King Dusko

At King Dusko, there are racks of clothing for sale, such as a vintage cowhide vest, some custom-​ripped band shirts, and that purple Umbro soccer jersey you wore in your rec league back in the day. There are art installations galore, including a camouflage lawn mower, horror movie-​type taxidermy, and a satirical political campaign for the next mayor of Charleston. There’s an impressive outdoor backyard patio and stage set-​up built for indie rock concerts, local fashion shows, and silent [Dusko] disco dance parties. One might say this place is all things hipster-​y delicious.
And I was interested in none of these things.
As an out-​of-​towner on a bachelor weekend day-​drinking down King St., I was interested in something (legal) that would keep the party going, and King Dusko’s iced coffee proved to be a mid-​bender lifesaver. Because if King Dusko can be a million other things, why can’t it be a café, as well? This niche just maybe makes the most sense of all, if you ask me, but perhaps that’s just the caffeine talking. I’m happy to report my cold cup of joe was strong, delicious, and a whopping $ 2. (And I’d probably take in a night here in that inviting outdoor space if I had more time in town.)
King Dusko and its super friendly staff offer an alternative to the seemingly always on-​trend, tucked-​in polo-​clad, vanilla crowd that dominates Downtown Charleston. Its vibe is more ATX than CHS, if you ask me — a nice change of pace from the aforementioned homogeny found almost everywhere else in these parts. Keep Chucktown Weird, King Dusko.

This place is the s.h.i.t. And the staff is phenomenal :) décor is unique and the atmosphere is laid back– def check this one out if your into craft beer, good coffee, and friendly conversation. Cheers!

Cool little spot on King where you can grab a cup of joe and chill for a bit. Friendly barista, no hassles for us kicking it for a hour or so. Stop by and try it out.

I stopped by Dusko to take a lookie see of the art work. When I stepped in it was somewhat of what I might have imagined Jackson Pollock’s workshop to be like. It’s certainly different, not only in art form but also from what one would expect to see on Charleston’s King Street. Not only art on canvas but a lawn mower turned piece of art work; not what would expect; visually cool and to some degree thought provoking. Definitely unique in business concept as well as in art.
I spoke with several people and couldn’t have been treated more friendly.

Everyone’s always friendly. If you like liquor, they don’t always have it, but they have beer, wine, champagne, coffee, and tea! It’s more of a hipster place, but all kinds of people come there! The music and activities are always great! The bartenders are really nice and down to earth. The service is wonderful! It’s a really great place to go and I love it!

As many other reviewers have noted, King Dusko definitely offers an alternative vibe to most other King Street establishments. This spot seems to be the definition of extremely laid back (or at least it was on the day that I visited). I’m surprised you can’t just grab your own drinks and pay whatever you think is appropriate. Yes, it is that laid back.
The indoor space is huge and airy, which is very nice. The art on the wall is distinctive and gives the whole establishment a unique atmosphere. The back patio area offers a huge dirt pit with a bunch of picnic tables and a sizable stage in one corner.
The wine and beer menu is limited but pretty solid, and you can also get caffeinated beverages should you so desire.
All in all, King Dusko offers a decent change of pace from the typical downtown vibe. I really wanted to like this spot, but for some reason simply haven’t loved it thus far, though that’s not to say that it isn’t worth visiting. As an added bonus, there’s a high probability that you can make new canine friends should you hang out in the back patio area… score!

Trivia with Dave on Thursdays is super fun! I love that he listens and takes suggestions and actually moves forward with making them happen.
Their bar staff is incredibly nice and their lattes are delicious! While they do have a small variety of beers available, it’s nothing crazy. It’s a gread place to go and relax/​hang out with your friends. We spent an evening just playing board games and it was perfect.
I haven’t been out back yet, as it has been cold– but I will update once we have been.
it’s a fun little spot to check out. just go on in and you’ll feel right at home.

