The Griffon
18 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC, 29401
The Griffon Menu
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Burgers & Baskets
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Deli Sandwiches
Healthy Meal suggestions for The Griffon
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Appetizers
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Salads
-
Burgers & Baskets
-
Deli Sandwiches
Visit below restaurant in Charleston for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
18 Vendue Range
Charleston, SC, 29401 - Phone (843) 723-1700
- Website https://www.griffoncharleston.com/GRIFFON/HOME.html
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Late Night
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Mathew G.
Happy to get this place recommended to us while we were in Charleston. It is not an elegant place with its 1 dollar bills plastered all over the walls but it is a great spot to check out and have drinks. It is probably know at the town dive bar and we loved it! A little grit is nice to have and simple relaxing places like this is sometimes the true essence of a town. PBS's were $2 for a tall can, yes please! Once concerning thing we did see was a little critter friend (a cockroach run across the bar), that being said, be careful what you eat :P
(4)Chris D.
I heard good things about this place so I decided to check it out. Nothing really stuck out as all that interesting inside. The only character the entire place had to offer was some tacked up dollar bills covering the walls. Overall, it wasn't what I expected. Service was dissatisfying and it took quite a while for anyone to take orders, and even longer to have them delivered. I tried their special hot dog with fries and cheese sticks, but aside from the hot dog it never really felt like I was having anything special. The seasoned fries were alright, and the "award winning" mozzarella sticks were very bland with an unsettling texture about them. I'm actually questioning how it's possible they ever received an award. Maybe they had an off day today, I'm not going to make any assumptions about the place, but I won't be going back to find out.
(1)Sunny C.
The outside of this establishment looked promising, but the inside did not hold up. It was much less of an English pub and more like an English sports bar. The fish and chips may have been the only English thing about the whole place. The Griffon does offer a short draught list and dark ambience if that's your cup of tea
(2)Shabba R.
This place is a dive bar, so set your expectations appropriately and you should do just fine. I've visited a few times and always enjoyed myself. You get a nice eclectic mix of people; young, old, locals, tourists, people pounding shots, people sipping glasses of wine. The food is nothing to write home about but it's good enough to call typical bar food. The staff are very attentive and nice. On one occasion my wife and I had some long islands that we thought were a little on the weak side, bartender was happy to top them off where other bars would want to upcharge you or just tell you too bad; of course we never return to those. The walls, ceilings and other parts of the structure are mostly covered in dollar bills bearing random messages from those who have visited before you. It is very close to the cruise terminal and the long waterfront park and jogging/biking trail, so it's very easy to go sight seeing before or after you stop in.
(4)Nina V.
Charleston, you're a beautiful little city with great people and food, but the heat waves y'all get are intense! I stopped by here with my boyfriend and his sisters for a quick drink to quench our thirst and mostly to just get away from the hot, humid weather outside for a bit. The place is adorned with dollar bills that people write on from bottom of the walls to the ceiling beams. It's a bit disorienting and "beautiful" in its own way, but I started feeling a little claustrophobic from trying to read all of the little messages on them bills. Overall, however, this place has a good variety of beers that I've never had before.
(3)Tanner J.
The food wasn't the best that I've had downtown and wasn't exactly what I had expected. The french fries were good but that's about it. Everything else was nothing to write home about. Additionally, the service could have been a little better. It seems like we were forgotten about. I probably won't go back and wouldn't recommend it to my friends.
(1)James A.
Great food, service and atmosphere! Was in town only a couple days for work and came here two days in a row. I never do that! Will definitely be a regular visitor when in Charleston!
(5)Jennie S.
I give the Griffon 4 stars for being good at what it is. And what it is is a wonderful, quaint, dive bar. I can't say I've ever eaten here but I've spent a handful of evenings hanging out here. The staff is great and quick and poor a strong drink (sometimes a little too strong). Prices are good too. Don't get me wrong, I do love a good classy drink in a fru fru cup at a place that charges a stupid cover fee and requires me to wear 6 inch heels and a mini skirt to get into. But sometimes a girl just wants a beer and to throw on some attire that doesn't require 2 hours of prep work and shaving my legs you know? And this is the place for just that.
(4)Doug M.
Came here with family. Great prices. Turkey Ruben on point and some of the best wings I have had!
(5)Tellyoulater 1.
Good tunes from the bartenders, cold beers what else can you ask for from a local watering hole
(4)Olivia M.
This is a fun, eclectic place, very simple but really neat. It was just a few minutes walk from our hotel on East Bay St and it was close to the battery as we walked down there after we ate. My husband and I both ordered the southwest chicken salad- the freshest romaine and red leaf I've ever seen, corn & black bean salsa, grilled seasoned chicken, and southwest ranch dress. It was AMAZING! And it was a full meal for $8.99. Nothing on the menu was over $10. Great food for very reasonable prices. The waiters were friendly, helpful, and attentive. We'll definitely go back!
(5)Dyer B.
This place is worth a stop just to see the over $10k in dollar bills on the wall. Messages from all walks of life and all over the world adorn the bills. Reminiscent of a dark little English pub, The Griffin does not disappoint. Great beer selection including many locals on draft. The food is great pub grub. Two fantastic choices are the fish and chips as well as the Reuben (which can be ordered Carolina style with cole slaw subbed for the sauerkraut). This is a spot worth checking out.
(4)Eric S.
Not much more I can say about the Griffon that hasn't been said. The place has been around for a very long time and that can be felt the minute you walk in. I concur with many of the reviews on the service. It can get pretty bad. But I guess they are going for that, I don't give a s#@t attitude, in which you have succeeded. One thing I do like here is the Cole Slaw that gets served with food baskets. Now I'm not a fan of eating that stuff when I didn't watch it actually being made, but this place has good slaw and so there for I eat it here. Haven't had anything else but the fish and chips, so there you have it. It's still a good place to go and will I be back? Yes. Absolutely.
(3)Jason R.
