Top Bars in Pawleys Island

Home of shrimp, beer, and blues, Pawleys Island Tavern gives you a true South Carolina low-country eating experience. The PIT, as the locals call it, is open Tuesdays-Sundays for lunch and dinner, offering everything from steak to seafood and even homemade desserts. Known for its rocking outdoor concerts, PIT has a nightlife that sets it apart from anything else. Spirits stay flowing as they have a full bar that includes local brews from New South Brewing Company and Firefly Vodkas. So don’t hesitate to come the local hangout when visiting, this bar makes everyone feel at home.

The only bar that is open 7 days a week 365 days a year, is Island Bar and Grill. Opened in Pawleys Island in 2007, this bar has been a hotspot ever since. The bar itself is open everyday 11:00 AM-2:00 AM, and the kitchen serves food till 11:00 PM during the week, and till midnight on Friday and Saturday. Located seconds from the famous Hammock Shops, this bar offers a wide variety of seafood, burgers, and over 20 wing sauces, but they also offer healthy salads for the conscious vacationers. Including 30 televisions, just about every sports package you could imagine, live bands and a stage for them to perform on, and even karaoke nights, Island Bar and Grill never has a dull night. Anytime is fine just grab your crew and head on down, there is guaranteed to be someone and a drink waiting for you at Island Bar and Grill.

Let’s not hesitate one moment with this bar, you have to get the seafood here! Pawleys Blue Crab Raw Bar offers some of the best blue crabs, oysters, and shrimp that the area has to offer. Also, their menu includes plenty of other shellfish and burgers for everyone to enjoy. Even though drinks are always being poured here, this bar is more of a laid-back family location. It is good for everyone to come out and watch the sunset while eating the day’s catch. Open everyday from 10:00 AM-11:00 PM, this bar is a good stop before you hit all the other watering holes that are open late night. So come get some food in your system before you get too crazy.

Not every bar in Pawleys Island is a low-country creek rat hangout. Bistro 217 is in a league of its own in Pawleys with its fine wining and dining style. They offer an assortment of fancy seafood, steak, and pasta dishes to go with their sophisticated wine and brew bar. They are open every day of the week except for Sunday. Their lunch hours are 11:00 AM-4:00 PM, and dinner goes from 5-10 at night. They need an hour to get all of their “fancy” ready for you!

If the name itself doesn’t draw you in, then the outdoor patio seating and the happy hour prices certainly will. Chive Blossom Cafe’s happy hour is from 4-7 everyday in the afternoon, with $2 off all liquor, $1 off all bottled beer, and $2 off all wine by the glass. With over 150 wines and such an eclectic fine dining cuisine, you would think Chive Blossom Cafe was a high-end downtown spot. Chive Blossom is nothing of the sort though, it has a welcoming feel that can take anyone to their happy place.

This English style bar is another great location with a reasonable happy hour. Quigley’s Pint and Plate offers all in-house made lagers and pub food at a great affordable rate. They have $2 pints, and $3 house wine and liquors, as well as discounted appetizers- when the sun is going down you should be getting there. “Ten Buck Tuesday” is a great day to enjoy the spirits at Quigley’s because of their $10 dinner entrees as well as a trivia challenge starting at 8:00 PM with prizes.

Looking for a wine bar with a great view to impress the misses? We have that covered with Austin’s Ocean One- a can’t miss date spot that is truly one of a kind in Pawleys Island. The exquisite menu prepared by the head chef Bill Austin, combined with a full service bar, and a window panel wall to watch the waves roll in will surely create a perfect date night.

Another fancy stop on our list is Frank’s Restaurant and Bar. Don’t for a second think this location is even close to another. This local mainstay has been around since the 1930’s, but got its restaurant identity in 1988 and never looked back. Eating and having a glass of wine here is like a taking a trip back in Pawleys time. You can eat outside under a vine roof with stars peeking through while eating a equally beautiful plate of fancy southern comfort food. Everything is a sight to see here, including their extensive wine list.

After seeing the success of the first location in Myrtle Beach, Indo Thai graciously spread its wings to Pawleys Island. Lucky for you, they brought all of their diverse Asian cuisine and alcoholic drinks with them. Get here during happy hour for the specials on sushi and appetizers. Also during happy hour try one of their cinnamon crunch drinks or the tiramisu martini. The menu and drink selection represents many different nations and cultures of Asia all blended together to give you Indo Thai.

​The Tuna Shak is located at the Wicked Tuna on the Murrells Inlet MarsWalk. This casual, open-air bar allows guests to cool off with a tasty cocktail, beer, or wine while enjoying the gorgeous views of the MarshWalk. The Tuna Shak also hosts live music on select nights!