Happy New Year! 2015 was a busy year for Myrtle Beach and introduced several new and exciting attractions, restaurants, and events.
Curious about what has changed since your last beach trip? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Enjoy our updated list of “What’s New in Myrtle Beach” for 2016!
Changes at Broadway at The Beach
By far one of the biggest stories along the Grand Strand for 2015 / 2016 has been the change coming to Broadway at the Beach. Several businesses have left the popular Myrtle Beach hotspot and several new places are rumored to be moving in soon.
Broadway at the Beach closings include:
· MagiQuest
· Planet Hollywood
· Revolutions
· Carlos & Charlie’s
· Amici’s
Confirmed Broadway additions include:
- Dave & Buster’s
- Paula Deen Restaurant
- American Tap House – Craft Beer Bar
- Oz Nightclub
- Extreme Pizza
- Backstage Escape Games
- Kilwins
- The Beef Jerkey Store
- Master’s Fine Art Gallery
Other Broadway Changes:
· New location for Broadway Louie’s
· New location for Hard Rock Café
Some of these changes have already taken place. All of the locations listed above have already closed. Additionally, the Planet Hollywood building has been torn down and is the alleged new location for a Carolina Ale House. Broadway Louie’s is already operating in a new location directly across from their previous location, still in Celebrity Square. The iconic pyramid Hard Rock Café building is rumored to be torn down soon and will be the new location for a Dave & Buster’s; Hard Rock will move to the old Broadway Louie’s. Other alleged additions include a new club, Club Oz, in the old Revolutions spot, and a new craft beer bar at a vacant spot in Celebrity Square.
We will keep you updated as confirmations roll in from the leasing company!
Carolina County Music Fest
2015 was the inaugural year for the Carolina Country Music Festival and the event was such a hit that it was decided to make the four-day concert an annual tradition. 2016 plans to be even bigger than last year with a full slew of top performers already committed. Headliners include Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owens, and many more. The fun kicks off Thursday, June 9th and runs through Sunday, June 12th. More than 30 artists will perform over the course of the weekend at the old Pavilion site in downtown Myrtle Beach. You can find tickets info here.
Construction On The South End
Last year we discussed the completion of the “back gate” project that included a complete overhaul of the Farrow Parkway / Highway 17 intersection. Now, that same project is underway a little farther south in Surfside Beach at the intersection of Glens Bay Road and Highway 17. Expect delays if you take the highway south for sightseeing.
New Date For Myrtle Beach Marathon
Fast and flat – the famous tagline that makes the Myrtle Beach Marathon such a draw for runners across the nation. February has hosted this popular race for quite some time but recent years have presented some challenging weather conditions that have led organizers to move this race back a few weeks to the first weekend in March. Runners have mixed feelings on the change, but the overall reception has been positive.
Carolina Roots: The California Sessions
Reggae lovers were excited when this popular concert series made the announcement last fall that they were changing their venue from Wilmington, NC to Myrtle Beach, SC. Inclement weather, however, caused the one-day festival to be pushed from last fall to this spring. The new date for the festival is Saturday, April 9th from 11am – 11pm at the old Pavilion Site in Downtown Myrtle Beach. The impressive artist line up includes national acts like 311, Soja, and The Movement in addition to several regional and local performers. You can get your tickets here.
SoHo new location & renovations
SoHo has maintained a reputation for being a posh, upscale nightspot and for having some of the best sushi along the Strand. This happening eatery moved to a brand new location right across from their old location on 21st Avenue North. The new venue includes a full dining area and wrap around bar and a posh rooftop bar that exudes Charleston elegance with a spacious outdoor seating area, fire pits, full bar area, and some of the best views around town. Be sure to check out the new and improved SoHo during your stay this year! You can get more information by calling (843) 433-9441.
Café Old Vienna Moves
Lovers of international fare have surely enjoyed a German meal at Café Old Vienna. This Austrian eatery recently moved into a new, larger location between 17th Avenue and 16th Avenue North that sports an authentic Bavarian feel. What hasn’t changed, however, is the genuine Austrian menu that sports dishes like schnitzel, spätzle, sauerkraut, and more. Call (843) 964-6252 for more information.
Gander Mountain Opens
Outdoor enthusiasts now have a new retail store to stock up on all of their hunting, fishing, and camping essentials. Located directly off Highway 501 in the Carolina Forest area, Gander Mountain offers everything from outdoor apparel and footwear to everything you could need for fishing, camping, and more. This is the perfect spot to grab a few gifts while you are in town or grab a few essentials for your beach adventures. Call (843) 236-6250 for more information.