Had the oyster and shrimp special (only on Fridays). Quite literally, best fried oysters I've ever had. Shrimp was fantastic s week, and fries were to die for. Wife had the nachos, which were very good, used hinder made flour tortilla instead of corn. Quite tasty. Anyone coming to the french quarter in Charleston should make this place a must eat.
(5)Cesar G.
Second time here, and this tune the service was terrible, the neighbor tables complains about the same thing! Just bad in every way.
(2)Stephanie L.
LOVED IT! Went here on our recent trip to Folly/Charleston. What a cute little place. Delicious food. Really laid back. Great service. Dive like feel. Fried pickles, reuben, fish and chips...all YUMMY!
(5)John S.
Ordered a pint of local brew that was served totally flat. Bartender pretended not to notice and didn't bother to offer me something else. Not a beer snob, but if I order a $7 pint in a craft beer bar that should know better, and it has the carbonation level of of apple juice, that needs to be fixed. One and done.
(1)Christina E.
I was not happy with the service at this bar. Both bartenders were rude and disrespectful. They seemed to be more interested in serving their "regulars" than anything else. The bartender literally told me I needed to get up and move because I was in someone's seat. I am a paying customer, and deserve to be treated just the same. I will never come back to this establishment if I ever return to Charleston. Unfortunately, this dive bar was a bust!
(2)Frank G.
Great lunch place. Fish & chips, the best. If you like Cheers concept, you'll like this place. Bills on the walls, nice touch. People are nice and spend time talking to you, what a concept! Food is great, for a Bar. Rest rooms, leave a lot to be desired. Go there, relax, drink, and enjoy a good local bat. Frank G
(4)Cleo J.
I LOVE The Griffon. The food is terrific! It's fresh and served F-A-S-T! The staff is pretty friendly. Beth is an outstanding staff member. After my first lunch at The Griffon she remembered my name, what I drink at lunch and what I prefer after work hours. Great value for the amount of fresh, yummy food they serve you. I recently changed employers so The Griffon is not right down the street any more :( I'll make a point of getting there on the regular though.
(5)Robert B.
Wow!!! Amazing food, unique atmosphere, attentive service, and right next door to some really great gelato! I had the fish and chips and my girlfriend had the black bean burger. The fish was AMAZING!!! Perfectly cooked and you could tell it was fresh, high-quality cod. I had a bite of her burger and it was wayy too good to be vegetarian! Highly recommend, especially if you don't want to spend a small fortune.
(5)Christy M.
I'm a fan. Fun bartenders (Sally and Ben), they have cider and yummy fries. I'm a fan :)
(5)Carrie L.
Service is friendly and fast, food is great, and there are plenty of local brews on tap.
(5)Cassie S.
This place is grungy. Dirty. The food is not good, the service is even worse. There are two female bartenders who blatantly ignore customers. Good place if you just don't care about your surroundings. Cheap drinks.
(1)Rachel L.
We found The Griffon by accident after an evening walk along the waterfront park. Plain and simple...it's a cool, divey kind of pub that's welcoming but not too welcoming. If you want to be pampered by your bartender, this ain't your place! However, if you're looking for good beer and pretty good pub food then don't shy away. We really enjoyed our appetizers....nachos and fried pickles and the beer selection is top notch. The service is top notch as well. The ambiance is cool with all the dollar bills taped everywhere...some ingenious, inventive people out there. If you're in Charleston and enjoy throwing back a few, add this to your must-see spots and enjoy!
(4)Robert T.
Great little Pub! Wife & I decided to eat dinner here. They don't have a big menu but what we had was great & food portions were more than I expected. Would visit again.
(4)Jason B.
Great food, friendly staff, good beer, easy to access, and a $10,000 interior. Seriously. It was a Friday night and I was only in Charleston for two days. I wanted an easy place to eat that had great food, cozy, not the full restaurant experience. The Griffon is located on Vendue Range just a block from East Bay Street right in the heart of downtown, right across the street from Waterfront Park. There is a parking garage nearby, so getting there was easy. The food was just incredible. I tried their award winning Fish N' Chips. Okay, let me just tell you this right now: any so-called "English pub" in America that serves you a plate of fries with your dinner and offers to bring you malt vinegar instead of ketchup is a huge, epic win. THAT is how you are supposed to eat your fries with a fish n' chips dinner. And the food was amazing. I started with the Buffalo Fried Shrimp appetizer. I love spicy food so when I say the buffalo sauce knocked my socks off you know it was good. The shrimp were also enormous, twice the size of my thumb. From beginning to end, including two beers, this $30 meal was amazing. But aside from the great service and food, there is that $10,000 interior. As the story goes, the owners took their first dollar ever earned from this business, signed it, and stapled it to an exposed wood beam inside the restaurant. The theme caught on with the locals and soon spread to anyone who dined there. Anyone can pull a dollar bill out of their pocket, purse, or wallet, write any message they like, and hang it on any space available. If you ask your waiter or waitress about it they will bring you the Dollar Box Hanging Kit that includes markers and a stapler. From beginning to end, this was an amazing place for dinner on a Friday night. The tables were comfortable, the noise level was acceptable, it was dark but bright lights above the tables meant you could at least read the menu. This is a place I will visit again and again. I want to try it for lunch next.
(5)Mark L.
Unfortunately, I must downgrade my first review due to a very consistently poor experience this weekend. After a friend and I entered, I excused myself for the restroom. When I returned, my friend had a drink. I was asked if I wanted one. I asked for a water and a menu. 15 minutes went by and no one asked if I wanted to order food. Finally, one bartender asked my friend if he wanted another beer. I had to interrupt to order food. Then a few minutes later, another bartender turned off the Jets game I was watching. I mentioned we were watching and he informed me that there was a request for the Dallas game. I insisted and he said sorry. The Caesar Salad was small and adequate at best. After Dallas was up 17 - 3 with the ball and 2 minutes remaining and the Jets were about to go into overtime, the Dallas game was still on. A patron then walked in and asked for the Jets game explaining the overtime situation. The bar tender, knowing I was a fan, put it on at the opposite end of the bar and left ours with Dallas. Bad customer service. Not a friendly staff. If it was busy, I may have understood their shortness, but it wasn't.
