Myrtle Beach’s Best Bars: A Local’s Guide to Unwinding by the Sea

Myrtle Beach has plenty of places to drink, but the best bars fall into a few clear categories: beach bars with direct ocean access, breweries making beer on site, cocktail rooms with a real point of view, and music venues that book local and regional acts. These are the spots worth planning an afternoon or evening around, with addresses so you can check hours before you go.

Beach Bars With Ocean Access

If the point is to drink near the water, start with places where the beach or pier is part of the experience, not just a view from a parking lot.

Pier 14 Restaurant & Lounge

Pier 14 sits at 1306 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, directly on the pier. The draw is simple: cold beer, cocktails, and open Atlantic views without a resort gate between you and the sand. It works best for a casual afternoon drink or a sunset round. Food is available, but most people come for the pier access and the ocean air.

Oceanfront Bar at Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes

The open-air bar at 8400 Costa Verde Dr, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572 puts you on the beach at the Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes. It is a resort bar, so expect resort pricing, but the sand-level seating and Atlantic view make it a useful stop when you want a drink without leaving the beach. Live music is common in season, so check the resort schedule if a quiet drink matters.

Craft Beer and Breweries

Myrtle Beach’s brewery scene is small but useful. These stops are for people who want to taste what is made nearby, not just order a national draft.

New South Brewing

New South Brewing at 1109 Huger St, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 is one of the area’s established breweries. The taproom is plain and working-brewery practical, with flagships and seasonals on rotation. There is usually no full food menu, so treat it as a pre-dinner stop or a place to start an evening. Ask what is freshest; that is the reason to go.

Crooked Hammock Brewery Myrtle Beach

Crooked Hammock at 7450 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572 is a larger, more family-oriented brewery with a big outdoor area and a playground. The beer list covers a wide range of styles, and the food menu is more substantial than at a typical taproom. It is a good daytime option if your group includes kids or people who want a full meal with their beer.

The Hangout

The Hangout at 1181 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579, inside Broadway at the Beach, is not a quiet brewery stop. It is a large entertainment venue with live music, interactive programming, and a bar that includes craft taps. Go when you want energy and space rather than a focused tasting. The size means you can usually find a seat, though event nights change that.

Cocktail Bars With a Specific Style

These places are for nights when the drink itself is the reason to go, not just the view or the band.

Art Burger Sushi Bar

Art Burger Sushi Bar at 700 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 serves burgers and sushi, but the cocktail list is the reason to sit at the bar. The drinks are creative and well presented, and the room is modern enough for a date night or a break from beach casual. It is a good choice when one person wants a serious cocktail and another wants a full meal.

Dead Dog Saloon

Dead Dog Saloon at 4073 US-17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 is a short drive south of Myrtle Beach proper. It has a quirky, loyal-crowd atmosphere, live music, and a solid drink menu with specialty cocktails. The outdoor seating is the main draw in good weather. It is not on the beach, but it is a local favorite for the Murrells Inlet area.

The Chemist Craft Cocktail Bar

The Chemist at 933 2nd Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 builds its menu around a laboratory theme: drinks arrive in beakers and test tubes, and the list is organized like a periodic table. The concept could be a gimmick, but the cocktails are made with care. It is a must for cocktail drinkers who want something different from a beach bar.

Live Music and Late-Night Bars

Myrtle Beach’s music bars range from country and rock clubs to casual acoustic rooms. Check schedules before you go, since lineups change often.

Tin Roof

Tin Roof at 1410 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579, in Broadway at the Beach, books local and regional bands across rock, country, and party covers. The room is built for a crowd, with a full bar and a stage that keeps the energy up. It is a reliable choice when you want live music without a formal concert ticket.

Senor Frogs

Senor Frogs at 1305 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579 is the high-energy Broadway at the Beach party stop, with DJs, live entertainment, and a packed dance floor. It is loud and intentionally over the top. Go for the spring-break atmosphere, not for a quiet conversation.

Bumsteads at the Beach

Bumsteads at the Beach at 907 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 is the calmer live-music option, often featuring acoustic acts and bands playing covers and originals. The beachy room works for a casual meal and drinks at the end of the day. It is a better fit for conversation than the bigger party bars.

Practical Notes for a Night Out

  • Parking: Peak-season parking near Ocean Boulevard and Broadway at the Beach fills quickly. Ride-sharing or a designated driver is easier than circling for a spot.
  • Happy hour: Many bars run weekday happy hours. Ask before you order, especially at cocktail bars where the discount can be significant.
  • Schedules: Live music and seasonal hours change. Check the venue’s own site or social page before you build a night around one stop.
  • Beyond the strip: Murrells Inlet and neighborhood bars outside the main tourist corridors often feel more local and less crowded.
  • Dress: Most beach bars are shorts and flip-flops casual. Cocktail rooms are still relaxed, but a step up from wet swimwear.
  • Timing: Popular spots are easier earlier in the evening or on weeknights. Beach bars are busiest at sunset in season.

What Makes the Scene Work

The best bar crawl in Myrtle Beach is not one long strip. It is a mix: a pier drink in the afternoon, a brewery stop before dinner, a cocktail bar after, and a music venue if you still have energy. The common thread is casual coastal access and a willingness to move between the beach and the neighborhood spots. Check hours, plan a ride, and the rest is easy.