Dudleys

If youre looking for some great drink prices and a laid-back atmosphere on a weekday afternoon, this is an alright place to go to. The bartender was nice, and they loaded our drinks up nicely. You do not have to be gay to go here.

Shoutout to Connor for being one of the coolest bartenders we’ve ever stumbled across! This place had a real “locals” feel, where everyone knew everyone.

This was my first drag show, so I dont know what its supposed to be like, but we had so much fun! Unlike other reviewers, we had no issues with the bartenders being rude. The performances were awesome, and the overall energy was so positive and fun. Im glad we decided to come here!

I always find a gay bar on travel, and this was even more important since I’m traveling in the south as a solo queer female traveler. I’m so glad I did. I had such a good time. Friendly servers, awesome drag show, and fun dance music between shows. I love a good Happy Hour too, three dollar beers. Say less. 🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🪩

1st time visit and expected to see the early drag show @8p but there was scarcely a crowd to perform in front of until the 2nd show @ 9:45p. Things definitely turnt up.. and the music & the show was very good! The only detractor was being solicited by a guy down on his luck asking for money to get some food. Which surprised me because there was a $5 admission @ the door and I wondered why he was inside the club. He admitted to me that they know him at the front door and let him inside. Whatever the truth was I gave him a few $$ and told him with a stern look ,to not let me see him at the bar with a drink! He disappeared for the night. Still had a good time @ Dudleys though!

Great energy, great people, great music, great atmosphere! Both of the bartenders were so sweet and beautiful queens put on a fantastic show! So much fun! Highly recommend!

Discovered this great little spot while playing tourist in Charleston. Bartender Connor was most welcoming to this out-of-towner, introducing me to several of his regular happy-hour customers. Lots of fun!

This is one of the best show cast that I have seen in a very long time! The girls are fabulous and gorgeous. Very talented!!! And the drinks are also delicious! Its just a great atmosphere for fun and dancing and meeting people!

The Saturday night $5 cover drag show was the highlight of our bach trip to Charleston!!! The queens were fabulous. Bar service was super fast! Only advice would be to get there about an hour+ in advance if you want a table, and sit near the stage and not along the back wall…otherwise people will block your view of the drag show.

Stumbled upon this place when visiting and it was such a fun time! we saw part of a drag show on sunday and than went back monday night for karaoke, such a good vibe

This place brings the term dive bar to a new low. We were visiting 8 nights and we LOVE supporting gay businesses but give me a break! Every night the bartenders were rude and unapproachable. The bathrooms stunk, tiles on the wall missing, paper towels empty (I mentioned to staff). Some customers (not us) ordered glasses of wine. The wine glasses still had lipstick marks on them and the bartender didn’t care and rolled his eyes. He also served wine that was so old it tasted disgusting but when four people complained he didn’t care and still charged them full price. The bar itself was so dark that NONE of the liquor was visible or highlighted. Had way more fun at the straight bars nearby. So sad! Nobody seems to care about this place! I hope somebody buys it who actually cares about the physical and actual appearance of the place.

It can get a bit tight in here and I hate the cover charge, but I’m happy to have a gay bar in Charleston where our community can come together- we get a bit spread out with very few “Gay” specific places - so it’s good to have this one!!

Very small but adorable atmosphere. We missed the drag show but the little stage upfront looked to be an intimate and fun show. Pati O Furniture was the performer that evening. I dont know if we where there to early but it was pretty empty for a Thursday night.

Visting Charleston for the first tim. My daughter, sister and myself was out and enjoying a great meal and looked up on google for the best entertainment in town. That’s when Dudley’s on Ann. The entertainers where where the best I’ve seeen in years. Will be back with my husband when we have our next vacation.

I cant believe your bartender(s) would openly admit to treating someone bad because they were black and management would be unapologetic about it.If you cant treat my friends and family with respect then we wont be spending any money here.... not that youd except it anyways.#shameonyou

What a fun amazing place. Spent several nights here with friends and colleagues while visiting Charleston. The queens are funny and talented and really make it a great atmosphere. The bar staff are fun, friendly and cheerful. We stayed in here on one Tuesday night until 2am, just a group of colleagues, they put what music we wanted on as no one else was in there. We got quite merry, did lots of dancing and had an amazing time. Great to know there is a gay/welcome-all bar in Charleston. Well be back when were back in South Carolina. I recommend visiting here.

Fun atmosphere. Good drag show but no Black or other queens of color

Crystal Gem was amazing at the melanin and magic show this Wednesday! Come out to shows every night besides some Tuesdays and see the talent this city has to offer in drag and queer acceptability, the community is rich and the bar is serving fair and low prices, the staff is trained and the atmosphere is warm :)

Small little dive bar. Strong drinks. Will visit again.