(2)Gussy H.
Good. Not the best Fish an chips I have had in Charleston but solid. Quick service and friendly.
(3)Ann S.
Tasty burger, good fries, friendly service and good prices. You can't get much better than that!
(4)Damon T.
Dig it. Its a dive bar. Nothing more yet nothing less. I enjoy the atmosphere with the vacationers laughing and drinking.
(3)Chris B.
This place was kind enough to fit our large group on a busy holiday night, after being told we'd have two hour waits at other Charleston places. For that, alone, they rock. This place is definitely ambience-wise in the "dive" category - dark, tucked away off the main drag, etc. As others have mentioned, upon entry and seeing the hundreds upon hundreds of dollar bills stapled to the wall, you have to ask yourself "What sort of place is this?" But, I can assure you, it's a family-safe place. We had three families in our party and seven kids. It's definitely loud, and there are a couple of folks here and there that obviously have had one or two too many ;) but I can't complain overall. The wait for food was a little longer than I would have liked, but we discovered it was essentially one lady tending the bar and helping in the kitchen. So, we gave them grace there. Our server was kind to all of us, especially the children. The food was excellent. The burgers were big and tasty. Those of us who got Fish and Chips were very happy too. It was a huge flavorful cod fillet that was some of the best fish I've ever tasted. The prices were extremely affordable compared to the other places in this general area. I spent about $30 for the four in my family.
(5)Jodi R.
Total Dive Bar (I love a good dive bar) and this place did not disappoint. Really great craft beer selection and knowledgable bartenders who were just friendly enough for this place to maintain it's dive bar status. We only went for a drink or 2 which turned in to 3 or 4 not sure if they even have food but they do have a dollar bill covered deer head on the wall and dollar bills everywhere else too. They will give you markers of you ask and you can add a lil bit of your own art to the walls too!
(4)Cat R.
Hanging out on a busy Friday night during March Madness. The place is comfortably packed, the ambiance and music is great, the beer is cold and delicious but best of all the service is GREAT! Really impressed by how quickly we were helped after we were seated and the beer continues to flow fast and furious. The chili nachos are delicious, and are made with homemade tortilla chips. Highly recommended!
(5)Shane B.
Great late night pub. The walls inside are lined with dollar bills. What a unique concept to see money everywhere you look. If you see a spot without, you add yours to it. This place is a bit dark and more of a local dive fill. It was a hoppin place in the late hours of the night for drinks. Check out the honorable mention, the Fish and Chips with a cold Guinness on draft. Cheers!
(4)Kimber C.
One of my all time favorite dive bars! My shot of Jameson wasn't a full pour and my bartender happily filled the last little bit. The service has always been good. I loved the stories about people who try to take the dollar bills off the wall. I honestly dare you to do it. I especially hope it happens when I'm there. I will continue to frequent this place!
(5)Lauren R.
I haven't eaten there, but dropped by for a few drinks and to catch part of the NFL playoffs. Local brews on tap, several tvs, chill vibe, unique decorations (7850 single dollar bills decorate the inside). Overall, a great place in the historic district to stop by for a casual pint and/or to watch sports. Thankfully, didn't seem touristy at all.
(4)Maddy C.
Wonderful local spot to grab a drink and some American food. Went for lunch and had a house salad and split the fish and chips along with a local brew. Was just perfect for what we needed. Incredibly nice bartender and staff. Quick preparation and fun atmosphere. Dollar bills all over the wall and definitely a local spot. Met some locals who let us know where else we should go during our stay. Would highly recommend for a casual and cheaper dinner/lunch!
(5)Ann W.
Great restaurant with solid sandwich menu. We had the south Reuben which was delicious, fish and chips which was fresh and plentiful and a fish sandwich. Great value for money for lunch.
(5)Marilyn A.
Definitely the best fish and chips. Great wait staff. Going back. Reasonably priced
(5)Taylor M.
Found this place by accident after having dinner at another local establishment. This is a perfect dive bar where you can see Fort Sumter from the front stoop. Too bad I ate already. The atmosphere in this place is perfect. Simply a fantastic dive feel in an historic building. If I lived in this gorgeous town, they'd have to label a chair for me here. Even the music fits the drinking mood.
(5)Scotty C.
I've been enjoying the Griffon for years now. I frequent that area less than I used to on nights out just because of all the activity on upper king but when I'm down by East Bay I generally pop in for a brew. I've never eaten there but friends have and said it was good bar food. I'm a fan of the draft selection and they usually have some pretty unique stuff. Prices are pretty cheap and the staff has always been good. Sometimes a bit distracted but only on times when I was one of the only ones there. Usually it gets pretty busy and it's a small place so it fills up quick. The atmosphere is kinda divey with dollar bills covering every possible nook and cranny of the place. They all have words of drunk wisdom or "blank" was here types of things on them. You can definitely keep busy reading dollar bills if you're bored. The bathrooms are tiny and can get a little funky on busy nights but, like I said, it's kinda divey so no big deal. I've seen much worse for sure.
(4)Wendy L.
When you are in Charleston there are so many bars to choice from. Maybe it was the Harry Potter-esque / medival sign outside but I thought this could be a really cool place to get my drunk on with my boyfriend. This is a dive bar with lots of dollar bills stapled to the wall as decor. We got there when it was happy hour so most drinks were $3. Good selection of drinks provided by great service. We eventually sat up at the bar and started to get to know all the bartenders. Awesome guys and we had such a great time there. We may just make this place our to go to bar in Charleston.
(5)Nick S.
Use to go here after work all the time. Great place and the food is awesome. Also being right next to Waterfront park definitely is a plus.
(5)Annie R.
