The best bars & nightlife in Hilton Head

20 bars & nightlife we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

Browse another shelf: all of Hilton Head’s best · Restaurants · Shopping · Beauty · Bakeries & Sweets · Entertainment · Arts & Culture · Health & Wellness · Home & Garden · Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Cafes · Sporting Goods

Pinned in Hilton Head today

This spot is open today.

Two pinned places a day in Hilton Head — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. List your business →

Paid placements are always marked.

Nightlife · 20 places · showing the latest additions first

Local Legend Brewing Company blends modern techniques with Lowcountry flavor, pouring house-made beers alongside Chef Alan Ford’s…

1014 William Hilton Pkwy (Hilton Head Island) · ✓ checked Sep 4

Local Legend Brewing Company blends modern techniques with Lowcountry flavor, pouring house-made beers alongside Chef Alan Ford’s brewery-spun menu. Hang in the beer garden, challenge friends at shuffleboard, darts, or Pac-Man, and catch live music, open mic, game tournaments, even the weekly Ales & Tales podcast.

From the Hilton Head newsletter, September 9, 2026

Website ↗

From smooth bourbons and bold gins to flavored moonshines distilled with Lowcountry grains, Burnt Church Distillery nails the craft and the…

120 Bluffton Rd (Bluffton)

From smooth bourbons and bold gins to flavored moonshines distilled with Lowcountry grains, Burnt Church Distillery nails the craft and the vibe. Swing by for tours and tastings, book a mixology class, then stay for Southern-leaning bites from Hail Mary’s... your week just got more interesting.

From the Bluffton newsletter, August 21, 2026

Website ↗

R Bar & Grill

Nightlife

R Bar & Grill is Bluffton's home of the Beef on Weck, stacking slow-roasted roast beef on a scratch-made Kimmelweck roll with a…

70 Pennington Dr (Bluffton)

R Bar & Grill is Bluffton's home of the Beef on Weck, stacking slow-roasted roast beef on a scratch-made Kimmelweck roll with a nose-tingling dollop of horseradish and au jus for dunking. Keep it simple this week, post up with comfort-food favorites and neighborly vibes that feel like your go-to hangout.

From the Bluffton newsletter, August 23, 2026

Website ↗

Tiki Hut

Nightlife

Hilton Head Island’s only beachfront live music venue, Tiki Hut keeps the vibes easy with year-round bands, frozen cocktails like the Rum…

1 S Forest Beach Dr (Hilton Head Island) · ✓ checked Jul 31

Hilton Head Island’s only beachfront live music venue, Tiki Hut keeps the vibes easy with year-round bands, frozen cocktails like the Rum Runner, and laid-back hangout energy right on Coligny Beach. When you need a midweek reset, grab a seat, sing along, and let the salt air do its thing.

From the Hilton Head newsletter, August 6, 2026

Website ↗
Run a Hilton Head business? Two pinned spots a day — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. Advertise →

Skip the same-old six‑pack and let Hilton Head Brewing Company pour you something island-made, like Sunset Pale Ale with citrusy florals,…

1 Cardinal Rd #13 (Hilton Head Island) · ✓ checked Jul 31

Skip the same-old six‑pack and let Hilton Head Brewing Company pour you something island-made, like Sunset Pale Ale with citrusy florals, juicy Hazy Nectar IPA, or Beach Bum Witbier’s orange-leaning refresh. They’re the island’s first brewery, so swing by and toast to homegrown flavor.

From the Hilton Head newsletter, August 8, 2026

Website ↗

Need a no-fuss weeknight spot this week? Cool Cats Lounge keeps it classic with a button-happy jukebox, darts for bragging rights, and TVs…

32 Palmetto Bay Rd #8-A (Hilton Head Island)

Need a no-fuss weeknight spot this week? Cool Cats Lounge keeps it classic with a button-happy jukebox, darts for bragging rights, and TVs that never miss the big play. It’s the kind of Bluffton hangout where you slide in, catch up, and forget you ever owned a to-do list.

