College football is king in the South, and the Grand Strand is no different. In fact, maybe even more so since so many visitors and transplants come to Myrtle Beach and bring their allegiances with them. That creates some good-natured debates among fans from rival schools and conferences, especially on game days. But what fun is it to watch alone in your hotel room when you can catch the game with fellow fans and future friends. Find folks wearing the same-colored jersey so you can have someone to high-five when you’re winning and console when you’re losing. Either way, there are plenty of great places on the Grand Strand to watch all the games and enjoy the fun atmosphere. Here is a list of five sports bars that cater to supporters of all teams and sports but are popular among particular fan bases: * Broadway Louie's: Fans of all team colors to this Broadway at the Beach hot spot, which not only attracts folks who want to watch the games, but also ones who like to play games. An arcade with all the latest interactive games occupies half of this huge complex, while the sports bar side features wide-screen TVs on every available spot on the wall. This place does brisk business on game days, primarily because fans know that if their game is being televised anywhere on the planet, regardless of pay-per-view or special package, Broadway Louie’s can get it and has the number of TVs to show it. Patrons can also enjoy hot food, cold beer and a great game-day environment. * Bumstead's Pub: This downtown Myrtle Beach institution is also headquarters for the Palmetto State’s biggest college football rivalry. Fans of the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers call this place home on football Saturdays in the fall, somehow peacefully co-existing except for that one November day that the two teams play. Bumstead’s adjoins Dagwood’s Deli, (which also has a Surfside Beach location) that serves sandwiches that are piled high and named for local icon, like the Tiger and the Gamecock. But the best view of the big game is inside the English pub, where private booths have their own built-in screens and speakers that allow patrons to select which game they want to watch and how loud they want to hear it. Enjoy draft beers from around the world and weekend food and drinks specials. Bumstead’s also draws a big crowd for NFL Sundays and other major sporting events. * Cleat Chasers: The local team, Coastal Carolina University, is located about 10 miles inland of Myrtle Beach, and so is this happening new sports bar near the campus. Chanticleer fans flock to this hangout before and after the home games, and whenever CCU’s road games are televised on the road. Fans can keep tabs on all the other big games since the bar boasts 14 high-definition TVs that also carry the NFL Sunday Ticket and the major sports packages. Best of all are the weekend food and drink specials – $2 domestic beers and $5 appetizers. The apps far exceed the standard bar-food fare, and the Funnel Cake Fries are worth the drive for those staying at the beach. * Handley’s Pub: This Carolina Forest sports pub is the headquarters for the home teams, Coastal Carolina University, South Carolina and Clemson, but also has several small fan clubs that gather to watch their former home team’s games. Handley’s has plenty of TVs and all the major sports packages to air virtually any game that being played anywhere on earth, including a strong contingent of soccer supporters. But fall Saturdays are the big day, and Handley’s goes all out with food and drink specials. The outdoor patio deck also has TVs for the perfect place to enjoy the mild autumn weather and a football stadium atmosphere. * Overtime Sports Cafe: This North Myrtle Beach sports bar features wall-to-wall TVs on virtually every vacant spot of this two-story party spot. There are games galore and an extensive food menu so you can enjoy lunch and dinner in addition to the standard sports-bat fare. There’s also a sports memorabilia museum loaded with unique items. Overtime is the most family-friendly place on the Grand Strand to catch the big game. (posted 9/12/14) (photo courtesy: Bumstead's Pub)
