Bars & Nightlife
Best Myrtle Beach Bars for Visitors
With hundreds of bars and restaurants around the Grand Strand, deciding where to grab a drink can be a daunting task for tourists who are brand-new to the area or those who only visit every so often.
While most bars in Myrtle Beach cater to a crowd of both locals and tourists, there are some places that are a little more “visitor friendly” than others.
These spots go the extra mile to appease out-of-towners with a combination of friendly service, great atmosphere and reasonably-priced drinks. While not all the Myrtle Beach nightlife spots on this list are oceanfront, many serve up a combination of beachy decor, exotic drinks and awesome views that are perfect for kicking back and with a couple of drinks.
Sure, some may be a little over-the-top compared to your local dive bar or hometown watering hole, but they're just right for enjoying on vacation. Here’s a list of what we consider to be the best places for an out-of-towner to imbibe and unwind during a Myrtle Beach vacation.
8th Avenue Tiki Bar & Grill
Located downtown in the shadow of former hangouts like Mother Fletchers and The Freaky Tiki is one of the area's best beach bars. Not only does this spot play up its “tiki bar” theme to the extreme with tons of great beachy decor, but it also take full advantage of it position along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk with a great outdoor patio. A perfect spot to stop during a walk on the boardwalk for a fruity cocktail.
Art Burger Sushi Bar
706 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
By combining culinary grade liquid nitrogen with your beverage of choice (completely safe and DHEC-approved), this beachfront Boulevard establishment boasts literally coldest drinks in town – we’re not talking ice-cold, Art makes drinks that achieve nitrogen-cold, and stay that way. Whether you decide to grab a table inside their chicly-appointed dining room, or out on the patio by the Boardwalk, you’ll be amazed by the unique flavors, textures, and temperatures of the drinks that this new bar is churning out.
Bandito's Restaurant & Cantina
There aren’t many drinks more refreshing in the summer than an ice-cold Margarita, and no shortage of places in Myrtle Beach where you can obtain one. But why not go to a Mexican restaurant, especially if the place is oceanfront? In addition to huge Margaritas and the Grand Strand’s largest tequila selection, Bandito’s also offers house-made Sangria, plenty of Mexican beer, and a food menu full of classic and unique inspired by the cuisine south of the border.
The Boathouse
201 Fantasy Harbour Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
Plain and simple. This is one of the best party spots in town. From the savory bar food and the 20-plus craft brews on tap to the locally legendary backyard, The Boathouse has it all. Known as one of the best live music spots in town, visitors are more than welcome here, especially during the summer-long backyard concert series, which features bands performing over the Intracoastal Waterway on a waterfront stage while plenty of bikini and board shorts-clad coeds wander about. You can even drive your boat up and park it here.
Broadway Louie's
Imagine a place that’s equal parts arcade, karaoke, and sports. If what you’re picturing sounds like the perfect place to have a drink, then look no further than this no-cover entertainment wonderland in Celebrity Square at Broadway at the Beach. With a million dollar game room, nightly karaoke contests, and over 1400 inches of television screens, Louie’s has been a no-brainer destination for those who like to play since opening its doors. 21-and-up after 9 p.m.
Bummz Beach Cafe
2002 North Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Laid-back by name and nature, the outdoor patio at Bummz offers visitors a scenic view of the ocean and a nice breeze to go along with it. The place is typically packed to capacity, so bring your patience and enjoy the atmosphere, which is often enhanced by live music.
Dead Dog Saloon
4079 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Known as one of the beloved restaurants on the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk, Dead Dog Saloon is also a great place for visitors to gather and enjoy a few drinks. There's three bars that serve up a variety of great drinks including inside, outside and a tiki bar right on the Marshwalk itself. Add in live music from some of the area's best cover bands and an amazing view of the salt marsh and you've got everything you need for a great evening.
The Deck at House of Blues
4640 Highway 17 S., North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Not only is the House of Blues the area's largest music hall and a great spot for finding concerts and events, but it's also a top-notch restaurant with an outdoor bar. Extending out the back of the Crossroads at HOB restaurant is an area known simply as “The Deck” which features a large bar, a craft beer lagoon, an outdoor stage, several cabanas and a “beach” area filled with sand. All throughout the summer HOB brings in touring bands from across the country to perform and entertain the crowds of folks which gather here.
Dirty Don's Oyster Bar
With two locations within walking distance of many downtown Myrtle Beach resorts, Dirty Don’s is a great spot to devour some shellfish and share one of the restaurant’s Specialty Pitchers like Killer Kool Aid or Dented Helmet. Don’s also offers a good selection of daiquiris and draft beer, and both locations are full of relaxing Myrtle Beach vibes.
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
Chances are they don’t have one of these in your town, so if you’re a Parrot Head you’ll need to pay homage to the great crooner of searches for lost salt shakers. Here, fans can treat themselves to inventive versions of the tequila-based favorite (Blackberry Moonshine Margarita, Whose to Blame Margarita) as well as rum drinks like the 5 0’Clock Somewhere and Planters Punch. Oh, and prepare to hear some island tunes while you’re there.