Great bar with a surprisingly local feel! Despite it's location, the bar is full of Charleston locals. While I haven't eaten anything here, I would definitely recommend it for drinks with friends! The atmosphere is different than lots of bars in Charleston - very laid back and cool.
(4)Julie G.
Really great place! Their craft beer selection is outstanding (which is hard to find in the south no offense), service was superb and the food was really good. I'll let their beer menu speak for itself since not everyone's taste is not the same. In my opinion I do really like the Palmetto brews (not just the big craft brews like new Belgium, etc) so any place that has local brews is okay in my book. The service was top notch. Took a minute or two to actually order but the server was friendly, had great suggestions and actually delivered our burger split on two separate plates with their awesome baked potato salad without us asking. Now that's service.. Top rated fish & chips was just that, my burger was cooked a bit longer than I wanted but was still very flavorful. Good suggestion helpers!
(4)Steve F.
This place is on my Top 5 favorite bars in the country list. Its worth a stop off if you're in the neighborhood, and by neighborhood, I mean anywhere in Charleston. Sure, the dollar bills on the wall are pretty cool, seeing as you could spend quite a bit of time reading some of the more hilarious musings of drunk internationals, but ambiance is only part of what makes a good pub good. The bartenders are always having a good time, and the patrons respond accordingly. Charleston as a whole is a very friendly place, but the Griffon is like a little microcosm of everything that makes Chucktown great, and they serve beer. I highly recommend you stop by when you get the chance.
(5)Antonio C.
Definitely the best fish in chips I've had in a long time. Great dive bar with awesome food! The posted dollars have overtaken the entire bar and give it a cool feel. Definitely give this place a try. Good draft selection as well as friendly bartenders.
(5)Blake F.
What a fantastic dive bar. The staff pleasant but a little flighy as in my group wasn't checked on. We kept having to walk up to the bar for drinks and our bill. Granted, they were pretty busy and running out food every other minute. I wish I was hungry when I went because the food smelled amazing and looked the part as well. We did a little arts and crafts by decorating a couple dollar bills and stapling them to the walls. We had a lot of fun here. Also, the beers are plenty and nice and cold. Can't wait to go back and do it all over again with an empty stomache!
(5)A M.
Walking around downtown. Very close to waterfront park. Great AC and craft beer. Funky place! I really liked the staff and the ambiance. The crab cake sandwich was alright and the fish n chips were good. Lunch and 4 beers $50 with tip.
(4)Bob W.
Cheap beers, awesome wings, super delicious fried pickles. The staff is helpful and attentive even when the place is crowded. Considering the location the drink and food pricing is unbeatable. It's got a divey feel and there are hundreds of dollars stapled to the ceiling- awesome ambience. Dart board, good tunes, and a respectable selection on draught.
(5)Tim S.
Cool little hole-in-the wall pub in Charleston's historic district. Food is good and served quick. Friendly waiters. Would go back again.
(4)Staci T.
The most excellent dive bar you'll encounter. Didn't eat, but had a couple beers. Very attentive staff and fun crowd.
(4)J V.
The bartenders were extremely friendly and this place just had so much history you can feel it when you walk in. They have dollar bills stuck to their walls. From ceiling to floor. It was awesome. When asked how they got there...I guess it started with someone sticking a dollar bill up and then it became a tradition of people stapling up their own dollar bill so I was given a set of permanent markers and got to work. The fried shrimp and oyster combo was really good.
(5)Jim S.
Looks like a tourist dive bar but NOoooo! Ok maybe when the cruise ships are in but otherwise a quaint little eating spot with a beer drinking problem. Great beer selection and good food too. Nice hangout in old town Chuck!
(5)Lindsay S.
Bob and I recently went on a trip to Charleston for vacation and stumbled into this place after we finished our delicious drinks at The Gin Joint. Let me set the scene we were looking for a good dinner spot before the 4th of July fireworks and stumbled in here after reading the reviews for fish and chips. The place is like a dive bar with low lighting dollar bills everywhere on the walls. To be completely honest, I may not have eaten here if I hadn't seen their A rating proudly displayed on the door. If you follow my reviews you'll know I had the most incredible fish and chips my last visit to Nashville and have been trying to find an equally awesome fish and chips plate with no luck. We walked in and the place was wild. People everywhere swarming at and around the bar tables packed with tourists eating. I felt like I was back in Athens. After scoring some drinks from the bar I laid claim to a small table by a fire place covered in dollar bills and ordered up some fish & chips. Bob got a sandwich of some kind more than likely a Reuben. Our food came and it was actually pretty good. My favorite part though were the awesome bartenders. I ordered a gin and soda and he started pouring gin and kept pouring gin and said "oh shoot! I forgot the soda!" Definitely one of those places you want to visit at least once!
(4)Kevin L.
If your looking for the ultimate dive bar you must come by here. I travel all over the USA and look for places like this. The crowd is good, music is great and drinks are plenty. People are very cool and welcoming. I would recommend this to everyone who loves a great dive bar!
(5)Paul D.
A dive that is just around the corner from The Gin Joint. A wood bar zig zags a bit back and forth. Lots of wood everywhere. Tables spread out and plenty of TV's turned to sports. The service is standoffish, but effective. A few decent offerings on tap. Some local Charleston beers. The food is just pub grub. Some burgers, wings, and other fried stuff. Not much to see here IMO. Just an OK dive. Nothing all that special, but decent for a beer every once in a while.
(3)Michelle A.
Super cool historic vibe. Dollar bills all over the place and it had a good beer list. A little cramped for large groups but it was super cool. Really like the historical value of this place.
(4)Sam J.
Great atmosphere. Serving size good. Fish and chips were delicious. Gave us sweet tea to go at no extra charge. Great location near the water. Great price. Really friendly waitress.
(4)Patrick M.
The manager, Dan, was arrogant, LAZY, and rude and does not cater well to larger groups. The food was soggy and the menu itself is not impressive. Many basic places did the same thing, but way better and treated our group MUCH better (Poe's, for instance). I would avoid this place and will steer as many people away from there as possible in the future.
