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Eater
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
Inside the Wild World of Shag and Shots in North Myrtle Beach
The only reason Derek Goodwin wasn't in the weeds behind the bar at Fat Harold's at 4 p.m. on a spring Wednesday was because he was prepared. While it felt like the rest of the world was in the middle of Zoom meetings or afternoon coffee orders, here at this North Myrtle Beach institution, it was go time. The Society of Stranders [SOS] Spring Safari is an annual festival that's a week-long shag dance party, filling North Myrtle's Ocean Drive bars with capacity crowds even before the sun sets. This year, as always, Fat Harold's was one of the host bars for the April 23-May 4 event, and they'd made sure they had the makings on deck for thousands of shooter cocktails. North Myrtle has always been the 'quieter' side of what's known as the Grand Strand of South Carolina, and despite the high rises that dominate the beachfront, you can still find plenty of classic wooden beach houses for rent within a couple of blocks of the ocean. It's also become a haven for retirees, with a 2023 census noting that seniors make up almost 40 percent of its 20,300 residents. It felt like a lot of them were here, waiting for Goodwin to make a drink, a shooter to be exact. That shouldn't be confused with pure liquor shots, as they are their own unique beast, and he knows 160 recipes for them, from Alabama Slammer to Sex with an Alligator. Fat Harold's sits off Ocean Drive, its jukebox-style facade an architectural icon of the area. Inside, neon-lit rooms ramble from a front grill area, turning out hot dogs and fried bologna sandwiches with speed, to the main room, complete with a dance floor, bandstand, and an elevated bar that allows an easy line of sight to watch the dance floor action. The back room features even more seating and another bar, making it a convenient stop for those returning after a cigarette break behind the building. Throughout it all, walls are covered with memorabilia and commemorative photos of the DJs Hall of Fame, making its low-ceilinged spaces a meandering shrine to the golden era of shag. The live band was jamming, and the room was filled with hundreds of people who, while they might know their way around an AARP card, were mixing, mingling, and twirling to classic beach music hits on the dance floor. The Carolina Shag, sort of the 'swing dance of the South,' originated in North Myrtle Beach in the 60s, and Fat Harold's is still the epicenter of the culture, which welcomes all ages but is dominated by dancers who learned to dance — and drink — during that era. Beyond the bottled beers, the simple highballs, or shots of tequila, the shooter reigns supreme as the drink of choice for SOS gatherings every year. Fat Harold's sold hoards of these multi-ingredient shots throughout the week-long shag. To prepare the mega orders, Goodwin lined up mini plastic cups on cafeteria trays, free counted the ingredients in a cocktail tin, and then served batches at a time. 'My favorite shooter is a Payday,' said Amy Bolen of Madison, North Carolina, who drives four-plus hours to attend the SOS Safari. 'It tastes just like a Payday candy bar. I had it for the first time right here at Fat Harold's eight years ago, and it's been my favorite ever since.' This outpost of shooter devotion is an anomaly in the age of the craft cocktail. According to historian David Wondrich, shooters, these mini bar drinks, first appeared in the 1970s when bartenders combined liquors with sweet syrups and cordials, then sold them under cheeky names. In the era of rebellion, this was anything but your father's Old Fashioned, and the highest compliment for a shooter was not simply that it 'didn't taste like alcohol,' but often that it tasted like something else: a candy bar, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or a Jolly Rancher hard candy. Many shaggers discovered shooters in the 1970s and they never looked back. 'The dancers can have a drink, something quick that is sweet and lower alcohol than a traditional cocktail, and keep on dancing,' Goodwin explains. Over the course of the week, groups ordered rounds of shots for each other: Kamikazes, Raspberry Lemon Drops, Redheaded Sluts, Liquid Marijuana, and plenty of Paydays. The groups of friends took shots and then got back on the dance floor, dazzling with moves they've been perfecting for decades. In an era where the Atlantic is calling for Americans to party more, the shaggers have kept the good times going all along. 'It's just a great group of people here,' Bolen said. 'Everyone knows how to have fun. And we love to have shooters every now and then. Yeah, love it.' 2 ounces of butterscotch schnapps Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into cups with a salted rim and serve immediately. See More: Bars Dining Out in the Carolinas Eater Scenes
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Making Music and Memories in Myrtle Beach
