By Becky Billingsley

	Pine Lakes Tavern in Myrtle Beach is a fine gastropub that is a center of comfort for diners seeking delicious beers, upscale comfort food and a relaxing and friendly place to catch the best televised sports.

	Before it became Pine Lakes Tavern in the spring of 2012, for 17 years the building at 5201 N. Kings Highway was a bar called Droopy’s. It was known as a locals’ late-night bar with live music, and while Pine Lakes Tavern still attracts locals the ambiance has changed.

	The physical changes are the most noticeable. The bar in the main room is new, and instead of bar stools customers sit in comfy padded office chairs on wheels. They face a full bar complete with liquor, 15 craft draft beers and several televisions tuned to the day’s significant games.  Several cocktail-height tables are also in the bar area.

	To the right of the bar and up a few steps is a room with a shuffleboard machine and three impressive framed jerseys from Pete Rose, Joe Montana and Brett Lott.

	Both rooms have doors leading to two cozy and tropically landscaped outdoor areas where smoking is allowed: one with wrought iron tables and chairs and another under a gazebo. They face a picturesque pond where waterfowl hang out, and there’s a television in the gazebo. Sports fans don’t even miss any plays when they visit the restroom, thanks to speakers providing live updates.

	While customers get cozy with a cocktail or a glass of Smuttynose IPA or A.V. Oatmeal Stout, their attention turns to the menu and a chalkboard listing Chef Billy Wright’s daily specials.

	Recent specials have included crab cakes, Parmesan crusted artichoke hearts, and a hot roast beef sandwich with potato salad. The chef’s hummus special is served with julienne roasted red peppers, pita chunks, mini celery sticks and halved green olives that are so fresh they’re almost crispy. Chef Wright recently featured a fried green tomato tower where the juicy tomatoes are encased in a light and crispy batter and then stacked with goat cheese between them. The stack is placed in a bowl of fresh tomato broth with sautéed spinach.

	The menu lists dishes that have become popular local favorites including she crab soup thick with crabmeat and finely diced celery and carrots and topped with sherry. Vietnamese spring rolls contain crisp veggies and shrimp chunks and are served with seaweed salad and mellow pickles, while house-made pimento cheese spread served with grilled bread is pure southern comfort.

	Of course there’s a pub burger, and at Pine Lakes Tavern it’s made with a short rib blend, hand-patted and served on a toasted bun with a choice of pimento cheese, Swiss or Cheddar. Fish has a crunchy tempura batter and is served with chips, slaw and a special regional tartar sauce, while Carolina pulled pork can come as a sandwich or wrap with sweet potato fries and a special slaw that contains no mayonnaise.

	Wings are large and meaty and come in hot, mild, barbecue or hoisin, while fresh fish can be wrapped in a burrito with local veggies.

	Like live music? Pine Lakes Tavern has it frequently, ranging from blues and bluegrass to Motown and jam rock. Happy hour specials are offered from 4-7 p.m.

	Pine Lakes Tavern is at 5201 N. Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach, and the number is 843-449-4758. It’s open daily from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Myrtle Beach Restaurants: Pure Southern Comfort at Pine Lakes Tavern

Courses in this Article

Pine Lakes Country Club

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