Chicken wings — that messy appetizer that bar-goers are always after, often debating which destination has the best offering. The Lowcountry is, of course, filled with fried chicken, but it also has its fair share of establishments serving some quality chicken wings. Whether the occasion calls for smoked, fried, charred, dry-rubbed, or lathered in hot sauce — these destinations are the undisputed best 10 stops in Charleston for that essential bar snack.
Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.
Nigel’s Good Food is a North Charleston staple, with a second location in Ladson. Folks travel far and wide for Nigel’s very popular Geechie Wings. The chicken is battered, fried, and tossed in a homemade sweet-and-sour wing sauce.
North Charleston’s Holy City Brewery pairs its beers with an extensive bar food menu — including wings. The chicken is smoked and then fried. Customers can choose from nine selections of rubs and sauces, including Nashville hot, Carolina gold barbecue, honey sambal, and more.
Home Team BBQ’s smoked chicken wings are dry-rubbed with a touch of sweetness and served with a side of Alabama white sauce — customers looking for an extra kick can add the two-ounce Death Relish for good measure. Cool it down with a frozen Gamechanger — the restaurant’s take on a Painkiller.
The Royal American on Morrison Drive has a long list of cheap beer and food for guests looking to kick back. The Magic Wings are crispy and best finished with a spritz of lime, best followed by a sip of Miller High Life. The spice comes from Szechuan peppercorns.
Moe’s Crosstown, a cave of a sports bar, takes pride in its pub fare offerings, and the wings reflect, as they come freshly prepared with lots of meat on the bone. Find 15 different sauce options, including the sweet and spicy hot honey mustard and the diabolical Moe Hotter.
Okay, it may be hard to stray from Bay Street Biergarten’s freaky tater tots, but the sports bar also offers up some delicious smoked chicken wings with the usual offerings plus pineapple Sriracha.
Pair with one of 30 tap beers and a game on the TV for a casual day with friends.
Most regard Prohibition for its nightlife or as a place to have an expertly crafted cocktail, but it should be known that the speakeasy-style restaurant also has some of the best wings in the Lowcountry. Chef Greg Garrison uses a Memphis dry rub, and the charred wings sit on top of an irresistible gorgonzola ranch.
King Street’s Charleston Beer Works is a place to drink beer, watch sports, and consume lots of chicken wings. The sports bar offers 15 different sauces, and patrons can order up to 100 wings at a time.
Sports bar the Brick offers tons of wing flavors to pair with beers and football. There’s 18 flavors, including Old Bay, garlic parmesan, Buffalo ranch, and more.
Barbecue spot Swig & Swine offers smoked wings in a variety of flavors: dry rub, barbecue, peanut butter and jelly, Alabama white, Tabasco honey, hot honey mustard, and white hot.
This classic Avondale dive naturally offers chicken wings alongside a menu filled with bar food staples. The wings come wet, tossed in one of eight sauces, or dry-rubbed in seasonings like lemon pepper or mesquite.
This renowned dive bar offers multiple sauce options on its chicken wings, most notably its famous “buffiyaki” creation. Make sure to bring an extra dollar bill, as the Griffon’s walls are covered in George Washingtons stapled on by visitors looking to leave their mark.
The wings at Mexican restaurant Minero are grilled over charcoal and then shaken up at your tableside with a liberal dousing of Valentina hot sauce. It’s smoky, tangy, and a little messy.
Nigel’s Good Food is a North Charleston staple, with a second location in Ladson. Folks travel far and wide for Nigel’s very popular Geechie Wings. The chicken is battered, fried, and tossed in a homemade sweet-and-sour wing sauce.
North Charleston’s Holy City Brewery pairs its beers with an extensive bar food menu — including wings. The chicken is smoked and then fried. Customers can choose from nine selections of rubs and sauces, including Nashville hot, Carolina gold barbecue, honey sambal, and more.
Home Team BBQ’s smoked chicken wings are dry-rubbed with a touch of sweetness and served with a side of Alabama white sauce — customers looking for an extra kick can add the two-ounce Death Relish for good measure. Cool it down with a frozen Gamechanger — the restaurant’s take on a Painkiller.
The Royal American on Morrison Drive has a long list of cheap beer and food for guests looking to kick back. The Magic Wings are crispy and best finished with a spritz of lime, best followed by a sip of Miller High Life. The spice comes from Szechuan peppercorns.
Moe’s Crosstown, a cave of a sports bar, takes pride in its pub fare offerings, and the wings reflect, as they come freshly prepared with lots of meat on the bone. Find 15 different sauce options, including the sweet and spicy hot honey mustard and the diabolical Moe Hotter.
Okay, it may be hard to stray from Bay Street Biergarten’s freaky tater tots, but the sports bar also offers up some delicious smoked chicken wings with the usual offerings plus pineapple Sriracha.
Pair with one of 30 tap beers and a game on the TV for a casual day with friends.
Most regard Prohibition for its nightlife or as a place to have an expertly crafted cocktail, but it should be known that the speakeasy-style restaurant also has some of the best wings in the Lowcountry. Chef Greg Garrison uses a Memphis dry rub, and the charred wings sit on top of an irresistible gorgonzola ranch.
King Street’s Charleston Beer Works is a place to drink beer, watch sports, and consume lots of chicken wings. The sports bar offers 15 different sauces, and patrons can order up to 100 wings at a time.
Sports bar the Brick offers tons of wing flavors to pair with beers and football. There’s 18 flavors, including Old Bay, garlic parmesan, Buffalo ranch, and more.
Barbecue spot Swig & Swine offers smoked wings in a variety of flavors: dry rub, barbecue, peanut butter and jelly, Alabama white, Tabasco honey, hot honey mustard, and white hot.
This classic Avondale dive naturally offers chicken wings alongside a menu filled with bar food staples. The wings come wet, tossed in one of eight sauces, or dry-rubbed in seasonings like lemon pepper or mesquite.
This renowned dive bar offers multiple sauce options on its chicken wings, most notably its famous “buffiyaki” creation. Make sure to bring an extra dollar bill, as the Griffon’s walls are covered in George Washingtons stapled on by visitors looking to leave their mark.
The wings at Mexican restaurant Minero are grilled over charcoal and then shaken up at your tableside with a liberal dousing of Valentina hot sauce. It’s smoky, tangy, and a little messy.
803-403-1895
Service Areas