Amazing experience. Great drag shows, music, service and dancing!!!!

Pluses: Good time at the drag show. Friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Most fun I have had in a while.Minuses: Tiny place, minimal seating. Was not expecting a bar that small. Awkward set up with those bathrooms in the middle. The beer drinkers in my crew were not impressed by the sparse beer options.

It gets pretty packed but I had an amazing time! Bartenders were nice and patient (especially since I have a soft voice). Went on a Saturday night - came a little late but saw most of the drag show. They’re amazing! Love the energy!Will definitely be visiting again 😊

Neighborhood gay bar. All good vibes

Fun local gay dive, good drag shows, friendly people.

Dudley’s on Ann was truly an amazing show here tonight, melanin and magic was a great time with MS. Crystal Gem!

It was a great time. Trying to get a drink though was rough. Which is why I am giving it 4 stars. I couldnt even get lit enough. Waiting for a drink was sobering up enough, but the entertainment was hella great. Would def go again. After I got drinks else where. 🤷‍♂️ Plus, the cover charge was just cherry on a hand me sh!t pile. Idk, hopefully the entertainers were getting more. They made the night great.

Embarrassingly bad, incredibly rude staff. shameful that this is one of the citys only queer nightlife options

Unbelievable door policy. Arrived at 9:45 and at 10:15 security said the manager said to close the door. No more people allowed in. This is after seeing 12 people depart. I have seen it more crowded. Also, packed by bridal parties who werent gay. Bottom line: unpredictable service, caters to non core clientele (straights) and doest support the girls on the stage (wont allow people in). Not returning

We got there at 6:45 the female bartender was great she was very polite all I can see is she was the best the show was good……

We showed up for the drag show Friday night and it was fantastic! Small space, so expect to stand if you dont get an early table, but totally worth it. The show was fantastic! I was there for my bachelorette party and they made sure myself and the other two brides in attendance felt special. Loved it!

We were in Charleston over Christmas and wanted to stop in a gay bar to take break. Had a ok time there BUT when we were ready to leave and cash out, their credit card service wouldn’t take any of our Card(s)! We had enough cash to cover our bill. We didn’t have any more troubles at any other restaurants or bars for the rest of our 5 days in Charleston. Guys be careful and carry enough cash there.

How did service go from so good from like six months ago to so entitled and condescending

Not a local hangout bar to meet up with friends and socialize. Went in around 8 to have a few drinks. Music was extremely loud, could not have a conversation. Drinks were great with below average prices. Bartenders were friendly but had to repeat my order three times due to the loud music. Could totally understand if it were 10 pm and music was loud. I guess it is difficult when you are the only gay bar to try to cater to everyones wishes.

Loved the atmosphere. Go early if there is a show the night you visit. Bar Staff was pleasant until they had 4-5 people at once behind a very small although cute space. They all had attitudes after that. I dont say that just because Im looking for a free drink, Im saying it from 27+ years of bartending experience and hope it will help them going forward. Dont let that sway you from going and having a good time. I will definitely be back with friends. Cheers!

Drinks were great but the music was horrible. We stayed about 30 minutes and all left with splitting headaches. Another issue I had, why do you charge a cover after the drag show is over? And who does a drag show at 8 pm on a Saturday?

Been hearing rumors of another reopening in 2022.....weve loved Dudleys, but a coat of new paint will not be enough.What this place desperately needs is a change in bar staff and DJs. New faces.Seeing the same people there for this long is depressing. Over the years all of our experiences at this bar are exactly the same. The music is not great, playing the same playlists over and over. The bartenders are sneaking shots with friends, talking about one another when one leaves, its just old. Dudleys is getting left in the past by all of the other places around it. I really hope they step it up this time!

Came by and was served by Chris, who was charismatic, friendly, and helpful! Bar is clean, though it was quiet (my bad, it was 6 PM on a Wednesday!) Im there now, a little drunk, and having a great time :)

A great local spot for all! It is a gay bar but, very accepting and fun atmosphere. Grab a drink, have a laugh. Drag show on Thursdays which is campy and hilarious, not just a sing song in makeup. Try the drink specials and just enjoy yourself. Never a cover and always open! Love this place!!👍👍

Last Wednesday of every month at Dudley’s is the✨Melanin and magic✨ Dragtastic event hosted by Crystal guysir! One of the best shows you can experience! CHECK IT OUT! ✨✨

Great to see a friendly space for LGBT folks in such a conservative area. Bartenders and door people were very kind, drinks were reasonably priced and the cover was fair.

