By Christina Lee Knauss
Knight-Ridder Newspapers
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. _ Live music is a great thing. We all know this. And there are plenty of places on the Grand Strand to see it.
But sometimes when you go out, the urge is not to just stand there and listen to somebody else's music. Instead, you want to be part of it _ to dance.
Like any good tourist town _ or good town in general _ the Myrtle Beach area offers clubs who put the dance vibe first. Here's a look at a few of the largest. Check to see where you can find the beats of your choice:
BEACH MUSIC
A guide to dancing on the Strand would not be complete without mentioning the shag, the state dance which has its roots on our very beaches. If you're interested in doing this hybrid-jitterbug, check out the scene along Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, or at the Beach Music Cafe at Broadway at the Beach. A run down of beach music clubs:
In North Myrtle Beach:
_Ducks and Ducks Too, 229 Main St., 803-249-3858.
_Fat Harold's Beach Club, 212 Main St., 803-249-5779.
_Spanish Galleon, end of Main Street, 803-249-1047.
At Broadway at the Beach:
_Beach Music Cafe, at Celebrations, Broadway at the Beach, Celebrity Square. 803-444-3500.
COUNTRY:
_Beach Wagon, 906 S. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, 803-448-5918
When: 7 p.m. until seven days a week.
How much/who gets in: 18 and over admitted with proper ID. Cover varies.
What you'll hear: Pure country _ old, new, slow and fast. Live country originals and cover tunes are played by house bands. Occasionally national acts perform here. A lot of line-dancing goes on.
Who's there: Country fans from early '20s up to senior citizens.
What to wear: Again, think pure country _ if you have a cowboy hat, tight jeans, a fringed shirt or boots you're dying to wear _ this is the place. Basic blue jeans and shorts or nice club clothes also fit in. Nothing outrageous or alternative.
TOP 40:
_Bahama Beach Club, 1623 U.S. 501, Myrtle Beach, 803-916-4300.
When: 8 p.m. until late night Mondays through Fridays, close at 2 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
How much/who gets in: 18 and over with proper I.D. Cover varies. Nightly specials.
What you'll hear: Contemporary hit music ear-friendly to 20-somethings. Hip hop, R&B, alternative and rock. Nothing too avant-garde, nothing too tame. If it would sound good at a party, you'll hear it.
Who's there: An overwhelmingly young crowd _ standard age range is 18 to 30. This also is the place for those who want an all-out, raucous good time. If you don't like crowds and a lot going on at one time, stay home.
What to wear: Basically anything goes here as long as ``private parts'' don't show, a worker said. Heavy on the tight, the short, the bright and the trendy.
_Malibu's Surf Bar, In Celebrations at Celebrity Square, Broadway at the Beach. 803-444-3500.
When: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. nightly.
How much/who gets in: 21 and over except for special ``Teen Club'' for 12-16 offered through Labor Day 6-10 p.m. nightly. Regular admission is $10; for Teen Night it's $8 or two for $12.
What you'll hear: High energy top 40 music, ranging from rock and alternative to hip hop. Nothing avant-garde.
Who's there: In the summer: a lot of tourists. Always: a mix of mostly young people, with the largest crowds gathered on weekends. The dance floor is notable for the giant shark that serves as a backdrop.
What to wear: Basically anything from beachwear to club clothes.
_Yesterday's, 1901 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach. 803-626-CLUB.
When: Sports bar opens at 5 p.m., nightclub opens 9 p.m. nightly. Open until 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, 4 a.m. Friday, late night Monday through Thursday.
How much/who gets in: 21 and over admitted. $10 cover weekends, $8 Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. With VIP card one person gets in free with guest.
What you'll hear: A variety of music ranging from Top 40 hits to old-school rap, vintage rock and roll classics and occasionally beach music at the beginning of an evening. DJs Casey and Rickie cater to the whims of a crowd largely out for a good time. One thing you won't hear is real ``hard-core'' techno or alternative music.
Who's there: Just about everybody who can legally get into a club. Yesterday's regularly draws everyone from golfers to college students. Average age of dancers is usually between early 20s and mid 30s, but this too also depends on the music being played.
What to wear: Normal is the word here. Clean beach clothes, nice shorts or shirts, occasionally dressier fare for guys. Many women wear mini-dresses and skirts to Yesterday's. No outrageous club clothes, nothing grungey, leave the rubber and leather at home.
