the bartender added 2 more he thought I might like, and he was right. The Boont barl bourbon amber was great, I had 2 of them. We finished with an ice cream cookie for dessert, it was good but not memorable. After all of this food (and a bloody mary for my wife) our bill was only $65 which I thought was reasonable for 3 drinks, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees and a dessert. They have specials during the week also that will make things even more affordable. Service was also excellent throughout. I highly recommend this place and if you go, get the crunchy dame...you won't be disappointed.
(4)MJ S.
Great place for a upscale bar dishes with a twist. The Burger was great, the desert ice cream sandwiches were very good. My favorite was the chocolate one!
(4)J B.
Is this a draft house with a 5 star kitchen or an excellent meal with a 5 star draft house? You decide!
(5)David B.
Of all the new restaurant's in Charleston, this is my favorite (and I have tried them all). This place has incredible service, an extensive beer selection and a rotating menue that I have yet to come across a bad entre. I highly recommend this place to everyone from beer lovers to foodies.
(5)Laura S.
They have a great selection of craft beers, but the place should probably be avoided, unless you want to be overcharged and short changed by the the bar staff. First we were overcharged by the bartender for what we ordered, and when I pointed out that we were overcharged, it took a couple minutes for the bartender to admit that she had overcharged us. She then gave me additional change which was also incorrect. Ultimately, the bartender pulled a slight of hand and short changed us even more than she originally did the first time around. We didn't realize the bartender had taken even more change from us until we were leaving, and by that point we just wrote it off and weren't going to fight it anymore. The bartender did have a little to drink while we were there, so hopefully her actions were just an accident. If you decide to visit this establishment, be very careful that you are charged properly and given proper change.
(1)Miriam B.
All day in the heat and humidity, floating around in my imagination was the perfect, hip, VERY air-conditioned restaurant with a ton of beers on tap and great, well-priced food. I didn't know I would find so perfectly what I was looking for until we arrived at Craftsmen. The local rickshaw guy recommended this gastropub to us. Wherever you are, oh wise rickshaw man, we thank you! I could go on for many paragraphs, but I'll keep it short and say that their food is fresh, imaginative and surprisingly well-priced for how delicious it is. The atmosphere is clean, cool and relaxing. Then there's the BEER. Hands down the best, most comprehensive beer list I've ever seen. We loved that they have 8 oz. pours available, because we were able to try several different types of beer without getting totally hammered. Their large format and reserve beer list is INCREDIBLE! You can tell the people running this place know their stuff. At the recommendation of our server, Jessica, my husband tried the Choklat Imperial porter which he immediately deemed the best porter he's ever had. We were also really impressed not only how friendly and attentive Jessica was, but also how much she knew about the beers they serve. Way to know your menu. I don't have a single negative thing to say about this bar. I only wish I lived in Charleston so I could become a regular. Hey Craftsmen, maybe you can open a second location in Southern California!
(5)Mark C.
This restaurant came recommended to me by someone who lives in the Charleston area. (as I am not from the area) Fifteen of us were traveling in from all over the country to attend a wedding. Made reservations for 15 at least 4 weeks in advance in their back room that could accommodate all 15 at 2 tables. I called the week before to confirm. All is good. I got a call on my cell from the Craftsmen early in the morning the day of the reservation to once again confirm. 30 minutes before our reservationI get a call from the manager of the Craftsmen, he once again reconfirms. I told him that I had just confirmed earlier in the morning. He said that there was a change of plans and that the back room was no longer available but would sit us in 4 large booths. I said that I made the reservation 4 weeks ago and the hostess that called me earlier this morning said we were confirmed for the back room. As the manager, he just said "sorry"???? Whatever. Soon found out, that there are plenty of other restaurants in the area.
(1)Donna C.
I can't see this place lasting long. They have a huge inviting beer list, but with no tasting flights and a policy against giving more than one sample, it takes all the fun out of the experience. The barkeep was knowledgeable but inattentive. Other than the boiled peanuts, which were amazing, the food was meh. "They must be new in the restaurant business." is what my group of four concluded.
(1)Shane D.
Read the reviews and thought I would give this place a try. Entire experience was great. Nice atmosphere, sat in courtyard. Wide variety of beers and food was great. Little pricey for what you get, but very good. Server was "ok", but management was quick to pick up slack in service. Definitely plan to go back.
(4)Justin C.
This place had/has potential... it just didn't come all together when we went. Let me get out of the way, the beer list here, wonderful, zero things wrong with it. As for the food, some things get lost. We ordered the general tso's chicken wings, and the squid fries. The squid fries were pretty damn good, the wings though, skip em, they need to be cooked about 75 seconds less, and need more sauce. Very clever idea though. For meal, a burger was ordered, meatloaf sandwich, and pork belly sandwich. The pork belly was lacking in amount, there was more kimchi then pork belly on the sandwich, it wasn't bad though. The burgers were good, not great, too much bun, which can kill a burger, and the meatloaf sandwich was missing taste, more salt, more garlic, and more 'secret' stuff... Overall, if you want something on the cheaper side, this is it. If you want good food, meh, you can go elsewhere, but the beer selection would keep me coming back for more. Oh, the booths, wow, comfortable as could be, and big.
(3)Lauren J.
This was our first stop in Charleston, and I'm so happy it was! Sarah, our bartender, was absolutely amazing. She took so much time to go through a map of Charleston and help us find things to do according to our interests. We were only in town a day, so the suggestions were super helpful. The beer and atmosphere were great, too!
(5)Sehaj S.
Just stopped in for a quick bite. The burger is absolutely delicious, that pork belly ground in with the beef is really prominent in a great way. The scotch egg is done to perfection, as are the squid fries. Oh, and I need to give a special shout out for their house made mustard. Some of the best mustard I've ever tried. Our waitress was super pleasant, and pretty much available whenever we needed her. The boyfriend got the local beer flight, which he enjoyed thoroughly. I had finished off most of a bottle of champagne the night before and was in no place for more alcohol. Next time!
(5)Joel D.
So cool. Amazing beer selection. Very knowledgable and friendly staff. 1/2 price large format beers on Sunday. Cool vibe.
(5)Grant M.
Sit in the back. We come here every Thursday when possible! Probably one of my top 3 favorite spots in Charleston and that's saying a lot. The service is on point, the chef is wonderful and the beer selection speaks for itself. Don't miss this!
(5)Guilherme G.
This place is a nice beer and tapas bar in Downtown Charleston. The beer selection is massive. I tried the local beer flight and it was good. The food selection is simple (works well with the focus of the bar, the drinks). We had the chicken wings, cheese board, bratwurst and potato bombs - fair for a party of 4. Service was good and the ambience is nice.
(4)James A.
It's that good! Farm to fork may be an overused term but the Tap House has done a phenomenal job at staying true to this. The food is presented beautifully, tastes exceptional, is portioned perfectly and priced reasonably. All this while being located in the heart of the Charleston historic district almost sounds too good to be true. I don't understand why more restaurants cannot grasp this concept of great food at a value price. To top off the experience here is an outstanding beer selection featuring many local (SC) breweries and seasonal offerings. Our bartender was very knowledgable and informed us right up front which taps had been kicked to avoid an all-too-common frustration of mine. I hate ordering beers from a printed menu only to be told multiple times they are out of that particular one. Take a moment to step inside and enjoy the changing menu with a clean ambiance that doesn't overwhelm the senses.
(5)Alison W.
Bahn meatballs were amazing. Very low key atmosphere. Server was super approachable and knowledgable.
(4)Lindsay R.
Very hit or miss. The salad I had was so wet it was in edible, however the bratwurst that followed was great. The beer was good, but could have been a bit colder. The service was great though, as they did a good job of handling a last minute large party. Stick to beer and meat and you should do ok here.
(3)Asma A.
Pretty awesome happy hour deal...good food and beer selection! wr got some bbq chicken wings, catfish, and the Mediterranean flaybread...so good and we sat in the patio area since it was a nice warm weather
(5)Jason H.
Excellent beer selection and friendly staff. They had Mexican Cake on draught. We also tried the cheese and crackers which was excellent. The atmosphere is modern and warm. Highly recommend for before or after dinner drinks.
(5)Diana S.
Everything was awesome! Really good food and drinks! Try the squid fries! Server was grumpy. Happened to go on Tuesday night for half price sandwiches which was cool.
(4)Kelly C.
True to its name, this place has a large selection of beer likely to satisfy even the most refined beer palate as well as a changing menu of gastropub cuisine. Expect pork belly, perfectly crispy fried chicken and bone marrow to be on the menu. We had jerk chicken tacos and fried chicken sandwich both of which were very nicely done. There's a nice interior outdoor patio for when the weather is nice. Staff is knowledgable about the 20+ beers on tap and very helpful to point you in the right direction. The selection of local and other artisan brews is likely the best in town.
(5)Alice G.
Amazing selection if beers! Food is made with fresh ingredients and is extremely tasty! Staff is delightful and very knowledgeable about the restaurant's beer selection. I had the sandwich with BBQ pork, mustard, fried egg and it was delicious! Odd combination of flavors when you read it on the menu, but so delicious when you eat it! Highly recommend it.
(4)Jennie S.
Went here last night for the first time and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. They have a great selection of beer and even some specialty cocktails and wine if beer isn't your thing. The staff was all very friendly and the food was good. We had the chicken and waffles and while I found it some what strange that it was bone in wings for the chicken, the chicken it self was good and the waffle was outstanding. It made a great combination once I shredded that meat off the bone. We also had a pizza which was nothing outstanding but was a good basic mozzarella pizza. We also had these potatoes that were more or less like potato skins and those were also pretty tasty. I think one of my favorite things is that this place is very reasonably priced, especially when you take the location into consideration. For a flight of beer, another pint, and 3 appetizers, our bill was around $44. And I was pleasantly full (mind you I shared all of the above with my husband who was also full). Would recommend this place over any other gastropub, brewery, or other type of beer categorized place. The quality is there for a very reasonable price.
(5)Justin W.
Great food. Good service. Beer selection was on point. Benji, our server was helpful and patient. He suggested some favorites and we tried some new things. The Bibb salad was garden fresh and the burger was perfectly delicious. The house made dessert (chocolate molten stout something) was out of this world. Would definitely come back.
