Three of our tours are built around cocktails, so our guides spend a lot of evenings in downtown Greenville bars. These are the rooftops, lounges and hidden spots we recommend for a night out.
Written by the local guides at Foothill Foodie Tours
Quick Picks
- Rooftop views: Juniper
- Rooftop by the river: UP on the Roof
- Whiskey: Spirit & Bower
- Before a show: The Cocktail Company
- Hidden gem: The Rabbit Hole
- Cocktails plus dinner: our evening food tours
Rooftop Bars
Juniper
Panoramic views of downtown and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Smart casual dress is encouraged and reservations are a good idea.
UP on the Roof
A casual rooftop overlooking the Reedy River, known for creative cocktails and weekend brunch mimosas.
Eden Rooftop Lounge
A sleek fourth-floor lounge with its own cocktail and food menu, built for a night out.
SIP Whiskey & Wine Bar
Tucked away above Main Street, with handcrafted cocktails and some of the best sunset views downtown.
Cocktails, Bites and Hidden Gems
Our evening tours pair a cocktail with food at three downtown restaurants. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. 21 and over.
Craft Cocktail Bars
Spirit & Bower
A lodge-style bar at the end of the Liberty Bridge, known for rare whiskeys and seasonal cocktails.
The Rabbit Hole
A small, inventive cocktail bar with seasonal ingredients and a living moss wall.
The Cocktail Company
Quick, well-made cocktails and wine, the perfect stop before a show.
Paloma
A Spanish-style tapas bar with a signature cocktail called The Dove.
The Cazbah
A downtown fixture since 2000, with tapas and a deep wine and champagne list.
Beer, Bourbon and Live Music
Fireforge Crafted Beer
A small-batch brewery with 20-plus house beers on tap, a garden out back and live music on a regular basis.
NEAT Bourbon Bar
A deep bourbon and whiskey list. Try the Prohibition Old Fashioned with the smoked bacon popcorn.
Vault & Vator
Downtown Greenville's first speakeasy-style lounge, below street level on South Main, pouring pre-Prohibition and Prohibition-era cocktails.
The Mockingbird
The Peace Center's intimate listening room, with a full bar and shows on many weekends.
Cocktails With Dinner
Some of our favorite drinks in town come with food. On our evening tours, guests get a seasonal cocktail created for the tour at Crust & Craft, a seasonal sangria with shrimp and grits at Sassafras and a specialty cocktail with empanadas at Maestro Bistro & Dinner Club.
If you want a full night out, start with a food tour at 4 or 5 PM, then walk to one of the rooftops above for a nightcap.
Tips for a Night Out in Greenville
Most downtown bars sit within an easy walk of each other, from North Main down to the West End, so you can park once and stay on foot. Downtown garages are free for the first hour and top out at $7 for the day.
Rooftops fill up around sunset on Fridays and Saturdays, so reserve where you can, and plan a ride home. If you want food along the way, our downtown restaurant guide has dinner picks near every bar on this list.
Cocktail Food Tours in Greenville
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooftop bars in Greenville SC?
Juniper, UP on the Roof, Eden Rooftop Lounge and SIP Whiskey & Wine Bar are the downtown rooftops we recommend most.
Where is the nightlife in Greenville SC?
Most bars sit along Main Street and in the West End, with a few creative cocktail bars in the Village of West Greenville.
Is there a cocktail tour in Greenville SC?
Yes. Our Thirsty Thursday, Friday Date Night and Saturday Evening Cocktail tours each pair cocktails with food at three restaurants.
Is there a speakeasy in Greenville SC?
Yes. Vault & Vator on South Main is a speakeasy-style lounge below street level, pouring pre-Prohibition and Prohibition-era cocktails.
Where can I hear live music in downtown Greenville?
The Mockingbird at the Peace Center and Fireforge Crafted Beer on East Washington Street both host live music.
More Greenville Guides
Hours, menus and openings change. Check with each business before you go.