Drink Proper

Although Federal Prohibition hovered over Charleston from 1920-1933, the ban on alcohol had little effect on the local Roaring ‘20s party scene. Spirits such as gin, whiskey and rum were still readily available, even if sold and purchased illegally. While still as popular today as they ever were, these and other liquors are crafted into unique concoctions at the Gin Joint, located downtown at 182 East Bay Street.

Owner Wells Bolt says she and her husband James—who attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York, and previously bartended at the Gin Joint before the couple took over the speakeasy in 2017—change their cocktail menu every season.

“We challenge our bar team to find new, rather than traditional flavors, that are sourced locally as well as seasonally,” Wells explains. “To invoke an element of surprise and adventure, we approach our innovative cocktail program with a sense of creativity and whimsy.  By pairing ingredients that evoke memory and senses, and that are sometimes hard to wrap your head around, we spark an element of surprise and adventure for our patrons who are excited to try something they weren’t expecting. Ultimately, it's about what we’re putting in a glass that’s going to make our guests the happiest.”

Some examples of Gin Joint alchemy include “Harvest Moon,” which is made with acorn squash, gin, sorghum, caraway and fennel, and is inspired by Thanksgiving dishes, and "You're Killing Me, Smalls” which is a fall camping trip in a glass made from Tom Cat gin, dark rum, a burnt marshmellow and white peppercorn. Another intriguing option is to ask for the bartender’s choice, which involves picking any combination of two of the following words: refreshing, tart, savory, fruit, boozy, spicy, sweet, licorice, herbal, bitter, unusual, floral, smoky, fizzy or vegetal.

While its name suggests that the bulk of its cocktails are made with gin, the Gin Joint has the largest whiskey collection in the city, according to Wells. There is no shortage of any other high-end liquor imaginable, either. 

“We are as intentional with our brands as we are with our ingredients,” Wells says. “Our philosophy is familiarity and keeping true to who we are. That’s what keeps locals and tourists coming back year after year.” 

She adds, “Our hearts really go into what we’re doing. In a lot of ways, this is our home, a place to break bread and share a drink with friends.”

To learn about the options that are currently available, visit theginjoint.com and follow them on Instagram @gin_joint.