(5)Greg S.
go for unbelievable beer, stay for the great food. crispy potato bombs, bratwurst bangers, general tso wings, banh meatballs all good. and happy hour 4-7pm for half price food is a ridiculous deal.
(5)Rich M.
Very enjoyable lunch after a 10k race. Staff friendly and helpful, although I wish I had been told the brats were not available up front after I had settled on them. The better selection is great, tried the Sweet Potato Cream Stout and pleasantly surprised. Wife liked the Ginger APA. I had the farmhouse burger and it was very tasty. Wife had the pork and chicken nachos and also very good. Prices quite reasonable, and liked the option if 8 ounce pours for either $3 or $4. Definitely a place to try.
(4)Jack L.
This place served up one of the best meals we had in Charleston! Unfortunately, the place was too packed the first night we tried to stop by, so we decided to swing by a couple of days later for a late lunch around 3:15. The service was great the entire meal, and the server was very knowledgable about all of the local craft beers and food. We ended up getting the Veggie Burger and the Banger-style Hot Dogs. Both dishes were exceptionally tasty! The fried potato slices were some of the best ones I've had, and the veggie burger was flavorful, moist, and especially well balanced by the Peach Marmalade. The bun was a heavenly brioche style seasame loaf (I normally hate bread but I ended up finishing the entire thing!). The Bangers were also scrumptious and well balanced with the dijon mustard! Excellent experience, especially for the low price tag in Charleston! Hopefully we can make it back before we depart. This place was much better than many of the other pricey places we dined in Charleston.
(5)Brittany H.
First time I had scotch egg, and it was amazing. You have gotta try it. Went during happy hour, so it wasn't very crowded, and there were deals on the beers and much of the menu. So glad I happened to wander near here and find it.
(5)John G.
Great place! Waiter staff is very knowledgable and with well crafted food on the menu which changes daily. I had the Scotch Egg app and a flight of the Mash selection of beers and the signature dish Crunchy Dane. My son got the other signature Farm burger. Very friendly place. Great parking right next door!! This is a must if you like gastropubs!!
(4)Ilsa M.
Hidden gem! Stumbled upon this place when we got into Charleston late afternoon and wanted some snacks and a few drinks. Large selection of beers between the 2 bars and food was delicious! Spring rolls, wings and potato crisps were all delicious and hit the spot! Bartender and staff were very friendly and even suggested some places to check out while in town.
(5)Eric C.
The selection changes constantly, and yet somehow the servers all stay on too of everything, ready with in-depth recommendations. Every one of the waitstaff checked in with us at one point or another, and they were all genuinely friendly and knowledgable, and some were downright passionate in their recommendations. They took all of our dietary concerns in stride and catered to the seasoned gastronomes as well as the kids in our party. Their selection of drinks, beers, and ciders (CIDERS!!!!!!!) is unbelievable, and one could explore their drinks menu like a conquistador in 1500 South America. I want to import this place to Tucson so I can enjoy them at home. And speaking of pleasing kids and foodies alike, there was a large table with a whole group of children next to us, and their server took the kids on a mini tour of the restaurant, explaining how kegs work, pointing out historic elements, and other cool things that made me wish I could have joined the little educational adventure. I've never seen that done before, and it was awesome to see in a place that could easily swerve off into snobbery if they wanted to. It has all the selection and quality of place far above it's price range, and instead brings fabulous quality to a casual audience -- and families to boot. All if this sets it securely as another treasure in Charleston's panoply of offerings.
(5)Drex H.
This was the last stop on a day long drinking odyssey through the streets of Charleston. Six of us plopped down at a table to have our final drinks of the night and trade more stories from the day. The beer list is extensive and they have what looked like a tasty food menu as well. One person in our party got a burger and she quickly devoured it as soon as it was brought to the table. Didn't even look up once! The brews are mostly smaller craft breweries and they do regular as well as half pints, all at reasonable prices. I tried three half pints of local brews and was not disappointed. If you are looking for a nice spot to have some great beers with friends you have hit the jackpot with this one.
(4)Simon S.
This place is incredible. All the local brews, great environment and the food was fantastic!! Parker the bar keep is awesome. Trust him. He is right!!! The beer selection is impressive. All good. Do it.
(5)Trevor L.
Dined on a Tuesday night, just in time for half priced Street food - oh my God so good. Since they were half price we ordered all the apps and a side of Idaho potatoes with garlic aoli. We loved all the apps except the wings were a little too salty. Great friendly service and the best beer list I've seen in the country. Not touristy more of a local hang out. Nice patio spotted in the middle of the restaurant also. Definitely recommend it.
(5)Chris T.
This place is AWESOME! I was visiting Charleston while on vacation and decided to stop here for lunch after reading many good reviews. First the place is pretty big, but what I loved most was the bar, it was huge! What makes the bar even better was that it was hand made and the details were beautiful. Oh let's not forget about how absurdly amazing the amount of beers they have on tap. My favorite of them all this time was the Breckenridge Vanilla porter, I am now hooked! Besides the drinks, the food was amazing! It's been a while and I should have done this review a long time ago but the sliders made me drool! The squid fries might have been one of the greatest tasting fried foods I've ever tasted. We also got the mushroom flatbread which again was to die for. This place was really top notch from the drinks to the food, to all the details that amke this place so beautiful. I love everythign about this place!
(4)Pono P.
great place sucks john was bouncing we had a DD under 21 before 10 wouldn't let them in . Oh well good beer good food still a good place to go regardless as long as John isn't there.
(3)Steve J.
The sausages on the sausage sandwich I ordered were extremely underdone. Should be 2-3 stars right? Well, not only did Craftsmen comp me my next, awesome, IPA, it also comped my sandwich. Very standup. Beer selection is fantastic, squid fries were great. 5 stars!
(5)Jennifer B.
If you're not looking, you might drive right past this restaurant. What a cool space, as you walk through a smaller entrance, the property opens up to a back area with ample indoor seating, large bar and even a courtyard for outdoor seating. We ordered the Banh Mi meatballs, Bangers and Scotch egg. Based on the descriptions, each time an order came out, we were somewhat surprised. We didn't realize the bangers were going to be 4 little sausages served a la hot dog style. Don't get me wrong, they were delicious. And the scotch egg, we honestly thought was served to us raw. After waiting a good 5 minutes (the place was empty) before we could get the attention of the waitress, she explained that the beef is mixed with cooked pork giving the allusion of uncooked meat. They've had this question before. After she assuaged our concerns, we dug in to the scotch egg and it was delicious. Again based on the description of the banh meatballs, we were truly expecting a banh mi type adult sized sandwich, but what came out was 4 separate meatballs on little pieces of toast. Waitress warned us of the heat, but we couldn't find any in the dish at all. A turn off was the waitress's black t-shirt. Not only was it dirty, but it was covered with either dog or cat hair. I was just praying that none of the hair ended up in our meal. I love and appreciate the fact that they source all of their products locally from James Island and they make everything in-house, which is something we've come to expect here in Charleston. All three dishes were delicious. I feel like a quick explanation of the menu at the beginning from our waitress would have better set our expectations. Unfortunately, we left still feeling like we didn't have a proper meal.
(3)Heath P.
Flight of local brew, pulled pork grilled cheese, good folks... can't go wrong with this place.
(4)Mia E.
We decided to spend grab dinner here in our one night in Charleston based off all the great reviews and high Yelp! ratings. The menu changes often, so what I had seen online (& prepared myself for them to have) was different than the menu I received that night. I will say, though, I was VERY pleasantly surprised by my burger. It was part ground beef and park pork. OH MY GOODNESS! It was like a hotdog/hamburger mix. Basically heaven in my mouth. We also got the chicken wings as a starter and those didn't disappoint either. The beer menu is extensive, so if you love trying new and different beers, this is the place for you! We got a sampler of 4 different beers, all of which were great. There is a great outdoor patio with a few tables that we sat on. Great atmosphere and surprisingly not crowded on a Sunday night. They do have the capacity to take big groups but I would recommend making a reservation! There are also TVs if you are looking for a good spot to grab a beer and watch a game! Overall, delicious meal, attentive service and great atmosphere!
(5)Lily H.
Great Happy Hour deals and beer selection. Our bartender, Matt, was very knowledgeable about the beers on draught and let us taste a couple before ordering. Definitely recommend this place for someone looking for casual drinks and good beer. UPDATE - another happy hour occasion! New bartender Brian is very friendly and informative. We had an appz smorgasbord of the baby brats in pretzel buns, the potato skins, and the flatbread veggie pizza. All wayyy too easy to eat, but my personal favorite were the pretzel and brat buns.
(5)Lindsey H.
Go on a Thursday! Tonight I had the "flights and bites" which was only $10, and was a flight of beers with pairings of little bits of food for each beer. Also potato bombs. Everything is delicious and they have SO MANY wonderful beers.
(5)Ha N.
It's alright. So I got the scotch egg, as suggested, and it came warm and cooked through. I was sorta disappointed because the crust was great and the meat was juicy, but the egg just wasn't oozy. The squid fries, honestly, wasn't very well seasoned, though the squid itself was very tender and the batter was crispy and light. The accompanying aoli/sauce didn't seem to have enough flavor other than "I am homemade mayonnaise". The assorted pickles were just ok, and considering I had great pickles at Swig & Swine this morning it left me wanting more. The soy pickles basically tasted like someone dropped a cucumber in vinegar and soy without too much consideration to the overall taste. The sweet potato tamales were in ball form, and fluffy and had that masa taste I'm familiar with, but I was really expecting an actual tamale, so I was kinda surprised. Maybe I missed something on the menu. Either way, it was ok--not too bad, but not mind-blowing. The best thing we got was probably the Crunchy Madame.. The toast looked burnt, and I was worried, but it didn't impact the flavor at all, and everything went really well together. I would definitely get that again! Another thing I'd recommend is the spiced pecan. It's buttery pecans roasted with sugar and what seems to be curry? Either way, we could not stop eating it even when we were stuffed. The service was also pretty unfriendly and slow. Waiter had an unhappy face and a monotone voice the whole time and I got hungrier waiting for our food to come.
