The 2024 Fall Myrtle Beach Bike Rally is almost here and thousands of visitors will gather for rides, reunions and parties. If your plans in the Myrtle Beach area include alcoholic beverages, these are some things you should know about drinking in the Grand Strand.
South Carolina
No matter where you are in South Carolina, under state law the legal drinking age is 21 years old. Not only is it illegal to sell or give alcohol to someone under 21 years of age, it’s illegal to lie about your age to buy alcohol.
The law does allow a parent, legal guardian or spouse over the age of 21 to give their child or spouse under 21 years of age alcohol in their home, but this exception doesn’t apply to public establishments.
South Carolina also bans the possession of alcohol in an open container in a motor vehicle, unless the container is stored in the trunk or luggage compartment, so be sure to stow any bottles you have safely and legally before you get on the road.
Grand Strand Beaches
There are also local alcohol restrictions specific to the Myrtle Beach area. If you’re planning a beach party, make sure it’s dry.
Alcohol consumption is prohibited on public beaches in Horry and Georgetown County, including in North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet and Surfside Beach.
Horry County
Local municipalities also generally ban alcohol consumption in public and government-owned areas.
The City of Myrtle Beach bans the possession and consumption of open containers of alcohol without a special permit in rights-of-way and restricted public places. That includes parks, garages, sidewalks, vacant lots, streets, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk — except at licensed establishments — and more.
Except at designated events, festivals and festival zones, in the city of North Myrtle Beach , it’s illegal to consume alcohol in areas used and designed for use by the general public, including public streets, sidewalks, parks, parking lots and more. The city also bans the public possession of open containers of alcohol in public places not licensed for on-premise consumption.
In the town of Surfside Beach , it’s prohibited to consume or possess alcohol in an open container on sidewalks, streets and, “any other property in which the town has an interest,” except at licensed businesses on the Surfside Beach Fishing Pier and specially permitted events.
Horry County itself has a relevant ordinance banning the possession of open containers of alcohol in any public place that isn’t licensed for on-premises consumption.
Georgetown County
While the law in Georgetown County is similar to that of Horry County, there’s a major exception in Murrells Inlet. According to the county’s code of ordinances, it’s unlawful to consume alcoholic beverages on streets, roads, sidewalks and county-owned and operated property in Georgetown County unless you have a special event permit.
However, at the MarshWalk in unincorporated Murrells Inlet, patrons enjoying inlet views on the half-mile boardwalk can bring open containers of alcohol between establishments, a representative for the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Department confirmed.
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