Love the place, but unfortunately Dudley’s is a frequent destination for bachelorette parties. This bar is the only true LGBT bar in Charelston, SC and the parties are invading the space, which is hurting the community. Some bars have actually banned bachelorette parties. The LGBT community deserve their own gathering place and bar owners have every right to ban groups that are disruptive.

Great environment fun laughter and drink prices are amazing ..pool tables are great and bartenders are amazing with service shows are awesome every time you will not go wrong for some fun fun

This place is the best. Forget what the haters say. I’ve been coming here for over a year, and every time my expectations are blown away. Great staff, great music, and great staff all make for the best way to spend your night in Charleston. You will not be disappointed. Love this bar!

Walked in and walked out after meeting the bar tender.

We went for new years eve, and Im very disappointed. Ive been to several gay bars through my years in different cities and had a really good time and experience. Dudleys was one of the lamest clubs Ive ever been to period. The music was loud and horrible. The DJ didnt keep the crowd going remotely. There were people steadily leaving and were saying the same thing. Very, very disappointed and wont ever bother going there again.

Great friendly bar! Bartendars remember your name and what you like to order, no matter how packed it is. Dj is amazing at accommodating song request and plays a huge variety of music to please everyone. Hopefully soon they’ll start 2 shows a night like a lot of the popular bars are leaning towards so there’s not a mad rush of people trying to get in right as the show is starting.

- 5 dollar cover even though it was almost empty and there was no line- tiny space- horrible, overly loud club music, featuring a bunch of songs you have never heard- 10 dollar card minimum which is only applied to males. What a hilariously trash policy to have in a bar that claims to support gender fluidity???- rude, unwelcoming staffI would go anywhere else

Nice space, welcoming and courteous staff/bartenders, and appropriately priced drinks. Four (instead of five) stars because the bathrooms were dirty and because they could stand to renovate the place (or at least replace the torn up seating at the booths).

If you aren’t a “regular” don’t waste your money. After paying a cover charge they will dump drinks on you, laugh about it with their friends, and then ask YOU to leave as if it was your fault! They even threatened to call the cops on ME!! I had ‘something’ spilled all over my shirt and jeans and I didn’t even have a drink in my hand, and they were blaming it on me! Worst experience at any club in Charleston... I do not recommend!!

Crime alert:My credit card was cloned there. They have stolen thousands dollars from me.I hire a private detective, I have all the evidences. The manager is involved too.

Fun, relaxed even for a token straight couple. Bar tenders are super friendly. Were on our second New Years at Dudleys. If you are open minded and limited budget, youll have an amazing time here.

Im thirty years old and showed two forms of ID, one being the highly coveted Global Entry, and was still declined service. All I wanted was a beer after working all day in the Office Evolution workspace above before heading to the airport. 👎

My fiance was being groped and touched in a manner that made him very uncomfortable and when he told the guy to stop he would not. I went to the bar to make a formal complaint and instead the owner had a group of police come in to deal with me. 1. I was not the problem. 2. They said our debit card did not go through (in an effort to keep us there.) So, I threw down the necessary cash and walked out the door nonchalantly as the police came in. Ive been going there for years and used to like the staff but since Toby left the place has gone to pot.

Affordable drinks and good music! Very small space so had to wait in line for in and out privileges. Had a great time dancing during a recent trip.

The bartenders were very friendly. I went on a Wednesday night and it was totally dead so not sure what it is like the rest of the time. I went with a group though so we still had fun.

One of the best times I ever had was at Dudleys. I was in Charleston for a weekend and popped into Dudleys. Great mix of music, cool people, and good drinks!

Nearly impossible to get into because of long lines of people waiting to enter because its so small---and most are usually straight couples. Would be nice if Charleston had a decent sized GAY club!

Our group was 5 people and legit 4 of us were repeatedly groped by various strangers. While the doorman didnt hesitate to yell at us for leaving through the backdoor, there didnt seem to be a problem with all the unwanted touching.

Went to an event here 6/24/2023 with a few friends of mine and ..oh yea.....never had this much fun at a Gay Bar before~

Small establishment. We went on a Friday. The crowd was good. The music was disco/rave.

Having given this bar a 2 year pause due to poor customer service, Dudleys is actually worse!The doorman refused to answer a simple question until I stood in que and waited.Wow!Any other place is better for anything.

Bad. Bad.Bad.As a Dudleys patron since the mid 80s, this evenings visit clearly demonstrates the bars loss of customer service skills/satisfaction.This was, sadly, my last visit.Kenny, is deeply disappointed by my customer service experience this evening.