(2)Katie S.
Good local draft beer selection. Nice ambiance. Did not eat but restaurant was very busy on a Thursday night.
(4)Alysse D.
Great beer selection, fantastic service. The ambience was perfect. We had bratwurst bangers which had a nice flavor then both had the stellar farmhouse burgers. Very satisfied.
(5)Meghan C.
I am a fan of any place that has two Black IPAs on tap. I am more of a fan of a place that has two Black IPAs on tap and a tender knows which one I would prefer by looking at me (he was right, btw - shoutout to Jared). I'll keep it short - excellent beer prices and selection, cool scene, and that steak? The one that's only $20? Up there on best steak ever had so...do yourself a favor and stop reading this and go.
(5)Courtney L.
Went for lunch while staying in Charleston. Very neat atmosphere and sticks to "farm to table" fresh. I ordered a salad and pizza. My wife ordered the meatball sub. The salad was large and had various types of lettuce and tomatoes. It was tossed in a homemade buttermilk ranch. The pizza was good with fresh homemade parmesan cheese, but the size of the pizza was 10 inch. My wife's sub was great. It was a huge portion and the bread was fantastic. Overall, we had a great experience and would definitely eat here again.
(4)Mike R.
Huge craft beer selection - something for everyone. Great atmosphere, and great food. This was our first meal in Charleston and didn't disappoint. We tried several beers through a beer flight and a couple 6 oz beers. I wasn't a huge fan of the local beers but my wife was. For food, we had the fried squid (the pickled veggies made this dish), and the Crunchy Dame pork belly sandwich with a fried egg. The food was really very good, but a bit on the greasy side...then again that's exactly what you want to wash down with a craft beer. Since the kitchen is open till 1AM, I presumed this place is where all the food service people went for a beer after their shifts - turns out this is pretty accurate based on a conversation with a waiter at a different joint. Definitely worth going at the end of a long night of drinking or for a small dinner before a long night of drinking. Or to spend a long night of drinking... Our waitress was great at first but as the night grew busier we saw much less of her toward the end of the meal.
(4)Tim L.
Awesome! Phenomenal! Best bar food ever! Oh yeah - beer is great too! We finally decided on this 4.5 rated brewery in Charleston after the Kiowa marathon. Squid fries w garlic aioli and the Gen Tso wings were great w local beers - then the burger, pork rolls and Crunchy Dame BBQ pork sandwiches were the absolute best. Pork belly mixed in w burger or pulled pork makes the most unbelievable tasting sandwiches you will ever taste. Service was good but not great - a little rushed - but efficient. Local beers - Small Victories and one of the amber ales were the tastiest. We will definitely be back!
(5)Tommy R.
This was a spur of the moment choice for us. If you are looking for trying a few things you have never had before, this is the place.
(4)Jennifer L.
I was very impressed at their selection of local and draught beers, and they have "flights" you can order, too, so you can try several beers without ordering a pint of each. The food, which is a mixture of bar snacks and sandwiches, is also really solid. This place is great, and if I lived in Charleston, it would be my local hangout! It's got a long bar that extends through several rooms, as well as lots of tables and booths (including some in an outdoor patio area). The decor is warm and inviting, and the staff are all really nice, too.
(4)Rob P.
I ate and drank here on a recent Sunday night and still cannot believe this place wasn't packed. If you plopped this bar in some bigger cities it would be overrun by the masses immediately because of how awesome it is. The draft beer list here is extremely solid. And you can either get a pint or a half-pint for half the price. I like this. No overpriced "tastes" that are half the price but a quarter of the volume. This lets you drink plenty of different beers before you're too drunk to appreciate them anymore. I ate the pork belly sandwich with a fried egg on it. This was a monster of a sandwich, and I wasn't expecting much from it because the menu price was extremely reasonable. This is the kind of food that I remember thinking could sell for 20 bucks if this place were in another city, and people would think nothing of paying it. Next time I'm in Charleston Craftsmen will be one of my first stops. Please never change.
(5)TJ L.
I stopped in here to pre-game happy hour (sounds bad, doesn't it?) and was surprised! It was pretty much what I expected, but there's nothing bad about that. This was probably about 4:00-5:00 on a Friday afternoon, and there was a moderate crowd. Since we were planning on food at another place, we just ordered off of the massive beer list they had. Very tough to choose, but I stuck with a local from Westbrook that I hadn't had before. Way too many to try to sample in one sitting! They also have the large bottles you can order (think group sized-I'm not sure of the ounce count). Several seating "rooms"...the place is actually much bigger than I thought too! I would definitely like to go back and order food and (obviously) try more of the beer selections they offer here. Excellent place!
(5)Adam J.
Inventive menu, well prepared, informed servers. This place is an awesome deal and has great food.
(5)Scotty C.
I had been waiting for Craftsmen to open for what seemed like an eternity. It's not common for local restaurant openings to go off without a hitch but, it seemed like this one was particularly full of anticipation for me being kind of a geek on craft brews. I wasn't able to make it on opening day, as they only announced it earlier the same day that they were opening. I made my way to Cumberland St late Saturday evening with a group of four. I look forward to climbing up to the bar next time to go on a tasting excursion but, we were starving and were looking for some eats so we grabbed a high top table next to the copper laden bar. The atmosphere is great and will definitely be a hang out spot of yours truly. The beer menu is fantastic with 48 drafts on tap rotating in new brew every time one kicks ensuring an always fresh list of frosty suds. For food they have "Bar Classics" and "Daily Features". As far as I know, the daily's are daily and the classics standard. The food was all excellent and I'm excited to see what else shows up on the menu. There were a few items that have been feeding my desire for more. One was the butternut squash soup served with sweet cream and ginger snaps. The bowl was overflowing with squashiness and the ginger snaps added this sultry sweetness on the side. Next was the Curieux brew by Allagash Brewery. It was barrel aged and came in at a whopping 11%abv. The barrel flavor was right up front and a big winner in my book. Lastly was the Crunchy Dame off of the Bar classics menu. This bad boy is a crunchy pork belly sandwich with a sunny side egg on top. I have been having dreams about this pork belly being nice and crunchy making it burst with salty flavor. Although I didn't dine outside in the open courtyard, I am eager to enjoy the air of the summer night savoring some hoppy IPA this summer out doors. This one was worth the wait and I will be making up for lost time by getting back to that bar asap.
(5)Amy M.
Shared a flight of beer with my dad and a cheese plate price was around 22$ staff was friendly and the atmosphere was great ! Only reason I am not giving five star is I thought the cheese plate was fairly small amounts for the price ( I have gotten a higher end cheese plate in nyc with much larger portions for around the same Price) . We could hear the kitchen staff swearing up a Storm, which in my opinion, is a little unprofessional. Blue beer is absolutely out of this world good. Smells just like fresh blueberries !
(4)Emily J.
Great food, great beer selection, good service.
(4)Will D.
Great beer bar. Nearly 50 carefully curated taps. Bartender was friendly and knowledgable. Space is large, clean, and looks cool. If you like craft beer you should go here. They also have half pint pours for exactly half the price - great for trying stuff.
(5)Jonathan Z.
I'll give another whirl but, at this point, I don't see what all the fuss is about. We had just been to Edmunds Oast a couple of nights before so we decided to compare. The squid fries were awesome (think great fried calamari). Beer selection was also very good. We had the burger and the special chicken sandwich that our barkeep raved about. The burger was fine but nothing that blew us away. The chicken sandwich was a mess. It was chicken fingers with decent honey mustard but it just disintegrated in my hands in to a gooey mess. The beer and vinegar boiled peanuts were also pretty good but that's kind of the way we felt about everything there....it was ok, but didn't even compare to Edmunds Oast in any way.
(3)Amy S.
Thoroughly enjoyed the food and beer here. We were there for happy house which made everything super reasonable for such great food. Sweet potato tamales and BbQ spring rolls were favorites. Roasted veggie flatbread and general Tso wings were good too!
(5)Charles T.
OMG! The squid fries, spiced pecans and cheese plate! One of the daily specials is fried quail, and it puts all the excellent fried chicken that I have had in Charleston to shame! The pickled vegetables are amazing. I want to put this place in my pocket and bring it home with me.
(5)Deb W.
I think this has risen to be one of our favorite places. I'm holding off on a 5 star only because I'd like to see if it holds up to the test of time. We've been a couple of times for drinks and LOVED the atmosphere. Recently we went back for happy hour and the food was GREAT! Different, but not weird. Great value for the price. It's right in the middle of the downtown action, but since it's on a side street it seems that mostly only locals have found it. So far we've recommended it to everyone that visits and everyone has loved it. AMAZING selection of beers! We can't wait to go back.
(4)Sean Y.
Excellent and very creative food. Flavors of our food were so amazing that we realized what food porn really meant. Owners on duty trying to please guests and servers are at their best behavior and simply they are there to wow you. Drinks are out of this world too. I am a beer maniac and this place is a beer centric place; However I drank 4 cocktails and did not touch the beers. That's how amazing the cocktails were.
(5)Anthony W.
Fantastic! Bartender was extremely knowledgable and spot on with all his recommendations! If you're in town...local or tourist...you MUST come here. All farm to table menu is such a bonus!
(5)Ravyn P.
Amazing food!! The crunchy dame is a must. Everything was prepared fantastic. The squid fries are a hit as well. From 4-7 they have half off the street food menu items which is a plus:) good craft beer selection. Cool spot!
(5)Scott H.
