Unforgettable nights out in and around Charleston this spring

The US News Travel Guide describes spring as the perfect time of year to visit Charleston. For those of us who are lucky enough to live in the Holy City all year round, it is also the perfect time to haul ourselves away from the TV and get out and about for an evening of entertainment. 

There’s always something worth checking out in Charleston, from new restaurants opening their doors to Farmers’ Markets at the Charleston Pour House. But perhaps you’d like to try something a little different out of left field. Here are a few ideas that could make an ideal date night, or maybe just a spring get-together with friends. 

Learn about Charleston’s unseen residents

The people behind 108 Elementals operate “the kind of tours that they would like to take.” The tour guides are well versed in the City’s history and will take you to some of the city’s spookiest locations, filing you in on their myths and legends. 

From ghostly pirates to boo hags to poltergeists, the tales are enough to keep you up all night with the lights on! There is a choice of tours, ranging in duration from one hour to two and a half hours. All depart from the corner of Cumberland Street and Church Street. Check out the 108 Elementals website for more details about the tours and tickets. 

Spin the reels on the Big M casino ship 

A night at the casino is one of the most popular and iconic ways for sophisticated adults to spend a night out. Unfortunately, local regulations mean there are no casinos in Charleston itself. However, the Big M casino boat is the perfect venue for a special night out this spring. It departs every evening from Little River, near North Myrtle Beach, so you get the added bonus of the scenic costal road on the drive from Charleston.

If you are familiar with the popular US slot sites and live dealer online casinos that you can play on your PC or mobile casino app, then you’ll know all about the games that are available. These include blackjack, roulette, 3-card poker, Let it Ride, craps, video poker and a whole range of video slots. Evening cruises depart at 6PM and return at 11PM. At present, they are operating four nights per week, from Thursday to Sunday. 

Hang out with the stars at the Black Fedora

Tucked away in a red brick building on Church Street, in the heart of Charleston’s French Quarter, is the Black Fedora. It can best be described as a combined performing arts theater, bar and restaurant. One thing is certain, there is no night out quite like it, and be warned – audience participation is positively encouraged. 

The small cast puts on a big show, and no two nights are ever quite the same. There’s a real family atmosphere, and locals and strangers are guaranteed an equally warm welcome. Strongly recommended, especially for a date night with a difference!

Spoleto – world-beating performing arts

VIDEO: “It’s a one-of-a-kind place” | Spoleto Festival USA 2023 Season Announcement

The Black Fedora is perfect for a fun night out. But if you are more into the serious side of performing arts, make sure you are in town for the Spoleto Festival, which runs from May 26 to June 11 2023. There will be more than 100 events over the 17 days, but the biggest attractions will be shared between the Gaillard Center on Calhoun Street and the historic Dock Street theater on Church Street. 

Keep an eye on the online agenda for up to date information on exactly who is performing when. Highlights we know about so far include the following:

• Only an Octave Apart – a unique hybrid that combines opera with cabaret, and shows that opposites really can attract. The Grammy-nominated show has had fabulous runs in New York and London so is ready to hit the big time in the Holy City!
• The Crucible – this ballet interpretation of Arthur Miller’s classic recounts events in Salem from the perspective of the women who found themselves unwillingly in the thick of it. 
• Quentin Baxter Quintet – one of Charleston’s most famous sons, jazz legend Quentin Baxter is guaranteed a warm reception at his homecoming concert. He is promising to bring along some special guests, too.
• An Iliad – “Never mess with the classics,” they say. Fortunately, Tony Award-winning playwright Denis O’Hare paid no attention to “them” when rewriting Homer’s epic tale for modern times. Don’t miss it. 

Escape in 60 – early evening fun with friends

Finally, an evening out that you could try as a couple, but is really best experienced with a larger group of friends. Escape rooms boomed in popularity about five years ago, but many of them disappeared without trace for obvious reasons in 2020 and 2021. 

Charleston is lucky to have a choice of Escape Rooms, and Escape in 60 lies on Market Street, right in the heart of the city and is owned and operated by a family who have lived in Charleston for years. 

The key to a good Escape Room experience is a good set-up, and you won’t be disappointed here. The choices include a casino-based game, one that is set inside a mental hospital and perhaps the best of all, Ransom, where you must rescue a kidnapped baby. Games last 60-minutes, so it is the perfect way to spend an hour before you head off to eat. 

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