I’ve never done silent disco before but it was incredibly fun last night! Every Friday and Saturday nights there are two DJs and you can listen to whichever one you want and break it down at the SAME DAMN TIME!
I’ve heard that this place was really hipstery and whenever I hear a place getting labeled, it’s probably because they didn’t feel comfortable just going up and talking to new people! My friends and I had been at a black tie event earlier and ended up here in our get-​ups. The crowd at King Dusko was definitely not exclusive and it was actually the place we got the least amount of stares at! King Dusko has a great atmosphere and friendly staff!
The onlyyyy thing I can say is I didn’t like was the dirt in the yard outside… It’d be nice if it was paved so that I can get my groove on in my heels!
Definitely check out King Dusko!

This place is really great. It’s chill, open, great atmosphere, and has some cool art. There is a back patio where they have live music. The owner is so cool and humble that he didn’t even tell us he was the owner. He introduced himself as the barista. Great beer and coffee at any hour.

I really enjoy coming to this place. Something about it is just very different and refreshing. The owners are a brother and sister team who put together the concept and it seems to be working for them. Its pretty «no frills» and there isn’t anything that really stands out as all that special, I think it just reminds me of a few places I’ve been in San Fran who chose their identity as an establishment and stick with it. They aren’t concerned with what everyone else is doing around them, and I like that about the place.
I haven’t had the coffee but, from what I heard from one of the bartenders is that they were extending their hours as well as their coffee program as well. I generally stick to the craft beers there and the selection is always great. I would like to see a few more available to choose from or maybe some large format beers but, I am always happy with the beers they have available.
The art is all very unique and worth checking out while you’re there. Most of it is reasonably priced. A nice quality because there is a higher chance that it will sell and new stuff will come in. The backyard is not what you would expect having an art gallery in the front, but is one of my favorite parts about the place. A large dirt field with picnic tables and a huge stage for entertainment. I’m sure Dusko isn’t for everyone but if it was, what would be the point?

This place is as much contemporary art gallery and venue as it is bar and café, and I love that. Charleston so, so needed a space for legit local contemporary art. Love location and the relaxed atmosphere. Super outdoor area and stage. I’m looking forward to lots of good times here. I hope for more spots like this in Chucktown.

Gotta love a good concept. King Dusko has coffee, craft beer, art, music, and a great outdoor space behind the shop. I’d thought that maybe the Dusko referred to Duško Gojković jazz trumpet great, but one of the owners told me it’s for Duško Popov, the Serbian spy who inspired Ian Fleming’s James Bond character. (I guess «The name is Popov, Duško Popov,» didn’t have the flair Fleming was looking for.)
I’ve not been to Dusko’s in the evening, but I hear it’s a nice alternative to much of the King St scene. During the day, it’s low-​key, a great place to settle in with your computer to get some work (or Unilocal reviews) done. I love the evolving wall art in back (courtesy of Crosby Jack, one of my favorite street artists.) Coffee is roasted by King Bean. Dusko serves their lighter roast, which made a nicer espresso that other King Bean experiences I’ve had. I did check out the (bottled) beer selection and found a nice variety.
Street parking, free wireless. An interesting upper King spot.

New favorite local coffee/​beer/​wine spot. The owners are amazing, love the new gallery space and I dig using the free wifi while outside in the back beer garden on these beautiful charleston spring days. From the rotating craft beer selection to the always open chess games and the fun music and pop up food events there is always a reason for me to come back. Do yourself a favor and check it out!

I used to like this place… until the too «cool» bartender with tats iced me and did not even reply to a «hello». Looked right thru me and served someone who came in after me.
I don’t need the pretentious BS attitude or this place. Anymore. Go to Kudu or Belmont where the employees are nice

Definitely a change of pace from the normal Charleston/​King Street nightlife. If you go at night, there will be some pretty fun/​loud/​indie dance music, potentially some EDM.
There’s one small bar in the back and lots of photos/​art on the walls, which gives it a definitely gallery-​event-​space feel, not really a bar.
The back patio/​yard is definitely the big draw. It’s huge! There’s stages/​picnic tables and a huge buddha. Also, you can get coffee there during the day. Like I said, not like anything else on King Street.