_Revolutions, Celebrity Square, Broadway at the Beach. 803-444-8032
When: 8 p.m. until at least 2 a.m. Sunday through Friday, 2 a.m on Saturday.
How much/who gets in: 21 and over admitted. $5 nightly except for live acts frequently featured on Saturdays, when cover varies. Includes admission into Crocodile Rocks.
What you'll hear: A variety of danceable tunes from the '70s and early '80s. Disco largely rules, but you'll also hear occasional hard rock, new wave, and funk.
Who's there: In the summer: a large contingent of tourists. All year long: a strong showing of those old enough to have grown up in the '70s, as well as college students and younger types who like the retro vibe. What to wear: Basically whatever you'd wear to Broadway at the Beach. Attire regularly ranges from cutoffs and flip-flops to mini-dresses and platforms.
_Techno/alternative llusions, 1012 S. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach. 803-626-7306
When and how much: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly.
How much/who gets in: 21 and over admitted. Cover varies.
What you'll hear: A wide variety of sounds, with a slight skew toward house and techno.
Who's there: Illusions is a club for those who love rhythm and have an open mind. Alternative lifestyles are accepted here, and basically everybody is welcome. Weekend nights are some of the most crowded _ you'll find locals of all ages flocking to this club because it stays open long after others have closed on Saturdays. Not the place for the close-minded or couch potatoes.
What to wear: This is the place to show off cutting-edge clubwear. Casual works too, though.
_House of Blues, At Barefoot Landing, off U.S. 17 in North Myrtle Beach. 803-272-3000
When and how much: Late night dance club in the main music hall usually goes on after midnight unless a late night show is scheduled. Regular admission is $7. On Mondays: Service Industry (SIN) night begins at midnight, free for SIN cardholders, $7 all others. ``One World'' (featuring a variety of national and international DJS) goes on after midnight Thursdays, free for locals and SIN cardholders, $7 all others.
What you'll hear: One of the area's largest variety of sounds _ techno, hip hop, house, alternative, and some Top 40 and retro.
Who's there: Late-night dance crowds are primarily under 35. SIN nights attract a huge number of locals _ during tourist season, it's one of the largest local gatherings of the week.
What to wear: You can get away with everything from tie-dyes and cutoffs to the funkiest club wear here, especially on SIN night and during ``One World.'' A lot of people dress to the max for SIN night.
VARIETY
_Studebaker's, U.S. 17 Business and 21st Avenue North, Myrtle Beach. 803-448-9747
When: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. nightly.
How much: Cover varies from $5-$10 depending on scheduled events. 18 and over admitted.
What you'll hear: Studebaker's is one of the oldest clubs on the beach _ it's been around for 16 years. It has a devoted following who keep coming back largely because of the mix of tunes it offers _ beach music, vintage hits from the '50 through the '90s, rap and Top 40 on Wednesday college nights. This is the place to go if you'd like to shag and twist on the dance floor, but also a good place if you want to maybe hear the Macarena or some of the latest hits. Top 40 and good-natured hits are the focus _ no hardcore hip hop or alternative. DJ Jumpin' Jack Flash is an institution along the Strand, as are the hyper-happy Studeboppers _ Studebaker's workers who frequently get up onstage and dance.
Who's there: A good-natured, mainstream crowd ranging from baby boomers and shaggers to college students.
What to wear: Casual, casual, casual. Basic jeans, shorts and miniskirts will never steer you wrong.
_2001, off U.S. 17 North at Lake Arrowhead Road, Myrtle Beach. 803-449-9434.
When: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
How much/who gets in: $8 Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, $10 Thursdays-Saturdays. 21 and over admitted.
What you'll hear: 2001 advertises itself as ``three clubs in one,'' and on any given night it is possible to hear three different sounds for your dancing pleasure. In Razzies Beach Club, you guessed it _ beach and top 40. In Pulsations, ``high energy'' contemporary dance music with a focus toward an older crowd is featured. The Lounge often features golden oldies. Not the place for rap, alternative, hard rock, techno.
Who's there: 2001 attracts mainly dancers over 30.
What to wear: The management at 2001 likes to encourage people to ``dress to impress.'' There is a dress code _ hats and tank tops are no-nos. Casual but elegant club wear will work.
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(c) 1997, The Sun News (Myrtle Beach, S.C.).
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