Bars in Folly Beach SC cover image which shows a busy Chico Feo bar under the trees during the day time

Folly Beach on the Atlantis Ocean is the best beach for nightlife near Charleston. As the perfect destination that combines a laidback beachy vibe with locally owned restaurants and bars dotting Center Street, it’s one of my favorite places to visit in all of the East Coast. This is a complete guide to the bars in Folly Beach SC, including which are best for live music, beer lovers and more. Cheers! 🍻

Best Bars In Folly Beach SC For Live Music

The Washout

The Washout is a local favorite and one of the best bars in Folly Beach SC for live music every night, plus other great events including Artisan Markets supporting the local artists of Folly.

It’s an open air bar in the heart of Folly Beach with lots of local craft beers and soul.

Images of the Washout bar, one of the best bars in Folly Beach SC for live music

Check out the Washout’s live music schedule and make sure to stop by this bar while you bar hop on Folly Beach!

Bounty Bar

Young people in a crowded bar under neon lights with a band playing, plus a branded cup at the Bounty Bar

Bounty Bar is one of the best bars In Folly Beach SC for a bumpin’ nightlife scene, if not THE best. This place gets packed once the sun goes down and the live music comes on. They have live music at Bounty Bar every night of the weekend and the best part? No cover!

Chico Feo

Beers, picnic tables under a canopy of trees and the garden stage at Chico Feo, showing that it embodies Folly Beach's spirit and is one of the best bars In Folly Beach SC

I’ve been to Folly Beach many times and happily end up bar hopping most times I visit, and Chico Feo is always my first and then later in the night, last stop.

You can think of Chico Feo as a backyard garden bar at the beach, where you can come as you are and lounge listening to live music on their small outdoor stage several nights a week.

My husband and I, and a couple who are friends of ours all smiling, sitting in beachy clothes at a picnic table under the shade of trees at Chico Feo

They also have excellent food at Chico Feo. Basically you can’t go wrong here. I’m wishing I could be there as I write this!

Loggerheads Folly Beach South Carolina

Images of Loggerheads live music, sunny deck and a delicious looking sandwich, at one of the best casual bars in Folly Beach SC for live music and a laid back atmosphere

Loggerheads is one of the most cherished bars In Folly Beach SC, with acoustic music often and delicious food, in a really laidback, welcoming atmosphere. There’s both indoor space and the main outdoor deck where you can try some of the menu favorites like the flounder, Philly cheesesteak and crab dip.

Best Bars In Folly Beach SC For Great Food

Taco Boy Folly Beach

A few colorful cocktails, a mosaic / stain glass wall and the bar exterior surrounded by trees on a sunny day at Taco Boy

Taco Boy is most definitely one of the most iconic bars In Folly Beach SC. Come here for easygoing eats, Mexican style and lots of margaritas. Some menu favorites are the she crab soup, crab cakes and flounder.

Even better, there’s a great happy hour at Taco Boy! Happy hour is a little early at the beach, with deals happening every day from 3:00-6:00pm.

The Crab Shack

Frozen drinks, a bloody mary, outdoor patio and delicious plate of oysters at the Crab Shack, which ie one of the bars In Folly Beach SC which serves fresh seafood

As one of the best Charleston SC Beaches, Folly Beach of course has its fair share of seafood. Crab Shack is the best spot to go to for fresh seafood including their raw bar, along with great cocktails and a full bar at the beach.

Jack of Cups Saloon

A refreshing fruit cocktail, two adventurous entrees and the cozy interior of Jack of Cups

Jack of Cups Saloon can be thought of as Folly Beach’s best restaurant, and any foodies visiting the area should absolutely try it. Great for Vegans, Vegetarians and everyone else, the rotating menu has creative options for anyone who steps in the door (although maybe not for picky eaters – check the menu ahead of time!).

And of course, to accompany the very good food is a great bar with creative & unique craft cocktails to try, wine and beer. This is a cozy spot to sip cocktails and taste food inspired by the flavors of the world.

Drop-In Bar & Deli

The bar, dining area, breakfast tacos and a burrito at the Drop-In Bar & Deli

Drop-In Bar & Deli offers delicious food items and a full-service deli, along with a welcoming and fun bar to drop into the next time you’re at the beach. Overall, solidly a great choice of bars in Folly Beach SC when you need to something to eat while you drink.

Woody’s Pizza

Images of Woodys outdoor terrace and yummy pizza

Pizza and the beach make for an excellent pair. Woody’s Pizza is the best pizza in town, and they even have other menu items like beer cheese soup, pizza soup and a salad bar that make this casual restaurant one of a kind.

There isn’t much seating inside, but the outdoor deck is lovely. Come here for craft beer with a side of pizza & Italian favorites.

Best Bars In Folly Beach SC For Drinking With A View : BLU, Sunset Cay, Pier 101 & Coconut Joe’s

BLU Beach Bar & Grill

The sunny outdoor bar and deck looking out over the ocean and some beautiful mixed drinks at BLU, which is one of the best oceanfront bars In Folly Beach SC

My #1 choice for the best bars in Folly Beach SC for drinking with a view is the BLU Beach Bar & Grill which is right on the oceanfront at the Tides hotel.

Sip on cocktails here with stunning views of the Folly Beach pier and ocean waves, plus live music each weekend. What could be better?!

Sunset Cay, the Ship Store

Two drinks on a pier overlooking the sunset over the water with boats on the water

Sunset Cay at the Ship Store is one of the local favorite spots, where visitors and locals alike gather to watch the sun go down over the sound. They have a great selection of beer to purchase inside the store, and regular live music Wednesday through the weekend in the summer. There are always good times to be had at Sunset Cay.

