Gay Myrtle Beach

The outdoors is king in Gay Myrtle Beach, a coastal city in South Carolina with beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and tons of attractions. Myrtle Beach is the hub of the Grand Strand, a collection of beach towns and barrier islands stretching from the Little River to Georgetown, S.C. All told, it boasts 60 miles of beaches, many of them ideal for sun-bathing, swimming, boating, fishing and water sports. 

While Myrtle Beach has its own growing airport, the easiest way to get into town is to get a connecting flight from a nearby airport or by car. This town is notorious for its confusing roads and aggressive drivers. With that said, there are plenty of rental car companies in the area and taxis offer easy access to the various hotspots around town.

Mytle Beach Gay Scene

There is no gay neighborhood in Myrtle Beach, though the city’s gay clubs are found in a neighborhood some call 5 Points. While there may be no official gay scene there is definitely is at the gay beach! The city’s gay beach can be found near 82nd Avenue North.

In the past, there was an LGBTQ community center called The Center Project which ran regular events, including the annual pride. But there hasn't been an LGBTQ pride festival in Myrtle Beach since 2011, and there seem to be no plans to revive it. Today the only regional LGBTQ pride festival and celebration, called Famously Hot South Carolina Pride, takes place in Columbia, South Carolina.

When to Visit

With its humid climate, Myrtle Beach has abundant sunshine almost all year round. Snowfall is extremely rare in this beach town, which makes winter mild and enjoyable. There are occasional frosty days though so be sure to drive carefully! Otherwise, thunderstorms are the most common type of extreme weather this town gets.

Myrtle Beach is popular year-round, but the summers are most likely to be the most crowded. If visiting in the summer, be aware parking is often limited at many of the beaches.

Myrtle Beach Gay-Friendly Activities & Attractions

With over 60 miles of beaches, the obvious thing to do while in Myrtle Beach is to take in the sun and endless stretches of sand. Don't miss the gay beach near 82nd Avenue North. If you want to go to other nearby beaches, just hop on the Myrtle Beach Bus 15 which takes you up and down the coast to Surfside Beach, Conway Beach, Aynor Beach and Loris Beaches.

There are also over 100 golf courses in and around Myrtle Beach—each with their own club houses. You'll find golf courses at every skill level, even for very beginners.

Myrtle Beach has a vacation and resort atmosphere, so besides all the ice cream shacks and beachside cafes, you'll also find a few amusement parks. The SkyWheel is a 187-foot tall bservation wheel which oopened in May 2011. It's the second-tallest Ferris wheel in North America!

Myrtle Beach Gay-Friendly Dining

There are a host of gay-friendly restaurants to choose from during your stay.

Thoroughbreds Chophouse & Seafood Grille

Open since the 1980s, Thoroughbreds is a Myrtle Beach institutuion serving classic surf and turf dishes in a fine dining restaurant.

Myrtle Beach Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife

Myrtle Beach has a fun nightlife with a few gay bars and clubs for your entertainment.

Pulse Ultra Club 

This gay bar and club attracts a mixed crowd and runs a series of events every week, including karaoke, go-go dancers, game nights, drag shows and more.

St George (503 8th Ave N), gay locals' bar, quieter music, sociable crowd, karaoke, game nights, weekly drag shows, full menu all-hours kitchen. It's a local favorite. 

Safety

While South Carolina is sometimes considered more conservative than other areas in the southeast, Myrtle Beach is largely a welcoming destination. It has the largest population of LGBTQ people living in South Carolina, and its history as a favorite for LGBTQ travelers has made it a welcoming and friendly destination for decades.

The Gay Scene in Myrtle Beach

View the Gay Scene in Myrtle Beach

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