Another score for the Yelp community and the handy-dandy Yelp app on our Charleston vacation. We just finished the Ft. Sumter tour and headed down to Market St. to check out the Moon Pie General Store and other shops, but we wanted to eat first. I whipped out my Yelp and we discovered the Craftsmen Kitchen Tap House. It was, of course, the last two words that peaked my interest, so we navigated our way to the restaurant. It was mid-afternoon so the restaurant was pretty much empty, but we were enthusiastically greeted by the bartender and served menus. I was initially disappointed when I saw only 8 taps at the bar. Then I got the beer list and realized that they had a whole other room/bar, and total of 44 craft beers on tap. The selection crosses all styles but focuses on American craft brews, especially the Charleston locals. It's not quite as good as the selection at C4B in my opinion, but it's darn close. It was early and I kept my sampling light, but I did try the Bell's Cherry Stout and enjoyed one of my local favorites, the Westbrook Gose. With such a great beer selection, I didn't expect the food to leave more of a lasting impression than the beer. But it did. They seem to rotate their menu quite often, offering a few daily specials and a few bar fare standards. Of those standards, the Scotch Egg and the Squid Fries stood out to me. The Scotch Egg was very nice - a good balance between being gastropub refined and having that grease-bomb decadence that you get from a Scotch Egg at your local fair. The squid fries - oh those squid fries. It was like calamari on steroids. Massive pieces of squid cooked in what seemed to be a fish and chips style batter that was just amazing. My wife and I both agreed that might have been the best single food item we ate in Charleston. My wife really enjoyed fer turkey and bacon grilled cheese, but she wished she had some squid fries of her own. Definitely a nice little find tucked away on a smaller side-street in the Market St. area. We would definitely come back for a more extensive meal on a future trip to Charleston.
(5)Chloe E.
This was a 4.5 star place but I like to round up! Out late at the beach and by the time we realized how hungry we were we were down to just a few places to eat. Thank you yelp and my yelp friends for finding me this place. It isn't hard to find but it is a bit nondescript of a location. Cheese plate. I think I smacked someone's hand away. Beer selection. There were styles of beer I had never heard of. Clientele. Two guys eating at the bar moved over so we could grab a seat. Staff. One of the cutest bartenders I have ever seen. I agree that this would be my Cheers if I lived here. I would want everyone to scream my name when I walked in and I have a feeling if you are a regular that would happen. NORM!
(5)Michal M.
Really wonderful find on a side street in Charleston. Parking is a little hard to find, but there are public lots nearby. We had some wonderful local brews and great eats - fried green tomatoes, pork spring rolls and squid fingers. Very very good! Our waitress was a little lacking - didn't explain a thing and was really hard to find. Not the best when you have empty beer glasses. But the food was so great it made up for it.
(4)Bill B.
First of all it's in a great location and if you are staying anywhere near the market definitely give it a shot. It's in an old brick building that could have been a carriage house. We sat at a 4 top in the rear which had a cool vibe. I like beer but the menu was overwhelming. Great variety but I wish it was broken down a little better. My wife the non beer drinker ask for something like a Bud lite! The menu although not extensive had enough to make it doable. Upon the waitress suggestion two of us got the pork belly sandwich. It was excellent!Our party also had the steak taco very good and the burger again a good choice. The waitress probably should think of another career but maybe had a break up or a flat tire on the way to work. She had a difficult time smiling! One of the few places they will serve a half pint which I enjoy and don't understand why more places don't get rid of those pint glasses. Give this place a chance you will not be disappointed. Great value
(4)Pete B.
You'll find tap houses with more taps on the wall, but you're hard-pressed to find tap houses with a more eclectic selection. Local beers are particularly well represented. The menu also is completely designed to go with the beer selections they've got. We started with the mini bratwurst on pretzel rolls... they were perfect. Good mustard and a bit of pickle. I felt guilty about not getting any veggies, so I had a small bib salad. The pickled veggies were flawless. And I finished off with an amazing pork belly sandwich. I had an amazing local brew that matched perfectly with each menu item. The service completely lived up to the reputation of true southern hospitality. Jordan was attentive, helpful and unobtrusive. She got a huge tip. Folks back home could learn a lot from her. We'll be back for sure!
(5)Jeff S.
Alright y'all! I'm a west coast boy born and bred but apparently my roots are here in the South for here now I reside. Though I miss little from the Peoples Republik of Kalifornya I must say that the Real Mexican food dishes may be found there in abundance from the roach coach on the corner to fine Hispanic dining through out my former State. Classic Hispanic food is a staple in the Golden state. This I have missed, now that I live in the South. The Craftsman Tap House in Charleston has become a standard hitching post whenever we venture to the Holy City and it is with relish that I open the pages of their ever changing Modest Menu. The TapHouse has definitely become one of our favorite haunts. On this fine Christmas Eve, 2013, I had one if my best meals yet. The Green Chile with slow roasted pork and corn bread reminded me of the best of my former home. This was a classic Chile Verde, (excellent south of the border spice or perhaps Northern New Mexico), but with a slightly southern touch thrown in for good measure... as all things in life should have. I can't say exactly how this wonderful dish was made but I can opine with some certainty that the Chef nailed the Chile Verde and I became a fan all over again. Anyone coming to Charleston who likes off the beaten path fine dining coupled with real beer needs to Come to the TapHouse. No big venue or flashy advertising, just quality from top to bottom. You will not be disappointed.
(5)D S.
Small dining area in front with large space in back and open patio area seating as well. Great feel to it and food quality was awesome. They have beer flights for $10. Also ordered a spicy margarita that was excellent. Highly recommend.
(5)Brent O.
Beverage: inspirational and a gastronomic treat. The beer selection was diverse and what I like to call "choice". I went in looking for a Charleston local spread and came out craving the local brews plus some. All I can say is I hope Stone ends up here without too much trouble. That Enjoy By is my new favorite IPA. Food: Dishes provided a fresh take on the classic bar foods. I had the shrimp and scallops and the shrimp was the best I've ever had. all the apps blew my mind and made me ponder the chef's muses. Service was intelligent and considerate. Our server made us feel at home and offered her suggestions and commentary on each dish. We were one of the few present for Sunday service, but I would love to visit on on a Friday or Saturday when its really poppin'. TL;DR: eat there. more importantly, drink there. Can't. wait to come back and try the new dailies!!!
(5)Dani C.
I had a couchsurfer in town visiting and I wanted to give him a "taste of Charleston" while he was here, and this place worked out great! Amazing beer selection, the food was freakin' great (Scotch Egg and Crunchy Dame, he got the Burger)! Parker was our bartender and he was super nice and didn't miss a beat with the service. Actually, everyone working there was really nice! The atmosphere was really relaxed, I personally liked the quiet little bar area near the front door. I will absolutely be going back!
(5)Aaron D.
Very reasonably priced and the food was delicious. One of the best meals we had in Charleston. Try the pork tacos!
(4)Andy V.
Crafstmen has an excellent beer selection and very good food. My wife and I went there a couple of weeks ago for Charleston Beer Week. We each ordered their Flights & Bites which was an excellent pairing of 4 different Great Divide beers with 4 appetizers. Loved everything. Our waitress was great - very attentive and helpful in providing recommendations. It is a bit on the pricier side but this is not your average bar food and Bud Light so it's understandable. We'll definitely be back, and I plan to bring my friends from out of state when they come to visit.
(4)Chris H.
Had a delicious lunch at the bar. Bartender was very forthcoming with knowledge and history of menu which was helpful. Try the Crunchy Dame. One of the best things I have ever eaten. Great and friendly staff. Also had the farmhouse burger which was fantastic but did not compare to the crunchy dame. Would definitely go back the next time I'm in town.
(4)Jay J.
Good food, great beer selection, great atmosphere, good service. One of my Charleston favorites
(4)S C.
Pros: - Great food, had the Crunchy Dame and squid fries and both were phenomenal! - Excellent draft menu. - Very personable / knowledgeable bartender. - Interesting décor. - Large space Cons: Only that we didn't make it in time for HH
(4)Jarrad L.
The pork belly was amazing and the beer selection was immense. Real shame about the lackluster service and the misery that was the beef taco. Stale tortillas and a horrible my brother described as gut maggots. All in all really good but the tacos were horrid and the service was really slow for a Saturday afternoon.
(4)Lori M.
One of my best dining experiences. Comfortable chairs. Beautiful atmosphere. Great beer selection and the food is even better. We are convinced the chef is super human. The crunchy dame sandwich is a taste bud orgasm. The squid fries put to shame any other calamari you've ever tasted. And the staff knows their beers. Our waiter, Harper, (Matt or Hector) was fabulous.
(5)Jason H.
It was suggested that my friends and I should check out this place on Cumberland St. know for good beer and good happy hour prices. When you first enter the establishment off of the street you are in a small sitting area with about 4-6 tables and there is a small bar to your immediate left. Upon further investigation, there is a much larger bar and dining room area through a doorway. There is also a nice outdoor patio. We decided to go to the smaller bar for a more intimate feel. The bartender, Ali, greeted us warmly and explained that she was having a beer "session". This was a term that I was not familiar with. She explained that it was a small menu of craft beers that had less ABV than most of the other libations on the menu. I randomly selected a fermented glass of goodness and started my session. Ali inquired where I was from/work/hobbies and made me feel very welcome during Happy Hour. She retrieved the other bartender from the main bar named Jared whom was friendly as well. I didn't order any food but the gentleman next to me did and it looked fantastic and well displayed on the intricate plates they use. Next time I'm on the peninsula and hungry I'm going to stop here for some good food, beer, and conversations.
(5)Steve S.
This place exceeded expectations. We tried 2 appetizers and 3 entrees and each was amazing. Do not miss this place.
(5)Philip A.
We came for a beer, very nice selection of ipas. The bartenders are very knowledgeable. I like the atmosphere very much. I had the catfish which was excellent. Charleston is such a great town!
(4)Jay S.
It's a nice bar and restaurant one block in from Bay Street. Craftsman sports an extensive beer menu and some pretty decent Happy Hour specials on food and drink from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. The General Tso's chicken wings and the BBC spring rolls were great. Nice ambiance for dining too, and plenty of seating in the back and in the courtyard. The service excelled too.
(4)Michael K.
This place is great! They have an amazing Beer selection, and said beer selection is far more reasonably priced than some other similar beer bars. I was there last weekend for lunch with a friend and the food was really great too. This place is nicely done on the interior, and also has a nice courtyard for outdoor dining. We had some squid fries and I must say they were awesome. The pork belly sandwich (crunchy dame) was phenominal. How can you argue with pork belly, gruyere cheese, sunny egg, and a jam all combined with toasted bread? I love any chance I can get to have sweet and savory, and this hit the spot big time. Definately a big fan. I want to come back for happy hour, because it looked like they had some killer deals. Great staff too. Thanks guys!
