6 Best Nightlife in Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, South Carolina

If you're up for a rowdy evening of entertainment (and a worthy basket of grub for dinner), grab a spot in the backyard April–September for the annual free Sunday summer concert series featuring national touring acts; on Friday check out free local acts. It's quite a sight, as fleets of boats anchor for a waterway view of the stage and the landlocked crowd packs the bank to relax and sip on pales and lagers from the on-site brewery, Independent Republic.

A Myrtle Beach show staple since 1986, the Carolina Opry is a polished, action-packed variety show featuring live country, light rock, show tunes, and gospel music, plus comedy skits. There's also a "Time Warp" show that pays tribute to the '60s, '70s, and '80s, and a celebrated Christmas Special.

The 2,250-seat Alabama Theatre has a regular variety show of singing and dancing with a wonderful patriotic closing; the theater also hosts guest music and comedy artists during the year and a holiday-themed show.

This happening waterfront joint is set up for a backyard party, featuring live music on the gazebo stage every Friday and Saturday night. There's also an excellent menu of steamed, fried, and broiled seafood.

This giant shed (quite literally—its exterior facade is rusty corrugated steel) showcases up-and-coming talent and national names in blues, rock, jazz, country, and R&B in its 2,000-seat concert hall and on stages in its Southern-style restaurant with patio. The Sunday gospel brunch is a great deal, and there's free live music on the deck every evening.

This place might be small, but it's big on the shag moves, cold drinks, and fish baskets. It has four pool tables and karaoke every Thursday and Sunday.