Proof

Who closes a bar before midnight and turns back those waiting in line? This place does! They ran out of some alcohol. Really? On a Friday night? We were from out of town ready to give you some serious business. Your loss.

Who comes out and tells 4 girls in line at 11pm on a Friday night that they’re not accepting any more people for the rest of the night without any explanation???

Fascistic place, great drinks, great service. I’ve been here several times since it first opened and have enjoyed the experience each time. I highly recommend this establishment.

Proof is the perfect getaway from the roaring King Street. It’s a great place for a date or small group of friends. Proof will never be crowded to the point that everybody is searching for breathing room because they are better than that. When I’m looking for a good drink, Proof is the place to go. Drinks range from about 9 to 12 bucks so make sure to sip and savor. I’ve tried a variety of the drinks and they have yet to disappoint. The most entertaining part is watching the bartenders dressed in jean aprons concoct your fancy drink. It’s like a witch making a potion because it’s that meticulous. The atmosphere is perfect with music that you don’t have to yell above, dimmed lighting, and that rustic wood feel. My favorite whiskey sour was made here. Check out Proof yourself and get hooked!

There’s something about the summer that brings out the Hemingway Daiquiri enthusiast in me. I think it might be because I discovered them while I was living in Miami so I associate the drink with heat. In any event, it was a hot Saturday night and I found myself at a popular craft cocktail bar. I wanted a Hemingway Daiquiri. Proof delivered and them some. I kept them coming. Not only were they potent but they were served in the proper glassware and at the proper temperature. If I can trust Proof with a classic, I can trust them with any sort of cocktail — and you should too.
Judging from the crowd, it appears all of Charleston does. The place was packed and a party was in full swing. The playlist was fantastic and everyone there seemed to be in a festive mood — which is good news seeing as how small the bar is. Yes, it was a Saturday night but it the place had a massive crowd. As in, doorman in front who would only let one in once one left. It doesn’t appear as though King Street is much of a secret to local or tourist. Plus, proper attire is a big thing. Not dressed appropriately? Don’t plan on getting in. I live in a Southern town but I haven’t seen as much attention paid to dress code as I did in Charleston. I’m of two minds about it. I digress… Our group managed to get in and as luck had it, we pressured another group… I mean, another group was leaving from the front window seat. I am a fan of people watching and drinking so this was prime real estate. I parked my butt and sipped on tart rum all night long.
There are worse fates. I’d come back. I’m a fan.

Been here at least five times since I’ve made the recent move to Charleston. The Sazerac and French 75 are fantastic, as well as the Gin Fizz. Great mixologists and playlist. I bring all of my out of town friends here for a classy start of a night full of debauchery.

Great atmosphere, delicious, well-​crafted cocktails, personalized service. We had been working through the cocktail menu, favorites were Siddhartha Spritz, Pink Rabbit (!), and De La Louisianne. Something for everyone, I ordered a drink with a strong licorice flavor and the owner/​bartender said he would take it back if I didn’t like it. (I liked it, kept it.) Will return when we revisit Charleston!

Fabulous pub, with great mixed drink menu, wine list and rye and bourbon’s. Must try Paige’s pimento cheese if they have it. Has a most delicious unique cosmopolitan and my Dad had a dark and stormy.

Arrived late for a night cap after a 9 hour drive from DC to visit my best friend. We ordered our first round of specialty bourbon cocktails which, albeit pricey (around $ 24 — $ 26 total) were delicious. The server then comes by and tells us it’s last call, but he recommended us having one more. 5 mins later he brings us another excellent drink, 4 mins after that I go to the restroom and when I come back out (2 mins later… I washed my hands) and they had kicked everyone out due to a need to close. My issue is not with the need to close (I know «that’s the law»), but I do have an issue with someone recommending a very expensive drink and then kicking us out shortly after handing it to us. Oh, and being very rude when I mentioned that I thought that it was wrong.
Btw, this is only my 2^nd Unilocal review I’ve ever written… the first was very positive.
Bottom line, the drinks are great here, but I felt like an after-​thought as far as being a valued customer.

My first day in Charleston and after purchasing some shoes at Sperry I realized «King St.» was what was cool in this city. It’s a long one way street lined with shops, clothiers, bars, and restaurants.
I found a great parking spot near Sperry on a Monday and pulled up my Unilocal app because I wanted to find a really good cocktail bar and try something new. Proof came up first and realized it was right behind me so I jumped out of my rental and made my way over. Only a few patrons at the bar and two friendly bartenders who helped me right away with a cocktail menu.
The atmosphere is dark, comfortable, yet cozy and almost romantic with sweet lighting and liquor bottles lining the wall. First tried the PGT which I think was Gin, Bitters and Tonic and something else which was really good and had a fizz kick to it. The next cocktail stood out and was by far my favorite. enter «Dark and Stormy» and it was raining and storming so I felt in fit in perfect. Had rum, pineapple and ginger beer and was excellent, the top part was dark and the bottom part was the storm, BAM. I didn’t ask for a gluten-​free menu here since they were cocktails and only bar food was boiled peanuts and pimento cheese sandwiches, so not sure on it’s gluten-​free status.
If you want proof this place is legit, check my photos of the Dark and Stormy, these dudes casted spells on the drinks and did some weird language in secret and I believe they were magical but not sure, go check it out. They also offered me an excellent recommendation for dining.

