Myrtle Beach coffee house and new Galleria whiskey bar both target live music but different crowds
Live music venues along the Grand Strand open and close with some regularity, though arguably there are fewer places to hear live music today than 15 years ago. Regardless, it’s heartening to see new venues using live music as their draw. The Fat Cat Café in Carolina Forest, and Whiskey Beach Bar & Grill in the Galleria, Myrtle Beach, are two of the newest.
All-ages Caffeinated Buzz
Former 10-year Starbucks manager, and current owner/operating partner of the Fat Cat Café, David Carpenter, knows coffee and loves music. His 2,400-square-foot restaurant/coffee house serves its Carolina Forest and Coastal Carolina University student patrons during normal operating hours, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. But on select evenings, after normal closing hours the tables are moved to the side, and Fat Cat Café becomes that which many coffee houses strive to be; a place for relevant art.
“I’m down with any music except death metal,” laughed Carpenter one recent Saturday night. “But we’ve had a lot of indie bands, punk bands, open mike nights, CD release parties, and that kind of thing. We’re alcohol-free, so this becomes a safe haven for a lot of local kids. We get all ages. Last week they ranged from 4-years-old to 83-years-old.” Mostly though, this is a high school and college-age Saturday night hangout.
“We’ve never done this [kind of open jam] before,” said Carpenter. Local promoter Paul McKinney joined us in the “the lounge” where tables, couches and overstuffed chairs sit by the front window. McKinney has been with Carpenter from the start, booking bands, promoting open mike nights, and generally helping get the word out. “I’m pretty much here every night there’s music,” said McKinney.
Most of the acts, including soloists, duos and some bands, perform for the love of playing in front of an audience. In other words, they don’t often get paid. But some touring indie acts traveling through town can earn a little gas money. Generally an admission of $4 - $7 is charged for the all-ages shows, but on this Saturday night, there was no cover. “I have to pay staff and cover operating expenses,” says Carpenter. “We’ve made some mistakes, but generally it’s been going really well. We have something going almost every Saturday night.” Twenty or so young patrons talk in small groups, and read flyers promoting the upcoming show with The Dirty Earls, The Kregs, For the Birds, and The King’s Road, slated to perform 9 p.m. – midnight Saturday; $4 at the door.
Fat Cat Café is located at 2060 Orchard Road in the Forest Square Shopping Center in Carolina Forest.
The Whiskey Buzz
In the Galleria shopping center (Lake Arrowhead Road, Myrtle Beach), once home to a lot of live music, veteran bar owner and manager Roger Davisson has opened Whiskey Beach Bar & Grill. The well-designed sports bar/restaurant and live music venue is open to all styles, but country is king. Whiskey Beach will begin opening midday for a Country Cookin’ Buffet starting today and running 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Monday – Friday.
“We’re doing a lot of live country music here,” said Davisson who’s been around the beach for decades owning and operating well known establishments, including: 2001 Nightclub, Celebrations at Broadway at the Beach, the Beach Wagon, and others. Whiskey Beach has a large, raised permanent stage, lighting, and P.A. system, along with pool tables, a large U-shaped bar, lunch, happy hour and dinner menu.
“We’ve had [country acts] Austin Mowery, the Atwater Band, Headin’ South, a bunch of up and coming national acts, and some bigger names coming this spring and summer. We also do the Thursday Night Beach Party with variety and beach music bands, too.” The Chocolate Chip & Company Band is slated to bring the Funk You Up Party to Whiskey Beach the first Saturday of every month, beginning March 7.
This story was originally published February 4, 2015 at 2:06 PM with the headline "Myrtle Beach coffee house and new Galleria whiskey bar both target live music but different crowds."