From the Bluffton newsletter, September 7, 2026

Website ↗

Pour & Proper

Nightlife

Pour & Proper nails that refined-meets-inviting sweet spot with modern Southern small plates, burgers, and charcuterie boards built to back…

19 Dunnagans Alley Unit E/F (Hilton Head Island) · ✓ checked Aug 28

Pour & Proper nails that refined-meets-inviting sweet spot with modern Southern small plates, burgers, and charcuterie boards built to back its craft cocktails, fine wines, and premium spirits.

From the Hilton Head newsletter, September 2, 2026

Website ↗

Wine Time Bluffton - Old Town pairs an ever-evolving list of sustainably made wines with small plates, artisan cheeses, and charcuterie.…

6 Promenade St Unit 1003 (Bluffton)

Wine Time Bluffton - Old Town pairs an ever-evolving list of sustainably made wines with small plates, artisan cheeses, and charcuterie. Explore by the glass, snag something from 400+ retail labels, or rally friends for Wine Battles tastings that send a buck per bottle or battle to a local nonprofit.

From the Bluffton newsletter, September 21, 2026

Website ↗

Bee Town Mead And Cider is South Carolina’s first production meadery, pouring inventive honey wines and ciders in a cozy Lowcountry mead…

1230 b, May River Rd (Bluffton)

Bee Town Mead And Cider is South Carolina’s first production meadery, pouring inventive honey wines and ciders in a cozy Lowcountry mead hall. Drop in for tastings or a tour, then linger over their Coffee Bean Mead, a 2019 Mazer Cup International bronze medal winner that drinks like dessert.

From the Bluffton newsletter, August 31, 2026

Website ↗

Island Winery

Nightlife

Island Winery is a relaxed, family-owned spot locals lean on for easygoing tastings and approachable wines from fruit wines to classic reds…

15 Cardinal Rd (Hilton Head Island) · ✓ checked Sep 11

Island Winery is a relaxed, family-owned spot locals lean on for easygoing tastings and approachable wines from fruit wines to classic reds and whites. Pick your vibe at the tasting bar, barrel room, patio, or lawn, bring a snack, and check out their custom labels for gifts.

From the Hilton Head newsletter, September 18, 2026

Website ↗

Perched atop the Courtyard by Marriott Hilton Head Island, High Tide Rooftop Bar pours coastal vibes with panoramic views of Hilton Head…

79 Pope Ave (Hilton Head Island) · ✓ checked Aug 7

Perched atop the Courtyard by Marriott Hilton Head Island, High Tide Rooftop Bar pours coastal vibes with panoramic views of Hilton Head Island and the Atlantic. Slide up for sunset, sip something cold, and remember why we live here, low-key fancy and high on scenery for perfect midweek recalibration.

From the Hilton Head newsletter, August 12, 2026

Website ↗

Lincoln & South Brewery keeps things interesting with a lineup of pilsners and ales, plus guest taps when you're feeling adventurous. Not…

138 Island Dr (Hilton Head Island) · ✓ checked Sep 18

Lincoln & South Brewery keeps things interesting with a lineup of pilsners and ales, plus guest taps when you're feeling adventurous. Not into beer? They also pour wines and bubbles, and their events calendar makes it an easy go-to when you want a low-key night close to home.

Website ↗

Rollers Wine & Spirits Palmetto Bay Road nails the trifecta: thoughtfully chosen store-pick whiskeys (and the occasional tequila), a cozy…

9 Palmetto Bay Rd (Hilton Head Island)

Rollers Wine & Spirits Palmetto Bay Road nails the trifecta: thoughtfully chosen store-pick whiskeys (and the occasional tequila), a cozy wine bar with tastings and dinners, and cheese/charcuterie boards that make Tuesday feel fancy.

