The Gin Joint

What The Gin Joint does

The Gin Joint is a single-location craft cocktail bar and restaurant founded in 2010 at 182 East Bay Street in Charleston's historic district. It operates on a no-reservations, walk-in model Monday through Sunday with limited evening hours (Mon–Thu 5–11pm, Fri–Sat 3pm–12am, Sun 3–8pm), serving a mix of local adults and tourists aged 21+ after 7pm. The bar differentiates through one of Charleston's largest spirit selections, a rotating seasonal cocktail menu, and a 'Bartender's Choice' option in which patrons describe a desired cocktail via two adjectives and receive a bespoke drink.

The business generates revenue across six streams: on-premise beverage sales, bar bites/provisions, private event buyouts for up to 45 guests with customized menus, private cocktail classes for groups up to 12, branded merchandise sold through an online shop (t-shirts, hats, tote bags, stickers, enamel pins), and digital gift cards issued through the Tabit platform. Pricing is opaque for on-premise items, while merchandise is unit-priced at $14–$32 and event/class bookings are inquiry-based. The technology footprint is minimal — a Squarespace website and a single third-party gift card integration — with no mobile app, API, or proprietary platform.

The Gin Joint is independently and privately held with no disclosed investors, parent entity, funding rounds, or leadership team visible in the data. Its go-to-market relies heavily on earned media: national outlets including Condé Nast Traveler, Esquire, Garden & Gun, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Punch, Liquor.com, Imbibe, and Whisky Advocate have featured the bar repeatedly between 2011 and 2026. The headcount band of 1–10 employees is consistent with a small, owner-operator-style hospitality business, and an active Weekend Host posting indicates ongoing frontline hiring.

Name

The Gin Joint

Website

https://theginjoint.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Gin Joint is a privately held craft cocktail bar founded in 2010 in Charleston's historic district, serving walk-in locals and tourists with one of the city's largest spirit selections, private events, cocktail classes, and branded merchandise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cocktail Bar & Restaurant

NAICS

Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Cocktail Bars & Lounges (CRANACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cocktail Experiences (Mixology Classes, Cocktail Tours) (THAJAGAG), Bars & Pubs (Non-Music) (MPAGAIAC), Bar & Beverage Catering (Mobile Bar, Bartending) (HSACAGAF)

Keywords

• Craft cocktail bar
• Private bar events
• Cocktail making classes
• Bar merchandise
• Bar bites provisions

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston, South Carolina

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Beverage Sales: Cocktail and spirit sales from the bar's extensive spirits selection including seasonal cocktail menu and Bartender's Choice custom drinks
2. Food Sales: Bar bites and provisions from the kitchen
3. Merchandise: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts, tote bags, hats, stickers, and enamel pins through the online shop
4. Private Events: Buyouts of intimate space for up to 45 guests with customized food and drink menus. Revenue from holiday gatherings, birthday parties, wedding events, and group spirit tastings
5. Cocktail Classes: Private cocktail classes for groups up to 12 people, one hour duration, with tailored instruction
6. Gift Cards: Digital gift cards sold through Tabit platform

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Gin Joint operates an intimate craft cocktail bar in Charleston, SC, serving a seasonal rotating cocktail menu, curated bar bites (provisions), and one of the city's largest spirit selections, including a 'Bartender's Choice' custom option. The bar also hosts private buyouts for up to 45 guests, private cocktail classes for groups up to 12, and sells branded merchandise and gift cards.

Product overview

The Gin Joint is a cocktail bar and restaurant (operating since 2010) offering cocktails, food, private events, and cocktail classes. The core experience centers on their cocktail bar with seasonal menus and Charleston's largest spirit selection. Adjacent services include private event buyouts for up to 45 guests and private cocktail classes for groups up to 12. A merchandise line offers branded items including t-shirts, stickers, enamel pins, trucker hats, and tote bags.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cocktail Bar & Restaurant A walk-in craft cocktail bar and restaurant offering a seasonal rotating cocktail menu, curated 'provisions' (bar bites), and one of Charleston's largest spirit selections. Includes the Bartender's Choice custom cocktail option where guests describe their preferences. Open to guests 21+ after 7 p.m.; no reservations accepted.
• Private Events (Buyouts)
• Private Cocktail Classes Private cocktail classes for groups up to 12, lasting one hour. Classes are tailored to participant preferences and teach classic cocktail techniques. Suitable for team building, cocktail education, and private parties. Booking by email with a 1-week minimum advance notice.
• Flagship T-Shirt Heather grey cotton slim-fit t-shirt with The Gin Joint logo on the front and Fernie the Fox image on the back. Available in sizes S-2XL. Priced at $27.50 (taxes included).
• Limited Release Sticker Pack Limited release pack of 7 die-cut stickers in matte finish. Priced at $14.00.
• Enamel Pin + Sticker Pack Combo Combo pack featuring a 1-inch black and wine enamel pin plus the limited release 7-sticker pack with matte finish die-cut stickers. Priced at $24.00.
• Fernie the Fox Trucker Hat Richardson 112 adjustable trucker hat in black with gray Fernie the Fox patch and white stitching on back. Priced at $32.00.
• The Gin Joint Tote Bag Natural canvas tote bag with screen printing on both sides. Priced at $18.00.
• Digital Gift Cards Digital gift cards redeemable at The Gin Joint, sold through the third-party Tabit platform.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Maison Premiere: Brooklyn-based award-winning cocktail bar with an extensive spirits program, seasonal menus, and a strong press profile. Comparable as an independent craft cocktail venue with bartender-driven customization in a tourism-friendly setting.
• Proof (Charleston): Charleston craft cocktail bar with a notable spirit selection and bespoke cocktail program. Comparable product offering (seasonal cocktails, premium spirits) in the same geographic market.
• The Cocktail Club: Charleston-based craft cocktail bar offering seasonal menus and a speakeasy-style experience. Directly comparable on product (craft cocktails), geography (Charleston), and target customer (cocktail enthusiasts and tourists).
• Ordinary: A Charleston oyster bar and cocktail lounge known for an extensive spirit list and craft drinks. Comparable as a Charleston cocktail-focused venue targeting similar locals and tourists with curated drink programs.

Broad incumbents

• Employees Only: Iconic NYC cocktail bar with locations in multiple cities. Comparable as a craft cocktail venue emphasizing skilled bartenders, custom drinks, and speakeasy-style intimacy — broader incumbent with multi-unit footprint.
• Death & Co: Pioneering NYC craft cocktail bar and hospitality group with multiple locations. Comparable as an established craft cocktail brand with a large spirit library, seasonal menus, and a Bartender's Choice-style customization culture — though at much larger scale.
• The Aviary: Grant Achatz's Chicago cocktail institution known for innovative, ingredient-forward drinks. Comparable on the basis of premium craft cocktails, intense press coverage, and a seasonal/menu-rotation discipline that drives repeat visitation.

Regional players

• FIG (Charleston): Charleston restaurant and bar on Meeting Street. Comparable as a Charleston hospitality venue with a curated beverage program and similar tourist/locals customer mix, though broader in offering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-gin-joint

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Gin Joint