Pier 101

An oceanfront pier bar showing drinks with a view of the ocean in the back and a band playing on a sunny pier

Pier 101 is Folly Beach’s other best bar for beach lovers, offering endless ocean views and outdoor seating right on the ocean. Similar to BLU but directly at the Folly Beach pier, with even better views. You can’t miss this place during your visit!

Coconut Joes

Rooftop bar and indoor bar at Coconut Joes, also with images of frozen drinks and a fish entree

Coconut Joes is one of the most classic bars In Folly Beach SC, with a rooftop bar where you can also get delicious food items. They have both indoor and outdoor bars, and it’s a great place to post up for dinner and drinks before you continue your bar hopping for the night.

Catch 23

Images of Catch 23, one of the newest bars In Folly Beach SC, including a rooftop with seating, fruity drinks and fresh tacos

Catch 23 is Folly Beach’s newest rooftop bar which is in the place of the old Snapper Jacks. Similar to Coconut Joes, you’ll find indoor and outdoor bars with seating to eat as well, and views of Folly where you can people watch.

Catch 23 has a delicious food menu with a full sushi menu, seafood items and tacos. Yummmmm.

Best Bars In Folly Beach SC For Beer Lovers : Revelry Brewing

Revelry Brewing

Beer, indoor-outdoor hangout area, cozy furnishings and fire pit at Revelry Brewing in Folly Beach

Revelry Brewing is one of the best bars In Folly Beach SC for beer lovers, where you can try their cold beer in a cozy unique open-air setting with fire pits.

Best Cocktail Bars In Folly Beach SC : Lowlife and Rita’s

Lowlife Bar

A hot pink cocktail, covered boho bar area, large projector screen showing sports and a gooey burrito from Lowlife Bar, to display that it's without a doubt one of the best bars In Folly Beach SC

Lowlife Bar is THE bar for delicious craft cocktails. It doesn’t look like your average cocktail bar, with a beachy rustic bar and friendly atmosphere. They even have a big projector for sports, plus an excellent food menu. Overall Lowlife Bar is absolutely one of my favorite bars in Folly Beach SC.

Rita’s Seaside Grille

Rita’s Seaside Grille is a Folly Beach classic, offering lots of beachy drinks and marga-RITAS, in an inviting atmosphere right near the pier. It’s also one of Folly Beach’s best spots for brunch, or to grab a quick bite to eat during your beach day.

A yummy cinnamon roll, colorful covered outdoor patio, beachy bar and frozen drinks with the Ritas logo

Best For Drinks to Go : Bert’s Market

Bert’s Market

Bert's Market interior showing a shelf of wine and conveniences

Bert’s Market is your one-stop shop for beer and wine in Folly Beach, plus conveniences and food items you may need during your vacation. Come here for your 6-pack to enjoy on the deck of your beautiful Folly Beach rental, and consider getting a quick bite to eat at the Wooden Spoon while you’re there.

Best Boozy Brunch In Folly Beach SC : Lost Dog Cafe

Lost Dog Folly Beach SC

Fluffy pancakes, brunch drinks, a frappuccino and an outdoor patio on a sunny day at Lazy Dog

Lost Dog Cafe is your place for a boozy brunch in Folly Beach, because sometimes you just need a little hair of the dog (get it hehe). Mimosas, blood Mary’s and other breakfast drinks are waiting for you at Lost Dog Cafe, which is one of the top 3 best breakfast places in Folly Beach.

Best Bars In Folly Beach SC for Dancing & DJ Music

Taco Boy

Taco Boy is my favorite of the bars In Folly Beach SC for dancing, as they have a DJs regularly all summer. So much fun!

A group of people dancing at Taco Boy at night surrounded by palm trees, which is one of the best bars In Folly Beach SC for DJ music on the weekends

Sand Dollar Social Club

Sand Dollar Social Club opens up on the weekends for DJ music and a more club-like atmosphere. There is usually a cover here.

The green exteiror of Sand Dollar Social Club

Planet Follywood

Planet Follywood is Folly Beach’s dive bar, with plenty of craft beer and a surprisingly good brunch. Try their famuos Bloody Mary if you’re feeling a brunch drink. Along with regular DJ music, Planet Follywood is one of the best spots for weekly Karaoke Charleston SC.

Planet Follywood, showing that its a classic dive bar

Bars In Folly Beach SC Which Have Closed

St. James Gate and their Irish coffee is one of the bars in Folly Beach SC which is missed. Snapper Jacks is another Folly Beach bar which has closed, although Catch 23 opened in its place.

Bars In Folly Beach SC Map

Bars in Folly Beach Map Link

Folly Beach Parking

Parking at Folly Beach is pretty simple. There are lots of paid parking lots at the beach access points, along with free street parking both during the day and overnight. Find out more about Folly Beach parking here if you have any questions.

Folly Beach has some of the best Charleston SC nightlife, and now you know where all the best bars in Folly Beach SC are. Here are a few of my other most popular Folly Beach blogs to read before you travel!

Folly Beach hotels

Where to Stay in Charleston SC

Folly Beach vs Isle of Palms

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Lauren Kessel
hello@inspiredbackpacker.com |  + posts

Lauren Kessel is the author of this blog post and the creator of the Inspired Backpacker travel blog. She is a passionate digital nomad, with the mission to make slow travel a more accessible way of life for everyone. Lauren believes travel is an important means of education and more importantly, a way for people of different cultures to come together and understand each other better. She has a BS in Tourism and has planned countless domestic and international trips for herself, her family and friends, having visited over 12 countries and 30 states so far.