Last Call: The Best Live Music Spots for a Post-Round Nightcap in Myrtle Beach

You just finished 18, the scorecard’s tucked away (or torn up), and now it’s time for a cold drink and something better than hotel-room TV. Myrtle Beach has one of the liveliest live music scenes on the East Coast, and the good news for golfers is that most of the best spots are exactly the kind of low-key, walk-in, no-ticket-required hangouts that fit perfectly at the end of a long day on the course. Here’s where to go.

Murrells Inlet MarshWalk: A Whole Strip of Options

If you’re staying anywhere near the South Strand, the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk might be the single best answer to “where should we go tonight?” This waterfront boardwalk packs multiple live music venues within an easy walk of each other, including Dead Dog Saloon, Wahoo’s, Creek Ratz, and Drunken Jack’s. The beauty here is flexibility — bounce from one bar to the next, catch a different band at each stop, and never have to move your car. It’s the golf-trip equivalent of playing a multi-course facility: one central hub, plenty of variety.

The Boathouse Waterway Bar & Grill: “The Best Backyard in Myrtle Beach”

Sitting right on the Intracoastal Waterway under the Highway 501 bridge, The Boathouse backs up its self-proclaimed “best backyard” title with a genuinely great outdoor stage setup. Regional and national acts play several nights a week, and the Sunday Funday Concert Series turns into a full-on waterfront party, with people listening in from both the deck and their boats. It’s an easy, laid-back spot to grab dinner and let the music carry the evening.

Tin Roof: A Rooftop with a View

Located on the third floor of the BLVD building in downtown Myrtle Beach, Tin Roof (“The Roof”) pairs a big stage and three full bars with a rooftop patio overlooking the Grand Strand. It’s a great pick if you want a livelier, more high-energy scene after dinner — plenty of room to grab a table with your group and still feel close to the action.

Bourbon Street & Pine Lakes Tavern: True Local Flavor

For golfers who want a spot that feels genuinely local rather than touristy, Bourbon Street is a small, unpretentious music venue hosting everything from open mic and acoustic nights to classic rock and country, four to six nights a week. Right next door, Pine Lakes Tavern gives you a second stage to wander into if the first band isn’t quite your speed — a built-in two-stop crawl without moving your car.

Crocodile Rocks: For the Group That Wants Interaction

If your group is looking for something a little more participatory than a band on a stage, Crocodile Rocks Dueling Piano Bar at Broadway at the Beach delivers a high-energy, crowd-driven show where two pianists battle it out with requests and banter. It’s a great option for buddies’ trips looking for something more interactive than a typical bar band.

Local on the Water: Waterfront Views, Dance-Floor Energy

Another Intracoastal Waterway favorite, Local on the Water combines a scenic stage right on the water with a spacious dance floor. Expect a mix of country, party bands, local rock, and classic beach music — a great fit if your group wants to actually get up and move after a day of walking the course.

The Bowery: A Grand Strand Institution Since 1944

For a spot with genuine history, The Bowery in downtown Myrtle Beach has been pouring drinks and hosting live music since 1944. It’s an old-school beach bar in the best sense — unpretentious, reliably good live acts, and a real sense of Myrtle Beach nightlife tradition.

Pawleys Island Tavern (“The PIT”): The Local Hideaway Worth the Drive South

Tucked down a dirt driveway behind the Island Shops on Pawleys Island, Pawleys Island Tavern — known to regulars simply as “The PIT” — is the kind of place you need a GPS (and a little faith) to find, and locals like it that way. This self-described home of “Shrimp, Beer and Blues” hosts live music on two intimate stages Thursday through Sunday, covering everything from blues and rock to bluegrass and jazz, all under a canopy of oak trees with a smoke-free indoor bar and a seasonal tiki bar to boot. It’s decorated with dollar bills, stocked with a serious beer list, and about as far from a polished tourist trap as you can get on the Grand Strand. If your golf itinerary is taking you through Pawleys Island or the South Strand, the PIT is well worth the detour for a genuinely local night out.

Why These Spots Work So Well for Golfers

After a round (and probably dinner), most golfers aren’t looking for a formal concert experience — they want a relaxed, walk-in atmosphere where the music adds to the conversation instead of drowning it out. That’s exactly what these venues deliver: no assigned seating, no dress code beyond “presentable,” and settings ranging from casual dockside bars to lively rooftop patios, all built for hanging out rather than sitting silently through a show. Whether your group wants low-key background music over drinks or a livelier scene to close out the night, there’s a spot on this list to match the mood.