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways The Bowery - Credit: James Jackman Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is famous for the rhythm of the waves of the Atlantic lapping against its sandy shores, the laughter (and occasional screams) of riders at Family Kingdom Amusement Park, and the chatter of families on their annual beach getaways. But the true soundtrack of this seaside destination is its live music scene, which pulses through the town day and night. From oceanfront stages on the sand to some of America's most beloved dive bars and everything in between, it's easy to see why Myrtle Beach is music's favorite beach. With more than 25,000 performances a year across countless venues, there's something for every music lover in Myrtle Beach. Visit The Bowery, a musical mainstay since 1944. This beloved dive bar sits just 50 yards from the water and offers live entertainment every night. Not only does this local landmark see its share of phenomenal guest performers, but its original house band was country supergroup Alabama. The band still makes regular appearances at their beloved home away from home. More from Rolling Stone Located in the heart of town, The Carolina Opry Theater offers world-class acts in a state-of-the-art theater founded by local visionary Calvin Gilmore. When the Opry opened its doors in 1986, it was the first house show of its kind to open in Myrtle Beach. A true game changer for the beach town, this stunning theater is home to The Carolina Opry, a must-see variety show starring 35 of the nation's most talented performers. This musical variety show spans all genres for an experience you'll never forget. The theater also hosts touring productions, with big names like The Lovin ' Spoonful, Sara Evans, and Kenny G all set to perform this season. South Carolina's state dance is the Shag, a movement that celebrates the beach music the region is known for, and there's no better place to Shag than Fat Harold's. Known as the Home of the Shag, Fat Harold's was inducted into the Carolina Beach Music Awards Hall of Fame in 1996. Today, they're still offering Shag lessons to newbies on Tuesdays, refresher courses and new steps on Mondays, and DJs or live music and dancing every night of the week. The region's musical history is on full display at Charlie's Place, which was a popular African American nightclub and hotel owned by Charlie Fitzgerald and his wife, Sarah, from the 1930s to the 1960s in the Booker T. Washington Neighborhood of Myrtle Beach. In its prime, Charlie's Place hosted the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Little Richard, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Lena Horne. Today, the sites of the club, hotel, and Fitzgerald's home serve as a historic landmark, community center, and museum paying tribute to the important music that came out of the region. Beloved restaurants and beach bars like Ocean Annie's offer live music right on the water. Dance barefoot to some of the hottest local bands by day, or shag seaside under a Myrtle Beach moon at night. Or take a stroll along The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk . This half-mile-long boardwalk along a natural saltwater estuary is home some the area's best views and eight restaurants which all host live music regularly. Myrtle Beach isn't just a place to hear music, it's a place that celebrates it. Homegrown talent abounds in this creative enclave. Visitors and locals alike flock to see native acts like soul country singer (and ' American Idol ' alum) Mariah Faith, American reggae band TreeHouse!, and country singer Kevin Nichols. While Myrtle Beach is a hotbed for all types of music, country reigns as a beachside favorite at venues like Tin Roof. Overlooking the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and featuring three full bars, a stage for live music, and an open-air rooftop patio, this beach bar is the perfect place to discover a new favorite artist or hear one you already love. The ' Nashville HitsThe Roof ' concert series features Music City's hottest up-and-coming acts on the Tin Roof stage for a free show. Previous Tin Roof performers include stars like Luke Combs, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, and Kacey Musgraves. Head to The House of Blues and its outdoor space, The Deck at The House of Blues for live music nearly every day of the week. Catch big-name acts like Soulja Boy and 38 Special, or enjoy free entertainment from local favorites, including Smoke and Mirrors and The Rich Johnson Band. Sing along to your favorites with performances by tribute bands like Synchronicity, a tribute to The Police; Brotherhood, a Doobie Brothers tribute band; American Floyd: The Ultimate Pink Floyd Tribute Experience; and more. Don't forget the World Famous Gospel Brunch on Sunday mornings. Experience live gospel music while enjoying a decadent all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet featuring Southern-inspired favorites. Summer festivals give Myrtle Beachgoers a chance to hear even more music. In June , the Carolina Country Music Fest will celebrate its ten-year anniversary with a sold-out event. The East Coast's largest four-day outdoor country music fest brings in some heavy hitters to the Carolina shores. This year, expect performances from headliners like Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Kid Rock, Rascal Flatts, and even the iconic Beach Boys. The fest will also celebrate up-and-coming local talent with its first-ever CCMF Hometown Stars. Local music lovers had the chance to nominate their favorite Myrtle Beach band for the honor of playing the CCMF Discover Stages (located in the Blue Moon Soundstage Bar, Jack Daniel's Party Tent and Honda of the Carolina's Stage). You may be among the first to see music's next big star. Whether it's a beachside performance on the sand, an upscale evening of music in a state-of-the-art theater, or a rowdy dive bar show that has audience members raising their beers to a night they won't forget, Myrtle Beach has a musical memory for every taste. No wonder it's music's favorite beach. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