(4)Merwan R.
The food was delicious, the beer even more. So glad I discovered this place -- I hope to be back sometime!
(4)Becca J.
Amazing drinks. Great draft selection. Get the burger is is ground pork belly and beef it was juicy and moist. The crunchy dame was also a huge hit with our group too.
(5)Russell M.
Awesome place to check out for happy hour (3-7 on weekdays). 40 beers on tap so you can find something you like. Didn't try any food but everything looked good that was brought out of the kitchen.
(5)Paul P.
Squid Fries was best with light batter, different cuts, bacon, and wonderful light aioli. We started the evening wanting to take a break from the big restaurant meals we had had recently. Just some nice tapas. Along with the calamari we tried the tamales which were a wonderful variation off of the Mexican version. We also tried the Artisan Cheeses and the Spiced Pecans. All great. A bit rushed on the service but great setting, beer selection, and drinks.
(5)Karen S.
Great pub. The beer offerings are expansive. Try a flight, lots of fun. Food excellent. The wait staff are highly knowledgeable of both the beers and the menu offerings. They stay on top of your empty glass.
(5)erin s.
If you love beer and delicious food in a relaxed, neighborhood bar type setting, this is your spot. Their beer selection is incredible with almost 50 taps. They also offer your choice of 8oz or 16oz pours- we loved the smaller size option so we could try more varieties without the price and consumption commitment of a pint! My husband is a burger snob and he rated their burger in his top 3- wow! We also tried the fish and chips and the bratwurst sliders, both which were excellent. The food is a little "fine dining"esque. You won't get heaping baskets of fries here- it's more quality than quantity, but still has the traditional bar food theme with some unique items for the more adventurous palate as well. We were in Charleston for 4 days and ended up here twice- that's how great it is! We will definitely be back here on our next trip to Charleston!
(5)Matthew K.
Went to Charleston for the weekend, and this was the first place my wife and I went. Got a tip that they have good happy hour specials, and that turned out to be more than true. They have $3 "session" pints of beer, and half price beer flights; I got the local flight for only $5!! Overall, the beer selection was quite extensive. In addition to the beer, they have half off their street food appetizers. We decided just to order 3 different appetizers and share instead of doing entrees. We got the BBQ Spring Rolls, Roasted Vegetable Flatbread, and the potato bombs. Everything was fantastic...well seasoned and very flavorful. Not a bad place to start the weekend! Would have gone for 5 stars, but the service left a tad to be desired.
(4)Gary D.
Great beer selection - friendly staff - the only reason to deduct a star was for value. Don't buy the artisan cheese plate - less than 1 ounce of cheese in 3 mice size nibbles for $10. Go for the scotch eggs - great value $ taste.
(4)Justin A.
In name and theory Craftsmen should be a place that easily gets a five star review from me. I anxiously awaited it's opening with a thirst that 48 beers on tap seemed like it would quench. My review is based upon two separate visits. One being my birthday celebration on a Friday evening, and the other being on a Saturday afternoon downtown. My first experience was excellent. I wanted to sing Craftsmen's praises and tell of how it lived up to my high expectations. The food was fantastic, and the beer selection blows most places around Charleston out of the water. The server wasn't very attentive. She was off sampling beers at the most inconvenient times. Times that seemed to coincide with every time we were prepared to place an order. This was a minor inconvenience seeing as how great everything else was. I left feeling very satisfied with hopes for a second visit in the near future. Well, I got my second visit. The second trip was the polar opposite of the first experience. My fiance and I went with our toddler in tow. We wanted a couple of drinks and maybe an appetizer to snack on. We walk in and it's ridiculously hot. We're sweating shortly after sitting down. We decide what we want and are told repeatedly that they don't have the beers we want on tap. I finally land something they actually have and it arrives warm with a fly resting in the head of the beer. That turned me off right away. It didn't help that the server seemed to care less. She was less attentive than the first one. It almost felt like we aren't even welcome there. We quickly downed our beers(I did get a new one without the added protein) and left. I'm not saying I won't go back. I have had two very different experiences and would definitely give Craftsmen TapHouse another try. The last experience has put me off for a while though.
(3)Lesley P.
After putting dinner off too long listening to a band and drinking wine at High Cotton, we had the brilliant idea to ask our waiter where he eats when his shift ends. He sent us to Craftsman. I wish I could go back and give him a high-five. The food was delicious and rich (I got their twist on a croque madame, the Crunchy Dame). After quite a few typical southern restaurants (in a good way!) this place felt unique. A definite must, and though it's right off a touristed strip, it seems just out of the way enough to be overlooked.
(5)Erik B.
Awesome service, awesome food. Had one of the best servers I've ever had. Ordered the burger which was fantastic and made it before 7 to get half priced apps. Will definitely return to Craftsmen. Definitely a top restaurant in charleston for a casual meal.
(5)Brian M.
This place rocks! Our server was Lauren and she also rocked. 1/2 price burgers and sandwiches on Tuesdays double rocked! Squid Fries are long and delicious, not the typical crappy calamari that is all breading and no squid. Spring rolls were DEE-LISH (double LISH) and best I've ever had. The "Crunchy Dame" burger was breakfast on a bun and was awesome. Try the flights of beer (4-4oz glasses for $10) and sample. My fave was the Choconaut but you have to like stout - otherwise try the Ginger Splash if you want something interesting - but they are ALL good. What are you waiting for? Tap the "TAKE ME THERE" button and GO!
(5)Nastassia W.
We were in town for a work conference and had a few hours of free time before our flight home. The Charleston Place hotel recommended Craftsmen, and we're glad they did! They open at 3pm and offer happy hour starting at 4pm. Great selection of beers, including local beers. At 4pm you can get a flight of four, 4oz beers for $5. What?? I got the IPA flight and was not disappointed. But I was hungry. Those BBQ spring rolls were DELICIOUS. I wanted to order more! The kimchi/slaw thing was a little spicy for my taste. We also ordered the wings, which weren't the best flavor - too much like soy sauce - but I still ate them all. The bartenders and servers were friendly and available. We really enjoyed it!
(5)Cat A.
My husband and I were wandering around town waiting for our hotel room to become available after a red-eye flight in from the West Coast. We were pretty hungry and couldn't decide where to eat and saw a posting for this place on the yelp map. We were one of the first customers of the day and they were still setting up for lunch service but were really gracious to us and let us belly up to the bar. They have a superb beer list (my husband is a craft beer snob). The bartenders were really knowledgable. My husband order the pork belly sandwich, it came with a cherry jelly and a fried egg on top. It was naughty and totally delicious. I had the farmhouse burger and it was juicy, cooked perfectly. The bun was soft and the pickles added a really nice flavor. My only complaint would be for the fried potato slices. Too thick, deep fried to they were almost burnt on the outside. I would totally go back here.
(5)Kathryn K.
Great selection of beer my husband and I liked that they offered a half pint option so we could try a variety of beers. We decided to try beers and get appetizers. We got the fried calamari (great batter was used to fry the calamari), fried fish tacos (on the spicer side), and the brats. Everything was great and we will definitely be back!!
(5)Jessica W.
What a great place! I had the Crunchy Dame, it was amazing! The jelly and mustard really make it. My husband had the Wagu Beef Tacos- they were also great! He is a real foodie, and said "They were one of the best things I've had in a long time!" He also had the Sessions Beer flight and LOVED the first three! He didn't love the last beer, but it went down just fine. ;) Our service was great too. We highly recommend this place. Enjoy! :D
(5)Steven J.
Awesome place. One of the best happy hours in town for food! I came for a quick beer ended up with some awesome food.
(4)Tracy G.
I've now been here a handful of times and each time it keeps getting better and better. The beer list is amazing, the service is excellent and the food is pretty freaking good too. My food favorite at this point is probably the Crunchy Dame- with it's cheesy, porky deliciousness. Other top recommendations are the meatloaf sandwich, the skirt steak and pretty much the entire Happy Hour menu. Mini sloppy joe's people! What-what! This place is perfect for groups, large and small, but I would recommend you give them a head's up because this place is getting popular and it can get pretty packed, especially on a weekend night.
(4)Ines S.
The ambiance is amazing, the beer selection is pristine, and the staff is darling!! Our bartender, Parker, was a great tour guide and super informative about must-see places in town! I'll definitely bookmark this place as a must-go-to when I'm in town :D
(5)Ryan H.
Went for a few great beers(and they were great) but got talked into the Scotch Egg and the Crunchy something or other. Louis, our bartender/server, recommended the correct pairing of beers to go with our app and then the sandwich. He could not have been more spot on! you are getting double 5 Star on this as my wife felt as strongly as I about our experience there! We heard all about the farm to table stuff of all their ingredients as well. Just a good time. And the BEER! OMG. Thanks Louis! First time there but definitely not the last.
(5)Chelle R.
A wide variety of local and national micro brews on tap. As a bartender if you're not sure what you want. They are very knowledgeable and are happy to assist you in your selection. Don't just come to drink. They serve food as well. Nice size portions of dishes that complement the brews on tap.
(4)Andie C.
Awesome beer selection. We ordered a flight of eleven, 4oz beers for $10!!! What a deal!!! The atmosphere was awesome and chill. The bartenders were attentive, informative, and fabulous. We will be bringing all of our beer-loving friends here...A LOT.
(5)Steven G.
This was my first time here. The façade doesn't look that great, but once you step inside it has a great atmosphere with lots of seating and two bar areas. Our server was very attentive and did a nice job explaining the menu. Great beer selection. We ordered the pretzel brat appetizer. It was very good. We ordered the hotdog, pizza and ham sandwich for dinner. All were very good. We got there around 6:15 pm and were out within an hour. We would go back again.
(4)Hailey Z.
For a late night snack, we had the poutin. The gravy had a base from one of their beers. Great concept, except it was so unbelievably bitter. And not "good ESB" bitter but "something went wrong" bitter.
(3)Lyndsay S.