Incredible cocktails with knowledgeable barkeeps! If Louis is working let him steer the ship. Old Fashioned is to die for.

It’s not often I give 5 stars. But this little gem gets the stars without a doubt. Great cocktails made by bar staff who know what they are doing. Live jazz music on a Monday !! Yes and not overly loud, so you can still talk to people. Good jazz as well. A good mixed adult crowd. No loud kids. Good friendly atmosphere. My only complaint is that this bar is not in MY local town.
I Will be back.

My first time in Proof, they played Radiohead’s album OK Computer in its entirety, followed by their album In Rainbows. They won me over with the soundtrack alone. Also, they occasionally have fantastic live music, which I really enjoy.
The atmosphere is really cool inside Proof, too. I dig the wooden walls and dark, mellow vibe. The bartenders are all strong mixologists, and the drink menu is well-​rounded and offers a great variety of tastes for anybody’s preference. Check this place out!

Proof is a nice place, follows the typical King street bar format, but executes a bit better. Service was prompt and they take good care of the customers here. The décor inside was very pleasant and cozy.

Very cool place to grab a cocktail, beer or glass of wine. Fun music and low key scene. Atmosphere makes everything great.

A craft cocktail bar with speakeasy vibe and only 2 $ signs on Unilocal?How could I resist? Then I saw that they have boiled peanuts on the menu and I couldn’t get there fast enough.
If you frequent this type of establishment, the scene may be all too familiar now. Mainly what I’m talking about has to do with the establishment somehow making you feel as though you are privileged to be there. I like craft cocktails but the service sometimes leaves a bad taste in my mouth. NOT the case at Proof. The gentlemen behind the bar work as swiftly as is possible with complicated concoctions and they also make you feel very welcomed. I also like their outfits (don’t shoot me, but I’m a sucker for nice bar attire). You’re getting the entire package here. Even the door guy is nice (we walked up and I expected him to tell us they were at capacity and would have to wait outside, which wouldn’t be a big deal, but sometimes door guys can be intimidating and this guy was not).
The bar was indeed crowded on a Saturday night, but my friends and I were able to get some great seats at the window so there was people watching on King St, as well as people watching in Proof (these people were decidedly less of a hot mess and let’s face it, not as entertaining but props to Proof for attracting a good kind of crowd).
I stuck to the bubbly (I’m so boring these days), but my friend loved his Hemmingway Daiquiri enough that he had a couple of them. The menu has a good variety of classics and creative house concoctions, as well as bar snacks. Their boiled peanuts are on point! Don’t be grossed out, but they even go well with Champagne (I sense thousands of dead French people rolling in their graves).
The only improvement I can think of here is that it would be really great if they added waitress service. I’m one of those lazy types who will order way more that way because bellying up to the bar when it’s crowded? Not so civilized. I’m still giving them five stars because they are at the top of their game.
This will be a regular haunt every time I’m in Charleston.
Atmosphere, service, drinks all get an A.

Cool place with tons of legit cocktails. We had the pink rabbit which was crazy good. It has some heat but is complex as you taste the ingredients as it washes. Probably the best mule I’ve had in Charleston. They use house made ginger beer but it doesn’t over power the drink. This was our first time and I’ll go back. Bartenders are talkative and have some good stories.
The only reason I didn’t give it a five star was I think the place could update the décor to match the classy cocktails.

Update: now that I am able to experience Proof, I’m a fan. Note to people, this establishment sometimes does off-​site events and may be unexpectedly closed.
I’m happy I was able to spend a drink (or two) and experience first hand the awesomeness that is Proof. This is definitely a must see if you are in the Charleston area. :)

I mourn all the people throughout history who have died never having had the pleasure of an expertly crafted cocktail from Proof. The Sazerac and Charleston Buck are my personal favorites.
Tip: Once you are rightly belligerent and liquored up, the window seats are also great for harshly judging pedestrians.
Charleston Buck, WTF — Cheers!

Small cocktail bar with great drinks.
Drinks: 4, atmosphere: 4, service: 4
Return worthiness: sure
Highlights:
— Drinks: mostly classics with some unique ones but with crafted ingredients
— Sazerac and dark and stormy are 2 of our faces and they held their own
— Atmosphere: cozy with a few tables and a small bar area. It isn’t a scene as the focus is on the quality cocktails
— No crazy lines: later in the evening getting a cocktail down the street entailed waiting in a line which we weren’t interested in.
— Bartender: would make suggestions for your next drink
Lowlights:
— Service can be slow but just cause they’re taking their time making the drinks
Enjoyed our night here cocktaiking it up after dinner.