From the Bluffton newsletter, September 14, 2026

Website ↗

Need a midweek upgrade? Alexander's Restaurant & Wine Bar pairs seasonally inspired, locally caught seafood and Lowcountry favorites like…

76 Queens Folly Rd (Hilton Head Island)

Need a midweek upgrade? Alexander's Restaurant & Wine Bar pairs seasonally inspired, locally caught seafood and Lowcountry favorites like Shrimp and Grits with an award-winning wine list, all overlooking a tranquil lagoon, so you can turn an ordinary Tuesday into something worth texting the group about.

From the Hilton Head newsletter, August 30, 2026

Website ↗

Side Hustle Brewing pours at Hilton Head’s Beer Garden at The Bank with house-brewed beers and 72,000 square feet of chill vibes and…

59 Pope Ave (Hilton Head Island) · ✓ checked Sep 11

Side Hustle Brewing pours at Hilton Head’s Beer Garden at The Bank with house-brewed beers and 72,000 square feet of chill vibes and lawn-game energy. When you want something closer to home, the Bluffton taproom hits the same quality, just fewer distractions and easier small talk.

From the Hilton Head newsletter, September 17, 2026

Website ↗

Starbird Spirits & Bites does drinks and bites with just the right level of polish, making it a go-to for low-key catchups, pre-dinner…

1000 William Hilton Pkwy Unit J-7C (Hilton Head Island) · ✓ checked Sep 11

Starbird Spirits & Bites does drinks and bites with just the right level of polish, making it a go-to for low-key catchups, pre-dinner plans, or that one-last-round moment. Expect unfussy pours, snackable plates, and a relaxed vibe that feels comfortably local.

From the Hilton Head newsletter, September 15, 2026

Website ↗

Chez Georges Bistro & Bar does the French-bistro thing with a Lowcountry accent, the kind of spot where bouillabaisse, escargots, and duck…

37 New Orleans Rd Ste J (Hilton Head Island) · ✓ checked Sep 11

Chez Georges Bistro & Bar does the French-bistro thing with a Lowcountry accent, the kind of spot where bouillabaisse, escargots, and duck share the stage with a good glass of wine. Ideal for a midweek treat when you want neighborhood cozy without skimping on polish.

From the Hilton Head newsletter, September 20, 2026

Website ↗

The Carolina Tasting Room pours rotating tastings of locally sourced wines with genuinely friendly guidance, then flips the script with icy…

1 N Forest Beach Dr Unit B (Hilton Head Island) · ✓ checked Aug 7

The Carolina Tasting Room pours rotating tastings of locally sourced wines with genuinely friendly guidance, then flips the script with icy wine smoothies in flavors like peach, mango, and sangria. Perfect midweek reset for Hilton Head life when the humidity wins and your porch needs company.

From the Hilton Head newsletter, August 15, 2026

Website ↗

Reilley's Grill & Bar brings a warm Boston pub vibe to the island with sizzling steaks, fresh seafood, sips, and sports, plus convertible…

7D Greenwood Dr (Hilton Head Island)

Reilley's Grill & Bar brings a warm Boston pub vibe to the island with sizzling steaks, fresh seafood, sips, and sports, plus convertible walls that open to a legit patio; settle in for the big game or catch seasonal local music and feel like family.

From the Bluffton newsletter, September 19, 2026

Website ↗

Locals-only tip: The Rooftop Bar keeps Hilton Head’s nights buzzing with live music, high-energy dance parties, and a glam scene that…

Shelter Cove Towne Center, 38 Shelter Cove Ln (Hilton Head Island) · ✓ checked Aug 22

Locals-only tip: The Rooftop Bar keeps Hilton Head’s nights buzzing with live music, high-energy dance parties, and a glam scene that actually feels fun midweek. Grab your crew, catch a sky-high sunset, and let their event lineup handle your excuse to stay out just a little longer.

From the Hilton Head newsletter, August 26, 2026

Website ↗

Listed here?

You’ve earned the mark — get the BaseLocal’s Best badge for your site →. Want in? List your business →