Squeeze Bar

NOTE: There was a fire… they are at least temporarily closed.

I know bars. I’ve been to bars around this beautiful planet of ours in mega high rise skyscrapers and behind markets in third world countries and Squeeze is one of my favorites. I am planning a trip back to Charleston primarily to make my way through the cocktail list and BS with the bartenders and patrons some more. Carefully designed and crafted cocktails, hip (but not hipster) décor and a rockin playlist make Squeeze the happiest discovery I’ve ever made while waiting for dinner reservations to come around. The bartenders know the new South, from up and coming bands to some real gems of small-​batch distilleries. Just go and enjoy the handiwork of people who really love what they do.

You do indeed squeeze into the bar! Fun place, fun drinks, chill vibe. What more could you ask for from a bar?

I absolutely love this bar. I love the charm, the décor, and the bar itself. It looks like it was once an ally between two buildings, that a genius decided to put a bar in that spot. It may be a «Squeeze» to get in, but they have a FULL bar. If you’re looking for an awesome place to hang out with your friends, or a fun happy hour place, I highly recommend Squeeze!

Meh. Came down from Baltimore and saw this place was highly rated. The drinks were okay, but they were overpriced and watered down.

To keep it tight: Squeeze is a unique bar that offers delicious, well crafted cocktails and martinis. The bar tenders are inviting, friendly, skilled, and social. The drinks are affordable, especially for happy hour, and the best I’ve had in Charleston. The music here is phenomenal and filled with understated hits. Squeeze is not hipster but it stylish and modern compared with its surroundings. I thoroughly enjoyed drinking here and will return some day.

I probably could have spent my entire trip to Charleston here. I heard they had a nice Happy Hour ($ 7 Martini’s and $ 6 Cocktails) that was 7 days a week, so I got there at 5PM on Saturday, and was not the least disappointed.
The drinks are extremely delicious and creative (and strong). The Rain Dance was my favorite, but I was not disappointed in any of the martinis (yes…I tried all of them).
The bartenders/​owners are very personable and fun, which makes a huge difference when sitting at a bar. We had a blast an spent over 2 hrs there. We even came back later for some dessert martini’s, which aren’t too heavy and taste amazing.
The bar is physically tight, hence the name, but just get a seat and don’t go with a large crowd, and you will be fine.

Even though this place is tight, hence the name, it’s one of the best bars downtown. I regularly start off here before going out to dinner. They have good happy hour prices at $ 6 a cocktail. They also have live music in the form of a girl that plays there on the regular. Her name is evading me right now, but she’s good.
The cocktails are very well prepared with nice twists on some traditional drinks. The bartenders are also very friendly and helpful.
The one thing I wouldn’t recommend this place for is meeting with a large party. It’s too difficult to try and carry on a conversation. I think it’s best suited for two to four people at the most.
Highly recommended!

Went there on a Friday night early to enjoy a little happy hour with my ladyfriend. The place is small yes, but it creates an atmosphere of intimacy that is very nice. The ambience, friendly bartenders, and great happy hour specials make this place worth checking out. I had two specialty drinks off their martini menu. They are regularly priced $ 9, but at HH are only $ 6 and they are so worth it. My wife had a glass of the house riesling and a white russian, both of which she really liked. All in all, a great little bar with a comfortable, relaxed, yet upscale atmosphere.

Small bar (hence the name), but good drinks, good service and a chill atmosphere.
We were lucky enough to take over the one booth in the back. It was a great place to be with a group who was in town for a wedding.
Definitely recommend Squeeze. Just know, the name doesn’t lie!

This is one of the best bars I have been too. Tyler was a great host. Had the best martinis around; even got an impromptu drink making lesson. Worth a stop everytime.

Great martinis!

Most unique bar in Charleston! Great location, great service, great live music! Do yourself a favor & check it out!

Great Service! Amazing Singer! Drink Specials! I didn’t expect much from the self proclaimed smallest bar, but I was so pleasantly surprised within my first few moments inside. Not only was our group of 5 greeted by the bartender and given a list of specials, but the young lady who was singing — greeted her «new friends» as well. The drinks were great, priced more than the fair, trendy atmosphere had cute exposed lightbulbs that all the guys loved, and the girls were singing along with the laid back YET amazing entertainment. This is a must stop before dinner. You won’t be disappointed.

As a Baltimorean, it’s somewhat difficult to find a decent cocktail bar. The majority of the places around here serve beer, with cocktails as an afterthought (unless you travel to the fairly new RYE).
While vacationing here in Charleston, it was a pleasant surprise to come across this dimly light and narrow joint run by a friendly gent (not the owner, just an overworked soul).
Not only was the atmosphere matching, but the cocktails were extremely fresh, crisp, fruitful (when it applied), and impressive. Something along the lines of ‘Prickly Pear Lemonade’ made my evening. Probably one of the best cocktails I will ever have in this lifetime. The Frenchy was yet another superb choice.
Other drinks were ordered and savored in delight, although I can’t remember what they were called. A quick heads up though: no food. Either grab a snack or dinner beforehand or afterward!
Either way, I’d suggest traveling to this humble spot for a taste of what you’ve been missing!

It wouldn’t be called squeeze if it wasn’t a tight space but I think they make the most of it. I was out with some friends, kind of a girl’s night on the town and we didn’t have a problem getting drinks promptly. We were lucky enough to get a large table in the back for all of us to gather around. Bartenders were good looking and friendly. Great atmosphere, the music was good and the drinks were made well.

This was the last stop of the night before retiring back to the hotel. Definitely one of our favorite bars on the whole trip. We walked right by it and noticed it looked interesting compared to the monsters around it. We walked a bit further and saw the empty other places that were bright and ugly, then we back tracked right into the blue light of Squeeze.
We sat at the bar towards the back and the really friendly bartender hit us up right away. I love rum and the selection was atypical. I got an Appleton and coke and he even gave extra coke on the side in case it was too stiff. It was just right. My hubby had a bourbon he loved.
The space is very intimate, which adds to its charm. The décor is perfectly fitting for its size. They keep the front doors and windows open so its breezy and comfortable. We’ll be back on a future trip.

So skinny that its uncomfortable! Its hard to talk to someone without being in the way. The back booth is really nice, so get it if you can!
The beer is pretty overpriced, as well.

Great bartenders!
I’ve been twice, once at about 830 maybe 9pm the other was probably 10 or 11. Earlier was better. Yes it’s tiny so it gets crowded, but more importantly you get more individual attention from the bartender when it’s earlier. Yummy drinks, albeit expensive, and a neat atmosphere. I think I might try happy hour!

Cool concept! I can imagine this place has some of the lowest overhead on Bay Street. It literally is a SQUEEZE to get in! Updated interiors in shades of brown and metal accents give it a great feel. The bartender here was super nice and took time to get to know us and actually made us feel right at home. I will definitely be back and squeeze myself back in there next time I’m in town.