Tucked beside Chubby Fish on 254 Coming Street, The Seahorse Bar might look like the side door to someoneโs house and in a way, thatโs part of the charm. Thereโs no neon sign just a small ‘SH’ and blue painted arrow on the door frame. Blink and youโll miss it, but thatโs exactly what makes stepping inside feel like youโre in on something special.
The Seahorse isnโt a speakeasy but it definitely isnโt shouting for attention either. Walk in, and youโre met with a space thatโs sleek, moody, and beautifully designed. Itโs small (intimate is probably the word theyโd prefer) but we snagged two seats at the bar, which weโd argue are the best in the house anyway.
My wife and I visited just weeks after it opened, fresh off a seafood high next door. And weโve been back, more than once. For the atmosphere. For the service. And honestly, for one cocktail alone.
Inside The Seahorse: Minimalist, Dark, and Dreamy
If Chubby Fish is a culinary workshop, The Seahorse is its moody twin. Dim lighting, trendy tunes, leather-bound menus, and quiet bar confidence set the tone. Itโs got that Tokyo-meets-Southern charm vibe: cozy, sleek, and without the fuss.
The bar team? Impeccable lead by Christian Favier. Welcoming without being too chatty, focused without being cold. Theyโre the kind of people who care about how your drink feelsโnot just how itโs poured.
What We Drank at The Seahorse
We made it our mission to try (nearly) every cocktail on the menu and honestly, there wasnโt a weak link in the lineup. Every drink felt intentional, balanced, and packed with small surprises. Here are a few standouts:
Smoked Olive Martini
Rich, briny, and ice-cold. Belvedere vodka meets olive leaf and smoked Gordal olive for a martini that tastes like it belongs in a Bond filmโbut one set by the sea. Itโs savory, salty, and smooth, with just the right edge.
Occitan Gimlet
Bright and herbal with fresh bay, Suze, and citrusโitโs like sipping a coastal breeze. Crisp and clean with a slight bitterness that keeps it interesting. An underrated gem if you like your cocktails sharp.
Along with the Americano Costa and a stunning Crystal Daiquiri.
We Ended on a Highball โ Because Of Course We Did
You donโt come to The Seahorse and skip the Whiskey Highball.
Made on a machine that can only be gotten from Japan, with Suntory Toki, lemon ginjล, and shio koji, itโs served in a frosted glass with crystalline ice and just the right amount of delicate fizz. The kind of drink that proves simplicity, when done right, is unbeatable. Clean, light, and quietly perfect. A true closer.
Before or After Dinner? Doesnโt Matter. Go.
Whether youโre stopping by pre-oysters or winding down post-tartare, The Seahorse is a perfect pairing for a Chubby Fish evening or a standalone destination in its own right.
Itโs an elegant escape from the noise. A sharp pour with thoughtful detail. And a serious new player in Charlestonโs cocktail scene.
Quick Info
๐ Location: 253 Coming St, Charleston, SC (right next to Chubby Fish)
๐ธ What to Order: Japanese Highball
๐ฏ๏ธ Vibe: Intimate, low-lit, upscale without being uptight
๐ฅ Pro Tip: Perfect as a pre-dinner stopโor your entire night, maybe after you have that reservation you have been waiting all day for.
๐ต Soundtrack: Cool tunes, ambient beats, vinyl-like mood
๐ฅ Perfect For: Date nights, solo sips, post-dinner wind downs, cocktail nerds