(1)Meghan C.
How can you not love this place?! We dropped by after walking around Charleston for a large portion of the afternoon - it was maybe 2:30 p.m. so pretty much empty. I asked if they minded if we had a few pints at a table and they were like, "go for it!" Our server was beyond friendly and checked on us at all the appropriate times. The decor is basically $1 all over the place - they won me over when there was an anti Thomas Edison/pro Tesla comment on one! Har har har! Prices on food don't seem bad, will definitely drop in again.
(4)Jessica K.
Charleston is probably one of the friendliest places I have visited in my travels but this pub didn't reflect the hospitality I got everywhere else. The staff wasn't outright rude, but it was a jarring contrast and I didn't feel inclined to linger, so maybe that was their intent. Having said that, the beer selection rocks which is why I was there in the first place. I had many good brews there from all over the east coast. I could have easily worked my way through their entire taplist but I'm glad I didn't because when the bill came the beer prices were higher than I expected, even being on the East Coast. I didn't try any of the food, but it all looked and smelled great. It appeared to be a better than average pub food selection. The fish and chips looked especially fantastic. The space is large and could accommodate several groups with no problem. It's also a meeting place for the walking ghost tours. Stop in and have a beer or two before the tour, the beer prices are sure to scare you into the right frame of mind for ghost stories!
(4)Carol R.
Based on Yelp reviews we tried this bar for lunch this week. The reviews were very accurate and allowed us to have a very nice lunch. The dollar bills posted everywhere were a bit too much for me. I had the fried green tomatoes - they were too hard but the taste was very good! If you like a small intimate eatery with a unique atmosphere and good food then this is the place for you.
(3)Anne H.
The best nachos EVER. Get the classic with the homemade chili! Homemade flour tortilla chips layered to perfection. Sooo good. Happy hour 5-7 :)
(5)Michael C.
Famed local hangout was hopping, even at 4:30 pm on a Sunday. The bearded bartender was our waiter as well,and although he was not that talkative, handled all the patrons in the place with skill. Our food was very good for pub grade fare with high compliments for our son's philly steak. Price were reasonable and the location excellent.
(4)Deanna I.
Cool small spot off the tourist track, near the water. You have to decorate your dollar and put up! They must have at least 10k+ in dollar bills all over the place. Overall laid back atmosphere & friendly staff.
(4)Katie L.
Such a fun bar! The bartender was SO NICE and made us feel right at home. The ambiance is perfect here. The drinks are delicious and the tap beers are always rotating. Prices are fair too! Definitely recommend coming here!
(4)Ij O.
Nice British pub. Can't go wrong with. $2 pabst on tap. They have a lot of dollar bills stuck all over the walls I suspect donated by patrons.
(4)K B.
Great local place. Worth a visit.
(4)Amy B.
The menu boasted "The Best Fish n Chips in Charleston", and after dining there for lunch, I have to agree. The fish was served in thick, flaky squares with an insanely delicious batter. The chips were just your basic fries, but the fish was to die for. I tossed a little malt vinegar on mine and it was just like heaven. The ambience is sort of run-down British pub - dark, few windows, lots of wood and quirky decorating on the walls. They could have cranked up the air conditioning - Charleston in June is like walking through a wet, steamy sponge. People dine indoors partly to get a blast of refreshing arctic air conditioning. You should be so cold when you leave a Charleston restaurant that, for a few minutes at least, the merciless sun feels awesome when you walk back outside. However, the temp in this pub was tepid, and the bathroom was downright hot. Nobody wants to sweat while they pee, guys. Service was decent. Not overly friendly (maybe the wait staff was irritable about the lack of cool air?) but prompt and accurate.
(4)Max H.
Best Fish and Chips EVER!!! Whenever I'm jonesing for a fish and chips this is what I crave. Unfortunately I moved about 2 yrs ago so I'm left with feelings of melancholy and longing. My wife and I loved to walk our dogs downtown I would call ahead 10 min and get one fish and chips with an extra fillet of fish and two sweet teas. It was the perfect amount of food with light breading and the best tartar sauce and coleslaw I've ever had. I've also eaten inside and had their buffalo fried shrimp and their deep fried pickle spears with amazing ranch dressing (my wife hates ranch and loves their ranch). If near waterfront park check this place out and have a quick bite to eat, or do as we did and eat in the park. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Nicholas E.
Cheap beer and fun crowd. Stumbled here for a night cap after strolling thru the waterfront park. Unique atmosphere inside full of friendly locals. Definitely worth the price of a beer.
(5)Jennifer N.
A PUB. Small, dusty, funky, brick walls, beer, liquor, basic, quality pub lunches, in an expensive district of historic Charleston. Enjoy your beer with great company.
(5)Kirsten P.
Definitely a dive bar, but with great service. I only stayed for a beer but I'll be back.
(4)Kayla J.
This is my home bar. The Griffon is not for those looking for a stuffy trendy crowd. It is not for those looking to order martinis and specialty cocktails. It is not for those who expect anyone to kiss your ass. The guys that run this bar are the most down to earth men in Charleston. The beer list is great, they constantly rotate craft beer including local beer from coast and holy city. But of course like any bar they have high life, pbr, and good ol' schlitz. This is a bar that keeps regulars for years. My boyfriend and I have been going here for almost 4 years and you can find us there either for lunch or post dinner drinks about 3 days a week. You can come on a Tuesday night and hang out with your best friends in a relaxed atmosphere or come on a saturday night for live music and a rowdy crowd. The bar food is not bad either. The fried pickles are the greatest thing in the entire world. Yah that might not be true but seriously please order them. My man always gets the turkey reuben and really loves it. The waitresses during the day are awesome. They are super quick and always remember what we get (so embarrassing but not at all). They also hold a Movember party every year which is out of control. Live music, awesome raffles, and a mustache contest. Oh and they don't split shots. That may seem like a weird concept to someone but rules are rules and you'll get over it. You will love this place is you are looking for a hole in the wall that serves great beers in a humbled environment.