I the person who is on the door he told he is the manager, he refused me come in because :I dont like Mexicans he literally told me. I never was so humiliated, he seem he was enjoying that .

The young man working at the front door greeting people is extremely rude and does not belong in the service industry. An embarrassment to your establishment. I witnessed the way he treated the people in front of us in line to enter and he was borderline “profiling” last night by not allowing them inside.

Extremely friendly staff. Very laid back most of the time. A large percentage of the crowd is gay but many straight people frequent this place as well. Highly recommended!

They assumed I was intoxicated and charged me for 3 tequila shots. I called them out and they refunded me for their mistake. Think about the place you frequent, so you dont get taken advantage of.

Came here on a Sunday night had tons of fun! The drag show was great, and the bartenders were pouring heavy.

My partner and I thoroughly coming here on occasion! We have the opportunity to meet other like-minded women, and feel like we are in a safe environment.

Great drinks, drag show, and environment. Had a great time. Glad they reopened.

Hate age restriction. but i want to give money to the homeless big boot strip puurs

Lovely place. Very friendly. Felt like home.... if everyone were taking shots having a good time!

Always a good time the shows are amazing each Friday,Saturday,and Sunday the ladies of Charleston bring a variety of entertainment bar staff and management are top notch and very attentive

Love. This. Place. Any time were in Charleston well be stopping by. Chris our bartender on Tuesday was the freaking best ❤️

Melanin Magic with Crystal Geysir was so fierce! And so fun. And so fiercest. Omg. Love.

Love it here. Its my go to bar and the staff is always friendly and more than willing to offer suggestions if you dont know what you want or point you in the direction of great food if youre hungry.

Very good place, the bartender was very helpful, and nice. The atmosphere was very good. I recommend.

Fun bar, great staff. Extremely busy on weekends.. expect a line outside to get in and standing room only inside, but worth it.

5 Star Drag ShowcaseKinda small, especially on weekends. Usually packed on weekends, but Im gaaay so...

Come on out to Dudleys on every 4th Wednesday to enjoy Melanin Magic hosted by Crystal Guysir!!!!

Great drink specials and absolutely hilarious drag shows, awesome place to go to kill time and grab a drink and have a laugh.+ Great old school hip hop.

Crystal is the best drag queen. Melanin and magic is soo good.

The drag show is really good, but the dj is really bad zzz

So small venue cannot accommodates all the gay people in town. I fall in line for almost 1hrs just to get in. When i got in the show was over.

If you have seen a gay bar in a 90s movie, youve seen Dudleys... nice staff, terrible music... 4/10 probably wouldnt recommend.

EAR SPLITTING MUSIC JESUS CHRIST!!Nice bar tho..great building...had fun at the drag show (im lookin @ebonywould)

Don’t go here for a drag show they will desperately beg for your money and judge you on your appearance.

Fast, efficient service! Everyone in the show was amazing!

Everyone makes you feel right at home! Best time Ive had in 10yrs!

Melanin magic was the best I love crystal w/ geyser

Inconsistent pricing. $12 for my drinks, and then on the second round 5 minutes later $14? It was also very small and the drag show was eh.

Amazing! Crystal is amazing! I love the Melanin in Magic show!

Great bar if you want to pay $5 to watch bachelorette party girls dance.

This place is the only place I feel at home

Great staff!! I only come here twice a year and they know me by name. Refreshing low attitude bar.

Love the show lots lots of Ladies and very friendly staff and people over all

Always a good time,and than you for supporting the Blockade Rugby Team.

Loved the drag show! Cool spot to stop for a bachelorette party.

Terrible owner. Start over and get rid of the small space. I’ll never be back.

There were two bachlorette parties there so me and me fiance (gay) couldnt get in all night

First time here and we had a Blast!! So much fun

FUNTASTIC! One of the Best Places to visit in Charleston, South Carolina.

Excellent. Every dish was well done and perfectly executed.

What she Said melanin and magic vest show ever

Horrible place, rude owner, for be a LGBT place it is the most hateful place I ever been.

Its disgusting, I do not understand why you have to do the line so long to be able to enter.

This guy answer the phone here name Johny he hung up the phone on me so he will not be getting sucked so this place on earth I would for get bother to even have a birthday party for me and my friends so you just lost a lot of money here

Drinks are well made and a good value

I actually love this place. Always fun

Brooke Collins is worth her weight in gold. Go see her.

Amazing drag shows. Love it.

Why do they create a line when the place is half full?

Great chill vibe wonderful bartender

Great people in a laid back atmosphere

Actually the worst. Not an ally.

Fun place to hang out!!

Great friendly bar

Love the vibe!

Really really fun!!

Friendly place!

A small place to relax is not bad