💎Hidden Local Gems + Taste of Folly Run-Down

The Taste of Folly is here! It’s a two day event this Friday and Saturday that showcases the best dishes and drinks that Folly Beach has to offer. If you had a chance to get tickets for the cocktail competition on Friday, I’m jealous 😠 - it’s sold out now. The good news? You can still get tickets for the main event on Saturday.

🍽️ Savory Saturday

Center Street shuts down from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for Taste of Folly’s street festival, featuring restaurant tastings, live cooking demos, live music, and 50+ local vendors, plus a kids’ area. Expect a full lineup of crowd favorites including the Hot Dog Eating Contest (1:00 PM), Oyster Shucking Contest (2:30 PM), and the One Pot Showdown. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door (kids 12 and under are free, and Folly residents are free with valid ID).

Red Palm Tavern Oyster Roast (More Info) · 7pm · Red Palm Tavern, Downtown · FREE · Looking for a hangout spot downtown with free oysters? Red Palm is one of the best newer bars in the area with great drinks, pool tables, sports, and good vibes.

Firefly Music Bingo (More Info) · 7-9pm · Firefly Distillery, North Charleston · FREE · a unique twist on “Name That Tune” meets “Bingo” as you listen to hit songs, identify them, and mark them off your Bingo card for a chance to win prizes.

Speakeasy Poker Night (More Info) · 7, 9pm · $40 · The Ansonborough Hotel, Downtown, Charleston · a fun-filled evening of cards, drinks, and good company. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newbie, everyone is welcome to join in on the action.

Yonder Mountain String Band (More Info) · 1/16 - 1/17, 8:30pm · The Pour House, James Island · $40 · a mix of bluegrass, indie rock, and country with soulful, funky grooves that call for a good time.

Live Music Saturday @ The Distillery (More Info) · food trucks 12-4pm, live music 2-5pm · Firefly Distillery, North Charleston · FREE · a family-friendly afternoon filled with great music and local eats.

Low Country Boil @ Island Cabana Bar (More Info) · 1-4pm Island Cabana Bar, Downtown, Charleston · FREE · Lowcountry Boil, shrimp boat tours, live music & more.

Electric Avenue, The 80’s MTV Experience (More Info) · 8pm · Charleston Music Hall, North Charleston · $35, GA · Electric Avenue meticulously and painstakingly recreates every nuance and flavor of your favorite 80’s songs.

Rock the 90’s (More Info) · 8pm · Music Farm, Downtown, Charleston · $19 · the ultimate time machine for fans of ‘90s rock and pop culture.

Karaoke Night with DJ Izzy (More Info) · Cedar Creek Tavern, West Ashley · FREE · Enjoy a night of karaoke hosted by DJ Izzy, along with sushi specials (3 rolls for $15).

Crosswords & Croissants (More Info) · 12-5pm · Philosophers & Fools, Downtown Charleston · FREE · a specialty menu of mimosas and croissant sandwiches, jazz on the speakers, and complimentary crossword puzzles.

Wedding Festivals-A Charleston Bridal Show (More Info) · 1-4pm · North Charleston Convention Center · $12.50 · inspired by the latest wedding trends, meet talented vendors, and discover everything you need to plan your dream wedding.

An Evening with Larry The Cable Guy (More Info) · 7pm · North Charleston Performing Arts Center · $66 GA · a comedy show with the infamous Larry The Cable Guy.

We got the inside scoop on estate sales this weekend where you can get high quality home items on the cheap!

The Orchid Estates (More Info) · Saturday 10am-12pm, Sunday 10am-1pm · 2660 Orchid Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405 · contains a variety of household furniture, décor, collectibles, and more.

Coastal Heritage Estate Sale (More Info) · Friday 12-3pm, Saturday 11am-2pm · 9237 Ayscough Rd, Summerville, SC 29485 · features costumes, sterling jewelry, a LA-Z-Boy sleeper sofa and loveseat, purses, clothes, and much more.

We’re talking about no frills local businesses and restaurants where you get value for your hard earned money. Reply to this email for what I should add next week!

🍜 Pho No 1

Tucked away inside the H&L Asian Market is a delicious and authentic Vietnamese restaurant that specializes in pho. If you have never had pho, it’s a comfort-food soup: rich broth + noodles + meat + fresh toppings. This is a phenomenal local business that thrives off of members like you who support the community. Unfortunately they don’t have much of an online presence, but I’ll include the grocery store that the restaurant is inside of here.

🧀🥩 Yous Guys Sandwich Shop

No one calls it a Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia - it’s just a cheesesteak 😉. Yous Guys brings that authentic taste straight to James Island. It’s a small spot tucked into a shopping center with limited / no seating, but the sandwiches are the real deal. The owner’s clearly Philly through and through and it’s usually just him taking orders and making everything fresh. Having lived in Philadelphia for three years, I can confidently say this is the best cheesesteak you’ll find south of the Mason-Dixon line.

⛓️ The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

This was a suggestion from one of the members of the All Things Charleston Facebook group - thanks Linda! This dungeon was used as a prison during the Revolutionary War for Patriots, soldiers, and criminals under harsh conditions, with notable prisoners like Col. Isaac Hayne, and is now a museum with tours focusing on its history and alleged hauntings. Tickets are reasonably priced at $16 for adults and it’s something that many Charlestonians (including myself) have never heard of.

🏠 The City of Charleston Department of Housing and Community Development will host a Community Banking Event for first-time homebuyers interested in the Juniper Street townhomes (More Info). Participants will have the opportunity to apply and become pre-qualified on site and receive information on financial literacy and first-time homeownership. Why this matters: Home prices are becoming more and more unaffordable in Charleston. The city is trying to combat this trend by kicking off a series of initiatives to make home ownership more accessible to locals.

🎭 The 2026 Spoleto Festival lineup has been announced, featuring 110 performances across opera, dance, theater, music, jazz and community programs - including world and U.S. premieres. If you don’t know what Spoleto is, it’s an annual arts festival in Charleston that pulls an international crowd. The Festival will run from May 22nd to June 7th - you can check out all the shows and ticket info here.

🐟 The CODfather Fish and Chips is closing its doors. This restaurant has been a staple to the North Charleston community since 2016. The owner, Adam Randall noted that even though the restaurant has been a huge success “it’s time to bow out and move on.” The restaurant will continue to operate until Adam finds a buyer for the lease. Go get some fish and chips while you still can, Charleston!

🌴 Speaking of affordability, a single-family home on IOP could set a new sales record if it’s sold for its $18M listing price ($4k per sf) - that’s $4M more than the previous record set in April, 2025. Check out some pictures and more reporting here (The Post and Courier).

That’s all for today’s edition!

Thanks for tuning in and joining the 1,600+ members who trust All Things Charleston as their trusted guide for timely updates that matter in Charleston.

- The All Things Charleston Team