(5)Elon M.
Nice bar. Enjoying march madness, a cold beer and some tasty fish and chips. A very cool place to hang.
(4)Tristan B.
A really nice bar. The atmosphere is great, especially with all the dollar bills hanging from every nook, crevice, and cranny. The draught beer selection is really good- has a mix of local and faraway microbrews. They have a reputation of being the best fish and chips in Charleston. While they are not the best fish and chips I have had (that is left to some Scots), they are really really good fish and chips. The menu is not the biggest in the world, but it doesn't need to be- it is perfect for the type of place. This place is a must-go!
(4)Cindy B.
Delicious! We came here on our honeymoon and the staff went above and beyond to make us feel special!! Not to mention the fish and chips were phenom!
(5)Tamara M.
Very good beer selection, friendly staff and a fun atmosphere. Griffon is a nice place to stop and take a break while pounding the pavement in Charleston. The walls and most other surfaces are covered with decorated dollar bills. Just ask for some markers and you can artsy-up your own and find a place to staple it up.
(3)Michelle M.
Interesting bar to drop in for a pint and bite especially after walking the city. Didn't try the food but the prices seemed cheap for the area. Decent selection of local brews. Dollar bills covered most every square inch of the walls. The women's restroom could have used more attention as could the bartender's attitude.
(3)Geetha A.
In charleston with my five best friends from law school and our husbands after an incredible dinner at Mccradys. Loved the music they were playing and the seemingly laid back attitude. We got to Griffon around 12:30am, we realized that bars close at 2am. The bar (ie the strawberry blonde bearded middle-aged leprechaun looking manager) allowed-us to order and pay for drinks at 1:40am, yet started clearing the drinks off the bar and grabbing them out of our hands at 1:50am. Then he approached our table and insisted that we leave although the entire bar was still full of people hanging out and finishing drinks. He continued to focus on our table with a vendetta for some Unknown reason, although all of us notified him both our drinks and the bar were still full and we were aware bars closed in a few minutes. He could care less, barking at us to get out. Griffin does nothing to make you feel welcome or to uphold "Southern Hospitality." definitely look for a good time elsewhere.
(1)Dan L.
I had come here a couple of years ago but was fuzzy on the name and location. I called my friend asking about a restaurant named something like "Eagle" with dollar bills stapled on the walls. The last bit jogged her memory and led me back to The Griffon. I had gotten fried oysters last time so I asked the waitress about it since they were not on the menu. They're often a special and luckily for me the fried oyster po boy was a special this day. I ordered it up with some unsweet tea and read the myriad dollars around my table and watched Vendue Street out the window. I don't like anything interfering with my fried oysters so I ate them off my sandwich but I certainly didn't want to waste the roll, lettuce and tomato, so I put some of the jummy fries they have on the sandwich and had the second half of my lunch - a french fry sandwich. Happy happy me! For non-fried-oyster-special days you have the smallish menu but the staff are down-to-earth and friendly and I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself, too!
(4)Tara J.
Came here when we first arrived and only paid $14 for a delicious crabcake sandwich and good beer. Not sure if this is cheap for the area, but it's cheap when you're used to New York prices. The bar itself is covered in dollar bills, and the bartenders and waitress were extra friendly. Only gets four stars because it seemed questionably dirty/grimey inside. But the food was great!
(4)Amy T.
Fish and chips are excellent! Hot dogs delicious! Our table of 5 was unanimously pleased.
(4)Jeana N.
Fun place but very crowded and VERY loud!
(3)Jeff W.
Best pub/bar food I've had in a very long time. Great, friendly servers. Comfortable atmosphere.
(4)Dean D.
Cool place...Dollar bills hanging all over the place. Quick service and good food...Had the Cuban sandwich special and a turkey wrap. The bar definitely has character.
(4)Katrina C.
Solid beer menu with local and not so local beers. Awesome wallpaper. Nachos were delicious. Fried pickles are actually pickle spears and not pickle chips. Just FYI. Good though nonetheless.
(4)John K.
Cool little place just off the water in Charleston's historic district. We popped in for a local beer and to get off our feet after a long day touring the city. The gimmick of the place is for folks to personalise a dollar bill and staple it to any free space you can find on the wall. Not exaggerating, there's at least a grand's worth of cash from the walls to the ceiling; pretty cool effect actually. They have a good selection of local craft beers that ran in your typical $5 a pint range. They had a few SC beers that I didn't find anywhere else, so hats off to them in that respect. My only negative on the place is the vibe from the staff. I don't always expect the old south hospitality to translate to my bar, but the service here was pitiful. When I'm ordering a beer, I'm not asking for a favor and merely look for reciprocation of social norms, like eye contact and verbal responses. I asked the guy what he thought about a beer on the menu and withuot replying turned around, poured it and gave it to me - killer service dude. I say to give it a try and maybe the bar keep was just having an off day. Regardless, it's in a great location and the draft selection should be checked out by any craft beer seeker.
(3)Mark C.
Great location for starters right off East Bay st and footsteps from waterfront park. Had an absolutely delicious crab cake sandwich! The beer menu is fantastic with ales from all over the country. Very cool tradition here is they give you a box with markers and a staple gun, you mark up a dollar bill and staple to the walls, ceiling, windows, or wherever you find space. My wife and I left our mark. Neat place.
(4)Becky B.
I totally agree with the dive bar comments! Hubby and I went out for a dinner date late one night and ordered fish and chips. Wow! They were amazing! The fries were perfecly salted and great with the malt vinegar. The fish was light, crisp and perfectly cooked. The bar tender was nice, although never came back to fill our drinks. Thinking we might go back tomorrow night :)
(5)Dorene N.
