Terry’s Top 10: Beachfront Bars in Myrtle Beach
By Terry Massey
A good bar can be judged by the real estate rule of thumb – location, location, location.
And when the temperatures go up, there's no place for a cold beer and a hot dog like a beach bar. No shirt, no shoes, no worries.
You can have your martini and cigar pubs; give me bar with no walls and no roof – just warm faces, cold beer and a spot in the shade to watch the waves roll in.
Purely in the name of research, I have spent the past 15 years combing the beach bars of the Grand Strand. I could make a longer list, but we'll stick with 10:
10) Bummz Beach Cafe: A large outdoor deck with umbrellas and tiki torches make this a great place to chill in the downtown area of Myrtle Beach. An outdoor stage brings some local talent to the scene, usually acoustic guitars and Buffett covers, perfect for the scenery. Any sunny day is a good day at Bummz, but I must recommend Working Women's Wednesdays. Whether you're a working woman or a dude working on meeting them, there's plenty of company at Bummz.
9) Scotty's Beach Bar: If you're on the south side around Surfside, Scotty's is the hot spot. An open-air deck lets beachgoers grab a drink outside while taking a quick break from the beach or dip inside to cool off in the AC. Mondays are the best days to hit Scotty's, or at least every other Monday, when a bi-weekly luau party provides free food catered by Latitude 22 next door. Two of my favorites words in the world – “free” and “food” – to go with two others, “beach” and “bar.”
8) Austin's: Go farther south and you will eventually find the Litchfield Inn, which features an oceanfront cabana bar that's worth the trip. Austin's brings fine dining to the beach, including fresh Pawleys Island shrimp, gourmet desserts and interesting frozen drinks (try a raspberry margarita after a sweaty day at the beach). There are two pools to cool you off on the outside and the tranquility of Litchfield Beach provides a different mindset from the more touristy resorts.
7) The Boathouse (pictured): OK, so technically this is not a beach bar but it is just a short boat ride away. This watering hole is on the Intracoastal Waterway right beneath the 501 bridge and a great outdoor venue. Boats tie up to the dock and their crews hang out in the yard. This is the place to be on Sundays, when the Boathouse has a free outdoor concert series that packs them in. Upcoming shows include Marcy Playground, Days of the New and, my favorite, the Blue Dogs.
6) Sharkey's: This year-old beach bar is a newcomer to the area, but quickly gaining acclaim. The new Boardwalk is bringing more customers to the establishment's back door and the summer crowds should be off the hook. It's also developed a late-night following and a reputation for good bar food (boom boom shrimp will make your mouth hot and thirsty). The best deal in the house is the 100-ounce beer bong for $15. You can fill ‘er up a lot cheaper than your car.
5) Ocean Drive Lounge: This establishment is an institution in North Myrtle Beach, and for good reason. Folks have been flocking to this beachfront bar for generations, and while it tends to attract an older crowd of regulars, there's always an interesting mix. The dance floor is what makes this place special. Sand and sawdust cover the floor for shaggers to strut their stuff. Even if you don't do the state dance, there aren't many better people-watching spots on the Strand.
4) Island Vista: This resort features an outdoor tiki bar so close to the pool you can almost dip your toes in the deep end from your bar stool. Delicious food is offered from the hotel restaurant and delivered to your beach chair, and an outdoor stage brings live music to the back yard while you catch some rays during the day or relax at night after a day in the sun. Thursday night is Reggae Night, when the Iriates entertain guests and locals, and Monday is the Luau Party.
3) Oceanfront Grill: This longtime watering hole went largely overlooked before the Boardwalk was built. Now it's a hub of activity. The garage doors swing open and allow the ocean breeze in while providing shelter from the summer swelter. The longnecks are kept in ice tubs so there's no need to fear warm beer, and the bar food is what you want after a day at the beach. The Plyler Park stage is next door so it's a good place to take in a lot of free concerts during the summer.
2) Ocean Annie's: For almost 20 years this beach bar has attracted larger crowds than any other on the Strand. The pool deck features live music almost all the time and folks alternate between dancing and swimming in the giant pool that is open to the public. Located behind Sands Ocean Club, the bar has a captive audience in the visitors but also brings in lots of locals. There's a free fireworks show on Wednesday nights. If it's too crowded for your taste, stumble across Shore Drive to the Sand Bar.
1) St. Clements Beach Bar and Grill: My favorite bar on the Strand, beachfront or otherwise. It looks like a tiny popsicle stand from a distance but a closer look reveals a family-friendly place where parents can enjoy a drink while watching their kids play in the sand. Willie Massey sings Motown classics on the weekends and there's a beach volleyball court and a horseshoe pit for fun. Frozen drinks are the house specialty and the beer is kept on ice at all times. Locals have loved this place since 1988, so it's doing something right. The location is great, but the friendly service and cheap food and drinks make it extra special.
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