If you like the beach and you like bars, you will love the beach bars in downtown Myrtle Beach. Not only does Bay View on the Boardwalk resort guests have a beach in their own backyard, but they also enjoy easy access to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, which leads to some of the best beach bars on the Grand Strand.
The 1.3-mile Myrtle Beach Boardwalk runs alongside the Atlantic Ocean on one side and excellent attractions, entertainment, shops and restaurants on the other. But perhaps the hottest spots are the ones that offer the coldest drinks — icy beers and frozen drinks in a fun, beachfront environment. Bay View guests can reach them all with a short stroll down the Boardwalk. Here’s a list of five beachfront bars and cafes to hit for your own Boardwalk Beach Bar Pub Crawl:
Banditos: Start your march on the northernmost point of the Boardwalk, and begin your trek back to Bay View with a taste from south of the border. Located at 14th Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard, this Mexican and Caribbean-themed cantina serves great food and drinks inspired by our neighbors to the south, like tasty margaritas frozen and on the rocks. Patrons enjoy buckets of Coronas on ice and live music on the outdoor stage with the Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop.
LandShark Bar & Grill: Located at the base of the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel is a beach bar inspired by singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett’s own brand of beer. True to the Caribbean soul and laid-back lifestyle portrayed by Buffett, this beach bar has it all — ice-cold bottles of LandShark Lager and other domestics and imports, as well as a full bar featuring Buffett’s famous Margaritaville frozen drinks. Once you’ve ingested enough liquid courage, take a break from your pub crawl to ride the 190-foot SkyWheel before returning to your journey.
Ocean Front Bar & Grill: This bar and grill occupies prime real estate in the downtown district. In addition to looking out over the Atlantic, the Ocean Front also sits on the corner next to Plyler Park, where the main stage holds free live music and entertainment as part of the Boardwalk’s Hot Summer Nights Concert Series. Patrons can watch the waves crashing down on the shore in one direction and see live concerts in the other, all the while enjoying the festive atmosphere of the Ocean Front. If there’s no live music scheduled, visit the famous Duffy’s and The Bowery next door, where country bands play six nights a week on the same stage where Alabama once made a name for themselves.
Art Burger Sushi Bar: The name says it all. Yes, they have works of art on display, and they serve excellent burgers and sushi. But this place saves the best for last with a full bar and oceanfront patio deck to boot. Their unique liquid-nitrogen blender yields creative frozen cocktails that will melt in your mouth. The Beach Portrait is the most popular choice, featuring coconut rum, mango puree, pineapple juice and a splash of grenadine for a drink that is almost too pretty to drink. I said ALMOST.
Pier View Open Air Bar: Perched high above Second Avenue Pier is this cozy little hideout and hangout. Comfortable furniture lines the rails that overlook the ocean waves, and patrons relax and enjoy the sound of music and the surf below. The open-air bar serves a wide variety of beer and mixed drinks, and the frozen piña coladas are to die for. If you get the chance, this is a great place to watch the fireworks launched from the end of the pier on Wednesday nights.
Now that your Boardwalk Beach Bar Pub Crawl is complete, head back to Bay View a few blocks away and get a good night’s sleep so you can get ready to do it all over again the next day.