Awesome craft beer selection and food! We stumbled upon Craftsmen while in Charleston... as craft beer lovers, we decided to go in for a drink! The atmosphere is great - 2 different bars with an urban, open look! We were warmly greeted by Robbie. He's definitely a beer expert and did a great job describing the beer and food menu! Wanting to try local SC beers, we got the local SC flight and an APA pint. Both were excellent! For food, we got the Squid Fingers and Burger. The Squid Fingers are the best!!! The combination of the squid with the peppers, onions and bacon is just fabulous! We will definitely be back the next time we're in town!
(5)Brad C.
First Yelp review! That's how compelled I am to write this review. I travel worldwide as a corporate pilot, and last night I treated my crew to the Craftsman Kitchen and Brewhouse based on Yelp reviews... Fantastic experience, I'm kind of a beer and food guy... Cool architecture and space, beer selection quite amazing, with truly fantastic tavern food! Staff was great! The manager and bartenders were patient and knowledgable with just a hint of sarcasm - perfect! Well done guys and gals! Cheers
(5)Janelle L.
I was very happy to find this gem via yelp. The food was some of the best my husband and I have had our entire trip in Charleston, and the beer selection was awesome. The bartender had very good knowledge of the beers available and was happy to serve samples of ones we wanted to try and suggest new ones. I will definitely make this a regular stop when I visit.
(5)Matty B.
Wowzers. That's not a word I use frequently (is it even a word?), but I think it applies when attempting to describe the craft beer selection at Craftsmen. Let's start with the suds, shall we, since that is probably the main attraction here (despite lots to be attracted to). Basically, your crafty taste buds shall never get bored here. There are a TON of craft beers on draft, including some very tough to find brews. One bar is entirely devoted to hoppy drafts (IPAs and the like) while a second bar covers all the rest. There are both 8oz and 16oz pours for everything, and the barkeeps are more than willing to let you have a sample of anything on the menu. Oh, and those bartenders are also friendly, informative, and conversational as opposed to acting as though they are all knowing hop gods. You won't find those types of employees here (at least not from what I have seen). Should you want to diversify a bit and not get all your calories from hoppy libations, then you are in luck as the menu here is pretty darn outstanding. They pride themselves on using local, fresh ingredients and rotating the menu very frequently (the daily menu is posted on Facebook from day to day). I guess "gastropub fare" would aptly describe the menu items here, though everything is pretty reasonably priced. Like your more expensive and upscale gastropub offerings, you are treated to such exotic items as flatbread, quail, salmon, crab, and heirloom tomatoes here rather than typical bar fare such as smothered nachos, greasy fries, or mozzarella sticks. It's a step up here, though not too hard on your wallet. Plus you can get happy hour specials on the cheap on weekends (I believe until 7pm?). Where does all this magic take place? Well, it happens in a picturesque setting with plenty of exposed brick, substantial wooden bars polished to a perfect sheen, and an open and inviting atmosphere. Plus there is a quaint little outdoor patio so you can enjoy your drinks under the stars (or sun if it's daytime). The one downside I've noticed here is that the servers do tend to get swamped from time to time, and thus service may be more on the slow side. Though I guess that's the price you expect to pay at times when you visit such a fine establishment.
(4)Kati R.
This is one of my favorite places to come to when I go down town. The Catfish Fish & Chips just melts in your mouth! So many beers on tap and they change every day! Great place to hang out and grab some dinner, or just come to the bar for some quality beer!
(4)Saba S.
Fantastic recommendation from our YELP fans. 1-Wings were okay...too much smokey-ness and flavor for me, but they were good. 2-Crunchy Dame was DELICIOUS! Get it and love it. The menu was a bit hard to read and with the okay wings, this place gets a 4. The price was around $25 with a beer. Good price and they had HALF OFF on their wines on Sunday night.
(4)Bill F.
After a two week vacation that had us eating across Washington DC, Williamsburg, Asheville, Savannah, Bluffton and finally finishing in Charleston, we thought we had tasted it all ... And loved every freaking bite along the way. Shrimp and grits, fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, oysters, biscuits, pork chops, soft shelled crab ... you get the idea! We thought we had tasted and loved all the South had to offer. Then on a tip we went to Craftsman Kitchen for our last meal. We were blown away again. Met by the friendliest, knowledgeable and vivacious server we launched into a whole new dining experience. ERIKA was fabulous! Her guidance from local beer flights to wings to die for to Spring rolls and potato bombs were THE BOMB!! Don't miss Craftsman Kitchen and don't miss ERIKA!
(5)Michael T.
Excellent! Really fun and cool downtown bar. The bar food is really good! Elevated bar food in my opinion. The general tso chicken wings are fantastic! The potato bombs with bacon on top are really delicious too. The duck ham was okay for me, my friends loved it though. Tons of awesome craft beers! The back bar and back patio in the rear of the restaurant is the place to be. There is a bar by the front window, but you would never know that the back of the place is awesome because there is a brick dividing wall in the place blocking your view from the sidewalk. Design flaw in my opinion. It is in the tourist district so I hope the locals notice it. We love you tourists too! Anyways, love this place!
(4)Sydney G.
The menu is divided into 2 parts. One one side, you have their "Bar Classics" which are available daily. On the other side, you have their "Daily Features," which change out daily depending what they have in the kitchen. We ordered the BBQ Pork sandwich (pulled pork, cole slaw, fried pickles on a sesame seed bun) from their daily features menu. It was delish. The bun was toasted ever so slightly and the fried pickles had just the lightest coating of batter and were delicious with the coleslaw. The sandwich was served with their "fries" which were more like fat potato chips. We ordered the Farmhouse Burger (beef, pork, idazabal, beer pickles, and bibb lettuce) from the Bar Classics menu. I took a bite of it, and let me tell you, it was outstanding. Not as good as a Husk burger, but still pretty darn good. The combination of beef and pork was very interesting and gave it an extra layer of depth. The idazabal cheese was good too, and added an almost smokey flavor to it. Really, really good. I've had like 4 people tell me that I should get the Crunchy Dame (BBQ Pork belly, butterkase, cherry jam, sunny egg, $9) from the Bar Classics menu. Apparently it's "unreal" and it "may have brought tears to my eyes," so when I go back I'll have to give that a try. All in all, I was very impressed and definitely recommend you try this place out.
(5)Mark D.
Swell food, swell beer.
(5)J G.
great drink prices and food, a nice little gem that's open late
(4)Tom G.
Only been once for a Yelp Elite event, but really like the place. Wonderful selection of beer. Great location, ever so slightly off the beaten path of East Bay on Cumberland. Nice decor, with a good amount of brickwork. Bartenders were friendly and professional - service was great! The menu changes daily - I spoke with the bartender who said they only buy fresh and enough to last one day. Not 100% sure about a completely new menu daily, although it is posted on Facebook each AM. I have some go-to dishes at certain places that I know will be waiting for me when I need them. We'll see - plan on going back this weekend for dinner,
(4)Joy S.
I was finally able to get back to Craftsmen to try some food last night. I know Craftsmen is all about the beer and I did enjoy my Good Juju ginger ale, but I'm just going to skip all that since for me, it was more about the food last night. We loved everything we had and we all know that doesn't happen very often. Here's every tasty thing we tried: the scotch egg, roasted garlic flatbread without mushrooms (still really good!), pretzel bread pudding, corn chowder with corned beef brisket and peach jam, fruit salad with a ginger beer vinaigrette, and the rudderfish tacos. I'm not going to go through and describe each item, only because I tend to be long-winded. Just know that everything we had was absolutely delicious! Wait, I take that back. Let me talk about the pretzel bread pudding for a moment. Only because we read that and all had the same reaction: "Whaaaaa?!?!" Let me tell you, it was cheesy, doughy, mustardy, salty goodness and it did not disappoint. We also had awesome service complete with a three person tag team clearing of dishes in a matter of seconds (I'm former F&B and that still always impresses me). I'm still kind of dreaming about that scotch egg and can't wait to go back to see what other mouth-watering offerings the Craftsmen comes up with. Who am I kidding, I'll be back this weekend.
(5)Kim M.
Had a small vegetable plate for an appetizer and a 22 oz. docs cider. Really liked the atmosphere and the employees were very attentive. Didn't eat a real meal to really comment on the food but I would definitely visit again.
(5)Deanna I.
Very cool spot off the tourist track. Great variety of brews; local, IPA's, session, etc.. Cute little back deck that holds a few tables. Try Doc's Pumpkin Hard Cider, It's Autumn in a cup, THAT good. Veggie flat bread was delicious and next time I have to check out their homemade ice cream sandwiches!
(4)Scott D.
Came based on previous Yelp reviews and it lives up to every one of them. Excellent food. Excellent beer. Service was excellent. If I ever find myself in Charleston again I will be returning.
(5)Amela R.
We've been eagerly awaiting the opening of Craftsmen Kitchen & Tap House for months. (I'm not exaggerating here -- the initial projected opening was for October 2012 and we were already on board with eagerness for that date.) Watching the progress on Facebook was nice, but just prolonged the agony, though tantalizing at the same time. The place finally opened Beer Week 2013 (April 21-27), which was pretty fitting. Open! Finally! The place has a great feeling inside. (I remember it from previous incarnations. This is a definite improvement.) The taps in the first room are pretty much IPA, though if you sit there, any of the beers offered are available. If you move on through to the next room, there's a beautiful bar, plentiful with craft beer on tap (last projected count was in the high 30's for brews available, but I forgot to check). They also offer bottled beer and other beverages for those who are not hop-heads. We were able to find some of our favorites as well as a couple of new brews to try. Our waitress was knowledgeable, giving good descriptions of the ones we were unfamiliar with, and, once learning our taste preferences, making educated suggestions. The foods offered paired nicely with the beers. Ingredients seemedfresh, flavorful, prepared with care, and plated beautifully. The menu breaks down into "Bar Classics", which are the Kitchen's suggestion of what pairs well with beer, and "Daily Features", more of a meal, with a menu list that changes, well, daily. There are also side dishes featured. Pricewise, it's not cheap, but we got out of there paying roughly the same we might pay for a full meal and beverages at some other local places. It certainly is possible to drop a bundle, but it's also possible to not do so. As to the food itself, I ended up with the mushroom flatbread, which was really well prepared, flavorful, and the right size for a small appetite meal. I really wanted a small salad to go with it, but there (currently) isn't one on the menu. (I've since been told by one of the staff that I could simply ask for that and they'd prepare it for me, but I didn't know that at the time.) So, I ordered a shrimp salad on a bed of greens, Ate the greens and pawned the prawns of on husband. The shrimp salad was a little overcooked/mushy for my taste in crustaceans. Husband really enjoyed the Gazpacho he had, which came paired with chile cured salmon. The plate of seven roasted veggies was nice, too. Our table faced the bar on one side, and a small beer garden on the other. Nice. Will we go back? Yes, definitely. Will we find easy, free parking? That's another story, but we're willing to walk from our secret parking spot over to Cumberland. I do have to say that all the staff we met were really helpful, friendly, and took time to chat with us. We felt very welcomed. Some things are indeed worth waiting for -- aged cheese, decently brewed beer, and apparently, The Craftsmen Kitchen & Tap House.