We were looking for a place to eat a quick lunch and this was a great place to stop at. The atmosphere was nice and friendly. I ordered a southwest salad, and my parents ordered the flounder basket and fried shrimp and oysters. The food came out quickly, and our waitress was friendly. The fries were a little too salty for our taste buds, but everything else was excellent.
(4)Colleen M.
While my friends and I were taking our own drinking tour of Charleston we decided to stop here. Its one of the friendliest places I have been The people were so nice and the drinks were priced fair! Also I love the dollar bills hanging everywhere!
(5)P D.
Went for lunch. Had New England clam chowder WOW this was great, also had their signature dish of fish and chips, this was also very good. Would recommend this place for anybody. The owner had to leave on an emergency, leaving the place with just the bartender to wait on the customers, she did a fantastic job even though it got busy, kudos to her!!.
(4)Garrett B.
Great location, service, selection of drinks and food. It was, without doubt, the most interesting bar/pub we tried. In my group's opinion (4 of us), it was the best food we had on our 7 day vacation. The price was also great. All in all, you can't go wrong with this place. I'll definitely be visiting once again when I return for a vacation!
(5)Gordon L.
A very friendly pub. The food was very good and they had a good selection of beer. We enjoyed it so much that we went back a few days later.
(4)Peter F.
Proper pub - with proper pub food, stools, fried things, and beer. Can't be beat if you need a pub stop on your night in town, or a burger/sandwich for lunch at that time of day.
(4)Meredith M.
10 years later and they still have the best honey mustard wings in town. My husband and I use to frequent this pub and we always loved the mellow vibe, the good beer on tap, and the wings. This is a great pub in a good location. I like to point people here when they are in town and want an inexpensive place to eat downtown for lunch.
(5)Matt W.
Excellent service! Wings are 6/10, buffyaki is best wing. Blue cheese was unbelievable! Homemade! And southern reuben was delightfully light - cole slaw was a nice compliment on the sandwich. I would eat here again.
(3)AJ S.
Stepping into this dark cave feels like going back in time. It has a great, unpretentious feel and you'll feel like you fit in there even if you're not dressed to the nines or a regular. It's also not too loud and they have a large beer selection on tap. Grab one, write the name of your significant other on a dollar and staple it to the wall, and lean back into a well-worn wooden booth to enjoy the night.
(4)Bryan A.
Was in Charleston on business and looking for a local pub for a quick bite and beer. Found The Griffon on Yelp and gave it a shot. I ordered the Fish n Chips and was very impressed. Good batter and cole slaw side was tasty. Beers selection was nice too!
(4)Laurie S.
Three words: fish and chips. In my opinion that was the best basket of fish and chips I've ever had. We went at lunch since we had our four year old with us and even though it wasn't on the menu they could prepare a half order for the kiddo. The place is filled with dollar bills stapled to the walls and ceiling which reminds me of a bar I used to frequent in OKC. Extra smile on my face there. I'm sure it's fun at night as well although I won't have the opportunity to discover that side of the Griffon.
(4)Ralph B.
Mainly a sports bar. Friendly staff, worked with our 4 year old despite no kids menu. Went during the day and it was tame,.though it promises to be more lively at night. Tried the fish and chips,
(3)Mark L.
Stopped in today for the first time around 4pm, only saw the bartender on duty (Beth?), she came right over and made us feel right at home. Service, food, atmosphere and vibe were all great. Had the chicken nachos and split an order of fish and chips. Without prompting, our F&C order was delivered in two separate baskets (nice touch) and were, as advertised, the best we've had in Charleston. Great selection of microbrews, mixed drinks were well made and, best of all, the service was consistently prompt and friendly. Pub is cozy, dollar bills are tacked all along the walls, ceiling, everywhere and friendly "regulars" clearly demonstrated an affection for the place. Menu is simple, yet diverse enough to keep it interesting. Everything looked good. Plenty of TV's, plan to make this a regular stop.
(5)TJ M.
Best place to actually sit and enjoy a pint (or two or three) of the local draughts in Charleston. Didn't get a chance to try the food (heard very good things about the fish and chips), but we did get an appetitizer of chips and salsa with the chips seemlingly hand-made -- a very positive sign. Great location near the water and down the street from the Charleston Beer Exchange, and the bartenders were uniformly helpful and cheerful. Support your local craft brewers!
(4)Josh A.
Surprised I haven't reviewed this yet. It's a pretty cool little place, with an emphasis on "little". Can get very cramped if college is in session and it's on the weekend. They have a nice selection of draught beer and bottled beer, with good prices as well. They have the game with the ring on a string and you try to get it on the hook, as well as darts. Good English Pubbage action.
(4)Amy F.
The Griffon is one of the best places to grab a burger and a beer in Charleston. Because I'm a local, I get very tired of restaurants that cater to tourists. The Griffon is exactly what it presents itself to be and I love that. It's easy on the budget, they're generous with their portions (and yes, it's "pub grub" as one reviewer called it. . .but it's the most delicious "pub grub" I've found) and I've never had anything but fantastic service. On the rare occasion that something is less than satisfactory, most of the staff I know will make amends very quickly. It's small and can be crowded during peak hours, but it's well worth any wait you might have. Casual, relaxed and not a place where they gouge you on prices because of the location.
(5)Jordan C.
A very chill "pub." I put pub in quotes because it does not have the typical English decor that English and Irish pubs have. This is a place for minimalists: the wallpaper is one dollar bills (feel free to add one yourself for posterity's sake). And there is not much to the wood tables and chairs. The barkeeps are always knowledgable and there is a little blonde hottie that spices up the ambiance. Go on Thursdays because they have a kick ass bluegrass band that plays once or twice a month. Call ahead to confirm, but it is definitely worth it. This place is perfect if you actually like the people you are going out with. You can have a conversation in this place and the draught selection is pretty damn good with the addition of the New Belguim ales. Also, this is a very underrated eatery. The food is fantastic here, and it is very well-priced. Go for lunch and you'll see a lot of lawyers and probably my brother chowing down.
