Myrtle Beach is famous for its fun in the sun. But for grownups who still feel young at heart, the real fun starts when the sun goes down at the many nightclubs on the Grand Strand. From dancing and socializing to live music and karaoke, Myrtle Beach has a wide range of bars and activities to keep you going all night long.
The best way to find the best in local nightlife is to follow your nose to other popular gathering spots on the Strand. For instance, places like Barefoot Landing and Broadway at the Beach that are hot spots for shopping, dining and attractions, also happen to be among the top places for nightlife. Here are five places to have a good time at night time in Myrtle Beach:
* Barefoot Landing: This North Myrtle Beach complex is filled with great restaurants and shops, but it's also the hub for entertainment in North Myrtle Beach. The centerpiece for fun is the House of Blues, which attracts big-name touring acts to the stage on a regular basis. Catch a major concert in the main music hall, or catch a local or regional band playing a no-cover show in the Crossroads bar. For a more country beat or off-Broadway entertainment, look no farther than across the parking lot at the Alabama Theatre. If you're looking for a sports bar, Bully's Pub is a fun place to hang out and play pool, darts or video games.
* Broadway at the Beach: Celebrity Square is the perfect place for a night out on the town without a lot of travel. Featuring a dozen or so bars in the same district, Celebrity Square allows patrons to go door to door through the nightlife district to find the clubs that rock your boat. Dance clubs like Revolutions, Club Boca and Malibu's provide plenty of room to shake your tail feathers, while venues such as Froggy Bottomz, Crocodile Rock's and Hard Rock Cafe feature live music on a regular basis. Enjoy frozen drinks at Fat Tuesday, catch the big game at Broadway Louie's sports bar, and soak up the spring-break atmosphere at Senor Frog's. It's all within stumbling distance at Celebrity Square.
* Murrells Inlet Marshwalk: This tiny fishing village turns in earlier than its neighbors to the north in Myrtle Beach. But if you want to start and finish early, this is the place to be. Experience an excellent seafood dinner at one of the 10 or so restaurants on the waterfront strip, then stick around for some good times. Live bands play the patio decks at the Dead Dog Saloon, Bubba's Love Shack and Wahoo's, while the party gets started early at inside venues like Creek Ratz, Drunken Jack's and Spudz. Guests can gather on the patio decks for happy hour and watch the fishing ships sail back into the inlet while the sun goes down.
* Myrtle Beach Boardwalk: The recent addition of the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, a 1.2-mile oceanfront walkway, has breathed new life into the downtown district. In addition to the many free concerts, fireworks and festivals held at the Promenade, the centerpiece plaza of the Boardwalk, the surrounding nightlife has improved considerably in recent years. New beach bars like 8th Avenue Tiki Bar and Oceanfront Grill combine with old honkytonks like The Bowery and Duffy's to create a unique and eclectic environment for after-hours fun.
* Ocean Drive: This section of North Myrtle Beach is famous for being the birthplace of the shag, the SC state dance that began at the local beach clubs in the mid-1900s. Founded to the sounds of beach music and crashing waves on the shores of Ocean Drive, many of these clubs are still alive and kicking to the same steps today. Check out Fat Harold’s, OD Arcade and the Spanish Galleon to scoot across the dance floor with your partner. If you are a stranger to the shag, you can always find a devout local who is willing to take beginners for a spin.
(Posted: 2/3/15)
