As the birthplace of the Carolina shag, you’d expect to find lots of places offering beach music and a dance floor to practice South Carolina’s official state dance. North Myrtle Beach doesn’t disappoint.
But dance clubs aren’t the only arts offerings in this beach town. Here are some of the places you can go to listen to music, learn about the history of the area and take in the talents of local, regional and national artists.
Duck’s Beach Club – This shagger favorite offers live entertainment every week and a full calendar of events like SOS and DJ Throwdown.
Fat Harold’s Beach Club – Another wildly popular shag-dancing venue, it was inducted into the Carolina Beach Music Awards Hall of Fame in 1996. DJs spin tunes seven nights a week and bands perform for the big events.
OD Pavilion – The first open-air beach music pavilion, this is where it all began in 1926. Step and glide to the sound of beach music and the cool ocean breeze at this shag hot spot.
The Bowery – A North Myrtle Beach landmark for more than 75 years, this restaurant and bar is a tradition with beach vacation regulars. Once home to country music and Southern rock band Alabama, the music venue is still packing the house with its current band, The Bounty Hunters.
House of Blues – Co-founded by Dan Aykroid, co-star of the 1980 film, The Blues Brothers, the House of Blues offers concerts and events, a Sunday gospel brunch and murder mystery theater.
Alabama Theatre – Its fully staged variety show features dance, comedy and a wide array of music, from country and gospel to Broadway, pop and rock. The theater also presents concerts with guest artists like the Oak Ridge Boys, the Righteous Brothers, the Temptations and Four Tops.
Festivals – Enjoy music, dancing, arts, crafts and fun eats at one of North Myrtle Beach’s many annual events and festivals. The lineup includes Carolina Country Music Fest, SOS Fall Migration and the Irish Italian International Festival.
North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum – Exhibits and programs showcase the history of the area, from its first inhabitants to its rise as a top family vacation destination.