(4)H S.
So glad we managed to find a local bar in a touristy section of the city. Despite the fact that I almost definitely stuck out like a sore thumb, I was welcomed with a smile and a shot from a kind stranger right away. Quite the random decor, but I don't care. Was so in love with this perfectly townie city dive bar to not enjoy myself.
(4)Rodney H.
Great old pub located just off East Bay St. All the walls, posts, celings are covered with $ bills signed by folks from all over the world. A decent selection of Beers & a mighty nasty Rum cocktail are the specialties.Seems like a good mixture of people frequent the Griffon & At least 1 tv is on for the sports enthusiast, but the general vibe is more of English Pub rather than an American Sports bar.The space is relatively small but still they fit in a Dart board.
(3)Vicky A.
Nice little neighborhood pub with great food. We ate here twice. The fish and chips are great along with the reubens. Potato salad is excellent too.
(5)Betsy F.
Came in a few times as a tourist. They had a band one of the evenings we came in. The ambience is very casual, yet friendly. There is a diverse group of people.
(4)Dano M.
Mess with the doorman on Saturday nights...That is the most fun...Enjoy fish and chips and plenty of beer...Great place.....Tell Brice I sent you.....
(4)Katharine S.
My boyfriend and I, just having arrived in town in the early afternoon as tourists, were famished and wanted pub food to fuel us through the rest of the day's explorations. I used Yelp to identify the Griffon and the Blind Tiger as two possibilities. All of the good seats were taken at the Blind Tiger and the burgers were in the $8-10 range (too much to pay at a place we weren't immediately thrilled with), so we pressed on, took some photos at the waterfront park, then turned left onto Vendue Range and easily found the pub. We sat ourselves at a great table (good view of establishment but not too noisy of a spot) and ordered PBR and a local draft to begin. The food here was delicious: I had the best chicken tenders and fries I've ever had for a whopping $6.50, and my boyfriend was pleased with his $6.25 burger. As I was waiting for him to finish his beer, our server (a delightfully friendly 50ish-year-old woman) worried that she hadn't brought out the entirety of my $2 PBR--so she brought out another 8 or so ounces in a new, cold glass for me. As if our eating experience couldn't have got any better! I highly recommend the Griffon for good, unpretentious pub food in historic downtown Charleston.
(4)Maggie R.
This place was recommended to us by a local, and we were happy for it. The Griffon hit the spot for us: a friendly pub with several local brews on tap. While we didn't eat there, we enjoyed a few microbeers and a game of darts at this "hole in the wall".
(4)Marissa H.
Fun bar w/ a good beer selection. Dollar bills - according to the bartender ~$6K! - adorn the entire bar. Markers & staple gun are at the ready for those wanting to contribute. Small stage for local musicians to play. We went on a Thursday night/Friday morning & it was dead....then again it was ~1AM when we walked in for 1 final beer. Although not a "local's bar" it's still worth going to & the location near the Battery makes it easily accessible for a good time.
(4)Morgan K.
The Griffon Pub can be a fun place to go. Kinda reminds me of stepping into an old English pub. The atmosphere is pretty mixed. This can get some college kids (usually C of C or the Citadel), some 20-30something to even older couples in the market area who wanted to go to a bar after their nice dinner on East Bay. They have a vast collection of dollar bills coating the walls, which adds a quirky decor feel to the place. All in all its a pretty fun place to go though, just might not be the most "happening" spot in Charleston
(3)James W.
if the proprietor is to be believed, this is an english pub. i've never been to england, so i couldn't say. what i can say is, if you are looking for a dark, quiet pub with cheap, cold beer, darts, good service and is otherwise a great place to get your drink on, hit up the griffon. off the beaten path (i.e. not on market or east bay street), lacking the 794 flat screen t.v.s, and featuring $1 bills autographed by patrons as wall paper, the griffon is pretty close to my definition of a perfect bar.
(4)Robert M.
A local bar instead of tourist bar. Don't expect fancy people or high class decor. Instead you get cheap drinks. Good Beer. When in a doubt seek it out!
(5)Joseph P.
This pub fits the description to a tee. The food's passable, and the beer's plentiful. There's no reason to pass this place up, but neither should you expect anything special.
(3)Stephen B.
Blink and you have missed this place. This is a little gem of a tavern steps away from the water and the cruise ship terminal. I have yet to have a bad experience here. It's all good.
(4)Nick T.
I loved this place. Great beers. Great atmosphere. Small little homey joint in charleston. Aside from the annoying broad sitting behind us, this place was one of the best little bars in town
(5)Alon B.
Two people pointed us to have sweet tea here. Nothing special about tea but, I will say their fish and chips are better then any we have ever had. That is saying a lot because we have tried at most countries and states that claim to have the best. They are super friendly too.
(5)Carrie B.
The service is great, pub style atmosphere is cool, and the dollars on the wall really helped when it came time to pay the tab. ;-) Seriously, though, it's nice to go to a place where the staff can carry on a conversation with you even though they are used to so many tourists in and out of there. The night we went, there was an impromptu dance-off to Michael Jackson music...very memorable!
(5)Trippe D.
I love this bar. The only bar in the world that i've ever been a true regular at is the Horse Brass Pub in Portland, OR, rated number 1 on Esquire's top 50 bars in America, so maybe I know my English Pubs, maybe I just know my American/English Pubs. Regardless, outside of the fact that the beer selection is extremely limited and they don't serve food very late at all this is a great place. I've only been here three times so I don't really understand why there are dollar bills plastered over every square inch but it's an honest pub, a true bar, a place to make a residency, and the service is honest, I appreciate that. Cheers!
(4)W. Stephen T.
I have heard that their lunch is good but I have never tried it. It is a popular College bar at night, especially on the weekends. Great place to go if the Rooftop @ Vendue has a large line. It is very dark inside, has darts, and you can sign a dollar bill and add it to the collection that lines the walls and the roof. All and all a decent bar.
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