Design On Tap: A Charleston Brewery Celebrating Local Art and Craft

What Design On Tap Is and Where to Find It

Design On Tap is a brewery and creative space in Charleston that pairs craft beer with rotating local art installations and design work. Located in the Upper King Street neighborhood, it functions as both a working brewery and a gallery—you can order a beer at the bar and spend your afternoon surrounded by paintings, sculptures, photography, and installations from Charleston artists.

The space itself reflects that dual mission. The main floor holds the bar and tap room, with high ceilings and large windows that let natural light flood across the walls where art hangs. The brewery equipment is visible from the seating area, so you watch the production process while you sit. The back and upper areas rotate through different exhibition layouts depending on what artists are showing.

The brewery is open to the public most days, and you do not need to be a beer drinker to visit—many people come for the art, the atmosphere, and the food trucks that often park outside. The space welcomes families during afternoon hours and shifts to a more adult-focused crowd in the evenings.

Key Takeaways

• Design On Tap combines a working craft brewery with rotating art exhibitions from Charleston-based artists, making it a gallery and bar in one space.
• The brewery is located on Upper King Street, a neighborhood known for independent shops, restaurants, and cultural venues.
• Art installations change regularly, so each visit may feature different work—check their social media or call ahead to see what is currently on display.
• The space welcomes both beer enthusiasts and art lovers, with food trucks outside and a relaxed atmosphere that works for afternoon visits or evening outings.
• You can purchase beer to take home, sit in the tap room, or simply walk through to view the current exhibition.

The Brewery's Beer Selection and What to Expect

Design On Tap brews its own beer on-site, and the lineup changes seasonally. The brewery typically offers a rotating selection of IPAs, stouts, lagers, and experimental styles. You order at the bar and can choose a flight to sample multiple beers, a full pour, or a crowler (a 32-ounce can filled fresh from the tap that you can take with you).

The tap room has a casual, industrial feel—exposed brick, concrete floors, and long communal tables mixed with smaller seating areas. The vibe is intentionally laid-back; people come to linger, not rush through. On weekends, the space fills up, especially in the late afternoon and early evening.

If beer is not your preference, the brewery usually has non-alcoholic options available, and the food trucks parked outside provide meals. Many visitors come for the space and art rather than the beer itself, and that is entirely normal here.

The Art and Design on Display

The rotating exhibitions are the heart of what makes Design On Tap different from a standard brewery. Local artists—painters, photographers, sculptors, and mixed-media creators—show their work for periods ranging from a few weeks to a couple of months. The brewery actively partners with Charleston's art community, so the work tends to reflect the city's contemporary art scene rather than tourist-oriented pieces.

Past exhibitions have included abstract paintings, portrait photography, ceramic installations, and experimental video work. The brewery does not curate a single "house style"—the art varies widely in medium, subject matter, and aesthetic. That means you might see bold, colorful abstracts one month and moody black-and-white photography the next.

The brewery also hosts artist talks, opening receptions, and other events tied to exhibitions. These are usually announced on their social media channels and are free to attend. It is a genuine way to meet the artists and learn about their work directly.

How to Plan Your Visit

Design On Tap is open most days, though hours vary by season and day of the week—check their website or call ahead before you go. The brewery is busiest on Friday and Saturday evenings, so if you prefer a quieter experience, weekday afternoons are a better bet.

Parking is street parking along Upper King Street or in nearby lots; it can be tight on weekends, so arrive early or plan to walk a few blocks. The brewery is accessible by the CARTA bus system if you prefer not to drive.

Bring cash if you plan to tip or buy merchandise, though the bar accepts cards. If you want to know what art is currently on display before you visit, follow Design On Tap on Instagram or Facebook—they post photos of new installations and announce upcoming events there.

Upper King Street and What Else Is Nearby

Design On Tap sits in the Upper King neighborhood, one of Charleston's most active cultural and dining districts. Within a short walk, you will find independent restaurants, coffee shops, vintage stores, and other galleries. The area has a creative, neighborhood feel rather than a tourist-focused atmosphere, even though visitors certainly come here.

If you are planning a longer outing, you can combine a visit to Design On Tap with lunch or dinner at nearby restaurants, browsing at local shops, or visiting other galleries in the neighborhood. The street itself is walkable and worth exploring on foot.

The neighborhood is also close to downtown Charleston, so you can easily combine a brewery visit with other activities—a walk through the historic district, a visit to a museum, or time at a waterfront park.

What Makes Design On Tap Part of Charleston's Art Scene

Design On Tap represents a particular kind of cultural space that has become more common in Charleston over the past decade: a working business—in this case, a brewery—that doubles as a venue for local artists. It is not a gallery that happens to serve beer; it is a brewery that takes art seriously and gives artists a real platform.

For Charleston's art community, spaces like this matter because they provide exhibition opportunities outside the traditional gallery system. For visitors, they offer a way to encounter contemporary art in a relaxed, social setting rather than in a formal gallery context. You can see work by emerging and established local artists while sitting with a beer and friends.

The brewery also reflects Upper King's broader identity as a neighborhood where artists, makers, and small-business owners have carved out space in Charleston's increasingly expensive real estate market. It is one piece of a larger cultural ecosystem that includes studios, independent shops, and community-focused venues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to buy a beer to look at the art?

No. You can walk in, view the current exhibition, and leave without purchasing anything. Many people visit specifically for the art and the atmosphere. That said, the brewery makes its money from beer sales, so buying something supports the space if you plan to spend time there.

Can I bring kids to Design On Tap?

Yes, during afternoon hours. The brewery is family-friendly earlier in the day, though it becomes more adult-oriented in the evenings, especially on weekends. If you are unsure about timing, call ahead to ask about the current crowd and atmosphere.

How often does the art change?

Exhibitions typically run for several weeks to a couple of months, though the exact schedule varies. Follow their social media to see when new work is going up. Some artists may have work on display for longer periods, while others rotate more frequently.

Can I buy the art that is on display?

Yes, most pieces are for sale. Prices and purchase details are usually posted with the work or available from the brewery staff. The brewery can connect you with the artist if you want to commission work or learn more about their practice.

Is there parking at Design On Tap?

There is street parking along Upper King Street and nearby lots, though availability varies, especially on weekends. The brewery itself does not have a dedicated lot. If parking is difficult, consider using CARTA public transit or arriving during quieter weekday hours.