(4)Shira M.
Great happy hour! 1/2 price "street food". Food changes daily so jump in with both feet. Every thing was delish. Quiet place off the path but worth the detour. Salmon was perfectly cooked!!!! Great service. The worst thing about this place was, because they were slow, food came out so fast it was hot! And smelling & seeing it made it really hard to wait!!! TRY IT!
(5)Charity D.
Cool bar with good food. Loved the beer specials (half off large beers the day we went). The spring rolls were delicious and the duck ham grilled cheese was great. Servers were nice and gave good recommendations. Worth a visit if you're in town looking for a nice bar.
(4)Stefania H.
Food was delicious, super psyched that their kitchen is open late...it was a life saver this past Saturday!
(5)James S.
I read about their beer selection and had to come. We were not disappointed. A beer selection that brings a tear to your eye. The bartender was nice and knowledgeable. The atmosphere was nothing to write home about, but that's kinda why I like it. No frills. Lots of concrete and poor lighting. Heck, it might even have some mahogany in there. Manly. On a side note, don't go for the food just yet. A group of four of us decided to have a bite along with our beer. None of us were really impressed. With that being said, the focus is on the beer- which is why the place still rocks. It has all the beer a person could want!
(5)D. I.
There are a billion beers to choose. Got the Crunchy Dame cuz of all the reviews. This is quite the breakfast sandwich served all day long. I liked it because of the combo of tastes. Worth trying and washing down with one of the many beers.
(4)D B.
This place is fantastic! Recommended by the wait staff at Blossom, they are truly unique. The guys at the bar helped us try different brews from all over the country. We are not experts on beers, but they are. They were patient with us, took the time understand what we were looking for. Explained the difference and nuance of what we were trying. Wish we had found them a few days earlier, as our stay was ending. If you enjoy craft beers, this is an absolute must stop. They also had an extensive wine list, but we did not have the time to try some of them. Basically, if you are looking for a relaxed spot- high quality beer or wine, this is it. They also had a full menu, but again, we were not able to try much. We did have a cheese plate - which was excellent. Served and presented very well The guys there explained they have been open a very short time- and have a new beer menu every day. This place should be a huge "hit"- especially if the local wait staffs continue to take notice, and recommend. It's a bit hard to find, but very close to the better spots on East Bay St.
(5)Michelle A.
Loved the beer menu at this place. Suggest getting a flight so you can try more than one. The surroundings here were super hip and cool. The outdoor patio was the best, private but still able to enjoy all the exposed brick. Highly suggest going here.
(4)Paul D.
I walk in for lunch, and the first bar is right through the front door. With about 10 taps, all seem to be IPA's. Several tables scattered about. Exposed brick everywhere, which I always love. So few places in Houston will show the brick and mortar of the building, but in Charleston it seems to be a common theme. I am sure it is one of those things that people around here don't notice as much just because of that. Anyway, the second bar is huge. More wood high top tables in the second bar area, and a great inclosed patio. A ton of taps in the second bar area. Local breweries are well represented, Westbrook being prevalent. Also Stillwater, Weyerbacher, and a bunch more. You can get anything in half or full pints. They certainly give Closed for Business a run for their money for the best tap selection in town that will continue to rotate. The service is friendly, and fairly quick. I order a Westbrook Bearded Farmer, but the bartender gave me the IPA instead. Not a big deal, but they did not seem to really know the selection all that well. Still, pretty knowledgeable on the menu. There are two food menus. The main stays, and an ever rotating daily features menu. I went with the ham curried duck breast. Which is very flavorful, with a host of pickled veggies and candied walnuts. Very good, and the rest of the menu is top notch as well. Country Pate anybody? Nice. A great place for a beer and food. I could of just said that, which is all you need to know.
(4)Patrick T.
Scottish egg was great, been craving one Cheese tray was excellent I had the 20$ sirloin, perfectly cooked medium... which would drstroy most 50$ steaks, awesomeness wife had the dane , which she says she is already dreaming of having again waitress Sydney was great as well as the manager! Will definitely come back
(5)Ben C.
Food was amazing and very reasonably priced for the location. Most other restaurants around here charge the same or more for an entree. So much beer! I only tried one so I'll have to be back to try more! Robbie and Sarah (our waiters) were awesome! Robbie interacted with us a lot and it's the only reason I'm writing this review! Only negative, we had to wait 20-30 min for a table and ended up being seated at a table that had been empty since we walked in.
(5)Jerry C.
This place is terrific! The fresh, farm-to-table approach yields great tasting food that complements very well with the eclectic assortment of draft beers. The Scotch Egg is particularly tasty, with fresh made sausage. A hidden gem, but a must try when in Charleston.
(4)John S.
Great Food. A real eclectic mix of flavors. They take the traditional street and pub fare and twist it to give it a unique flair. The veggie flatbread comes alive due to the honey roasted tomatoes, and the banger sliders are simple and yet singular compared to average bar fare. The beer selection is good and the prices are very reasonable especially during happy hour (4 - 7pm). There is nothing better than trying a new place in your favorite city and being rewarded with such a good meal. Can't wait to go back soon.
(5)Andrew M.
Great atmosphere to hang out and try some neat brews. Knowledgeable staff. Prices not bad at all. 8 oz. pours available so you can try many! Loved it. Will be back often.
(5)Thomas H.
$4 flights of some of the best beers I've ever tasted you just can't go wrong there . Half price appetizers 3 o'clock on all with the unique flair. Friendly smiling staff with prompt service. Really cool club atmosphere.
(5)keith c.
Without doubt, from start to finish the best meal I've ever had. If you don't eat here you're a fool!
(5)Lisa O.
We walked all around Charleston and searched Yelp endlessly to find a place for dinner. We found the Craftsman and were excited. We got to the front door and were met by a hardly welcoming, borderline rude, hostess. The menu has some interesting choices, but the welcome at the front door turned us off from the start. We decided to have a drink and check out the menu. The menu looks interesting, but the intro turned us off. On a good note, the bars are beautiful, atmosphere chill, and the bartenders make great margaritas.
(2)Janet C.
We loved enjoying the local beers on tap and awesome food (happy hour tapas type fare for $4). The squid fries were so good, the best calamari I have ever had (not happy hour special but worth it). Like that you are able to get 8 oz pours for $3 or $4 so you try different beers (plus they will give you a taste of a beer if you are not sure if you want to commit to 8 oz.).
(5)Tina B.
This is by far the best gastropub I have visited. Brian was very personable and the food was amazing! Definitely a weekly hangout...
(5)Josh M.
Stopped here for a draft before dinner at the bar. Tons of beers in tap and great flights and half pint choices if you want to sample.
(4)A L.
The selection was pretty good, but I don't love it when beer places don't let me pick and choose the beers for my flight. The service was OK too. The food smelled delicious and the service seemed okay. I might pop in again next time I'm there.
(3)Jay J.
I am sure a number of patrons are drown to to the restaurant for the vast array of speciality and locally brewed beers. That was not the case for us. We stopped by the restaurant for dinner while the other half of our party was busy enjoying all that Charleston has to offer. Everyone's food was outstanding but I must point out the food menu/selection was far less extensive than the beer choices. Food choices for younger children could prove to be a bit challenging.
(4)Jason M.
The chef and owner, Todd, is very talented. Go eat here. Seriously. If you're a bar fly, Ashley will definitely take care of you. Jess made excellent food recommendations. The wings were a delicious cross between chicken wings and crispy spare ribs. The Scottish egg is a soft boiled egg wrapped in homemade sausage, then deep fried and served with home-made mustard seeds marinated with dogfishhead 90 min IPA. I don't really like mustard, but this was delicious. 40+ taps. Enough said. Go try it.
(5)Michael R.
The food here is pretty good. We had the crunchy dame and the spring rolls. They also have a nice selection of stuff in tap and a number of flight options if you aren't quite sure what you're in the mood for.
(2)TJ S.
Great place to eat and watch a game. My wife and I went here early on a Saturday night and grabbed two seats at the back bar. Bartenders were friendly and quick to serve. Not having been here we asked for recommendations, suggested the scotch egg and the squid fries. Both were amazing! My wife thought the scotch egg was worthy of "hall of fame'" appetizer status and I thought the squid fries were the best calamari I'd ever had. We split a sirloin to round out our meal and it was delicious. Varied beer selection allows most to find something they will like. We will definitely return on our next trip to Charleston.
(5)Luciana M.
We came for the food, not the beer, and I'm glad we did. I had the Crunchy Dame, delicious combination of flavors with pork, cheese, egg and cherry jam (which I was a bit skeptic about at first) and my husband tried the Meatloaf sandwich, also to his liking. The kids had a cheese pizza, it was enough for them to share (ages 2 and 6). I'm taking one star (I would take half of a star if I could do that) because the Crunchy Dame came with some condiments not listed on the menu, which I couldn't eat because of dietary restrictions, and the waitress took forever to show up again after bringing the food. Other than that the place looks nice, I wish I could drink beer right now to try some of their selection, and the food was great (and not expensive either).
(4)Robin W.
We came into town to see our daughter, who is stationed at the AFB. She knows of some great places but we decided to try something new. What a great find! Food was excellent, server made sure we got every minute out of happy hour, service was friendly and solicitous, and the price was surprising very low. A great place for dinner or a party.
