Monkey Wrench Smokehouse in Charleston: Barbecue, Craft Beer, and Live Music

What Monkey Wrench Smokehouse offers

Monkey Wrench Smokehouse is a barbecue restaurant and bar in Charleston's Upper King Street neighborhood that combines slow-smoked meats, a rotating craft beer selection, and live music most nights of the week. The space itself is industrial-casual—exposed brick, reclaimed wood, and a full bar that runs the length of the dining room—and the menu centers on traditional low-and-slow barbecue cooked in-house.

The restaurant operates as both a serious barbecue destination and a neighborhood gathering spot. You can order brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken by the pound or in sandwiches, sides like mac and cheese and collard greens, and a small selection of appetizers. The bar stocks local and regional craft beers alongside standard spirits, and the kitchen stays open late enough to serve both dinner crowds and people stopping in after other venues close.

Key Takeaways

• Monkey Wrench serves smoked meats cooked in-house daily, with brisket, ribs, and pulled pork available by the pound or in sandwiches.
• The bar features rotating craft beers from South Carolina and the Southeast, plus a full liquor selection for cocktails and mixed drinks.
• Live music happens most evenings, ranging from local bands to solo performers, with no cover charge most nights.
• The restaurant is located on Upper King Street in Charleston's walkable downtown corridor, with street parking and nearby paid lots.

The barbecue menu and what to order

The core menu changes slightly based on what's smoked that day, but the restaurant always has brisket, pulled pork, and ribs available. Brisket comes sliced thick, with a dark bark and pink smoke ring. Pulled pork is tender enough to fall apart with a fork, and the ribs—usually St. Louis cut—have meat that pulls cleanly from the bone. Chicken is also smoked daily and works well for people who want something lighter than beef or pork.

You can order any meat by the pound, which gives you the flexibility to try multiple items or feed a group. Sandwiches come on white bread or rolls, and the restaurant lets you choose your sauce—a vinegar-based sauce, a mustard-based sauce, and a thicker tomato sauce are all available. Sides include traditional barbecue accompaniments: mac and cheese, collard greens, baked beans, cornbread, and coleslaw. The portions are generous, and the prices sit in the middle range for Charleston barbecue—not the cheapest option, but not high-end either.

Beer selection and the bar program

The bar rotates craft beers from breweries across South Carolina and the broader Southeast, so what's on tap changes regularly. This rotation means you might find beers from local Charleston breweries like Westbrook or Revelry one week and offerings from North Carolina or Georgia the next. The bartenders can tell you what's currently available and make recommendations based on what you like—lighter lagers, hoppy IPAs, sour beers, or stouts.

Beyond beer, the bar serves standard cocktails, wine by the glass and bottle, and spirits. The cocktail menu is straightforward rather than elaborate, leaning toward classics and simple drinks that pair well with barbecue. Happy hour pricing on beer and well drinks runs during specific hours—check the restaurant's website or call ahead to confirm the current schedule, as bar hours and specials can shift seasonally.

Live music and the evening atmosphere

Monkey Wrench hosts live music most evenings, typically starting around 8 or 9 p.m. The lineup includes local bands, solo acoustic performers, and occasionally touring acts, with genres ranging from rock and blues to country and folk. There is usually no cover charge, though the restaurant may suggest a tip for the performers. The music is loud enough to be the main event but not so loud that you can't have a conversation at your table.

The crowd shifts throughout the evening: earlier hours draw people eating dinner, and later in the night the bar fills with people coming in specifically for drinks and music. The industrial space and exposed brick create good acoustics, and the bar's layout means you can sit at a table, stand at the bar, or lean against the wall and still see and hear the performers. On nights without scheduled live music, the restaurant plays recorded music at a moderate volume.

Location, parking, and hours

Monkey Wrench Smokehouse sits on Upper King Street in downtown Charleston, in the same neighborhood as other restaurants, bars, and shops. Street parking is available along King Street and on nearby side streets, though it can be tight during peak dinner hours and on weekends. Several paid parking lots are within a short walk, including the King Street Parking Garage and smaller municipal lots on nearby blocks.

The restaurant is walkable from other downtown attractions—the Historic District, the City Market, and other Upper King Street venues are all within a 10 to 15-minute walk. Hours typically run from late afternoon through late evening, with the kitchen staying open later than many Charleston restaurants. Call ahead or check their social media to confirm current hours, as they may adjust seasonally or for special events.

What to expect on a typical visit

A typical dinner visit starts with ordering at the counter or at your table, depending on how busy the restaurant is. You choose your meat, how much you want, what sides, and what sauce. Food comes out quickly—usually within 10 to 15 minutes—on a tray or in a basket lined with butcher paper. The restaurant provides napkins and wet wipes, because eating smoked brisket and ribs is a hands-on affair.

If you're coming for drinks and music, you can arrive anytime and order from the bar. The bartender will pour your beer or make your drink, and you can find a spot to stand or sit depending on how crowded it is. On busy nights, especially weekends, the bar can get shoulder-to-shoulder, but the staff moves quickly and the atmosphere is friendly rather than chaotic. Most people stay for one or two drinks and the duration of a set, though some settle in for the whole evening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation?

Monkey Wrench operates on a first-come, first-served basis and does not take reservations. During peak dinner hours (Friday and Saturday evenings) and when there is live music, the restaurant can get crowded, so arriving early or going during off-peak hours means shorter waits. Call ahead if you're bringing a large group and want to know how busy it is.

Can I order food to go?

Yes, the restaurant offers takeout. You can call ahead to place an order, or order when you arrive. Takeout works well for the smoked meats, which travel well and stay warm in the paper wrapping. Sides and sandwiches also travel fine, though you may want to pack sauce separately if you're concerned about sogginess during a long drive.

Is there a kids menu?

Monkey Wrench does not have a dedicated kids menu, but children can order smaller portions of the regular menu items—pulled pork sandwiches, chicken, and sides work well for younger diners. The restaurant is family-friendly during earlier dinner hours, though it becomes more of a bar scene later in the evening when live music starts.

What if I don't eat meat?

The menu is meat-focused, but the restaurant can accommodate vegetarian diners with sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, baked beans, and cornbread. Call ahead if you have specific dietary needs so the kitchen can plan accordingly, or ask your server what options are available when you arrive.

Is there outdoor seating?

Monkey Wrench has limited outdoor seating, typically a small patio or sidewalk area depending on the season and weather. Indoor seating is the primary option, and the restaurant may close outdoor areas during winter months. Check when you arrive or call ahead if outdoor seating is important to your visit.