Mount Pleasant Music, Food and Fun Near Patriots Point

Patriots Point, located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, at the mouth of the Cooper River on the Charleston Harbor, is known for its naval attractions—ships, submarines and planes. However, if you’re planning to book a hotel in Mount Pleasant, there are so many things to do beyond seeing the U.S.S. Yorktown. This Charleston-area home base also boasts a thriving music scene, outdoor adventures and locally sourced, inventive dining. We spoke to a local to get the scoop on Mount Pleasant music and food venues you need to know beyond Patriots Point.

Listen to live music under the oaks at Awendaw Green

Get introduced to regional music at the unique, barnyard venue of Awendaw Green. Photo Credit: Awendaw Green

A treasure worth a trip up Highway 17, Awendaw Green is one of the hottest Mount Pleasant music venues in the low country. Just ask owner and area native Eddie White. “We introduce amazing bands to [Charleston-Mount Pleasant] in a most authentic, bohemian way,” says White. Bonfires, disc golf, quick bites and a bring-your-own-beverage vibe all breathe new life into this old barn atmosphere, which welcomes some of the area’s top acts. Located on the grounds of Sewee Outpost, less than 20 miles north of Patriots Point, Awendaw Green has brought its community together every Wednesday night for its “Barn Jams” since 2009. “We’ve got seating for listeners, and a play area for kids in the back.”

Fill up on biscuits—and everything else—at Sewee Outpost

Located in Awendaw, Sewee Outpost is known for its scratch-made biscuits and all kinds of local goods. Photo Credit: Sewee Outpost

Not only is it the grounds for Awendaw Green, but Sewee Outpost is your go-to stop for everything from ethanol-free fuel to fishing lures and cast-iron cookware. Shelves are stocked with jams, jellies, sauces, marinades and honey, and with scratch-made biscuits served every morning, it’s worth a stop every time.

Take a hike at Francis Marion National Forest

A short drive north from Patriots Point and you’re in the thick of the Francis Marion National Forest and the Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge in Charleston County. Walk along the Nebo Trail and you’ll pass through freshwater ponds, swamplands and pine-filled forests—a great place to spot wildlife. Red-wolf feeding events and lighthouse tours top the list of visitor attractions at this nature preserve.

Experience an authentic area vibe at The Royal American

Join the locals at The Royal American, one of the area’s toplate-night locations for live music and good food. Photo Credit: Royal American

The Royal American, less than 10 minutes from Patriots Point, is downtown Charleston’s most authentic original music venue, White says. “It features one of the most unique stages and an amazing array of tasty eats—it’s the best late-night music scene in town.” You heard it from a Mt. Pleasant local—this one can’t be missed!

Take in the view at The Windjammer

Enjoy a great view to go with local bands and tasty burgers at The Windjammer. Photo Credit: The Windjammer

The Windjammer, a beach bar located on nearby Isle of Palms, is the best place to be in the summer—and most weekends of the year—according to White. “They serve world-famous cheeseburgers, plus a musical lineup that features many of the Southeast’s top bands,” he adds. “And with the Atlantic Ocean just out the back door, it’s a real treat.”

Indulge in local fare at The Charleston Pour House

While on the subject of good eats, White says the Charleston Pour House is the area’s go-to music club and dining spot. A homegrown, independently operated music venue, the Pour House is another key part of the Charleston-Mount Pleasant music scene. “The Pour House has a community-centered vibe and two large stages, plus a locavore-inspired restaurant called The Lot.” Pro tip: Check out The Lot on Tuesdays for the grass-fed burger special, or splurge on an area-sourced main, like the Keegan-Filion Fried Chicken Thigh, which comes atop a bed of Napa and red cabbage slaw with diced watermelon and a champagne-vinegar aioli. Another pro tip: White says get there early for a kid- and dog-friendly deck show.