(5)Ash S.
Amazing food- several layers of favors and beautifully presented. Staff was extremely friendly, helpful and attentive. Good beer recommendations. We even took some to go.
(5)Megan R.
Good food and a lot of beer options! The farmhouse burger is amazing and so is the veggie pizza.
(4)Elizabeth H.
Love this restaurant! The food was delicious. The staff was accommodating and friendly. We went during restaurant week and had the trio of fries, the "burgers" and the ice cream sandwiches. So yummy I didn't want to leave anything on my plate.
(5)E L.
Great place to stop and taje a break from shopping - friendly service, yummy beers! Warm atmosphere.
(5)Katherine S.
Four out of four friends agree: this is the best sandwich and/or burger we have ever eaten. (Crunchy dame sandwich and farmhouse burger)
(5)Katrina W.
I was a bit disappointed in this place. The service was really slow even though it was a Wednesday night and did not appear to be very busy. While the menu looked super cool on paper, the food wasn't actually that great. We had the squid fries and fried catfish to start (per the recommendation of the server) and I would say the squid fries were the best thing I ate...the catfish was meh. For dinner, my husband got the Farmhouse burger that was really hyped and I actually found it dry. I ordered some sort of salmon on a cauliflower cake or something. It was decent. We also got the sweet potato tamales and I think "tamale" is a very incorrect description of them. They were more like sweet potato puffs or something...very bland though. I will say that we weren't drinking beer, so perhaps the rating is a little unfair considering it's a Tap House. But, based on the food and service, it was "meh".
(2)Jessica S.
My husband and I stopped in on a rainy evening for an early dinner. When we got there, we weren't greeted or sat, so we just grabbed a table by ourselves. A waitress was with us promptly and gave us a huge list of beer to choose from. I'm not much of a beer person, but my husband is and was happy with what he ordered (he's very picky with beer!). I ordered the fried chicken and my husband ordered a burger. They were both very good and reasonably priced. The fried chicken was not greasy at all, and had a good crispy taste without being over seasoned. It came with potato bites which were amazing, and the chicken had a light honey drizzle that was delicious. The waitress explained everything on the menu as we ordered, so there was no confusion. We also ordered a chocolate cake for dessert that was amazing! If we come back to Charleston, we will be back.
(5)Mike B.
Hands down greatest bar, restruant, staff, and atmosphere we could have asked for. We found this place on accident and was the best accident of our trip. After dining at locations such as Circa 1886 and Magnolia, I can say this was the best food/atmosphere/staff/cocktail combination my girlfriend and I could have asked for. We will make a trip back to Charleston for this place alone in the future. BEST. PLACE. IN. CHARLESTON. GUARANTEED.
(5)Steve F.
Charelston's downtown district is pretty saturated with generic menus, so Craftsmen sticks out a bit once your pallet gets a little bored. The beer menu is rather large, but in my case, my waitress was extremely knowledgeable and helped me narrow down my options quickly. I was very happy with her choices. The menu is very unique, and really just the right size. I didn't come here for a huge meal, rather a small bite to wash down some hard earned beer. The menu is evolving so my specific meal is sort of inconsequential, but lets say my daily special pizza was incredibly flavorful (almost too much so), and the scotch egg ( a staple) was cooked well - meaning there was a bit of that perfect ooziness you get when you've done it just right. I give it 5 stars by comparison to the rest of the area's food, mostly of a higher price bracket as well. I recommend coming here with no specific drink in mind, nor a particular food. It is perfect for the "What do you want to eat tonight...I don't care" sorta night.
(5)Joe S.
Excellent service. Food is delicious and consistent. Amazing draft selection. Highly recommend this place. CAB NY Strip is 7 oz for $16! WHAT?! Bring your friends and family HERE.
(5)Jeremy P.
Great restaurant. We stayed in Charleston for 4 nights and my party of 10 agreed that this was the best restaurant of the trip. I had the Cruchy Dame and it was very good. Tremendous value.
(5)Rob R.
Great location downtown Charleston, cool interior, and very friendly staff. Talked with a couple different people who worked here and they were passionate about the food and beer they serve. Multiple employees asked how my food and beer was, and were visibly pleased when I said it was great. Got the shrimp and duck plate with Johnny cake and it was awesome. Had a tasty local IPA that went well with the spicy sweet meal. Highly recommended!
(5)Matthew W.
Crunchy dame and crispy potatoes are absolutely delicious. Sundays have half off on large format. Try to make it in when they have Westbrook Mexican cake.
(5)Kent B.
Looking to score a solid meal & heavy poor around "closing time" in Charleston on Saturday night (which strangely is like 11 PM)? I highly recommend this non touristy foodie's delight - The Craftsmen Kitchen. I give this hidden gem 9 "the menu changes here daily folks" out of 10.
(5)Sarah M.
Omg! I can't say enough good things about this place! Cool ambiance, the food is amazing & the drinks are the best! Seriously though get anything with the bacon or pork belly! The service was excellent, very attentive! The drinks were delish! We had the lobster quesadilla, very spicy (but we were expecting it) and the pork belly sandwich with cherry jelly was AMAZING! The squid fries and bacon were the,best squid I have ever had! Robbie was also awesome, very cool human & makes the place e special!
(5)John H.
Gastropub is an oxymoron to me but if they are like this restaurant, I am a fan. They have a great beer selection and I was offered samples. Even better, they have half pints. The bartender and servers were attentive and my water glass never ran empty. They were knowledgeable about the menu and were very helpful. The squid fries represented what I thought of gastropubs. It looked pretty but the flavors did not work. The aioli and pickled vegetables overpowered the seafood. However, the pork belly was inventive with the combo of cherry jam and bbq served with an egg. A dish that I would not have imagined to taste good but was GREAT! Stop in when you are on E. Bay St.
(4)Kara L.
This place is EXCELLENT! They not only have a phenomenal craft beer selection, but they organize their beer lists in such a way that makes evaluating the daunting list very easy--i.e. it's categorically organized by type of beer (IPA, sessions, etc.) The menu isn't too big, but the selections are all very unique and expertly prepared. There is definitely something to satisfy every craving, and you literally can't go wrong with any dish. Service is friendly and accommodating, and the atmosphere is just awesome. Really nice enclosed outdoor seating area as well. I don't dish out 5 star ratings too often, but every part of our experience deserves it. If you're looking for a place to have a romantic evening, or even a tasty happy hour with great specials, this place is perfect.
(5)Tara G.
We found this place perusing yelp, as we are not from here. We both wanted a casual place to get beers and dinner. Great beer selection! I was happy to see some of my favorite breweries on their tap lost, as well as local SC beers! We got 2 different beer flights to try. My boyfriend had the Crunchy Dame, and loved it. One of his top sandwiches. 5 stars for the Crunchy Dame. I had the chicken salad sandwich and it was not as good, I got a bone in the chicken salad mix that I bit down on. I told the waitress and she awkwardly said "sorry?!" And that was that. Not taken off the bill, no offer for a new sandwich. Overall, we loved the beer selection and the Crunchy Dame, stay away from the chicken salad.
(3)Hana M.
Craftsmen feels like it is "off the beaten path" when it's really in the hub of the market, just a jump from e. bay. Compared to everything around it, the craftsmen is way more laid back, you can always find a place to sit, and you can hear your friends speak. It's not the typical market area crowd too. Becoming my go to after work to get away from the bachelorettes, frat boys, and seamen. The bartenders are good at helping me pick out what beer to try, and I learned from one bartender what I.P.A and Hops were and if I don't like bitter beers, I don't want a beer with high IPA/ a lot of hops - now, every time I read the beer list, I can actually almost understand it. Thanks dude!!
(5)Steve M.
Of all the bars in the touristy downtown area this one left me the most impressed all around. I sat down in the front bar portion and was quickly greeted by the bartender. Being from out of town I asked what local beers she would recommend and she spent time helping me figure out what local brews would work for me. She did a great job! The craft beer list is extensive though not all taps are visible. Not a problem but I was confused at first when the bartender would leave and come back with my beer. The only negative I can think of is that the front bar portion of the place was pretty warm. Funny thing is it wasn't until someone asked where the restroom was located that everyone at the front bar found there was more to the place! More importantly that the second half of the establishment was much cooler in temperature. I'll be back before I head home!
(5)Mark S.
Had a fantastic meal and experience. Robbie served us and was the absolute man - ask for him! Beer samples, small pours and tons of options. Decent veggie options and incredible quality - all local. Ice cream sandwiches finished our meal, along with a complimentary shot. Get here quick!
(5)Jackie F.
We had several adults and a couple kids (ages 4 and 1) in Charleston on a Saturday night in the summer. It was hard to find a kid-friendly restaurant with a reservation but we were able to get one early. The host and waiters were all awesome. The restaurant was so accommodating with a small kids menu and got the kids food out fast! All of the adults loved their food - I recommend the burger and the little brats but there was tons of interesting stuff on the menu. Great beer list and wines as well. Would be great for families or just a night out without the kids. I'd go back in heartbeat!!
(5)Mike W.
We enjoyed Craftsman with a large group and tried multiple appetizers along with the multiple beers. Great variety of both were available and everything was fantastic. Followed with dinner and the brisket sandwich was perfectly done. Everyone was sharing and delighting in the different flavors that were present in each dish. What a cool place to go and enjoy the atmosphere and your friends!
(5)Amanda B.
Out of towner looking for good food and good beer, the only thing worth having here...is the beer. The food was so-so and uneventful :/
(1)Harry K.
This place is awesome! Zach is the man here at the back bar! Go see him for great service, good drinks, and great conversation. The food is awesome I really enjoyed my crispy dame! Pork and sunny side up egg really go well together. I will def
(5)Melissa K.
We only stopped in for a quick beer before catching a tour, but it was worth it. If we had more time in Charleston, we would have come back. The beer menu was pretty extensive. I think we were told 40 beers on tap. I tried some Strawberry beer and it was delicious. Not too sweet or cloying. The bar tender was friendly, knowledgeable and she gave us some good advice on both the menu and the city.
(5)