After receiving a heads up from a reader about The Griffon in Charleston, SC, and checking out some online reviews, we knew we had to give this place a feature. Reviews include: “I almost didn’t want to review it because I don’t want anyone else to show up” and “The bar was recommended to us by a bartender at another restaurant!”
They even have a tagline we can really get behind: “Unapologetically Awesome.”
Charleston is a city known for its friendliness and hospitality, and those are qualities The Griffon has in abundance. It’s been thriving for over 20 years, right in the heart of the tourist district, and it only takes one visit to see why.
The first thing that stands out about The Griffon is the decor. The place is quite literally laced in dollar bills—4-5 bills deep in spots. Every surface seems to be fair game, from the walls to the wooden booths to bathroom doors. You’re welcome to join in and staple one on; The Griffon even provides staplers and Sharpies.
But good luck finding a place to add your dolla dolla bill, and be careful of the ceiling if that’s your chosen spot…Patrons have been known to come close to getting clipped in the head by the ceiling fans! What makes this feature even more fun is that these are not just plain dollar bills. They’re emblazoned with all sorts of good and helpful advice.
Recently, the owner of The Griffon took some of that advice to heart and made the unapologetically awesome decision to give a number of those dollar bills to employees who had been furloughed due to the pandemic. This is the kind of generosity and spirit that makes people want to visit over and over again.
Many of the regulars say they are more than happy to return now that they’re open again and help line the walls with new bills.
The Griffon opens early (11am Monday – Friday, 12pm on Saturdays and Sundays) and has a very busy lunch scene, so it’s good to get there early. The great pub food (they’re known for their fish and chips) and funny bartenders make this is a cool spot to settle in, watch a game, and enjoy some good ol’ day drinking.
There is a great beer list that features lots of brews from South Carolina. With 16 draft beers and 18 different kinds of cans and bottles, you will surely find something that’ll make you smile. Happy hour features $2 PBRs. There’s also darts and a great jukebox to enjoy. They even welcome kids (bring a few dollar bills for them to add to the walls) and dogs (they may even set out a bowl of water for your pup), so really, there is no excuse not to visit The Griffon!
Location: Charleston, SC
Be sure to try: the fish and chips!
