10 Great Spots for Waterfront Cocktails in Myrtle Beach
The beach is all about live music, ocean views, and cocktail hours, so there is certainly no shortage of happy hour fun at the waterfront bars and restaurants. However, unless you plan to make your visit to The Beach permanent, you probably won’t be able to visit every single one.
Therefore, here is a round-up of our top Myrtle Beach bars for waterfront cocktails - from the ocean to the marsh to local rivers - to get you started!
Barefoot Landing
Serving guests since 1999, Greg Norman’s is always prepared to bring a taste of Australia to The Beach. Between the explosions of flavor in the kangaroo and the restaurant’s location on the waterway, you should already be more than tempted to go inside. However, if not, then maybe the list of specialty cocktails such as the ‘Berry Lemon Drop Martini’, ‘Coco Loco’, or ‘Belvedere Bliss’ can sway your opinion. Classic cocktails and other beverages such as wines, beers, and liquors, are also available at a discounted price weekly during happy hour from 4 - 7 p.m.
Murrells Inlet
Known as the local spot with ‘Good food and bad advice’, Inlet Prohibition is under the same ownership as the Hot Fish Club, known for its craft drinks. So, head back over to Murrells Inlet for this fine restaurant where you can choose your own flavored concoction from four different cocktail selections including ‘Pirate Drinks’, ‘Smoked Old Fashion’, Choose Your Own Mule’, and ‘Creek a Rita’s’. Once you’ve ordered, enjoy your drink and its paired dish with a salty view of the Marsh.
Barefoot Landing
Big Chill Island House offers a stunning waterfront setting with multiple seating areas and a spacious patio ideal for unwinding with friends. Their drink menu features a variety of tropical-inspired cocktails such as ‘Monkey Business’ made of dark rum, banana puree, grated chocolate and more, and the ‘O’mai Tai’ made of light and dark rum, mango puree, orgeat, and other tasty ingredients. All of these bursting flavors mixed with a waterfront view make for the perfect afternoon out.
Barefoot Landing
LuLu's is all about celebrating food, fun, and family. The latter is why we especially love them. It seems like everything they do, from the way the restaurant was constructed to the attitude of servers, is meant to make things easy for families. They also happen to have delicious food, great live music, and a stunning waterfront view, so one might argue they are the complete package. If you go, let the younger members of your family tag along--they’ll love the adjacent beach area, ropes course, and arcade!
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
Riptydz is a multi-level oceanfront spot situated right along the iconic Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, offering stunning rooftop views and a vibrant beachy atmosphere. Guests can enjoy live music, fresh seafood, and a rooftop bar, plus a playful beach-themed area with games and activities. Signature drinks include the ‘Riptydz Rush’, a tropical blend of coconut rum, pineapple, and citrus flavors, and their half-gallon ‘Mega Mason’ cocktails, served in a unique, oversized jar perfect for sharing.
Myrtle Beach
Built in 1930, the Sea Captain’s House is a staple in the Myrtle Beach area. Located right off the beach, the beautiful interior and outdoor patio will capture you instantly. Enjoy their classic twist on cocktails such as ‘The Minty Mule’, ‘Fun in the Sun Mimosa’, or the ‘Southern Manhattan’. You can pair your drinks with any meal of your choice, whether breakfast, lunch, or dinner - the Captain’s House is open to serve you and your party all day long.
Conway Riverwalk
This fun spot is tucked away nearly under the bridge into Conway, South Carolina. It’s a bit inland from the beach but worth the drive, especially if smoked meats are your thing. We also love that its waterfront view is of the Waccamaw River--a black water river surrounded by a wide variety of flora and fauna. They have a number of great beers and wines on tap at Bonfire and a list of fun cocktails, as well as live music events from time to time. While not a late-night hangout spot, it’s perfect for an afternoon or evening splash of your favorite adult drink.
North Myrtle Beach
Another waterway hangout, Local on the Water opened earlier this year and is a fantastic addition to our list of waterfront cocktail spots. On their outdoor deck, you’ll find swings, fire pits, Adirondack chairs on a recreated beach, and a large outdoor stage for live music. It’s a terrific spot for watching the sunset over the waterway and enjoying a cold, loaded margarita (a personal favorite).
Murrells Inlet
The MarshWalk — located in the heart of the historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet — is a ½ mile wooden boardwalk along a natural saltwater estuary. Along the MarshWalk, visitors will find a number of great bars and restaurants (many featuring live music and almost all featuring a waterfront view of the inlet). Some favorites include Drunken Jack’s, Dead Dog Saloon, The Claw House and Wicked Tuna, but you really can’t go wrong with any of them when it comes to a relaxed, waterfront atmosphere.
110 North Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach
Wicked Tuna at 2nd Avenue Pier offers a fresh take on oceanfront dining with stunning views of the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Known for their outstanding sushi and fresh seafood, they also serve creative cocktails like the "Wicked Lemonade," a refreshing blend of vodka, fresh lemonade, and a splash of blue curacao. A summer happy hour and a laid-back vibe make this spot a must-visit for both food and drink enthusiasts.
Ashley Daniels of Myrtle Beach is a full-time freelance writer, editor, wife, and mother of three sons and two fur babies. Most recently, she also became a published author of "100 Things to Do in Myrtle Beach Before You Die," part of a bestselling national series. A native of Eastern PA, Ashley received her bachelor’s in English Writing from the University of Pittsburgh and her MA in Writing from Coastal Carolina University. Today, her folio boasts nearly 25 years of regional and nationally published printed magazine features, blogs, and web copy for a roster of clients, and ADDY award-winning copywriting. For more info, visit www.ashleymdaniels.com