King Street Grille
3040 Howard Avenue, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
If the game is on and the television in your room isn’t picking it up, you’ll need a place to check it out. And in that case, look no further than this eatery/drinker at The Market Common for pretty much any sporting event you care to see. NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA, PGA, MLS, ATP, NASCAR – you name it, they got it. And with a food menu full of kicked-up-a-notch dishes like Philly Cheese Steak Egg Rolls, the Texas Heart Stopper Burger, and Sweet Tea Fried Chicken, you’ll have plenty of tasty things to chew on while all of the action plays out.
Nacho Hippo at Myrtle Beach International Airport
1160 Farrow Pkwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Consider these two scenarios – your flight lands in Myrtle Beach and, uh oh, they lost your luggage. Or, you made sure to be at the airport with plenty of time to spare and the check-in attendant politely informs you that your flight has been delayed two hours. It’s situations like these that highlight the importance of airport bars. Located in the terminal, Nacho Hippo offers a drink menu that’s 14 Margaritas deep, five Mojitos wide, and countless Specialty Drinks long. Flying can be stressful, Nacho Hippo is not.
Pier View Bar at 2nd Avenue Pier
110 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Not only is this one of the best places to catch a fireworks show in Myrtle Beach, it’s also a great spot to catch a buzz. Located at the top of the three-story pier building, the Open Air Bar offers sweeping views of the ocean, live music on certain nights, a wrap-around deck with comfortable couches and chairs, and, of course, plenty of ice-cold cocktails to enjoy as the breeze whips through the space.
LandShark Bar & Grill
1110 North Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
After an exciting ride on the SkyWheel or a relaxing stroll down the Boardwalk, check out Jimmy Buffett’s other location in Myrtle Beach for a Frozen Concoction like the Havanas Bananas (dark rum, Baileys, crème de banana, coconut) or Euphoria Daiquiri (rum, choice of fruit blend), a Boat Drink such as an Incommunicado (an enhanced Long Island Iced Tea), or any number of cleverly-named Margaritas. If possible, get a table on the outdoor deck at dinnertime and listen as the live music spills over from adjacent Plyler Park.
Molly Darcy's Irish Pub
With lots of beer on tap, authentic Irish cuisine on the menu and a great oceanfront location, there aren't too many places in North Myrtle Beach that are friendlier or more fun than Molly Darcy's. In addition to knocking back a few cold ones on the large beachfront patio, you can also wander inside and play a few games of pool or enjoy the game room in the front of the bar.
Ocean Annie's Beach Bar
9550 Shore Dr, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
As one of the only true beach bars on the Grand Strand, this north end watering hole has been a popular destination for locals and tourists alike for three decades and counting. Located on Shore Drive at Sands Ocean Club, Ocean Annie’s is just a short walk from the popular Kingston Resorts, and a quick cab ride from many other Myrtle Beach accommodations. The best part might be that patrons can enjoy the calming sights and sounds of the Atlantic while servers bring them whatever they’re in the mood for, but it also helps that they have live music every day of the week in the summer months.
Pirate's Cove Lounge
Located along Main Street in the heart of North Myrtle Beach this combination live music venue, bar and restaurant is a great destination for those coming from nearby hotels or wandering up off the beach. With a friendly staff and reasonably priced drinks, you can hang here for hours and enjoy live bands peforming seven days a week across two stages. Add in the awesome rooftop patio with views of the ocean and nearby OD PAvilion Amusement Park and you've got one of the best bars around.
New South Brewery
1109 Campbell Street, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
The only place on this list that isn't even really a bar, earns its spot by being one of the best and most unique attractions in Myrtle Beach for beer lovers. A stop by the area's only full-scale brewery will give you not only a behind-the-scenes look at how beer is made, but also fill you up with plenty of tasty samples along the way. From the popular White Ale and Nut Brown to more exotic varaitions of IPA there's plenty to try. And what's even better? The tasting tours are FREE and take place every Tuesday and Thursday at 3 p.m.
Oceanfront Bar & Grill
100 9th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
There's a reason this place — one of the oldest bars in Myrtle Beach — has been in business for 60 years. It's cold drinks, friendly people and an AMAZING location. Located on the corner of the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and the former Pavilion lot, this is prime “people watching” territory with plenty of outdoor seating to accommodate great views of the ocean as well.
Senor Frog's
1304 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Few places say “I'm on vacation” like a trip to Senor Frogs. While some may call it a tourist trap, there's something charming about the unabashed party spirit here. From the brightly colored interior and over-the-top drinks to the “anything goes” attitude of the club nights held after the restaurant closes, there's plenty that make Senor Frogs unlike anyplace else on the beach. It's a must-see spot for the college age crowd and folks who really like to party.