Myrtle Beach Highland Games & Heritage Festival
Celtic enthusiasts rejoice! The inaugural Highland Games & Heritage Festival will be held at Market Common this spring. Featuring authentic competitions like a hammer throw, caber toss, and weight throw, the festival will also feature live entertainment, tons of food vendors, whiskey tasting, a Celtic marketplace and village, and more. Ripley’s is also sponsoring children’s athletic activities. You can visit the Heritage Festival website for more information.
Food Trucks
Food trucks have been a hot topic in Myrtle Beach for the past several years. Understandably, many restaurants have been opposed to the threat of increased competition. Locals and visitors, however, have been big supporters of the convenience, affordability, and creativity that these mobile food units offer. Well, the time for food trucks has finally come as the city of Myrtle Beach recently gave the go ahead. The area’s very first food truck, Stuff Your Face Street Eats, offers a wide array of fast and tasty breakfast and lunch eats and is open daily from 7:30am – 2:00pm. Additionally, another food truck company from Charleston called Charleston Flats is scheduled to open along the Grand Strand later this year.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans Cubs Affiliation
Though this technically happened last summer, we felt it important enough to mention in our 2016 roundup. Our favorite local baseball team, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, ended their affiliation with the Atlanta Braves and picked up a new partnership with the Chicago Cubs.
New Myrtle Beach Attractions
High Flyer Indoor Trampoline Park – Trampoline parks are all the rage this year and Myrtle Beach is getting its very own! The High Flyer Indoor Park will offer more than 30,000 square feet of space and is scheduled to open this February in the Myrtle Beach Sports Mall, just a short drive for our beach guests.
Duplin Winery – Wine lovers now have a new location to sample local favorites at Duplin Winery. Located at Barefoot Landing, the winery features indoor and outdoor seating, a full tasting room, and plenty of retail space to stock up on gifts and souvenirs. Call (800) 774-9634 for more information.
Go Ape Treetop Adventure – Adventure enthusiasts will love this new North Myrtle Beach attraction that features a full treetop obstacle course, zip lines, and much more. Go Ape is located at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex and is a great way for guests of all ages to enjoy the great outdoors. Call (800) 971-8271 for more information.
New Myrtle Beach Restaurants
The Brass Tap – Beer enthusiasts take note – a new craft beer restaurant is opening in Market Common this January! The Brass Tap will offer more than 80 craft beers from across the globe, including regional and local brews, in addition to a full crafty food menu to match. Call (843) 945-1747 for more information.
The Chemist – This new hotspot boasts an eclectic tapas style menu that incorporates creative flavors and molecular gastronomy and a fun chemistry theme that is executed flawlessly throughout the entire dining experience. Call (843) 445-7077 for more information.
The Claw House – A new addition to the bustling Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, The Claw house is scheduled to open late spring 2016 and will offer authentic jumbo crab claws and other New England cuisine.
Panera Bread – Sandwich and deli enthusiasts are celebrating the addition of a brand new Panera Bread to the Carolina Forest area off Highway 501. The new location should be open by the end of this summer.
Mission Barbecue – If you are on the north end of the strand, check out the new Mission BBQ location at Coastal North Town Center. The menu features a tasty array of mouthwatering BBQ favorites. Mission BBQ is scheduled to open this March.
Tilted Kilt – This bustling sports bar enjoyed a short stint at Broadway at the Beach before closing in 2013. They didn’t stay gone for very long, though, as a new location is in the works behind Mellow Mushroom.
Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach – A brand new, state of the art culinary facility is currently under construction at Market Common and will feature a café for students to showcase their skills. The new restaurant is scheduled to open summer 2016.
Clean Eatz – Trying to keep your beach bod in check? If so, be sure to check out the new Clean Eatz location off Highway 17 in the plaza behind Liberty Taproom. The new restaurant will offer clean-eating alternatives to popular American classics like burgers, salads, quesadillas, and more.
World Of Beer – Myrtle Beach is slowly but surely transforming into a beer mecca and the addition of a new World of Beer is testament to that statement. Boasting over 550 beers from around the world and a scrumptious pub menu, this new restaurant is sure to be a hit. World of Beer is scheduled to open this March.
Gordo’s Tacos and Tequilas – The owners of ART Burger Sushi Bar and The Chemist, two wildly successful downtown area eateries, are at it again. Plans are currently in the works for a gourmet street taco restaurant that will serve authentic Mexican style street food. This new experience is scheduled to open some time this fall or possibly next spring, pending approval and construction.