by juliana s.

ok, you don't have to stay here, but check out the back before you leave so you know where to have your next orgy. at least that's what i was told, and yes, next orgy's at this place! a red-lit, devastatingly hip bordello - i mean club or lounge or whatever this place is. this is where strippers go when they graduate. (that's actually the job prerequisite.) but beware: they have been known to play house here, which is code for really lame shite. actually, do not be fooled by the house or the hookah or the former exotic dancers or the poorly mixed drinks. in this profane age, you have to look for signs everywhere: maybe not a blazon in the sky or a burning bush or a cloud that wanders the desert by day and turns into a ball of fire by night, but maybe a neon phosphorescent halo somewhere in the recesses of upper king, maybe...a torch. sometimes when you are filled with hate, hating boykind, hating girlkind, and especially hating boykind masquerading as mankind, you have to recognize your prophets, because they may just be that drunk chick who sidled up to you to bum a clove and seems to have logorrhea. do not be fooled: the wisdom you seek is before you. be still and hear god laughing and insisting that he sends you his love from the mouths of babes. (haha, god.) or just order a real drink straight up.

by Paul L.

In my opinion, the best bar in charleston. It was breath of fresh air walking in here because me and my buddy finally felt like we were in bar that housed a more mid-20s New York vibe. They had a dj in here who was mixing some good hip hop and indie dance. I wasnt overwhelmed with feeling like I should be a sophmore in college to fit in. I was actually able to mingle and socialize with people here which was the opposite anywhere else in Charleston. The bar has hookahs and of course the bartenders were overall on top of their game. The front door man here was awesome, the guy knew how to be everyone's best friend in 5 minutes, he actually lived in San Diego which is always comforting to know when you haven't met anyone from California in a month.

by Laura A.

After my first visit to Torch, I would never have given it four stars. More like two. That time, the music was heinously loud, and the place was smoky and crowded, with an annoying knot of people congregated in the small hallway between front and back rooms, blocking the bathrooms.Last night, the vibe was completely different, though, so I'm changing my tune. We arrived pretty early (9:45), and were able to grab a comfy couch and ottomans, the perfect spot to enjoy one of Torch's specialties: a large elegant hookah full of mint and mango tobacco. It really hit the spot: the mint was cool and smooth, not at all like smoking anything else. Not really like smoking tobacco at all, except for the heady buzz. Our second round, apple, wasn't nearly as tasty. The best part is that it lasts FOREVER. $15 sounds pricey, but it kept going for a good 25 minutes. Oh, and be sure to try this little delicacy before July, when the smoking ban begins. . . Torch is trying to secure their hookah rights, but the outlook is bleak. The music got louder as a hookah-smoking DJ took the reins, and the place filled up. The decor there is semi-swanky, with low low lighting and plush furniture. I peeked into the back room: definitely a chic spot for an intimate conversation or gathering. Torch's full name is Torch Velvet Lounge, which they have wisely omitted from the sign, as it sounds like it comes with a "no touching the dancers" rule. (Come to think of it, our waitress, who did a great job, was dressed in the smallest possible little black shorts and low-cut spandex top.)My only beef with Torch was that the door to the women's bathroom has a tendency to stay locked after someone vacates it, resulting in a long line of irate ladies staring at the wall and sending hate vibes through the door. Once accessed, though, the restroom itself is great.

by Anna F.

This bar was alarming.It looked pretty cool from the outside, as there was a group situated by the front window (I guess it was VIP?), reclining on plush cushions, enjoying some yummy-looking martinis and smoking an impressively large hookah.  Chillin' inside seemed like a good idea to my friends at the time; but it quickly turned into a very stressful experience as we couldn't even hear our own thoughts over the blaring techno - much less each other's voices - as soon as we entered.  There were people sprawled out on every cushion in the house, and the bar was full, as well; in most places, this just means you have to stand.  Well at Torch, this is hardly an option, either, as the furniture pretty much takes up all the floor space.Then we discovered the backroom, which was trying way too hard to appear in a porno: zero lighting, bed seating (you have to lie down; it's not a choice) piled high with velvet cushions, wispy curtains, plenty of nude artwork and then an especially huge, creepy, black and red painting of bunnies...  We found ourselves in the sexroom with only one other couple (don't have to guess what they were doing) and tried for a few minutes to just get drunk enough to enjoy the situation... But with martinis priced at $12/pop, that was too hard to do, and we just had to go.

by Ind R.

Torch may have retired the velvet rope, but the intimidating doorman still gives you the impression that they wish they didn't have to let you in. You, with your collar-less shirts, worn jeans, and undeniably "athletic" shoes...But, they DO have to let you in. Because, let's face it, you can only get away with blasting house music if your venue is packed. Even Torch knows that a live dj in an empty bar is an admission of defeat.And, personally, I think that it's time to admit defeat. Clearly, their coveted clientele doesn't make it past the Trio Club. Or, perhaps they start the long walk, but can't resist the call of Tonik along the way. Even on my Saturday night visit, the crowd was an eclectic mix for most of the evening- which I would expect of any bar so far North on King.So, I'm hoping for a few compromises in the future. Maybe a diversified playlist, to reflect the crowd actually patronizing the establishment? Seriously, if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with- or at least, the one who's buying drinks on Saturday night.Overheard at Torch (homage to juliana s.)Upon hearing that one's best friend believes that the Mayan ruins were constructed by aliens, Torch customer replies, angrily, seriously, "You just don't have enough faith in people!"