If you’re looking for a bar with history, personality, and authentic local flavor, The Backstreet Pub is a must-visit. Tucked away in Beaufort’s historic downtown—inside a century-old former bakery—this hidden gem has earned its reputation, even snagging a spot on Southern Living’s list of “The South’s Best Dive Bars.”
Once the heart of Clawson’s grocery store, the building has deep roots in Beaufort’s past, from selling fresh-baked goods to local residents to supplying yacht crews navigating the Intracoastal Waterway.
Today, it remains a beloved watering hole where sailors, sea captains, and divers gather to swap stories over craft beers and cocktails. With its walls covered in nautical memorabilia from travelers around the world, The Pub has rightfully earned its nickname as “the friendliest, funkiest little bar from Maine to Venezuela.”
Beyond its laid-back atmosphere and impressive beer selection, The Backstreet Pub offers live music all year round. Whether it’s an intimate jam session upstairs in the flour loft or a lively band playing in the beer garden, music lovers always have something to enjoy. Speaking of the beer garden, this outdoor space can host up to 200 guests, offering the same great selection of brews on tap as well as bottled beer and liquor.
While The Pub doesn’t serve food, owner Liz Kopf keeps things interesting with occasional oyster roasts and complimentary soup nights throughout the year.
Voted one of the “Top 50 Bars in the South” by Garden & Gun magazine, The Backstreet Pub is a true slice of Beaufort culture—unpretentious, full of character, and endlessly welcoming.
©Beaufort Restaurant Guide
