Dead Dog Saloon
4079 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. (843) 651-0664, deaddogsaloon.com

Located on the MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet and featured on the Travel Channel and in Southern Living magazine, the Dead Dog Saloon is an area tradition, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in addition to offering daily, free live music on its spacious deck along the tidal marsh. Its mythical canine mascot, Dudley, sits front and center in the dining room, reminding guests that this establishment is built upon a fun, carefree spirit. In the evenings, the family-friendly restaurant morphs into a hot spot for music and dancing, with a crowd surrounding the live oak that grows through the center of the deck. Entertainment ranges from solo musicians singing acoustic to four-piece bands rocking the place on a Saturday night. Passersby on the MarshWalk gather to enjoy the music, the crowd, the scene and the spirit of the Dead Dog. Open 8 a.m. to midnight daily.  

Boardwalk Billy's Raw Bar, Ribs and Sushi
1407 13th Ave. N., North Myrtle Beach. (843) 249-0900, boardwalkbillysnmb.com

Founded in the spring of 2013 and located on the Doc Holidays Marina overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, Boardwalk Billy’s offers live entertainment seven nights a week on the waterfront deck. Owner Henry O’Boyle has been in the restaurant business for more than 30 years and created Boardwalk Billy’s as a casual, fun place for guests to gather for food, music and a friendly, as well as beautiful, atmosphere. Enjoy items from the raw bar such as oysters and crab legs, sample sushi or get messy with a plate of ribs. Live music ranges from blues and contemporary tunes to bluegrass, acoustic, country and folk music. Open Monday–Thursday from 3–10 p.m. and Friday–Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

House of Blues
4640 U.S. 17 S., Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach. (843) 272-3000, houseofblues.com/myrtlebeach

The House of Blues is the Grand Strand’s premier destination to see concerts from national acts across a variety of genres. The concert hall, which is mostly standing room only, features performances from the latest rock and roll, folk, country, blues, hip hop and rap artists, in addition to a range of tribute bands, bringing crowds back to decades past. The restaurant and adjoining deck offer a different venue entirely, where local acts play nightly for free and, more often than not, crowds gather to dance. With a folk art theme and music-inspired decor, the House of Blues is a favorite spot for a night out, inside or outside, to enjoy live music. Open Monday–Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4–9 p.m.

The Landing at the Boathouse
201 Fantasy Harbour Blvd., Myrtle Beach. (843) 903-2628, landingmb.com

The Boathouse, as it’s known around the Grand Strand, is touted as “the best backyard in town,” overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway at Fantasy Harbour. Featuring a free Sunday Funday concert series, the Boathouse draws lively crowds to enjoy national and regional acts, as well as Nashville’s up-and-coming country artists. Whether it’s a favorite band and a concert date circled on the calendar for weeks or just a quick stop on a Sunday afternoon to check out the deck and the music, the Boathouse is a popular, casual place to grab a cold beer, maybe play a game of cornhole, and enjoy some live tunes. Fridays bring musical entertainment as well, with other specials throughout the week, including Team Trivia on Wednesdays and Tacos and Tequila Tuesdays. Open 11 a.m. to midnight daily.

Tin Roof
1410 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach. (843) 945-9867, tinroofmyrtlebeach.com

Featuring three full bars, two areas of entertainment, oceanfront views and a rooftop patio, Tin Roof offers a fun destination for live entertainment in the heart of downtown Myrtle Beach. Weekend nights, a mix of local, regional and national acts perform on stage while DJs spin tunes in the Green Room, keeping the dance floor lively until the early hours of the morning. Tin Roof seeks to support live music, providing a place for musicians to play and also to relax when they’re not performing. Tin Roof boasts that its “stages have held the famous, the should-have-been-famous, and everyone in between.” In addition to entertainment, Tin Roof offers handcrafted cocktails and Southern-inspired “better than bar food,” including Nashville hot chicken, fish tacos and more. Open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.